Q. I've been in and out of consultant programmer positions for the last 15 years (PHP, Java, mySQL, Oracle, SQL Server); however, people only respect and request my business analysis skills. I can't get anyone to take me seriously about my programming. No one has ever complained or been disappointed by my programming skills; but every client jumps to the conclusion that I am better suited to analysis. I get lots of pats-on-the-head for programming but genuine praise and respect for my analysis. I would prefer to focus on the wonderful challenge that programming and design offer... but no one wants to let me do it. Aaaarrgh!!!!!
A. So let me get this straight --- you offer people an alternative: hire you as a programmer (your preference) or hire you as an analyst. People hire you as an analyst, and you interpret that as "Gender discrimination"?
Did it ever occur to you that there's just a stronger need for Analysts? If you don't want to be an analyst, then simply stop offering that as a service.
As someone who has hired hundreds of people in my career, the fact of the matter is that in IT and software engineering, there is probably a factor of 20-1 men to women if not more. I'm not sure what explains this, but there's just far more men than women in the profession.
I'll give you some perspective from someone who sits on the other side of the desk. Having to fill positions is one of the most difficult aspects for any manager. Recruiting is a time consuming and frustrating process at the best of times. I'm trying to find the best person I can from an available pool of applicants, and I can guarantee you that race and gender absolutely do not enter into the equation -- there's simply no time for any of that.
Furthermore, I'm not alone in having studied effective team building, and am a strong believer in the theory that diverse teams work better and come up with better products.
I think what you've experienced is that in my experience women often bring better people skills to the table, and in analysis a huge part of the job is forging relationships with the stakeholders, clients and endusers. You clearly have good people skills and for this reason, people have sought to utilize you in that capactiy. This has nothing to do with gender discrimination. Sometimes the hardest thing in a career is standing on your principles and following where your heart leads you, even when those choices aren't rewarded in the marketplace. It's simple supply and demand.
Did it ever occur to you that there's just a stronger need for Analysts? If you don't want to be an analyst, then simply stop offering that as a service.
As someone who has hired hundreds of people in my career, the fact of the matter is that in IT and software engineering, there is probably a factor of 20-1 men to women if not more. I'm not sure what explains this, but there's just far more men than women in the profession.
I'll give you some perspective from someone who sits on the other side of the desk. Having to fill positions is one of the most difficult aspects for any manager. Recruiting is a time consuming and frustrating process at the best of times. I'm trying to find the best person I can from an available pool of applicants, and I can guarantee you that race and gender absolutely do not enter into the equation -- there's simply no time for any of that.
Furthermore, I'm not alone in having studied effective team building, and am a strong believer in the theory that diverse teams work better and come up with better products.
I think what you've experienced is that in my experience women often bring better people skills to the table, and in analysis a huge part of the job is forging relationships with the stakeholders, clients and endusers. You clearly have good people skills and for this reason, people have sought to utilize you in that capactiy. This has nothing to do with gender discrimination. Sometimes the hardest thing in a career is standing on your principles and following where your heart leads you, even when those choices aren't rewarded in the marketplace. It's simple supply and demand.
MBA Vs Ceritifcations for IT Career improvement?
Q. I am seeking advice for those you work in IT field or anyone who can share knowledge with me.
I've been working in IT doing Help desk hardware and software support for end users supporting 350 stores around the country for over a yr. I graduated with a BS in Business concentrating in Management Information systesm and would like to further my career in the IT field.
Hopefully being a system admin, database admin and am thinking of continuing my studies.
I have 2 options right now. I can go for my GMAT and get into an MBA program or take the MSCA cerification. Which route should I take? I cant decide.
Wesites with career advice would be great help too. I'm 25 and pretty new in the professional field and need guidance :(
Thank you so much in advance
I've been working in IT doing Help desk hardware and software support for end users supporting 350 stores around the country for over a yr. I graduated with a BS in Business concentrating in Management Information systesm and would like to further my career in the IT field.
Hopefully being a system admin, database admin and am thinking of continuing my studies.
I have 2 options right now. I can go for my GMAT and get into an MBA program or take the MSCA cerification. Which route should I take? I cant decide.
Wesites with career advice would be great help too. I'm 25 and pretty new in the professional field and need guidance :(
Thank you so much in advance
A. I'm currently in the second year of an MBA program, and I came from pretty much the same sort of background as you did. After completing my undergrad (BBA in CIS), I started out working as a programmer working on a lot of Solaris/Java/Oracle crap work. I gradually moved on to a position where I was the production control manager for a smallish financial services company, where I 1) kept everything running, and 2) acted as a liason between the customers and the operations & development people. My plan all along had been to either get an MS in CS or an MBA, and after a few years I decided that the MBA was the correct route for me.
FWIW, here's my advice:
--Stay focused on your career now. Talk to people. Find a mentor. Learn the business inside and out and challenge yourself constantly.
--I think certificates are pretty worthless. In a job interview you can tell in 30 seconds if the person has a clue what their talking about, and a certification just shows that how well you can take a test. If you need one for a business reason (e.g. to make yourself more marketable as a consultant) go for it.
--Save money.
--Save some more money.
--Three or four years from now, get an MBA, but enter a full-time MBA program. You'll have to essentially return to "broke-ass college student" status, but it's totally worth it. Personally, I feel that a lot of the MBA experience is in your interactions with classmates and that that gets lost in part-time/evening programs. Besides, by that time you'll be more than ready to take a break from the working world.
--Don't settle for half-assed programs. You don't need to go to one of the top 10's, but you definitely want a top 50 (preferably top 25). These programs are more selective, and that shows in the quality of your classmates. Since you're a hyper-competitive bastard (why else would you get an MBA?), this will force you to work that much harder to beat them. You'll be surprised at what you can actually do:)
Best of luck.
FWIW, here's my advice:
--Stay focused on your career now. Talk to people. Find a mentor. Learn the business inside and out and challenge yourself constantly.
--I think certificates are pretty worthless. In a job interview you can tell in 30 seconds if the person has a clue what their talking about, and a certification just shows that how well you can take a test. If you need one for a business reason (e.g. to make yourself more marketable as a consultant) go for it.
--Save money.
--Save some more money.
--Three or four years from now, get an MBA, but enter a full-time MBA program. You'll have to essentially return to "broke-ass college student" status, but it's totally worth it. Personally, I feel that a lot of the MBA experience is in your interactions with classmates and that that gets lost in part-time/evening programs. Besides, by that time you'll be more than ready to take a break from the working world.
--Don't settle for half-assed programs. You don't need to go to one of the top 10's, but you definitely want a top 50 (preferably top 25). These programs are more selective, and that shows in the quality of your classmates. Since you're a hyper-competitive bastard (why else would you get an MBA?), this will force you to work that much harder to beat them. You'll be surprised at what you can actually do:)
Best of luck.
good online oracle tutorials for total beginners?
Q.
A. Almost all of the Oracle documentation is online at Oracle Technology Network. You may be asked to register to follow my link, but registration is free, and Oracle does not misuse the information.
Two good books are the SQL Reference, because it has examples for every command, and the Database Concepts, for explaining how Oracle works. I have worked with Oracle software for 21 years and have always had the current set of SQL reference on my desk.
I do not believe anyone provides Oracle instruction for free, but you can learn a lot from the documentation.
Two good books are the SQL Reference, because it has examples for every command, and the Database Concepts, for explaining how Oracle works. I have worked with Oracle software for 21 years and have always had the current set of SQL reference on my desk.
I do not believe anyone provides Oracle instruction for free, but you can learn a lot from the documentation.
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