Jesse Schibilia

It’s been a long time since my last post and you can attribute that to my first job interview. My intent in creating this blog was to give myself a means to become an authority (or as close to an authority as a student can become) on web trends. This is what my major interest was going through my IT program here at Rutgers. It’s great to be part of the trends as they happen. The world of web development is still so nubile that anyone can become famous with a simple, great idea. These ideas are popping up all over the place, and that is what I enjoyed learning and writing about.

With my recent job interview at a networking company and the promising future it holds for my career, I seem to have lost some of my interest in the world of web trends. I find myself learning alot less about the trends, and alot more about how I can get my CCNA. I ordered a book on Amazon last night: “CCNA for Dummies.” I seem to be some type of fair-weather fan. Originally, I put all my money on web development. I thought that my best bet would be to find myself a really cool design firm, meet a guru, and do some great work. The job market is doing well for this type of job; I would have no trouble finding this type of employment. So why am I so easily dissuaded when a job interview comes around?

I didn’t even get the job. I am supposed to contact the CEO later on this month about my graduation situation. If he still has room for me, he may bring me on board. I am not a definite hire, so why do I look away from what I know best? I have countless books on web development and design on my shelf. This is what I have put my focus into for the last few years.

Even now, in my new found enthusiasm for networking, I have applied to another job. Yesterday, I applied for the Information Management Leadership Program at GE. (IMLP @ GE) This is apparently the best program of its kind, and GE is a great company to work for. Since yesterday, I’ve been souped about this program, and I now look at the networking job as my “safety.”

I think my “career search ADD” can be attributed to the prospect of a greater career. With web design, I feel as though there is a limit to how high I can go. With the networking career, there seems to be a very defined career path to follow with more prestigious endpoints. The market is also very good for this type of job. The IMLP trumps them all. This program is a fast track to a great career, possibly leading to a CIO or CTO position. I really enjoyed learning about leadership last semester. “Leadership in Electronic Environments” with Dr. Ralph Wyndrum was my favorite. I actually enjoyed reading the books that he prescribed. (”Leadership” by Rudy Giuliani and “Who Says Elephants Can’t Dance” by Louis V. Gerstner, Jr.)

Who knows, maybe you’ll find me in a large, corporate setting sometime soon.