IT Career Path.. Where have you ended up?
Discussion
Left university in 1999 with Computing degree
Worked for EDS for three years as a software engineer
Left to move to Devon to be with my girlfriend (eventual wife)
Worked as network\application support for a local council for six years
Left and taught ICT in an FE college for two years
Hated that, so got a job as an ICT technician in a local school
Was promoted to ICT manager when the old one left
Was there almost 6 years but moved on when a new Principal came in
Am now Head of IT for a local manufacturing firm and have been there 2.5 years
It's been a bit of a roundabout route but it has been interesting!
Worked for EDS for three years as a software engineer
Left to move to Devon to be with my girlfriend (eventual wife)
Worked as network\application support for a local council for six years
Left and taught ICT in an FE college for two years
Hated that, so got a job as an ICT technician in a local school
Was promoted to ICT manager when the old one left
Was there almost 6 years but moved on when a new Principal came in
Am now Head of IT for a local manufacturing firm and have been there 2.5 years
It's been a bit of a roundabout route but it has been interesting!
One day, I'll know what I want to do for a career 
, but in the meantime:
Late 80's - did HNC E&E engineering at college.
First job - cleaning computers, old computers.
Switched to a consultancy at 19 and started supporting cost and planning systems (dBase/Foxbase). Spent 2 years doing that.
Then went contract at 22 as a planning systems engineer / IT one stop shop for a couple of companies.
The systems I was a guru in became obsolete with the arrival of the new windows based applications (which didn't actually do the job but were cheap) so I gave up supporting systems and started using them as a planner.
Was a planner for a few years and a few companies before becoming involved in the testing phase of a massive ERP project in 1999. Used that as a jumping board to continue into the testing side of things and have been a Test Manager now for 17 years and over 10 various global clients on various contracts.
I never had a career path as such, just made a few choices at various points and have followed the contracts for about 25 years now.
, but in the meantime:Late 80's - did HNC E&E engineering at college.
First job - cleaning computers, old computers.
Switched to a consultancy at 19 and started supporting cost and planning systems (dBase/Foxbase). Spent 2 years doing that.
Then went contract at 22 as a planning systems engineer / IT one stop shop for a couple of companies.
The systems I was a guru in became obsolete with the arrival of the new windows based applications (which didn't actually do the job but were cheap) so I gave up supporting systems and started using them as a planner.
Was a planner for a few years and a few companies before becoming involved in the testing phase of a massive ERP project in 1999. Used that as a jumping board to continue into the testing side of things and have been a Test Manager now for 17 years and over 10 various global clients on various contracts.
I never had a career path as such, just made a few choices at various points and have followed the contracts for about 25 years now.
Mid 90's - Started in a call centre on the phones.
Did bits and bobs helping out with call scripts and ivr stuff.
Helped scope out the upgraded ACD/telephone system then involved in implementation and set-up.
Became the defacto telecoms/call centre expert.
Meridian/centrex type stuff.
Underappreciated and underpaid so I moved on to work for a credit card company doing much the same thing but larger and with better gear mainly Aspect ACD and early Geotel/Cisco ICM with edify IVR. ACD/routing specialist. 2000-2002
Moved to 2nd/3rd line support for a Mobile phone company supporting their call centres. Crap job, shifts, very limited remit. Got a better offer after 6 months.
Took a consultant role but employed by a 3rd party doing 2nd/3rd line support for a telco, similar kit to before. Eventually involved in management buy out so leading a small team inside the telco. Got out and started doing pre-sales/design/build/deploy work, only 6 of us in the company so lots of roles and flexibility. Got sold to a larger telco and golden handcuffs which paid off to the tune of double my salary over 3 years. Only did Cisco UCCE/CVP stuff.
Left to work for an SI as pre-sales to expand horizons, they did Cisco but also Microsoft (Lync) and Aspect stuff. Went well until the Co overstretched themselves and ended up in receivership. Made redundant.
Still doing pre-sales in contact centres but now in Workforce Optimisation (call recording, scheduling, analytics) working for the market leading vendor. Sort of moving across into a a bit of product management these days specialising in Biometric Authentication and fraud analytics.
