[lopsa-discuss] Career planning

[Andrew Maddox]

So, I've landed in a "permanent" job now, after my long saga (recounted on 
the SAGE-members list) of being laid off, looking for contracts, trying to 
get a consulting business started within three months, etc.

Anyway, I'm still looking to get more evening and weekend gigs, hopefully 
small things that can add up to independence eventually, and doing a lot of 
thinking.

How permanent is any job these days in IT? In systems/network fields, 
especially? How do I keep myself informed of what's going on, current on 
technology, moving forward in my responsibilities, and all that?

What does anyone else think? I think keeping in touch with people here is a 
good channel, and LinkedIn seems to be popular (anyone who wants to send or 
get an invite link and help me network, please let me know!). Got my local 
SAGE-like group, which I'm trying to help make more active, and I'm trying 
to find two or three reliable recruiters to build relationships with.

But what else? Do I need a specialty? What should it be? Certifications - 
training and studying for them, which are worthwhile? How do I keep myself 
competitive so that when the company that never has layoffs goes into a 
massive restructuring or downsizing, I can land on my feet?

Doing a lot of musing out loud, I'm curious what other LOPSoids think. I'll 
probably post a version of this to SAGE-members, too, so ignore one of the 
dupes if you get it.

Anyway, let's talk - I think we can form our own virtual career counseling 
service with the brainpower and experience we have here.

Laters,
Andrew

-- 
Andrew Maddox, andrew at madsoxtech.com
Madsox Technical Solutions - www.madsoxtech.com (under construction)
For all your small business computer and networking support needs!