This is a 33 year old bloke with about 6 years professional IT experience in banking (Networking Mcse,ccNA,CNA).

I am seriously considering a change to investment/business analysis as a long term career . I have enroled for CIMA and I'm working on a CFA certification.

What informed my decision is the fact that IT skilled workers are becoming cheaper to hire and hardly can core IT skill get you to the board level.

The question is
1. Has anyone in the house had a career change in their mid-life years and what was the experience like
2. How incongruous is such change (networking - to- investment/business analysis)
3. How relevant are the professional qualifications i have settled for (CIMA, chartered institute of management accountants & CFA , certified finanacial analyst
4. Considering the fact that it would be about 35 by the time i qualify (if i passed all my exams the first sitting), what chance do i stand with much younger graduates (20-24 years)
5. Please any advice

Hi,

i did not have a career change but my job responsibilities have changed a lot. i started out in IT and obtained all the relevant certifications required (for my job i.e. mcse, cisa and cissp), I rose through the ranks to become Snr Manager and head of my employers IT department. Now my job mostly consists of setting the IT strategy for the company, interfacing with the other heads of department as well as managing the IT staff.

I chose to remain in IT because of the passion i had for it. So although I don't do nitty gritty of the operations I try to anytime time permits this is because, ---and read well o-- you will definitely miss it. My suggestion to you is that unless you are fed up with technology, which I don't think so based on the reason you are suggesting for a career change, you are invest your time and energy in business school. Obtaining my MS and currently pursuing an MBA both from business schools I believe has helped me to reach where I am now.

Not sure where you are located but I suggest going to a reputable business school to gain management level skills. Even though IT skills are getting cheaper you need to differentiate your self from others that way you will continue to command a high salary. Again getting to the board level requires management training (obtained through MBA).

Thats my 2cents but if you are sick of IT then disregard the above. As for standing a chance with 20 -24's you will have to do the same thing you did in IT all again -- which is proving yourself -- but your knowledge of IT and working in the banking sector should give you a head start against entry levellers.

Good Luck, dude!

Coincidentally, I was having a discussion with a colleague yesterday along this line.

It’s always very good to update your knowledge and also diversify.

I think your IT knowledge and experience will definitely come handy. Your decision to take up courses in the financial area is a good one. This will consolidate your IT knowledge and experience with business (Financial) knowledge, increasing your marketability and employability. I work in the financial sector, and my and the observations of a lot of people in projects is that, there are always gaps between the core business and the IT guys in translating business requirements into IT processes and the other way around. So I think your plans to acquire more education in the business aspect of things is not a bad one.

I was wondering, have you looked at ITIL. I am not extensively knowledgeable in this myself, but what I have been made to understand by people who do is that, it’s the application of IT infrastructures into business processes for enhancement by way of increasing productivity, efficiency and cost-effectiveness. If you are considering going into investment/business analysis, with certificate / degree in finance you’ll be much more empowered in your carrier indeed. Vendor management can also come into the picture. Good luck brother.

am interested in CCNA & CCNP are they good programms?

bruv wat a good thought. changing career from an IT pro to investment/business analysis is one great step u would ever take in ur life. when i was in high school, i av always want to be a doctor but after i took a gap year my career focus changed to cut my story shout here i am 2 day as an investor in my mid 20s. i think u will be @ a great advantage if u consider changing ur career to wat u wanna change to coz u already have an IT degree which will always help in i ur new career and u will be @ up hand wen u apply 4 a job wit other pple in their 20-30s if u get wat i mean.anyway bruv good luck

Changing a career @ 33 might not really be the smartest thing to do, Especially in this our country,

You will have to seek on the job experience for at leat another 3 to 5 years by that time you will be between 36 and38

I think the shortcut here will be an MBA , and a Certificate in Project Management (PMP or ITIL) or even CISA

I think these two are career neutral and will enhance your chances of getting to the board level.

I personally think that the IT industry is getting saturuated. Being in the field myself, I have been secretly nursing the idea of a career change. The only thing I can say is better late than never. Indecision is one of the worst diseases that can ever hit you. CIMA is an excellent certiication scheme. Being CIMA certified you become an international commodity cos it is respected world wide. But then I believe a job within the line while you pursue your certiication is the best thing you can do. The solution to most problems is just a decision away. Good luck bro, and hope I get the liver to follow suit soon.

i quite agree with Lanre, PMP will do it all

i agree with lanre, an MBA is really all you need or a specialised Msc.
Plus no IT work for you means more for me

HI,

I want to appreciate your investment in yourself so far. actually i think i've a good answer to your request.
happy you registered for CIMA and CFA. but do you know you can be an investment manager and financial analyst certified from one training and examination. and that's where our management consultancy &training firm comes in.

we specialize in project mgt, investment mgt & financial analyst, marketing mgt, information systems audit &control and e-biz mgt.

i'm also a certified investment manager and financial analyst.in fact the fist person to be quad designated as investment manager & financial analyst, project manager, financial professional,fraud examiner and fully in practise.

so if you need more details on how to earn the certification, to practise and make a success out of your great vision, kindly, contact me at the add below:

NIZAK BUILDING
44,AKANRO STREET,ILASAMAJA,LAGOS STATE.
08023054799.

PMCONSULTINGS powered by APAN MUELT CONSULTS.

I shall be expecting your call as i'm interested in you. dont waste your money in either cima or cfa as they've joined together to set up IIMR and we are affiliated to them to the extent that our certification qualifies you to be considered for the certification after thier board review.

we could be of great help.

kindest regards.

samuel.

manp,

do you have a website and what is IIMR if i may ask.

hi,

IIMR - institute of investment management and research. qualification obtained: associate certified investment manager &financial analyst(ACIMFA).

OUR WEBSITE IS UNDER UPDATING 'COS WE ADD MORE SPECIALIZATION TO OUR AREA OF CONSULTANCY, Actually we are moving into engineering mgt and that's the reaon for the upgrading of the site.
however, e-mail :pmconsults@gmail.com.

success

samuel.