Did bits and bobs helping out with call scripts and ivr stuff.
Helped scope out the upgraded ACD/telephone system then involved in implementation and set-up.
Became the defacto telecoms/call centre expert.
Meridian/centrex type stuff.
Underappreciated and underpaid so I moved on to work for a credit card company doing much the same thing but larger and with better gear mainly Aspect ACD and early Geotel/Cisco ICM with edify IVR. ACD/routing specialist. 2000-2002
Moved to 2nd/3rd line support for a Mobile phone company supporting their call centres. Crap job, shifts, very limited remit. Got a better offer after 6 months.
Took a consultant role but employed by a 3rd party doing 2nd/3rd line support for a telco, similar kit to before. Eventually involved in management buy out so leading a small team inside the telco. Got out and started doing pre-sales/design/build/deploy work, only 6 of us in the company so lots of roles and flexibility. Got sold to a larger telco and golden handcuffs which paid off to the tune of double my salary over 3 years. Only did Cisco UCCE/CVP stuff.
Left to work for an SI as pre-sales to expand horizons, they did Cisco but also Microsoft (Lync) and Aspect stuff. Went well until the Co overstretched themselves and ended up in receivership. Made redundant.
Still doing pre-sales in contact centres but now in Workforce Optimisation (call recording, scheduling, analytics) working for the market leading vendor. Sort of moving across into a a bit of product management these days specialising in Biometric Authentication and fraud analytics.
iwantagta said:
IT service delivery manager for 2.5 years now. (Although role encompasses a lot of BA & PM works as well).
No desire (or ability) to go more technical - looking at exit opportunities now as I need a change.
Sounds like we are in a similar position and I'm also looking for an exit opportunity. Let me know if you find one that still pays well!No desire (or ability) to go more technical - looking at exit opportunities now as I need a change.
Banking Operations - Corporate Actions for 12 years, then decided enough was enough of that and moved to a Test Analyst role.
18 months doing that and then moved into Business Systems Analyst.
All in the same company, been here about 15 years now.
Quite varied but couldn't go back to operations.
I never really intended to have an IT career, In fact I never had any idea what career I'd have after finishing my A-Levels and not going to Uni due to me having a Son, the plan prior to that was to study law, anyway route went roughly like this
2000 > Joined Natwest doing mortgage admin, it was during the time they were merging with RBS and due to me being decent on computers (studied IT A-Level) I somehow ended up working on that team for a bit
then worked for a few years doing technical support for BT Internet, initially on dial-up and then on the first customer broadband setups
did a few more IT support jobs before doing some change and release management for a small company that hosted insurance broker software
joined Interserve to continue doing release management but during a re-org I ended up becoming a "Business Solutions Analyst" which was basically a BA where I'd look at what we'd need to do when setting up our IT for new Defence & Healthcare contracts
moved to Egg the credit card people as a Business Analyst and stayed there for about 3 years until it was about to go under
Joined Rolls Royce in early 2011 as an "IT Business Partner" which was essentially a BA / Relationship Manager crossover role then in 2013 I moved partially into the operations side of the business as head of manufacturing systems for the aerospace engine assembly business where I now try to get IT to do the things that the operational business needs
I've really enjoyed my career so far and now really like the balance of being more business focussed but still working a lot in deploying IT to solve business problems and looking at future technologies and how they can help us in the future
2000 > Joined Natwest doing mortgage admin, it was during the time they were merging with RBS and due to me being decent on computers (studied IT A-Level) I somehow ended up working on that team for a bit
then worked for a few years doing technical support for BT Internet, initially on dial-up and then on the first customer broadband setups
did a few more IT support jobs before doing some change and release management for a small company that hosted insurance broker software
joined Interserve to continue doing release management but during a re-org I ended up becoming a "Business Solutions Analyst" which was basically a BA where I'd look at what we'd need to do when setting up our IT for new Defence & Healthcare contracts
moved to Egg the credit card people as a Business Analyst and stayed there for about 3 years until it was about to go under
Joined Rolls Royce in early 2011 as an "IT Business Partner" which was essentially a BA / Relationship Manager crossover role then in 2013 I moved partially into the operations side of the business as head of manufacturing systems for the aerospace engine assembly business where I now try to get IT to do the things that the operational business needs
I've really enjoyed my career so far and now really like the balance of being more business focussed but still working a lot in deploying IT to solve business problems and looking at future technologies and how they can help us in the future
juice said:
Like the poster above said, I didn't have a plan and I followed it 
I guess staying current is the biggest challenge, I recently certified as a GSLC and we're implementing the CIS Security controls (1-7) along with awareness training. Its a varied role but one that I really enjoy.
