INDUSTRY REPORTS SHOW THIS CAREER PATH TRENDING UPWARD, AS DEMAND FOR TALENT STILL OUTSTRIPS SUPPLY

 

In today’s high-tech world, career opportunities in information technology are growing steadily, making it a great time for those with technical savvy to investigate different industries and sectors. Joshua Patterson, Mark Stirling, Odell Riley, and Kurt Hendricks are all in the IT sector, but their responsibilities and the industries they serve have little in common. All agree, however, that for a career on the cutting edge, information technology is the place to be.

 

CENTURYLINK: A Match Of Core Values And Published Behavior

A 33-year employee at Monroe, LA-headquartered CenturyLink, Odell Riley continues to enjoy his long and satisfying career. With a business administration and ac counting degree from Northeast Louisiana University at Monroe and a master’s degree in human resources from Capella University, he is currently vice president, corporate systems at this 48,000-employee company. “Over the years CenturyLink, a leading provider of Internet, TV, and voice, has grown tremendously through acquisitions, allowing me the opportunity to grow and develop professionally and personally,” he says.

 

In addition to being responsible for managing strategy, development, enterprise resource planning (ERP), data warehouse, business intelligence, and support of internal corporate applications, Riley serves as interim vice president of IT operations and chief diversity officer. Within the IT sector, he sees great career opportunities for now and in the future. “Global advancement of technology is driving a tremendous human capital demand for specific IT skills and I am certain this demand will generate significant opportunities for prepared individuals,” he says.

 

According to Riley, encouraging more individuals to consider the IT arena requires emphasizing the importance of attaining broad base business experience as well as technological knowledge. “I strongly recommend that students be introduced to the technical field early in their education to ensure they understand the link between everyday life and leveraging technology to improve their lives as well as the lives of others,” he states. “The attributes most needed in this field are a desire to learn, a willingness to expand one’s mind, creativity, and innovation. The field of IT is great for those not held back by mediocrity.”

 

Ranked among the Fortune 500 list of America’s largest companies, CenturyLink is always looking for talented individuals. Recruitment efforts follow traditional paths, such as college recruitment, search and sourcing firms, and job sites that focus on women, minorities, veterans, and Americans with disabilities, as well as such newer venues as LinkedIn, Dice, Indeed, Career Builder, Facebook, and Twitter. A frequent and long-time mentor to employees and members of the community, in his four years as chief diversity officer Riley has provided financial and career counseling to many individuals within and outside the company.

 

It pleases Riley that his personal beliefs and CenturyLink’s core values and published behavior qualities required of all employees coincide. A strong supporter of community involvement, he enjoys having a wide range of IT and HR opportunities. As a mentor, he emphasizes the importance of learning to compete with yourself and stretching yourself beyond what you thought possible. “Keep moving forward,” he says. “Don’t let anyone tell you what you cannot accomplish. Give back and remember that your destiny is in your hands. You alone have the power to change your life.”

 

ACCENTURE TECHNOLOGY LABS: Assigning Meaning To Data

As manager, data insights at Silicon Valley-based Accenture Technology Labs, Joshua Patterson leads an innovation team of scientists and data artists focused on big data analytics and visualization. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s in economics, and prior to joining Accenture Technology Labs nearly two years ago, he spent ten years employed in a variety of sectors, including construction, finance, and consulting.

 

The common threads throughout his eclectic job history are analytics and technology. Passionate about using data as an integral part of his decision making process, throughout his career he has embraced a myriad of technologies, all of which prepared him for his current job. “From building computers to writing an algorithm to assist me in buying a car, I always focused on using all available resources to enhance my life,” Patterson says. Drawn to technology as a college student, but not initially committed to seeking a position in IT, Patterson acknowledges that solving problems with data and finding optimal solutions still intrigues him.

 

In an effort to satisfy his passion for analytics as well as communicating analytics with descriptive visualizations, Patterson was eager to join a company where he could work with innovative technologies in the big data space. He found his niche at Accenture Technology Labs, a world leader in technology, management, consulting, and outsourcing services. Today he works on assets to improve the quality of analytics and visualization, which he describes as the art of giving meaning to data through visual representation. Additionally, he leads research and development projects that build “proof of concepts” of various new or innovative technologies in the visualization and analytics spaces.

 

Understanding that without good data visualization analytic results can be difficult to understand, Patterson led the creation of www.hotshotscharts.com, an interactive web application that allows the shots and assists of all NBA players during the 2012 season to be explored. “This proved to be a great, relatable way to showcase the power of analytics visualization,” he says. “Using this concept, we can, without much difficulty, relate client challenges to hot shot charts and other visual assets we’ve created to show how advanced visualizations can improve business processes and decision making.”

 

In awe of advancements made in the IT sector over the past decade, Patterson finds this an exciting time for those seeking and finding solutions to enable clients to manage, analyze, and digest ever-changing data. “Despite challenges, there is a great deal of opportunity for the next generation of IT workers,” he says. “Companies are unable to find sufficient talent, making it imperative to expose individuals to STEM sectors early-on.”

