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Programs To Develop IT Strategy Leaders
August 22, 2005
by Edward Castro
Business Programs Columnist
In 2002, Morgan Stanley estimated that over the previous two years, U.S. companies had thrown away more than $130 billion on unnecessary technology. Statistics like this highlight how an IT strategy that balances risk with reward and relies on a staff trained through higher education can help companies avoid waste.
When a company relies on an information system to do business, their IT strategy is the overall game plan that allows them to respond quickly to changing business requirements. A chief information officer (CIO) has the technical and business skills necessary to develop an IT strategy, but a great CIO also knows how to develop the IT staff that will implement the strategy. Where do you get the training to become a CIO? Attending schools with a master of information technology program helps, but consistently walking the razor's edge between risk and reward is where the true lessons are learned.
Balancing Risk And Reward
Many industry insiders complain that the prevailing trait exhibited by most of today's IT leadership is risk avoidance. A good CIO recognizes that the place where an organization makes a difference is on the edge of their expertise, where the risks are proportional to the rewards. This skill isn't found through a typical Management Information System degree program.
Schools With A Master of Information Technology Program
Becoming a top CIO begins with choosing from among the many schools with a master of information technology program that explores technology and business in equal measure. Schools with master of information technology programs teach IT professionals to build on their information technology skills with a thorough understanding of business management.
Learning To Make The Most of An Information System
There are a number of schools with a master of information technology program designed for working professionals. These programs can take anywhere from two years of Saturday classes to four years of traditional class schedules. Typical courses include communication systems and networks, information systems engineering, and business management strategies. Graduates from schools with a master of information technology program will possess the tools to evaluate emerging technologies, compare risk vs. reward as it pertains to information technology, and assume leadership positions in a variety of information management roles.
Career Advancement Through Superior Knowledge
A Master of Information Technology degree is the perfect way to prepare yourself for a career leading an IT department or technology company. The right education combined with varied experience can lead you down the path walked by many of the most successful CIOs in the industry. Think of your decision to pursue a master of information technology as your first walk along the edge that separates risk from reward.
About the Author
Edward Castro has an extensive experience as a creative media writer. His client portfolio has included such notables as Hewlett-Packard, Sony Computer Entertainment, Shockwave, AtomFilms, GameBlast and Mervyn's California. In his current position, Ed is developing the marketing strategy of an Internet start-up company specializing in Japanese trade goods.
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