Author Interview: Matthew Moran

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Entering the field of information technology can be difficult without the proper tools and approach. Author Matthew Moran helps you obtain them.

Published 2/15/2005
By Anne Martinez

Recent economic downturns and struggles in the technology marketplace are bringing about a change in the role of IT professionals, with certain technology positions being outsourced. Those IT professionals who master the technical aptitudes, cultivate communication skills, and become savvy businesspeople will increase their value to their employers and clients.

Moran provides practical advice and market-focused insight for industry newcomers as well as seasoned professionals. Skills discussed include highlighting on-the-job skills while gaining meaningful professional exposure, building a consulting business and moving into management. Recently we caught up with him for an interview.

IT Career Builders Toolkit: A Complete Guide to Building your Information Technology Career in Any Economy by Matthew Moran Buy it now View a sample chapter (PDF)

GoCertify: What is the best way to break into an IT career?

Matthew Moran: I think there are numerous ways. However, it should be understood that to enter virtually any career, you must understand the dynamic nature of career development and think more creatively. For instance, there is a misconception that IT careers start and end in the IT department of a larger company. Many new technologists believe you start out in the help-desk for a year or two, move to tier-2 support, then to network support, and so on. That is a mythical and typically inefficient way to build a technology career.

When I wrote The IT Career Builder's Toolkit, I tried to provide a comprehensive career development strategy - including innovative ways to break into the field. For instance, I advocate looking at smaller companies or working in departments outside of the IT department. Usually, you are exposed to more technologies in less time, you gain greater professional exposure, and you have more strategic involvement with the projects.

I devote an entire chapter to entering the field and it is available through the sidebar in this article.

GoCertify: Is a formal degree required?

Matthew Moran: Not necessarily. My education is in English and Philosophy, not computers. I have been programming since I was 13 - but it was just an interest. I believe an interest in the purpose and function of computers may be more critical.

GoCertify: Given the difficulty so many people seem to have in finding and keeping an IT job today, do you still think IT is a good long term career choice?

Matthew Moran: I believe there have been a few vocal technologists struggling in the market. It really sounds much worse than it is. Part of that is due to the sharp contrast with the ease in which people were hired in the late '90s. It was an unrealistic market and skewed people's perspective. Technology is still a growing industry - both here in the US and abroad. It will continue to provide tremendous opportunity for performance-based advancement. In that regard, few careers can match it.

GoCertify: What role does professional certification play in an IT career?

Matthew Moran: That is a tricky one. Certifications play a role in so far as the person achieving the certification does so hand in hand while acquiring experience. I am wary of someone who takes a two-week crash course to pass a test, acheives a certification, and then wonders why he or she cannot get their desired job. The value is primarily in the knowledge acquired.

GoCertify: Are particular certifications especially valuable?

Matthew Moran: I tend to think that some of the security certifications still garner a great deal of respect and may get someone noticed.

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