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by syj999

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?I am a University graduate in Electronics and Communication Engineering. I have total of 13 yrs of IT ??experience. I did my CNE in 1995 and have been upgrading since that time till now. I did MCP in NT ??in 2000. I have been working as Systems Engineer mainly in the field of Novell NetWare. I rarely ??worked on NT or 2000. I have never worked in any other platform. I am 35 and now I am planning to ??move ahead to excel in the field of IT. I am confused as how to start with. I have been researching ??about different career options and I concluded that I could be in one of the four career tracks. Firstly to ??go ahead as a Systems Engineer by persuing certifications in Microsoft, Linux and Unix. Second option ??as an IT Consultant, but I don't know much about this career track. Third option I feel is to jump to ??Oracle DBA then become DB Analyst. Finally the fourth option as an IT Manger which I am neither ??happy nor confident. Pls. advice, which track will be more suitable as a Senior Position based on my ??past track. Although currently I have a good job, but I feel unhappy when I see youngsters doing the ??same work as I do who are not even having Engineering degree. I am not enjoying the current job. I ??want to be away from the youngster crowd at the same time I want to be in a senior level position.? How about Network Management, Network security etc. Please advice if any hot career tracks have apportunities.

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by bfilmfan

You are going to have some catch up to do having stayed in the Novell arena and not kept up to date with the changes in the Microsoft world.

To be an IT consultant, you are going to need a successful experience with lage clients. Despite having great technical and interpersonal skills, the person with big client names on the resume is going to get a call first. My advice on careers is:

Pick a technical track and learn all you can. Join user groups in your area. Ask more experienced folks in your technical area of choice to become a mentor. Start a mentoring program of your own in your area of expertise.

Become proficient at documentation. Most clients are using system management processes, such as Six Sigma, ITIL and ISO 9000. You should take a familiarization course on project management techniques if you plan to be a consultant. All of these project management processes require documentation.

Take classes in buisness management, economics and computer science. beign able to understand how a busines splan is developed, funded and completed is one of those "soft skills" which organizations are seeking.

Best of luck in your career.

by bfilmfan

And you can keep the 150 points. Advice on your career is free, just like most of the technical answers here, since people seldom bother to rate them...

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