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by ayoshi 1 view

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I have been working with computers for 22 years (since I was 12), with the last 10 years as an IT Professional. I have no college degree (I attended one semester prior to joining the US Navy).

The various positions that I have held over the lastten years encompass almost all aspects of a technology organization (PC Only), from VP of Fortune 50 Financial institution, to CIO of an international subsidiary of another Fortune 500 company.

I am very process oriented, very technical, and am as hands-on as I need to be (as CIO, my first task was to build an entire network/telecommunications network from scratch with no truly qualified local support, then teach the people under me how to run most of it).

However, my strengths are out-of-the-box thinking, Microsoft Networking, directory services concepts, Project Management. Determination is my biggest asset, and also my biggest weakness.

My ethical stance is uncompromising, i.e. based upon business requirements, I will set an arbitrary "minimum" technical requirements, and I will not compromise to save a few dollars if I evaluate that there is a significant risk to the system/client (i.e. let's do a weekly backup rather than a daily backup on the companies financial data).

Though I am gifted in the area of architecture, I am currently in a position as a Sr. Programmer/Analyst (how I got here is a LONG story).

My desire is to move back into the management realm, however, I find that my lack of a college degree makes it almost impossible to even be considered for management.

10 replies

by ayoshi

(continued)

My overall question is, what are companies looking for these days in their management level?

Must I get my college degree? or are my years of experience at all levels now worth something?

I have found over the last several yearsthat the best position for me is as the "right-hand" man to a Sr. Executive, as I can get the job done efficiently if I am given the authority to do it. Is this a good trait? or a bad trait?

by timthetoolman

Hi AYoshi,

From your description you sound like technically, you're quite competent but your preferance is to be the "right hand man" of someone.

I read into this that you're possibly not entirely comfortable taking a leadership role and making the decisions on the best way to head.

Rather you'd prefer to have that decision made for you and to drive that process forward to an efficient successful completion?

That also comes from your "out of the box" thinking.

I believe it may bevaluable for you to get your degree and would encourage you to do this if you can afford to...

It will open doors to you and also possibly change the way you approach problems - from a management perspective.

Of course there are many "management positions" that are bent towards team leads where your skills would be well utilised.

At the end of the day, only you know whats best for you and you need to make that decision youself.

I wish you well,
Tim.

by ayoshi

Tim, I'm looking specifically for information about what traits I should be "advertising". Should I advertise that I will do my best for the company, even if it ruffles a few feathers?

One of the biggest problems that I am facing right now is that I am very much over-qualified for my position (even my boss says that), and thus, though I like the company I'm with (really great group), I really would like a more challenging position.

I unfortunately find myself in the position of "You don't have a degree, so you don't qualify", and "Wow, I'd give you a job, but you're overqualified for the position and will leave too soon."

I'm trying to find what level I need to be aiming at.

by ayoshi

The reason I don't like being "in charge" is because I hate the paperwork that is associated with it.

In the VP position in NYC, and again in the CIO position in South America, I had excellent bosses, who realized that I knew my job, and they're attitude was simply, "Go do it, and make sure I don't get blind-sided by anything."

In the NYC case, it took a year-and-a-half, however, we were finally able to define a very workable global architecture, and implement it. In South America, we enabled a full network from the ground up (electrical, telephone, network wiring installation, desktops, servers) for ~400 people in three sites in just under four months. We were able to get it done, because I told my boss, this is what I need to get the job done, and he got the money for us to get the job done.

by timthetoolman

Hi again,

OK, with a little more information about your past and what you want from this answer...

I've had two main experiences in the twelve years I've been in the IT workforce... Ten years in a small Australian city, Hobart, as a system programmer working for a large power utility and 18 months working for one of the "big five" as a consultant in the largest Australian city, Sydney.

The cultures in the two work environments (and indeed cities) were completely different.

What could be considered progressive traits in the large power utility were more based on age and respect and how a client would regard you as a person.

Technical ability was considered secondary.

My experience with the "big five" firm was quite different. You had to succeed. Actually to be more precise, you had to been seen to succeed. It didn't matter whether that was reality or not.

A silver tongued individual who found himself in the right person's company at the right time and said the right thing was far better off than an individual who successfully implememted a major system.

So what might this mean to you? Well it means that you cant generalize about what traits people are looking for.

Really you need to read the person you're dealing with and decide what it is they want to hear. I know you may be thinking thats wishy-washy and really they want to hear "visions for the future" or some such thing, but its not true. Unless they WANT to hear visions for the future...

(continued...)

by timthetoolman

As far as management traits goes? Well your boss had the biggest one. He painted a picture of success to his boss (or the board or whoever) and was rewarded with the funding for the expansion.

You may have made it all work, but who was the one who was seen to have succeeded in the project by those above your boss. You or him?

Is it a good trait to be seen as a right-hand man? No. In order for people to believe that you are management material, they must see you being one.

My experience of CIOs is that they tend to be something of a mix of a project manager and technical architect.

Thats quite different from what I've seen of CEOs who tend to be a mix of a visionary and an entertainer.

Again, though... If you feel you're being held back by not having a degree, then go and get one.

Some people dont need one. If you know any like that then you'll know why.

Are you planning to apply for a management role in the company you're currently with or looking more broadly than that?

Is the only response you've had with others "You're not qualified without a degree" ?

If a company is trying to short list applicants the first lot they'll cut off will be those without degrees...

I could list standard traits for managers. But any test book will tell you that so I've tried to help by telling you what I've seen.

Oh, one last thing. If you dont like paperwork, then managment is all about paperwork. Is that a problem?

Hope its helped...
Cheers,
Tim.

by ayoshi

Thanks very much! You brought up an angle that I hadn't thought about.

Cheers,

AYoshi

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