Where to now?

[dietergw]

Hi

I have been working in I.T. for just over two years now, I have completed my MCSE and was wondering what next. In the long term I am really interested getting into project management, but have no idea where to start. How would you go about getting into I.T. project management if you have no experience? Any advice or addtitional info would be appreciated.

Cheers

D

 

[LesleyW]

Is there anyone at your firm who is responsible for your career development?

When I was in your position I spoke to my "career manager" and let him know that was the way I wanted to progress in the long run - and for me I do mean the long run. I want to keep my hand in the technical field for a good few years yet. He was able to sort me out a small project to both project manage AND do the technical stuff on (it ran for 3 months and I was also 60% of the resource). I quite enjoyed doing that on a little project but don't want to get into full blown project management yet.

I'm currently the "technical lead" in a larger project, but my immediate boss is the project manager. This allows me to gain experience of mini-project-managing (I look after the VB Development and the Environments) while still doing some coding and NOT having to report to senior management.

A lot will depend on how your company values you and your career progression. This will simply not be practical in a small company.

If your current position (if indeed you have one) does not provide this kind of support it will be very hard - its not the kind of thing someone is going to take you on to do if you are a complete greenhorn.

 

[dietergw]

Thanks for the response.
The company I am at is pretty small, so there isnt anyone who takes care of career development. I am planning on moving on to a bigger company at the end of the year so hopefully they will have someone who will be able to help in that respect. So basically what you are saying is that the company itself would be the entity who would be able to help me towards my goal?

So is there nothing that I can do personally to improve my situation? I still want to be involved in the technical side of things but in the long term I dont want to be a network techinican forever (no disrespect, just not what I want to do forever).

Thanks again.

 

[CajunCenturion]

In my experience, a BS/BA degree is almost a requirement to get into management positions. The MCSE may serve you well in your current position, but I don't think you'll find it to be something which will allow you to move up the corporate ladder.

I would recommend that you look into taking a few classes at night at your local university. With any luck, local won't be too far away, or too expensive, towards a degree.

Secondly, you'll need project experience. That means becoming part of an IT Team involved in a long term project. As a network technician, about the only types of long-term projects which provide you with the kind of experience that would enhance your promotion/trial into a Project Management position would be the design and subsequent installation of fairly large-scale LAN/WAN systems. Generally, these types of projects will be more in the software development arena, rather than in network administration. Here again, some night courses with an emphasis in programming would enhance your chances of becoming involved with such a project.

Good Luck
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As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein