Certification - May 2008 - (Page 11) very much whether you understood the industry,” he said, adding that he was surprised by the quality of jobs he could get when he first started out almost 40 years ago with only his freshly printed diploma and nominal IT expertise. “[Today], technology is woven into the essence of the company: how it works, what products and services it offers,” he said. “How you use IT in financial services is different from how you use IT [elsewhere]. In order to play a strategic role in a company where [you’re] working, [you’ve] got to understand the technology in the context of that industry.” That said, learning the ins and outs of one particular field — let alone multiple fields — as well as maintaining a strong set of technical skills is a tough assignment for even the sharpest IT student. But you can map your career progression more easily by categorizing all business industries into one of two areas: service and product. A study conducted by Russell Reynolds and Cambria Consulting found that 90 percent of CIOs spend their careers in one or the other — that is, either in service-based industries, such as transportation or telecommunications, or in product-based industries, such as manufacturing or pharmaceuticals. So if you were employed as an IT professional at a cable conglomerate and are considering a new job at a financial services company, the move shouldn’t be too tricky because you’ve already had to understand the forces impacting technology in a service-based environment. “It’s like picking up a new language: You can learn rather quickly if you’re inclined to learn [and if you have] a decent coach in the company,” McCreight said. “The world of technology’s going to be attract[ing] people with an insatiable appetite for learning.” 8 – Agatha Gilmore, agilmore@certmag.com DOES YOUR COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY OFFER DEGREES AND PROGRAMS IN IT? WOULD YOU LIKE TO REACH OUT TO MORE THAN 50,000 IT PROFESSIONALS? Advertise in Academic Connection: Where IT professionals look when they’re headed back to campus. For more information on advertising in Academic Connection, contact sales@certmag.com. I use it every day. Of all the resources I use to make a difference in IT today, the one I use the most is what I learned through Bellevue University. A degree gave me the knowledge and confidence to take the lead in my job, making a difference every day. Select from more than 20 accelerated bachelor’s degrees and 12 master’s degrees online including these for IT professionals: • Bachelor’s in BIS, CIS-Business, CIS-Technology Advancement Program, Internet Systems and Software Technology, MIS, and Systems & Network Administration • Master’s in CIS and MIS Call 800-756-7920 to enroll today. y Real Learning for Real Life www.bellevue.edu Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The Bellevue University College of Business also is accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). Bellevue University does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability in the educational programs and activities it operates. Earn up to 16 credits for your IT certifications. http://www.wgu.edu/cm14 http://www.wgu.edu/cm14 http://www.bellevue.edu
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