What should my next step be?
January 26, 2011 8:21 PM Subscribe
I'm an intermediate/advanced C# software developer and I'm looking at getting my MBA. Will this help me move into a management or executive role? I would really like to get into consulting or away from coding as my sole job, along with opening up a wider range of opportunities. Is this smart?
My current employer is not doing well, and though I've been sending my resume out, I've only received replies back from companies paying substantially less or in-house jobs where the environment just doesn't fit me. I'm not picky, so read this as I'm just not getting hardly any call backs.
I'm actually doing in-house with a firm I love, but I've hit a ceiling where the only way to advance is to not come from the IT department, and as I mentioned, might simply not be around much longer. I like coding, but I really liked working with upper management and on the business side of software. On the last large project I managed, about two years ago, I did no coding and did well on delegation and being more of a software architect or project lead. Since then we've really shrunk with the economy and I've been doing plumbing and maintaining of existing software.
Would an MBA help or would it be better to downplay my management experience on my resume, take a pay hit and try to find a job at a firm whose product is actually software?
While I've been programming professionally for a decade, I'm still 27 and at least one interview I've been, they've commented that I'm a bit young to be managing a department, despite me doing this right now. I'm hoping time away at school plus a graduate degree might counteract this.
Any thoughts? I'm also outside of San Francisco where I understand things are a bit different.
My current employer is not doing well, and though I've been sending my resume out, I've only received replies back from companies paying substantially less or in-house jobs where the environment just doesn't fit me. I'm not picky, so read this as I'm just not getting hardly any call backs.
I'm actually doing in-house with a firm I love, but I've hit a ceiling where the only way to advance is to not come from the IT department, and as I mentioned, might simply not be around much longer. I like coding, but I really liked working with upper management and on the business side of software. On the last large project I managed, about two years ago, I did no coding and did well on delegation and being more of a software architect or project lead. Since then we've really shrunk with the economy and I've been doing plumbing and maintaining of existing software.
Would an MBA help or would it be better to downplay my management experience on my resume, take a pay hit and try to find a job at a firm whose product is actually software?
While I've been programming professionally for a decade, I'm still 27 and at least one interview I've been, they've commented that I'm a bit young to be managing a department, despite me doing this right now. I'm hoping time away at school plus a graduate degree might counteract this.
Any thoughts? I'm also outside of San Francisco where I understand things are a bit different.
Another data point like tylerkaraszewski - my experience is of engineering managers coming from engineering not from management school. It works for China too.
posted by anadem at 9:08 PM on January 26, 2011
posted by anadem at 9:08 PM on January 26, 2011
If your company has some unwritten policy about Supervisors and Managers not coming from IT then I would go find a company that doesn't have that policy.
Aside from that, the act of putting someone (anyone) in a managing role of any sort should be based solely on their character, regardless of what their educational or professional background are. I would be happy to work under someone that has a degree in glass blowing as long as they are a good person that could do my job better than me and has a grander idea of how my role lays into things. I have a BS Computer Science degree, am not yet 30 and am beginning to move up the chain at my company because I have shown the desire to lead people and really come up with the bigger picture solutions rather than just follow.
It really is up to you. I bet if you wowed some people they may break that policy of nobody from IT shall lead. However, that is obviously a strong belief someone has that is levels above you, so you may be SOL.
Good Luck!
posted by zombieApoc at 5:42 AM on January 27, 2011
Aside from that, the act of putting someone (anyone) in a managing role of any sort should be based solely on their character, regardless of what their educational or professional background are. I would be happy to work under someone that has a degree in glass blowing as long as they are a good person that could do my job better than me and has a grander idea of how my role lays into things. I have a BS Computer Science degree, am not yet 30 and am beginning to move up the chain at my company because I have shown the desire to lead people and really come up with the bigger picture solutions rather than just follow.
It really is up to you. I bet if you wowed some people they may break that policy of nobody from IT shall lead. However, that is obviously a strong belief someone has that is levels above you, so you may be SOL.