 

Highlighting Accenture Technology Labs’ latest Technology Vision, which identifies every company as a digital organization, Patterson is certain that with increased recognition of this concept the demand for employees with technical skills will grow. Emphasizing the importance of equipping individuals with these capabilities early in life, he identifies critical thinking, coding, and analytic abilities as most relevant for this arena. “It’s important, however, that integrity and communication capabilities not be overlooked. Being able to relate well to clients and stakeholders is critical,” he asserts. Patterson equally enjoys mentoring younger colleagues, pleased to have the opportunity to help craft the future of how companies around the world will do business, as well as being able to work with new and cutting-edge technologies alongside smart, innovative people. “Despite being embedded in a global company with 275,000 employees, Accenture Technology Labs has the feel of a start-up, and that’s just one of the benefits of working at this amazing company,” he states.

 

T. ROWE PRICE: Fostering A Passion For Logical Thinking And Problem Solving

After 13 years as a T. Rowe Price associate, Mark Stirling now holds the title of systems engineer, vice president at this 5,400-employee global firm headquartered in Baltimore, MD. “I first recognized my interest in, and talent for, computer science during my freshman year in college,” recounts Stirling, who began his studies as an electrical engineering major. Required to take a basic computer science course, it didn’t take him long to recognize his aptitude for logical thinking and problem solving. Assigned to a particularly challenging and complex project, Stirling recalls, “was a turning point. I found myself not only interested in coding, I became passionate about solving problems and creating software. Today that passion remains, he says.

 

Stirling’s initial job after graduating from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) with a bachelor’s degree in computer science was with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center—the result of a highly successful college internship. He acknowledges, however, that working for T. Rowe Price always intrigued him. “The company’s reputation for integrity and appreciation of their associates was widely known,” says Stirling. “As much as I enjoyed my time in the aerospace sector, I found joining T. Rowe Price to be the right decision. Throughout the years I was always encouraged to hone my skills, allowing me to progress from software development to senior software architect.”

 

Stirling’s duties primarily revolve around software architecture and governance. “I work with other architects to design major software systems and/or solutions critical to business functions prior to software implementation,” he explains. On the governance side he provides guidance to various software teams with architectural and software design concerns. “The need for talented technical professionals will increase as trillions of dollars worldwide will be spent over the next decade to develop new systems as well as to maintain and enhance existing software—and we are not producing enough qualified technologists to keep up with the demand,” he states.

 

Reiterating that skilled technical professionals are much sought after, Stirling identifies the attributes he believes most necessary for a successful IT career. “The ability to think logically is paramount. A programmer must logically understand the current state of a program and be able to think through the next steps,” he asserts. Additionally, he mentions the importance of creativity and having a solid foundation in computer science principles. He found, too, that as his career progressed he recognized the importance of both verbal and written communication. “It’s especially critical to be able to communicate technical concepts in non-technical terms,” he contends.

 

The fact that the software solutions he works on are critical to the success of the company is especially pleasing to Stirling. “T. Rowe Price offers investment management services domestically and internationally. Its 75-year history of doing what’s best for its clients serves both clients and the business,” he says. A minority recruiter and long-time mentor to less senior associates, Stirling states, “The right person can provide wisdom that may otherwise take several years to acquire.” Being a mentor, too, has professional advantages. “In technology, in particular, a recognized mentor or go-to-person with broad knowledge in relevant areas can position him/herself as a critical resource and a person worthy of advancement,” he maintains.

 

OFFICE DEPOT: Playing A Vital Role In The Enterprise

Kurt Hendricks’ interest in information technology began in middle school, when he was required to choose an elective. Computer technology won out over French. “Computers were new at the time and I was curious about what they did and how they worked,” he explains. That interest never waned, and today Hendricks is senior IT director at the Boca Raton, FL headquarters of Office Depot, Inc., a leading global provider of products, services, and solutions for the workplace. “Whether the workplace is an office, home, school or car, the company is a single source for everything customers need to be more productive, including the latest technology, core office supplies, print and document services, business services, facilities products, furniture, and school essentials,” says Hendricks.

 

Hendricks participated in the computer science degree programs at Duke University and Florida Atlantic University, and spent the past 25 years in various technology and leadership positions. With Office Depot for more than 13 years, he moved there from a national not-for-profit organization. “After several years in IT management roles I was looking for a global company focused on growth and continuous innovation,” says Hendricks. “Office Depot was the perfect choice.”

 

Providing leadership to develop technology solutions used directly by the company’s internal customers, Hendricks’ responsibilities include: workplace services (Blackberry, BYOD, mobility), collaboration, end user computing, messaging (email/archiving), and field engineering. What he most enjoys about the technical space is the fast-moving pace of change and innovation. “These are exciting times,” he remarks. “Information Technology plays a vital role in enabling the enterprise to meet the needs of customers, partners, and employees. Technology is at the core of many processes and its broad influence continues to grow.”