Jack Milito
Assignment IX – Future Career Plans
I believe the years of graduating, getting a job, staying in the same company, and
working the same job until retirement are over for the majority. Reading Friedman’s
book has all but confirmed the old chapter of employment in a round world is coming to
a close in the United States. Survival in this new world involves true life-long learning to
keep an edge on competition and changing technologies just to maintain employment.
My twenty year plan reflects adherence to what Friedman calls a Swiss Army knife of
skills. I want to make myself as multifaceted as possible to make changes in job duties
and/or careers easier. I believe that this will not only make me a valuable employee, but
also a true success in the career paths I choose.
I am currently looking for a new job/challenge that will help me advance to the next
level. I really see my current position working as an Internet Systems Manager at
Portage Public Schools as a dead-end job. Most people with positions above me will be
around for 15 or more years leaving little room for advancement. I am still employed and
do not plan to leave my job until I find something else hopefully in the corporate world.
Nevertheless the uncertainty of my career at this point leaves me with only vague goals
for the next 20 years. This fact is a bit scary but I feel my goals will apply to any job or
jobs I work in the future. Keeping yourself active, current, and believing in life-long
learning will make me a valuable employee in this leveling world.
0 – 4 yrs
Goal: Finish masters degree in Educational Technology, begin a second masters, and
pursue industry recognized certifications. Gain experience in corporate Informational
Technology.
In the flat world bachelors degrees are becoming insufficient to compete for high level
jobs. As a result, post-graduate work is becoming a necessity in Information Technology.
The competitive nature of Information Technology has encouraged me to pursue a
masters degree, several industry certifications, and other continued education
opportunities. It is my goal to finish this core education in the next four years before I
get married, have children, and/or get more involved with other aspects of life. It is this
core education that I will begin to build my career around and thus is what I consider the
most crucial aspect of my development.
Recent events at my current job have caused me to start looking for other options. My
search has taught me that experience and a BA is not enough. Even the prospect of
finishing my masters degree does not seem to impress. A number of jobs in my field
require industry certifications, management experience, and some budgetary
responsibility. I believe that I must expand my horizons by slowly obtaining Microsoft
certifications and also a business masters degree. The Microsoft certifications will
enhance my experience and the MBA will give me the most latitude in my career path.
Nevertheless the job search continues and I hope to gain experience in a corporate
environment. My long term goal of ascending to a technology leadership position in an
educational institution will be easier to attain with this experience.
5 – 15 yrs
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Goal: Attend ad-hoc college courses or training opportunities related to my interest
and/or job duties. Gain experience in management and/or gear training opportunities
to supervisory goal.
I look at people my parents’ age and also others in their mid-thirties and see how life can
get busy. I am a person that does not want to spend my entire life in pursuit of the dollar.
Instead I would rather enjoy family, volunteer opportunities, and other relaxing activities.
After my core education is achieved I see this phase in my career as mere maintenance.
Keeping up on the latest trends, attending brief seminars, and an occasional class will be
my priority as they require less personal time investment.
Another priority will be to take any opportunity I can to gain managerial experience even
if it requires a job change. This experience can also be facilitated by tailoring life-long
learning to managerial studies.
15 – 20 yrs
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Goal: Obtain a managerial technology position at an educational institution and pass
knowledge to others.
My dream job I hope to retire from is an Information Technology Director at a university
or K12 institution. My core educational goals of obtaining a masters in EDT and my
MBA, the experience in both K12 and corporate, and my constant dedication to life-long
learning will hopefully open up the doors to this career goal. At this point in my career I
will start to deal with aging parents and other life challenges. Consequently my life-long
learning will start to taper off to staying current by reading and attending a few
workshops. In free time I hope to teach at a university or community center to help pass
on what I have learned.