Career Options Discussion Part 2

I moved to the IT department with a promise of application development, but the actual position was titled "Helpdesk Technician". I didn't mind providing IT support throughout the company if it meant I would also get to develop applications, but over time I started to become disillusioned with the position and the department. While I was sent for training on a recently purchased business process management application development software, I ended up spending only about 5 percent of my time working with it; the rest of my time was spent answering the phone, responding to emails, ordering supplies and renewing our various licenses. I even questioned when I would get to work on the next application, and I was told it was at least 6 months away. It got to the point that I dreaded going to work every day.

As much as I ended up hating it, working in the IT department did help me understand what I wanted out of a career. It helped me realize that I missed designing; I needed a creative outlet. I also missed producing anything. I just could not stand dealing mostly with paperwork. Thankfully, after about a year in IT, the director of the Research, Design, and Development department came to see me. The RD&D group was in need of someone who could handle designing automotive interior trim pieces and also be responsible for developing a new digital printing system. I felt very confident with both aspects of the position, and I really wanted out of IT, so I accepted the position immediately. The knowledge I acquired from Edison in dealing with all aspects of digital imaging and design allowed me to leave a position I was not happy with and move on to a much more rewarding opportunity.

Next, my move to RD&D...

Begining of Career Options Discussion

For my portfolio review, I am required to share how my career options have changed as I have progressed through the Internet Technologies program. Looking back, I am amazed at how things have changed in such a short time.

I had aspired to secure a position in the art department, and after a lot of time and effort, I achieved my goal.  Working as a production artist wasn't bad work, but by the time I was 28 I was maxed out in pay and position; there was nowhere I could go in that department. The new head of the quality department wanted to modernize the quality systems, but had no luck with the IT department so he came to see me about database development. After our initial discussion he offered me a position that was a great leap forward both my career and my finances.

My new boss suggested I pursue a college degree to continue progressing in the company, and I decided that the Internet Technologies program offered the best combination of art (given my background in graphic design) and programming (a skill I always wanted to develop).

I appreciated the structure in the quality department, and really enjoyed developing new systems that improved quality, but a restructuring in the company saw me reporting to new supervisor. He was a great boss, but not nearly as forward thinking as my previous one. Several of my ongoing projects were cancelled and I ended up doing more of my work with paper and pen rather than a computer, so when the head of the IT department came to see me, I was ecstatic.

Next, my move to IT...