An MBA Can Boost a CIO's Career
An MBA can benefit a CIO's career by improving his or her understanding of how technology impacts overall company operations and by helping the CIO work more effectively with general management, a panel of IT experts agreed.
The four IT professionals spoke at the keynote session of CIO Decisions 2006, held in Carlsbad, California, the week of June 5. Their consensus was that an MBA degree was by no means required for CIOs at most organizations, but that it could make a difference in career advancement.
Having an MBA can 'level the playing field' for a CIO dealing with management, especially outside the company, one panelist said. Having an MBA on his resume had helped him establish his credentials when he had meetings at other companies.
Another panelist noted that holding an MBA degree, especially one from a well-respected program, can make a big difference in getting called in for job interviews.
Other panelists said that their MBA educations helped them do their jobs better. One panelist said she gained a much better understanding of industry dynamics, company lifecycles, and how different departments inside a company have to work together. Another panelist said that 'learning the language' of managment helped him understand what he was hearing -- and, more importantly, helped him communicate how technology was benefitting the company.
Another panelist cautioned, however, that IT professionals should understand that MBAs don't make sense for all CIOs. The programs require "intellectual curiousity" and demand exploration of knowledge and fields that may not be relevant to everyone's interests or needs. Prospective students should ask themselves, "What will the degree help you achieve?," the panelist advised. "It will help you grow as an individual. Don't do it if you're not interested in business issues."
Source: "CIOs: MBA Worth the Effort, But Doesn't Guarantee IT Stardom," by Linda Tucci - SearchCIO.com, June 14, 2006
The four IT professionals spoke at the keynote session of CIO Decisions 2006, held in Carlsbad, California, the week of June 5. Their consensus was that an MBA degree was by no means required for CIOs at most organizations, but that it could make a difference in career advancement.
Having an MBA can 'level the playing field' for a CIO dealing with management, especially outside the company, one panelist said. Having an MBA on his resume had helped him establish his credentials when he had meetings at other companies.
Another panelist noted that holding an MBA degree, especially one from a well-respected program, can make a big difference in getting called in for job interviews.
Other panelists said that their MBA educations helped them do their jobs better. One panelist said she gained a much better understanding of industry dynamics, company lifecycles, and how different departments inside a company have to work together. Another panelist said that 'learning the language' of managment helped him understand what he was hearing -- and, more importantly, helped him communicate how technology was benefitting the company.
Another panelist cautioned, however, that IT professionals should understand that MBAs don't make sense for all CIOs. The programs require "intellectual curiousity" and demand exploration of knowledge and fields that may not be relevant to everyone's interests or needs. Prospective students should ask themselves, "What will the degree help you achieve?," the panelist advised. "It will help you grow as an individual. Don't do it if you're not interested in business issues."
Source: "CIOs: MBA Worth the Effort, But Doesn't Guarantee IT Stardom," by Linda Tucci - SearchCIO.com, June 14, 2006
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