IT Architect/Enterprise Architect

[cojak]

That's definitely a big attraction if it pans out that way.

But how can you become CTO (or in that ballpark) without ever [really] managing people?

You could go from Systems support/dev > Design > Architect [ > Enterprise Architect] > CTO without ever managing a team.

Isn't the CTO then managing managers without having 'worked his ways up' ?


Believe me, it is very appealing indeed. But I think if I had some years of 'Ent. Architect' on CV it wouldn't end up as boss of IT. I stand to be enlightened.

Yep - there's a way onwards, but not in IT (howevever you DO need to keep your IT knowledge current - that's your strength).

You now need business nous - IT strategy is there to support the business stategy, that is where you path now lies my young Padawan...

I'm loathe to suggest a full whacking MBA, but this is the type of area you need to learn about and get experience in - Business.

HTH.