What prompted your question, what's your background ?
Agreed, my take on it is two fold. There is "relevance" to your industry and then there is "worth" to your company & I don't think the two are mutually exclusive. so you can mould yourself to keep your worth to a company however this may have a detrimental effect on your worth to the greater market or, stay relevant with your technical skills but maybe move on more often than some.I guess staying current is the biggest challenge, I recently certified as a GSLC and we're implementing the CIS Security controls (1-7) along with awareness training. Its a varied role but one that I really enjoy.
What prompted your question, what's your background ?
I certainly haven't been around as long as many on this thread. I left University 4 years ago next month, I have been with my current company 4 years next month so was employed from the off. I started in support then went on to coordinate the telephony team and now I head up lifecycle and procurement. The company is large, well known and currently, doing rather well so I feel as though I am in a good place. I will be thirty in a couple of years and I often wonder where I will end up, now managing the procurement function I am not dealing with technical issues but am improving other areas if my knowledge.
Interesting to see what others have done and if nothing else its nice to see those like me without a plan can sometimes do very well!
AndStilliRise said:
Started as a coder in 2000.
2017, still coding, still loving it.
Found it was the only thing i could do (well). Did try team leading and being a consultant, but realized that once you leave the code behind, it is very difficult to start again with it.
Pretty much this, although I started in '98. Had a couple of years out doing infrastructure stuff (mainly websphere related) but returned to coding when I realised I'd much rather be doing that than tinkering with thread pools and keystores!2017, still coding, still loving it.
Found it was the only thing i could do (well). Did try team leading and being a consultant, but realized that once you leave the code behind, it is very difficult to start again with it.
SlidingSideways said:
AndStilliRise said:
Started as a coder in 2000.
2017, still coding, still loving it.
Found it was the only thing i could do (well). Did try team leading and being a consultant, but realized that once you leave the code behind, it is very difficult to start again with it.
Pretty much this, although I started in '98. Had a couple of years out doing infrastructure stuff (mainly websphere related) but returned to coding when I realised I'd much rather be doing that than tinkering with thread pools and keystores!2017, still coding, still loving it.
Found it was the only thing i could do (well). Did try team leading and being a consultant, but realized that once you leave the code behind, it is very difficult to start again with it.
