Lucky vs. Good - Be both

To all the new technology talent, just beginning their exciting new careers, I am so excited for you. I'm also a little jealous because of all that new technologies that you're going to be exposed to over the next 30 years or so. There's an old saying that "it's better to be lucky than good". Here's a twist, why not be both?

Through-out your career always strive to be the best in your field. Take on those projects that scare everybody else. Volunteer to help others. Establish yourself as the "go to" person. At the same time, pay attention to what happens in the office. Communicate with your Supervisor. Seek information about what is happening in the future. Look for the opportunity that moves your career forward.

A lifetime ago, I was an MVS System Programmer at a sleepy bank in Lincoln, NE. We ran on a mainframe when mainframes required really large rooms, chilled water, giant air-conditioners. My mission was app availability (our mainframe was old) and being a valuable team member. I was the guy that seemed to always get the call because I was always friendly and fixed lots of problems.

My boss was a great guy, but it was rumored that he wasn't happy in his role. The whole team worked to keep things smooth running, but it was apparent that his passion was elsewhere. During this time, I became good friends with a guy named Ken Kucera. He was a rising star and was very open with me about where the bank's technology should be going. It was very exciting as Ken knew his stuff and he painted a great picture of the future.

It was a Thursday and all the technology executives were in the office. I received a phone call from my boss who wanted me in his office. Well there it is! I'm done! At that time in my career I would oftentimes wear concert T-Shirts under my white shirt and tie (generally around laundry day). Somebody must have seen the "Motley Crue" logo bleed through my white shirt. I must be done. I took a big breath and walked into the office and there is my boss, the CIO, and two VP's. Crud!

My boss started off by letting me know what we all knew; he wasn't happy. He didn't want to manage the System Programmers anymore and wanted to be a network engineer. Ken Kucera took over the conversation and explained that they wanted me to run the System Programming team. It was a very lucky moment in my career and i've never forgotten my boss, Ken, and the great team I inherited.

To wrap it up, go be great! You have a fabulous opportunity to go shape your amazing career. Take chances, listen, continue to grow your skills and look for those opportunities that set you apart. Management will see it. We don't see everything, all the time but we do notice.

Your career is yours to manage, so don't take it for granted.