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Post MBA Career in Technology Domain for an IT Professional

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Post MBA Career in Technology Domain for an IT Professional

by gmatfighter11 » Thu Aug 18, 2011 10:11 am
Dear Sir/Madam

I am an IT professional with a strong base in technology with 7 years of experience (3 years of leadership experience). I plan to take up either Management Consulting (with Technology Focus) or General Management as my MBA concentrations.

I plan to apply this fall and wish to pursue a career aiming at executive positions such as CTO/CIO/Director of R&D. I researched quite a few websites to understand the career path of a C class technology role, but couldn't find much information.

Could you please tell me what could be a possible career path for me to reach any of the positions mentioned above.

Many Thanks
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by Lisa Anderson » Sat Aug 20, 2011 11:54 am
Dear gmatfighter11,

There are many routes to a C level within an organization. With your focus on a technology role, then you probably should stay close to the IT, technology and/or R&D departments of the companies you target. For in depth career research on MBA careers and career paths, you might check out www.wetfeet.com and www.vault.com, as well as www.mba.com.

Good luck,
Lisa
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by gmatfighter11 » Sat Oct 01, 2011 1:02 am
Thanks Lisa

It does make sense to promote someone with a thorough technical background into these roles and MBA surely doesn't focus on technology. Perhaps an MS in Technology would help.

I thought that if one aims at social entrepreneurship via e-comm, these c levels jobs may provide the relevant leadership experience to lead his/her start up.

What could be an appropriate career path for someone who wishes to start up an e-comm business? I doubt whether all the graduates with similar aims straightaway open their own business. If they don't, what do they do in the meantime?

Many thanks
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by Lisa Anderson » Tue Oct 04, 2011 8:15 am
Dear gmatfighter11,

The reality is many paths can lead to the same destination. Since you already have a strong background in technology, then an MBA might be the next step for you to gain the skills you need as an executive. MBA degrees are highly versatile and, depending on the school, can prepare you for both managing large organizations and starting your own. Assess what your experiences are to date--what skills have you developed, what industry/functional knowledge have you amassed, and what are the holes you need to fill to achieve your goals in the future? Then, you can determine the best route to fill those gaps--an MBA, type of experience (i.e., manager at a large company, manager with a start-up, both, etc.). Your path might not be the same as someone else's to the same destination as your backgrounds are different. The career sites I mentioned previously should have some relevant information on all of these questions as well. Once you start looking, you should be able to find enough data to analyze and then determine where you need to go next.

Good luck,
Lisa
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by gmatfighter11 » Tue Oct 04, 2011 9:02 am
Thanks Lisa

MBA is indeed the right step towards my goal. I've also been speaking with alumni regarding the same and it appears that not all start a business. Many work in the relevant industry to to sharpen their learnt knowledge in the real world. Moreover, besides providing the much required industry experience after college, it does let one to expand the network.

I did go through the suggested websites and did benefit.

Regards
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