IT Career

Being a generalist is a boon & a bane. It is especially a bane in the current economy, from a JOB point of view, as companies are hiring people who specialize in the particular field of their choice.

However, there is always a need for a generalist in CONSULTANCY as a consultant is expected to be a knowledge bank to solve all problems whatever the situation. There income perks in this line of work. On the down side, long periods of sitting at home doing nothing are not ruled out.

You've got to decide for yourself where you want to be and face consequences.

Arizona, and find a firm to attach to. Formerly Anderson Consulting, Accenture provides consulting services. So I would start finding consulting firms like Computer Sciences Corporation, EDS, etc. and get some consulting experience under your belt.

No one is going to give you the answer you are looking for, because you are looking in the wrong place. Ask YOURSELF what it is that you would like to be doing. Do you WANT to specialize in one area?

I have been in the IT arena for 20 years. What I love about it is that there is always something new to learn and explore. I do not claim to be an expert in any one discipline, but I _DO_ have great knowledge and experience in several.

For instance, ISC2 divides the InfoSec world into 10 specific domains. Access Control, App & Systems Development, Business Continuity Planning, Cryptography, Law, & Ethics, Operations, Physical Security, Architecture & Models, Security Management Practices, Telecom, Network & Internet Security. It would be nice to be an expert in all 10. Instead I am VERY knowledgeable in 2, knowledgable in 4 others and well versed in parts of the remaining 4. Because I enjoy and am passionate about these domains, I will pursue further knowledge.

I have taught as a Professor of Computer Studies at a recognized college in Toronto, and yet there were CNE's, MCSE's and even uncertified students that knew more about specific details of the OS than I did. I just knew enough about ALL of the subject areas tobring their collective knowledge up.

I know guys that decided they would specialize in mainframes. That was all that they would ever do. Others have learned to program using Visual Basic and use FoxPro or Delphi at an expert level. These same 'experts' are now upgrading their skills in different areas because there is nothing for them in their too narrow niche.

Bottom line. What is it that you enjoy doing and are passionate about? WHY are you passionate and interested? Are there other areas that are similar or related? Those are the arenas you should pursue.

No one is going to give you the answer you are looking for, because you are looking in the wrong place. Ask YOURSELF what it is that you would like to be doing. Do you WANT to specialize in one area?

I have been in the IT arena for 20 years. What I love about it is that there is always something new to learn and explore. I do not claim to be an expert in any one discipline, but I _DO_ have great knowledge and experience in several.

For instance, ISC2 divides the InfoSec world into 10 specific domains. Access Control, App & Systems Development, Business Continuity Planning, Cryptography, Law, & Ethics, Operations, Physical Security, Architecture & Models, Security Management Practices, Telecom, Network & Internet Security. It would be nice to be an expert in all 10. Instead I am VERY knowledgeable in 2, knowledgable in 4 others and well versed in parts of the remaining 4. Because I enjoy and am passionate about these domains, I will pursue further knowledge.

I have taught as a Professor of Computer Studies at a recognized college in Toronto, and yet there were CNE's, MCSE's and even uncertified students that knew more about specific details of the OS than I did. I just knew enough about ALL of the subject areas tobring their collective knowledge up.

I know guys that decided they would specialize in mainframes. That was all that they would ever do. Others have learned to program using Visual Basic and use FoxPro or Delphi at an expert level. These same 'experts' are now upgrading their skills in different areas because there is nothing for them in their too narrow niche.

Bottom line. What is it that you enjoy doing and are passionate about? WHY are you passionate and interested? Are there other areas that are similar or related? Those are the arenas you should pursue.

No one is going to give you the answer you are looking for, because you are looking in the wrong place. Ask YOURSELF what it is that you would like to be doing. Do you WANT to specialize in one area?

I have been in the IT arena for 20 years. What I love about it is that there is always something new to learn and explore. I do not claim to be an expert in any one discipline, but I _DO_ have great knowledge and experience in several.

For instance, ISC2 divides the InfoSec world into 10 specific domains. Access Control, App & Systems Development, Business Continuity Planning, Cryptography, Law, & Ethics, Operations, Physical Security, Architecture & Models, Security Management Practices, Telecom, Network & Internet Security. It would be nice to be an expert in all 10. Instead I am VERY knowledgeable in 2, knowledgable in 4 others and well versed in parts of the remaining 4. Because I enjoy and am passionate about these domains, I will pursue further knowledge.

I have taught as a Professor of Computer Studies at a recognized college in Toronto, and yet there were CNE's, MCSE's and even uncertified students that knew more about specific details of the OS than I did. I just knew enough about ALL of the subject areas tobring their collective knowledge up.

I know guys that decided they would specialize in mainframes. That was all that they would ever do. Others have learned to program using Visual Basic and use FoxPro or Delphi at an expert level. These same 'experts' are now upgrading their skills in different areas because there is nothing for them in their too narrow niche.

Bottom line. What is it that you enjoy doing and are passionate about? WHY are you passionate and interested? Are there other areas that are similar or related? Those are the arenas you should pursue.