Expert: Jodey Smith - 10/5/2008

Question
Hi Jodey,

I have a dilemma, that I would appreciate your advice and feedback on.

I am a 38 year old Health Professional (Podiatrist). I have been blessed to be accepted into a Master of IT Degree at a prestigious University, with a partial scholarship, and am halfway through my first semester. I have run my own small Businesses successfully for the last 12 years but sought a change and am enjoying the course.

My dilemma is as follows, I have before me two different streams in the Masters available, the first is Technical. It will see me graduate with a definite Job Title (Software Engineer), albeit at a lower level of the Hierarchy, much older than most in that job, and probably subject to out-sourcing to India or somewhere in the future, but, at least I have a clear IT career pathway short term.

The second stream is Managerial, which sees me graduate with a more nebulous Job title (Business Analyst, or IT Project Manager), but higher up in the hierarchy, and less prone to being outsourced in IT. I have no experience at IT Management (Other than running my own Practices with <3 employees).

So I am wondering at age 38 (will be 39 when I finish and Married (No kids), whether to go down the more definite skill path and be a Technical guy who can get a job based on skills developed at University, or, pursue a Managerial stream and aim higher. I am a little concerned that having limited experience as a Manager, a Degree may not help me to get a job. Is there a view that someone like me who has changed directions at an older age (not that I am old!) is sought after, or to be avoided?

Each option has it pros and cons, one (Technical) is more definite in the short term, the other (Managerial) is more future orientated, but uncertain.


What's your view..

Julian

Answer
I don't think the perceptions of changing directions at 39 are anything to worry about.
Everybody seems to have a worry:
"I'm too old"
"I'm too young"
"I have no experience"
"I'm under-qualified"
"I'm over-qualified"
"I'm too tall"
"I'm too short"

Your knowledge and experience are what make you valuable to a company.  I would say it is about 85% of what an employer looks for when considering you.  The degree would be about 14%.  And the pedigree (where you got the degree) would be less than 1%.

Pick the stream that interests you the most.  Which one would you enjoy most?
You will most likely be more successful and earn more money in a job you are passionate about.