March - 2000 - issue > Career Advice

Salary vs. Security
I have a consulting job in the US and am looking to move on. In the US, some software professionals want to be in consulting for the money but they must sacrifice security because they have to go to frequent interviews, move wherever they get placed and deal with moving problems. Others want to be in employee-based jobs for security, but those jobs have lower pay. I am really confused about the kind of job to give preference to. Any advice? - Reddy

This is a personal choice. If you would prefer a secure and stable lifestyle, I'm sure you can find a job that will allow you to settle down in one place and live happily on a regular paycheck. Here, though, you sacrifice variety, the joy of travel, different assignments and different environments. It's true, consulting assignments do require travel as well as marketing and selling yourself and your skills, so what you need to do is go off to a quiet place for a weekend and spend some time contemplating which lifestyle appeals to you more. And then go for it! There are career aptitude tests, too, if you would like some additional input. Whatever you decide, do what you have a passion for and that will make you happy.

Hospitality to IT?

I am a recent graduate with a BS in hospitality from a US university. I am currently working in the US and want to switch to an IT career. From an employer's point of view, what difference does the type of degree make? Also, what are the jobs and pay that one gets with a Master's in IT along with a Bachelor's in business (hospitality) and about one year of management experience in the hospitality industry? - Anshoo

Your best bet is to get into an IT career in the hospitality industry. From the employer's point of view, the type of degree you have is quite important. I have been recruiting people in the US over the past thirty years for about ten companies. Most of my experience is in the high tech industry, beginning in the late sixties with Control Data Corporation. During all these years, my preferred candidates have been those that are academically focused. In your case, I would be very impressed if your educational focus is hospitality in the IT industry. So get an advanced degree in IT, but do class projects in the hospitality industry. This way you will truly become an expert in a specialty and as such you will be in demand. Once you have completed your Master's in IT, you can expect starting salaries in the range of $60 to $80K -- and the potential will remain quite large. Specialize, specialize … that's my message!

Salary Info

I am a software professional going back to India after about 2 years in the US. What are the salary trends in India for people with engineering degrees and four years' experience?

- Karthik

To answer your question I consulted with an IT recruitment specialist from India, who tells me that the salary range for a person like you can be from Rs. 250,000 to Rs. 400,000 per year. In addition to the salary you can expect to receive a car and housing allowance. Generally, the compensation package for a person like you will involve a basic salary, HRA (housing allowance), LTA (leave travel allowance), medical, CCA (city compensatory allowance). There will be approximately a 30 percent tax obligation but generally you receive tax benefits on books and magazines, attire, fuel reimbursements and client entertainment.


Code vs. Management

I am currently working on my master's degree in Computer Science, but I've discovered that I don't like the programming side of this field, especially writing code. I'm more interested in database management, Web development and networking. Which courses would you recommend for me if I decide to go in this direction instead of becoming a programmer? - Kalpesh

Take Java and HTML courses. Get some experience before doing another master's. You already have a strong educational background. There is some level of programming you have to do no matter what area you are in, unless you want to try your hand at business systems analysis. If you want to do that, you'll have to take business courses, especially finance, materials management or human resource information systems. Take a Windows NT course. Take a Visual Basic course. It seems to me from what you are saying your best bet is to go into business analysis. For that, you need to take some business-related courses. If you would like to do any other master's, I recommend an MBA.

Career Shift

I have a Master's in women's studies from India. Now I want to start a new career, here in the US. Though I would like to do MS in computer science, I don't fancy doing a whole lot of heavy math pre-requisites! Would a Master's in science in management help me find a job in the IT industry? - Suma

You don't identify what type of position you're seeking in the IT industry, so it's impossible to define which additional degrees (if any!) would be most applicable. I would suggest that you search the Web for the specific types of IT job opportunities that are of interest to you and then review preferred educational requirements. Just remember as you review these opportunities and consider applying for the positions, do not eliminate yourself from consideration if your qualifications don't exactly match the qualifications outlined in the position - you have nothing to lose by sending your resume, and everything to gain.