Career Watch: Advice on education and career paths

September 17, 2007 12:00 PM ET

Computerworld -

Ask A Premier 100 IT Leader
Patrick Bennett

The executive director of business applications at Comcast Entertainment Group in Los Angeles answers readers questions about education and career paths.

Patrick Bennett

I will be completing my degree in computer science soon. I am choosing among a few technical courses to satisfy the requirements but wonder whether I should substitute one or two business classes instead. If you are considering developing software applications for use in business or starting your career with a consulting firm, you will definitely benefit from business electives. Taking classes outside the computer science curriculum is a good way to explore other disciplines as well as enhance your qualifications when you enter the job market. You will be viewed by prospective employers as a more rounded candidate than the undergraduate who narrowly focused on technology. I would recommend starting with a class in marketing, since it integrates all the functions of business, then introductory finance for an understanding of corporations and the financial rewards and risks of business.

I am a project manager with 10 years of experience. I have a masters in computer science and an executive MBA from a top school, and I hold certifications in project management and security. What should my next step be? That is a question only you can answer. Based on your diverse technology, business and project management experience, the possibilities for your next step are wide open. What gets you out of bed in the morning? What excites you makes you truly passionate? Commit yourself fully to that. You already have all the education and skills you need. The potential is limited only by your imagination and daring.

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