So, I just realized that if Blogging Idol finishes on May 7, and if I want to post on all 6 topics, then I need to aim for half a week per topic……so here goes my grand finale for Topic 1.

Based on the very small sample of blog idollers, I think most of us would agree that we didn’t have a master plan to get into an “IT career”, and in fact we don’t actually have a clear-cut definition for what IT is (or what a career is either, for that matter).  However, most of use have spent our working years “applying systems technologies”, managing those who do, or trying to advise people on what to do better.  Along the way, we’ve had specialities but have also gained experience and wisdom (I’m speaking to those who started work more than 10 years ago ) – becoming what I learned can be called a T-shaped person.

So, how do we define success?  That is, what is it that would make you call your IT career a success?   Or, more to the point, how do you define success even for your current job?

A few of the possibilities.  My career/job was a success because (fill in the rest)…….

- It didn’t destroy my work-life balanace

- I delivered top financial results

- I mentored and developed excellent people

- I produced or used technology in a really innovative manner

- I made my company look like a technology leader

- I did something that will go down in the IT history books

-  I learned a lot

- I made a good salary

- I kept doing different things all the time so was never bored with my job

For me, the lasting impressions are the people I got to meet and the places I got to see as a result of my career.  Most of the technologies have come and gone (the clouds will blow away someday!!) without a trace of sorrow.

Did you have any idea what you would think of your career at each significant milestone along the way??