Started off in a small office doing C++ in early 2000s, 15 years later I'm still doing C++ but in a nicer office
BRR said:
I never really intended to have an IT career, In fact I never had any idea what career I'd have after finishing my A-Levels and not going to Uni due to me having a Son, the plan prior to that was to study law, anyway route went roughly like this
2000 > Joined Natwest doing mortgage admin, it was during the time they were merging with RBS and due to me being decent on computers (studied IT A-Level) I somehow ended up working on that team for a bit
then worked for a few years doing technical support for BT Internet, initially on dial-up and then on the first customer broadband setups
did a few more IT support jobs before doing some change and release management for a small company that hosted insurance broker software
joined Interserve to continue doing release management but during a re-org I ended up becoming a "Business Solutions Analyst" which was basically a BA where I'd look at what we'd need to do when setting up our IT for new Defence & Healthcare contracts
moved to Egg the credit card people as a Business Analyst and stayed there for about 3 years until it was about to go under
Joined Rolls Royce in early 2011 as an "IT Business Partner" which was essentially a BA / Relationship Manager crossover role then in 2013 I moved partially into the operations side of the business as head of manufacturing systems for the aerospace engine assembly business where I now try to get IT to do the things that the operational business needs
I've really enjoyed my career so far and now really like the balance of being more business focussed but still working a lot in deploying IT to solve business problems and looking at future technologies and how they can help us in the future
What are the benefits like at RR 2000 > Joined Natwest doing mortgage admin, it was during the time they were merging with RBS and due to me being decent on computers (studied IT A-Level) I somehow ended up working on that team for a bit
then worked for a few years doing technical support for BT Internet, initially on dial-up and then on the first customer broadband setups
did a few more IT support jobs before doing some change and release management for a small company that hosted insurance broker software
joined Interserve to continue doing release management but during a re-org I ended up becoming a "Business Solutions Analyst" which was basically a BA where I'd look at what we'd need to do when setting up our IT for new Defence & Healthcare contracts
moved to Egg the credit card people as a Business Analyst and stayed there for about 3 years until it was about to go under
Joined Rolls Royce in early 2011 as an "IT Business Partner" which was essentially a BA / Relationship Manager crossover role then in 2013 I moved partially into the operations side of the business as head of manufacturing systems for the aerospace engine assembly business where I now try to get IT to do the things that the operational business needs
I've really enjoyed my career so far and now really like the balance of being more business focussed but still working a lot in deploying IT to solve business problems and looking at future technologies and how they can help us in the future
?Programmer as a child / paid games work
Teaching computers local adult education
Left School / Skipped University
Programmer in C / 8086 Assembler
Programmer in RPG (Hated it, stupid cycle per record)
Programmer in Cobol
Start-up CASE tool Trainer
Pre-Sales Consultant
Pre-Sales Manager
Training again for an internet start-up
Training Manager for large company
Training Director for another start-up
Teaching computers local adult education
Left School / Skipped University
Programmer in C / 8086 Assembler
Programmer in RPG (Hated it, stupid cycle per record)
Programmer in Cobol
Start-up CASE tool Trainer
Pre-Sales Consultant
Pre-Sales Manager
Training again for an internet start-up
Training Manager for large company
Training Director for another start-up
Started back in 1998 straight from school.
1. Junior Systems Administrator (Skill seekers program). 6 months
2. Finished NC Computing Science at nighschool
3. Product Support Analyst 2 years
4. Finished HNC Computing Science at night school
5. Senior Product Support Analyst 1 year
6. Application Developer 1 year
7. Senior Field Support Officer 2 Years
8. Implementation Technical Lead 2 Years
9. Finished Bsc Hons in computing Science at night school
10. Gained Microsoft MCITP SQL server 2005
11. Database Administrator 2 Years
12. Gained Microsoft MCITP SQL server 2008
13. Senior Database Administrator 4 Years
14. Gained MCSE SQL server 2012\2014
15. Principal Database Administrator last 2 years till now
What lies ahead who knows, currently studying towards some AWS and Azure certification, but I'll most likely stay within the DB Technology field for a long time yet.
1. Junior Systems Administrator (Skill seekers program). 6 months
2. Finished NC Computing Science at nighschool
3. Product Support Analyst 2 years
4. Finished HNC Computing Science at night school
5. Senior Product Support Analyst 1 year
6. Application Developer 1 year
7. Senior Field Support Officer 2 Years
8. Implementation Technical Lead 2 Years
9. Finished Bsc Hons in computing Science at night school
10. Gained Microsoft MCITP SQL server 2005
11. Database Administrator 2 Years
12. Gained Microsoft MCITP SQL server 2008
13. Senior Database Administrator 4 Years
14. Gained MCSE SQL server 2012\2014
15. Principal Database Administrator last 2 years till now
What lies ahead who knows, currently studying towards some AWS and Azure certification, but I'll most likely stay within the DB Technology field for a long time yet.
haventahybrid said:
What are the benefits like at RR ?
depends on where you work and what grade you're at, they're pretty standard though for large companies. they have a decent work/life balance culture though and it's very good for sports and social things?They're a good company to work for and as they're so big you could do a whole range of different jobs across the world within the same company
Olivera said:
A rough timeline:
B.Sc. Computer Science
Worked for a few startups (dot com boom)
M.Sc. Computer Science
US Investment Bank
Reuters (contract dev)
UK Bank (contract dev)
Getting a little bored of IT development now (aged 38), so considering either a career change and/or semi-retirement.
