WGU, Straighterline or CLEP for credits?

[Jwheels27]

Sorry I didn’t elaborate Merlin, I guess I didn’t mean tech support/system administration type roles. I mean the business side(possibly sales) of any type of tech company, development included. I’m sure it all still applies, just wondering what you though? Considering you work in software. Thank you for the detailed answer!

I got what you meant, but the business side of IT is vast. I tried to word my reply so it wasn't specific to any particular aspect of IT since it is so wide, though my assumption is that you'd be looking to work for a company that was developing technology since that is what most tech companies do. You wouldn't likely be looking at a management role in tech support, system administration, or software development unless you had a significant background in those areas anyway.

That said, even in a sales role (or perhaps especially in a sales role––unless the company has dedicated technical sales consultants), anyone working for a company like that will be expected to have a fair grasp of technology as well as business. At any serious tech company, with few exceptions, even the senior management is expected to have major chops in both technology and business. Folks working in accounting and such may be excluded, but even the CFO will be expected to have technical experience as well as business.

My personal journey is all over the place. I got my start in software development, but my background is fairly diverse since I've been part of a lot of different tech companies, and even run my own. I've had to wear a lot of hats over the years. These days I'm solidly on the business side as a C-level executive, but that also means overseeing technical people so I still remain close to that side too. I try to walk the path between technology and business.

Again I appreciate the detailed response. So essentially get a job in development or support and work your way up and learn both aspects of the business? I just don’t want to be pigeonholed into writing software all day. Wow it sounds like you’ve worked all over the tech industry! Thank you Merlin

[Merlin]

Sorry I didn’t elaborate Merlin, I guess I didn’t mean tech support/system administration type roles. I mean the business side(possibly sales) of any type of tech company, development included. I’m sure it all still applies, just wondering what you though? Considering you work in software. Thank you for the detailed answer!

I got what you meant, but the business side of IT is vast. I tried to word my reply so it wasn't specific to any particular aspect of IT since it is so wide, though my assumption is that you'd be looking to work for a company that was developing technology since that is what most tech companies do. You wouldn't likely be looking at a management role in tech support, system administration, or software development unless you had a significant background in those areas anyway.

That said, even in a sales role (or perhaps especially in a sales role––unless the company has dedicated technical sales consultants), anyone working for a company like that will be expected to have a fair grasp of technology as well as business. At any serious tech company, with few exceptions, even the senior management is expected to have major chops in both technology and business. Folks working in accounting and such may be excluded, but even the CFO will be expected to have technical experience as well as business.

My personal journey is all over the place. I got my start in software development, but my background is fairly diverse since I've been part of a lot of different tech companies, and even run my own. I've had to wear a lot of hats over the years. These days I'm solidly on the business side as a C-level executive, but that also means overseeing technical people so I still remain close to that side too. I try to walk the path between technology and business.

Again I appreciate the detailed response. So essentially get a job in development or support and work your way up and learn both aspects of the business? I just don’t want to be pigeonholed into writing software all day. Wow it sounds like you’ve worked all over the tech industry! Thank you Merlin

If you want to be successful, figure out where your passions lie and focus on building a career path that will take you there. For some, this means starting out in development, IT helpdesk, or support and working your way through the system as part of building a resume, but you could also start off in sales and work your way up from there. Everyone's career trajectory is different.