Missing Link

For a while now I’ve been thinking about, and really considering, my career.   In a few years time I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to do a lot of really cool things, from co-founding technology companies to building a security program around a federal government project.  It’s been a wonderful ride so far, and I’m thankful for each and every opportunity I’ve had in that regard.

In the course of considering my career – both where it’s been and where it’s going – I’ve come to a very important realization:  I don’t want a career in information security.

Let me say that again, for those of you who are shocked:   I do not want a career in information security.

I do realize this may come as a surprise to many, given that my current profession is information security.  It came as a mild surprise to me, too.  I realized, however, that information security is just not what I want to do for the rest of my life.  I do enjoy it, and I am happy in my current job (and really like my employer), but when I look down the road 5 to 10 years,  what do I see?   I see either being in the same type of position I’m in now (whether it be here at my current employer, or at a different employer),  or managing information security somewhere.   I’ve done both,  and am capable of doing both,  but am not sure that’s what I want long term.

Instead, when I look long term at what I would LIKE to be doing, I see myself using my technical abilities in conjunction with more business related work.  While I’ve got the technical abilities part down,  the business side is where my foundation is a little shakier.  I’ve owned businesses, which helps, but I lack any sort of formal training in that regard.   I have some experience,  including some valuable experience being in tough situations and having to make difficult decisions.   I’ve helped shape and steer a company from a strategic perspective, and have learned some valuable insights from that experience.  I haven’t, however, been schooled in many of the aspects of business, and management, that would benefit me further down the line in my career.

With that thought in mind, I’ve decided that it would be in my best interest to pursue an MBA, in an effort to shore up my business knowledge and abilities so that I can combine them with my technical capabilities and make myself more desirable for the types of work I would enjoy moving into.

Having said all of that, however, I don’t plan on changing employment anytime soon.   The plan to apply for and get into business school will likely take a year or more to execute,  and I don’t currently plan on going to school full time, as I would like to work while doing it if possible.   I also really like my current job, and the company I work for.  This isn’t an immediate change, to be sure, but a more long-term plan that I want to execute carefully and make sure I can maximize it’s benefits over the long haul.

It honestly feels good, though, to have something long term that I’m working for… I have a goal, something to work for, and perhaps most importantly, something to be passionate about (other than my marriage, that is ).

Now – to prepare for the GMAT….