I think that rough timeline translates to ££££. Backed up by the fact that at 38 you are in the enviable position of considering retirement. I am sure that being in the right place at the right time helped i.e. dot com boom but the fact you went back to do your MSc shows you have not taken anything for granted. Good man!B.Sc. Computer Science
Worked for a few startups (dot com boom)
M.Sc. Computer Science
US Investment Bank
Reuters (contract dev)
UK Bank (contract dev)
Getting a little bored of IT development now (aged 38), so considering either a career change and/or semi-retirement.
1991 - Trainee Data Entry Clerk
1992 - Trainee Mainframe Clerk
1994 - Some other crap I have forgot.
1996 - Compuserve Monkey
2001 - IT Manager for a commercial relocation company. - Not technical enough and hated.
2003 - 2011 Systems Engineer - Contractor.
2007 - DC build in Hong Kong for a client in the above timeline - - This one had AS400's so they were fun / red daleks. - Contractor.
2012 - Present - Design and build DC's - Anywhere in the world - Contractor.
DC's = Datacentres not Domain Controllers although they can be included for a price.
I love my work I get to do it from home and I get to meet some interesting people and technology without the politics.
At 49 I will not give it up just yet I love the work, I love seeing "What I have created" and the money is too damn good to give up. Coupled with I feel 30 years old so have the energy to continue.
I just noticed the above timeline makes me feel old I met my wife in 1989 and yes we are still together and she still will take a hammer to any tech if asked
1992 - Trainee Mainframe Clerk
1994 - Some other crap I have forgot.
1996 - Compuserve Monkey
2001 - IT Manager for a commercial relocation company. - Not technical enough and hated.
2003 - 2011 Systems Engineer - Contractor.
2007 - DC build in Hong Kong for a client in the above timeline - - This one had AS400's so they were fun / red daleks. - Contractor.
2012 - Present - Design and build DC's - Anywhere in the world - Contractor.
DC's = Datacentres not Domain Controllers although they can be included for a price.
I love my work I get to do it from home and I get to meet some interesting people and technology without the politics.
At 49 I will not give it up just yet I love the work, I love seeing "What I have created" and the money is too damn good to give up. Coupled with I feel 30 years old so have the energy to continue.
I just noticed the above timeline makes me feel old I met my wife in 1989 and yes we are still together and she still will take a hammer to any tech if asked
Aged 22 in 2005 when I started out.
Call Handler and Call Co-ordinator for Information Systems Dept - Car Manufacturer (1 year)
IT Support Analyst (1st and 2nd Line) - Financial Services / Motor Finance (3 years)
Desktop Support - Financial Services / Asset Management (2 years)
Desktop Support Team Lead - Financial Services / Asset Management (2 years)
Team Lead for Service Desk and 2nd Line Infrastructure - Financial Services / Asset Management (2 years)
3rd Line Networks and Cyber Security Lead - Financial Services / Asset Management (2.5 years)
The last 4 roles have all been at the same firm and last role in particular isnt so much a change of direction as it may seem as I've kind of being doing most things networking and security over the past 4-5 years.
Edit to add... I was always interested in IT Ops/Infrastructure and knew I wanted to get into Networking from my 2nd role within IT, I guess Network Security has seamlessly led into Cyber Security and at this stage in my career I've got a real passion again and see my career moving into a dedicated Security role.
Call Handler and Call Co-ordinator for Information Systems Dept - Car Manufacturer (1 year)
IT Support Analyst (1st and 2nd Line) - Financial Services / Motor Finance (3 years)
Desktop Support - Financial Services / Asset Management (2 years)
Desktop Support Team Lead - Financial Services / Asset Management (2 years)
Team Lead for Service Desk and 2nd Line Infrastructure - Financial Services / Asset Management (2 years)
3rd Line Networks and Cyber Security Lead - Financial Services / Asset Management (2.5 years)
The last 4 roles have all been at the same firm and last role in particular isnt so much a change of direction as it may seem as I've kind of being doing most things networking and security over the past 4-5 years.
