Here's how you can break through a career plateau in Information Systems as a mid-career professional.

You have 2 paths forward: 1. Become a subject matter expert and be the most knowledgeable in 1 field 2. Become an IT Leader by getting a basic knowledge of as many areas within IT as you are able.

When IT professionals get to the middle of their careers, they'll find themselves at a crossroads in their careers. Do they join the management track or do they stay on the technical track? It's a decision that requires patience and time to choose the right path. I leave you with this question, "Do I want to become a technical subject matter expert or do I want to develop technical subject matter experts?".

If you feel like you have hit a plateau in your current specialization, it may be time to evaluate whether or not you need to broaden your skillset, or consider exploring adding a skillset to your your tool belt. If you have found your niche and love what your are doing, push yourself hard by enhancing that skillset with additional training, seeking projects that push you to know more, and provide opportunities to shine, may allow you to climb higher. If you feel that you have really hit a wall and not a plateau, consider pivoting to something that excites you. As always, peer relationships can help you out of a rut by providing insights, guidance, and often times opportunities to grow. Sometimes, the place of employment is the problem.

Like everything in our environment, “it depends”. Because it varies at what level you are and what you want to achieve. The interesting point in Information Systems is that we can verify and experience adverse situations that always allow us to identify the best decision, be it starting work to improve and over time adding a certification, or even generating certifications to open the job market. , as previously stated, everything "depends" on the situation you find yourself in and what you want for the present, as evolution is constant and the future is already the now.

I agree with the idea of pursuing IT certifications, but as with life depends of a mix of circumstances: what job position you currently have (in life what is your current social situation), do you want to move to another company (do you want to stay with your current couple or move to a different city or country), or do you want to become a consultant or open your own business/company (do you want to be independent from a family business or move away from your current neighborhood). Most of the time in IT and in life, passion is the motor that will move you. If you feel passion on the current IT area or speciality, learn about this area and get as many IT and non-IT certifications, invest in yourself. Else learn and try another path.

I can only nod my head vigorously at this recommendation; I who had been laser focused on providing customers with the services they have needed, regularly missed opportunities to broaden my peer network. I'm stating I have no contacts, I am admitting that I missed conferences due to client engagements, tradeshows were something sales people got to go to, I wasn't allowed. I have been providing IT services in one fashion or another since 1988, my pier network consists primarily of the IT staff at the myriad of companies I have worked at, but few of them can offer me opportunities to broaden my employment opportunities. So take that time to go to tradeshows, make friends, not connections. Friends will find opportunities for you.

Active networking is crucial for career growth in Information Systems. Engage with peers, join professional associations, and attend industry conferences to discover new opportunities and insights. Networking helps you learn about trends, gain diverse perspectives, and find unadvertised jobs, potentially fueling your next career move.

Networking is extremely important in all areas, however it is valuable in information systems for several aspects. Remember that everyone can make a difference in starting good networking, always taking the initiative and opening doors or connecting the right people in the right places. I have been working with IT for a long time, and I see that the connection between everyone to solve different problems or to allocate important people to the job market makes all the difference, as everyone has difficult and even remarkable moments at each stage, however the important thing is It's about making a difference, from initial communication to resolving problems and conflicts that can bring everyone together, always supporting each other.

If you have found your niche, become an expert in your niche. Seek employment where training to become better at your specialty can be worked into your benefits package. I have a friend who was an Cisco CNE (certified network engineer when he started working and built that to a to a Cisco CIE (certified Internet engineer). The cost of training can sometimes be daunting and you should seek help covering those costs. Doing this through your employer can be very beneficial. Expanding your skillset in your specialization should provide you with better opportunities to achieve your employment goals and life goals. Remember that you need to live outside of work as well.

It is a good idea to specialize further into a technical competency and really seek out your niche. Try and also understand the role this niche plays in business and how your company can better utilize new software libraries or new applications, platforms or appliances to reach their short-term/long-term goals. Also come up with your elevator speech to verbalize yourself and your goals. A quick 15 second summary of what your niche is and how you are using this niche to improve a business outcome(s). Never know when you'll find yourself sharing an elevator ride with the CEO of your company.

If you have found a niche that interests you, it is important to always remain focused on continuous learning and inevitably, over time, levels related to the business will be added from which success can easily be achieved, however, not everything is rosy and it is necessary to fight every time. moment, and often face divergent opinions. The stages of the entire process are exhausting, like everything else in our lives, but the difference is between focusing on subjects that interest you and that constantly provide you with solid paths. Keep in mind that hard work and focus will always bring you fruit, you just need to believe and pursue it.

Specializing is always a stepping stone to growth. It is very medium to understand down the line where you actually want to be and it nurtures your dream job to be in.....

Seja mentor, e busque um mentor. Vai sempre existir algum especialista mais experiente, um profissional há mais tempo exercendo, deixe seu ego de lado e portanto ganhe tempo e encurte caminho com esse feedback. Agora quando for mentor prepare a melhor aula e aprenda duas vezes, na hora de preparar e quando for explicar. Retribua conhecimento sempre!

When the plan and goals become tough it where the mentor comes handy. Mentors can help you ease the goals with a proper direction to it. Seeking mentors is beneficial at any point in the career to get good guidance and rethink the goals are achievable or not.

Change is often scary. It is easy to get comfortable in the day-to-day, and some may prefer stability. There is nothing wrong with that, but if one has felt that they have plateaued then it is worth understanding that your path may lie elsewhere. I've experienced this feeling and decided that I would like purse other opportunities within my current organization. This is a lower risk and I have the benefit of still keeping the connections and goodwill that I built up over the years. My advice is to look at job postings and find something that is interesting. Do some reconnaissance and ask coworkers in the role and coworkers that have been impacted by the prospective department. When you are ready interview and embrace new opportunities.

Change is inevitable. Saying "yes" to a change sometimes it is very difficult. It shuts down new ideas and learning. But when we embrace the change with positive attitude and work for it, can bring in good learnings, improves communication, personal growth.