Sharon Mandell, chief data officer of Juniper Networks, has held numerous CIO and CTO roles over the previous 25 years, every constructing upon her earlier expertise and matching her present life section. In her present function, Mandell is answerable for IT technique and implementation for an enterprise that provides high-performance networking and cybersecurity merchandise to service suppliers, companies, and public sector organizations.
In a latest electronic mail interview, Mandell mentioned the choices out there for CIOs trying to additional advance their careers.
What needs to be the subsequent logical profession step for a present CIO?
That actually relies on the person CIO, their time within the function, the scope of their tasks, the size of the businesses they’ve labored for, and most significantly, their private pursuits and aspirations.
The following step could possibly be one other CIO function at a bigger firm in the identical trade, or a shift to a unique trade — smaller, same-sized, and even bigger — if the problem is compelling. It could possibly be a smaller group with a mission or alternative that you simply’ve all the time wished to tackle.
Some CIOs tackle adjoining or further features — buyer help, engineering, advertising and marketing, HR. I have never but seen a CIO transfer into CFO or chief counsel, however with the proper background, it isn’t out of the query.
You would step right into a COO and even CEO function. Some [CIOs] transfer into enterprise capital or advisory roles. There is no single “proper” subsequent step — it is about what is smart in your distinctive path and function.
When is the perfect time to make a profession transfer?
Once you really feel such as you’re not having a major affect or including significant worth in your present function. I’ve usually felt taking over new roles can really feel like being thrown into the deep finish of the pool — utterly overwhelmed at first, however finally you develop a imaginative and prescient and start driving change. When these adjustments begin to really feel incremental as an alternative of transformative, it could be time to maneuver on.
Generally, alternatives present up if you’re not actively trying — one thing that fills a niche in your background, stretches you in a giant approach, or provides a problem you’ve all the time wished to tackle. Even should you’re joyful the place you might be — not that the CIO function is ever actually comfy — you’ve obtained to be open to these moments.
When is the perfect time to remain in place?
I do not like leaving a job once I’ve taken a threat on a challenge, a know-how, or a change and have not but seen it by to a strong or steady consequence.
I additionally do not wish to go away a management workforce holding the bag, particularly if I have been pushing them exterior their consolation zones. I would like my friends to know why I’ve made sure choices, and that normally means staying lengthy sufficient to ship actual outcomes.
That stated, typically alternatives will not wait. You’ll should weigh whether or not staying to complete one thing or making a transfer provides extra long-term worth. On the finish of the day, I would like the folks I go away behind to wish to work with me once more ought to the proper alternative come up.
What is the largest mistake CIOs make when planning a profession transfer?
Chasing title, status, or compensation as the only real driver of the choice, or assuming that “greater” is all the time higher.
On the finish of the day, what issues most is the folks you encompass your self with, the affect you are in a position to make, and what you study alongside the best way. The suitable function ought to stretch you, problem you, and can help you contribute meaningfully to the group’s success. That’s what makes a profession transfer actually price it.
Is there anything you want to add?
I’ve by no means been somebody who obsessively mapped out a profession trajectory. I’ve made choices primarily based on what felt proper for my life on the time. There have been factors once I took smaller roles as a result of they gave me the stability I wanted as a single mother. I handed on large alternatives as a result of I did not wish to relocate. I’ve moved forwards and backwards between CIO and CTO roles greater than as soon as.
The frequent thread has been this: I search for roles that problem me, broaden my perspective, and provides me large new experiences to develop from — even when I do know they will not be simple or enjoyable. These are those that construct grit, resilience, and keenness.
The cash, title, and scope are likely to comply with should you execute effectively. I could not find yourself with the largest job or the best wage, however I’ve had one heck of a experience, and that’s what makes all of it price it.