Edit to add... I was always interested in IT Ops/Infrastructure and knew I wanted to get into Networking from my 2nd role within IT, I guess Network Security has seamlessly led into Cyber Security and at this stage in my career I've got a real passion again and see my career moving into a dedicated Security role.
Edited by DanCup on Tuesday 11th July 21:01
I started my career in IT back in 1993. First job was working for a brokerage company - we dealt in the re-use and recycling of older machines, usually ex-office stuff. Dabbled a bit on the brokerage side, but enjoyed messing around with the actual hardware more.
From that, I went into various technical support jobs through the early and mid '90s, which naturally led to me doing a fair bit of Y2K compliance work (a never to be repeated, once in a lifetime, licence to print money!)
In 1999, an unexpected career crossroads presented itself to me. I was asked by my employer at the time to run their Y2K project (they knew I'd done other Y2K work). I jumped at the chance, and found myself with a (temporary) team of 50 staff, and 10,000 machines to check/remediate/replace as required.
It was then I realised my future lie in IT Management. Whilst I was a competent techie, I was never amazing (like some of the uber geeks I worked with), and I felt very at home in supervisory roles.
Fast forward to 2000, and I took up a job as IT Manager with a pharmaceutical plc, where I remained for 5 years. Needing a change, I went back to contracting for a while, but the pull of permanent work saw me doing another 5 year stint, this time as European IT Manager for a big Japanese company.
Since then (around 2011), I've been a committed contractor, enjoying the variety and flexibility (and daily rates!) such work provides. I've carved a bit of a niche for myself in public sector, having worked for the MoD, NHS, and two local authorities, though I am equally as happy in commercial environments.
The only downsides of the way I've done it is the uncertainty between contracts. Some see such breaks as holidays, though I'm always keen to get back into work - not just so I can earn money (which, of course is important). I'm one of those people who NEEDS to work, if that makes sense.
On reflection, I'd say my career has gone as planned, or at least, as I'd expected it to (post 1999, at any rate). If I'd not gone down the "professional gun for hire route", I would probably be an IT Director by now, though I get itchy feet fairly quickly, so contracting's probably better for me!
From that, I went into various technical support jobs through the early and mid '90s, which naturally led to me doing a fair bit of Y2K compliance work (a never to be repeated, once in a lifetime, licence to print money!)
In 1999, an unexpected career crossroads presented itself to me. I was asked by my employer at the time to run their Y2K project (they knew I'd done other Y2K work). I jumped at the chance, and found myself with a (temporary) team of 50 staff, and 10,000 machines to check/remediate/replace as required.
It was then I realised my future lie in IT Management. Whilst I was a competent techie, I was never amazing (like some of the uber geeks I worked with), and I felt very at home in supervisory roles.
Fast forward to 2000, and I took up a job as IT Manager with a pharmaceutical plc, where I remained for 5 years. Needing a change, I went back to contracting for a while, but the pull of permanent work saw me doing another 5 year stint, this time as European IT Manager for a big Japanese company.
Since then (around 2011), I've been a committed contractor, enjoying the variety and flexibility (and daily rates!) such work provides. I've carved a bit of a niche for myself in public sector, having worked for the MoD, NHS, and two local authorities, though I am equally as happy in commercial environments.
The only downsides of the way I've done it is the uncertainty between contracts. Some see such breaks as holidays, though I'm always keen to get back into work - not just so I can earn money (which, of course is important). I'm one of those people who NEEDS to work, if that makes sense.
On reflection, I'd say my career has gone as planned, or at least, as I'd expected it to (post 1999, at any rate). If I'd not gone down the "professional gun for hire route", I would probably be an IT Director by now, though I get itchy feet fairly quickly, so contracting's probably better for me!
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