Good Luck!
posted by zombieApoc at 5:42 AM on January 27, 2011
To be clear, I have gotten that "Mr. ZombieApoc is a bit too young to be in management" comment aimed at me before, but I guess I was able to find the right niche to fill under people that I was able to convince. 27 is a bit young to get people to promote you, but I wouldn't be surprised if the view toward you changed when you were 28->29
posted by zombieApoc at 5:48 AM on January 27, 2011
posted by zombieApoc at 5:48 AM on January 27, 2011
MBA might help, but you could also take a couple of night courses, and move into Business Analysis and/or Project Management. Both of those are good stepping stones to management.
posted by blue_beetle at 5:51 AM on January 27, 2011
posted by blue_beetle at 5:51 AM on January 27, 2011
I moved into management from software development without going for the MBA. I considered taking time off to get my MBA, but it wasn't necessary, in the end.
For me the process was somewhat organic. I was working for external customers in a consulting role (writing software) and gradually became familiar enough with our processes and some customers that I began to take over the role of training new employees in our systems, and I started to have more and more contact with customers.
Over time, I was promoted to 'chief programmer,' which was one step below the management role I really wanted. I stuck it out in this position for a year or so, then moved on to another employer. I highlighted my management, customer contact and training experience in my resume and specifically searched for a job with a management role. I landed a job with the title "Senior Consultant" that had me doing pretty much exactly what I wanted - gathering and analysing requirements, architecting solutions and managing a team of software engineers implementing entire projects.
When our country manager left my company, I was the front runner to take over management of the entire country operations, but the head office decided to downsize our presence in this country, instead, and I wound up leaving to start my own company.
Just anecdata, but that's how it worked for me, and I enjoyed the transition to management, since I like to think about the big picture aspect of things.
posted by syzygy at 6:26 AM on January 27, 2011
For me the process was somewhat organic. I was working for external customers in a consulting role (writing software) and gradually became familiar enough with our processes and some customers that I began to take over the role of training new employees in our systems, and I started to have more and more contact with customers.
Over time, I was promoted to 'chief programmer,' which was one step below the management role I really wanted. I stuck it out in this position for a year or so, then moved on to another employer. I highlighted my management, customer contact and training experience in my resume and specifically searched for a job with a management role. I landed a job with the title "Senior Consultant" that had me doing pretty much exactly what I wanted - gathering and analysing requirements, architecting solutions and managing a team of software engineers implementing entire projects.
When our country manager left my company, I was the front runner to take over management of the entire country operations, but the head office decided to downsize our presence in this country, instead, and I wound up leaving to start my own company.
Just anecdata, but that's how it worked for me, and I enjoyed the transition to management, since I like to think about the big picture aspect of things.
posted by syzygy at 6:26 AM on January 27, 2011
Another piece of information that may be helpful - I shaved my goatee and started presenting a more managerial appearance with my personal grooming and attire around the time that I was promoted to 'chief programmer.' I wasn't ever the completely unkempt, unwashed basement-dweller, but I was pretty casual about my appearance. I decided to dress for the role I wanted.
Just an aside, but may be something to consider. My employer at the time gave programmers tons of leeway regarding working times, dress and personal appearance, but I realized that the managers were all smartly dressed and more or less on time to work.
Not sure how much of a role this small transformation played, but I do think it had something to do with my advancement.
posted by syzygy at 6:31 AM on January 27, 2011
Just an aside, but may be something to consider. My employer at the time gave programmers tons of leeway regarding working times, dress and personal appearance, but I realized that the managers were all smartly dressed and more or less on time to work.
Not sure how much of a role this small transformation played, but I do think it had something to do with my advancement.
posted by syzygy at 6:31 AM on January 27, 2011
« Older "I am to [x] what Marxism is to [disillusioned?... | How early should I arrive at Amoeba in San... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
This isn't to say that we never look outside the company for management, or that an MBA would hurt, just that when it comes down to it, people who are familiar with the way the company works, because they've been working here for several years, tend to do better at managing teams.
I'm also in the SF Bay Area, and my manager is 33, which is older than 27, but not particularly old.
But, when your primary business is software, engineering is key to your success in a way "the IT department" usually isn't. There's no stigma here associated with coming from engineering.
posted by tylerkaraszewski at 8:33 PM on January 26, 2011