Information Technology (IT)

[dathbgboy]

They sound similar but are two totally different positions Companies interchange the two and PMs all the time and it's annoying but sad and funny at the same time.

 

[luckyluchiano]

I've never seen a PM role used in the same breath as Systems Engineer outside of a company that may want someone with industry experience in general lol.

 

[capital sb]

They sound similar but are two totally different positions

Companies interchange the two and PMs all the time and it's annoying but sad and funny at the same time.

What are the differences?

I have no clue, trying to see if I would be interested. 

 

[HankHill]

As a Solution Architect you would have knowledge of the on assets and tools needed to build out a solution. Its not a PM role, since you'll have a PM for that project you're working on.

You basically identify the business requirements and figure out the best way to implement the solution example. "use sftp or soap to transfer the file". From there you and the functional analyst will work to see if the assets involved are able to do this etc.

 

[luckyluchiano]

As a Solution Architect you would have knowledge of the on assets and tools needed to build out a solution. Its not a PM role, since you'll have a PM for that project you're working on.

You basically identify the business requirements and figure out the best way to implement the solution example. "use sftp or soap to transfer the file". From there you and the functional analyst will work to see if the assets involved are able to do this etc.

A Business Analyst does that lol.

Anything with Architect in the title more so focuses on Strategy, in that you have those who do Business Analysis and those who do Technical Analysis.

The issue is Companies use the same titles but expecting different skill sets.

Architects tend to work on the executive level, ie. The CIO feels the company needs to find a way to become more flexible and lean, the Solution Architect would then recommend "hey lets move to Cloud /IaaS", the Architect would create the solution and if approved the project is then created and handed over to say the PM who would then be given project release date and budget so they can create their Project plan and work with the implementation Team (ie. Engineers, BA, Programmers etc) so they can perform analysis on how they plan on implementing these things.

Outside of becoming a Manager of course, I would like to see myself as a Business Architect/Business Consultant of neither of those then at least a PM.

 

[HankHill]

Yeah it depends on company and business space. I work in compliance and integration.

Each asset/business group from my company has their own set of architects. They are not executive level.

When a business has a need that relates to our group, that's when the architects work to design needed solution. Business Analyst usually work as liaisons between our group and other groups that are doing the development/testing. That won't happen until the project is in place. Technical analyst would do the dev on solutions we already own that need to be changed.

 

[luckyluchiano]

Yeah it depends on company and business space. I work in compliance and integration.

Each asset/business group from my company has their own set of architects. They are not executive level.

When a business has a need that relates to our group, that's when the architects work to design needed solution. Business Analyst usually work as liaisons between our group and other groups that are doing the development/testing. That won't happen until the project is in place. Technical analyst would do the dev on solutions we already own that need to be changed.

yea, I wasn't referring to Architects as being executives but more so they work on a level higher than the development group usually.

 

[Stormblessed]

Gearing up for the ICND2 (in a cpl weeks)...Boson netsim has been a godsend for making big topologies. Using gns3 to bring in my virtual esxi hosts and my server 2008 domain. Been having a lot of fun learning, Network+, Sec+ & CCNA Security after. Got my Linux+ earlier this year so mid 2016 I'll be focusing mainly on RHCSA & CCNP. It's amazing how much things make sense when they start bridging together

Good stuff, but I don't see the point of getting network+ if you have CCNA. I have network + and security + but once I get CCNA I'm not going to renew them unless somewhere down the line I decide to work for the DOD.

 

[dathbgboy]

Yeah it depends on company and business space. I work in compliance and integration.

Each asset/business group from my company has their own set of architects. They are not executive level.

When a business has a need that relates to our group, that's when the architects work to design needed solution. Business Analyst usually work as liaisons between our group and other groups that are doing the development/testing. That won't happen until the project is in place. Technical analyst would do the dev on solutions we already own that need to be changed.

And that's what a BA should be doing, they are like the PM's eyes and ears while the PM handles the the scope, time management, making sure things don't go over budget, etc.

Ultimately, that's where I'm trying to get into and then work my way up to a PM. At this rate I'll get there by the time I'm 40

 

[luckyluchiano]

And that's what a BA should be doing, they are like the PM's eyes and ears while the PM handles the the scope, time management, making sure things don't go over budget, etc.

Ultimately, that's where I'm trying to get into and then work my way up to a PM. At this rate I'll get there by the time I'm 40

Are you in school or what? Hardest thing is getting the first job, after that younare good.

 

[dathbgboy]

And that's what a BA should be doing, they are like the PM's eyes and ears while the PM handles the the scope, time management, making sure things don't go over budget, etc.

Ultimately, that's where I'm trying to get into and then work my way up to a PM. At this rate I'll get there by the time I'm 40

Are you in school or what? Hardest thing is getting the first job, after that younare good.

Been out of school since 2010, it's just building my skills and getting that first job. Most I got was about a month exp as a PM for a small website redesign. Didn't really need most of the things I did but I did it anyway to get used to it Issue lies in the 5+ years exp they are asking for w/ all the extra skills. Not giving up though, just got to find another angle to attack from.

 

[luckyluchiano]

Been out of school since 2010, it's just building my skills and getting that first job. Most I got was about a month exp as a PM for a small website redesign. Didn't really need most of the things I did but I did it anyway to get used to it Issue lies in the 5+ years exp they are asking for w/ all the extra skills. Not giving up though, just got to find another angle to attack from.

Oh ok, id toss the resume on DICE asap, i pulled my joint down after getting a new job and still get emails every so often. Gotta word the resume right.

 

[dathbgboy]

Been out of school since 2010, it's just building my skills and getting that first job. Most I got was about a month exp as a PM for a small website redesign. Didn't really need most of the things I did but I did it anyway to get used to it Issue lies in the 5+ years exp they are asking for w/ all the extra skills. Not giving up though, just got to find another angle to attack from.

Oh ok, id toss the resume on DICE asap, i pulled my joint down after getting a new job and still get emails every so often. Gotta word the resume right.

Word up, I keep forgetting about DICE, I get caught up on Indeed and the Pittsburgh Technology Council, should get more hits since I've revised my resume recently to reflect my web dev and PM skills. Good looks on the suggestion

 

[4318michaeljohnson4318]

Word up, I keep forgetting about DICE, I get caught up on Indeed and the Pittsburgh Technology Council, should get more hits since I've revised my resume recently to reflect my web dev and PM skills. Good looks on the suggestion

Did you check your universities career services site? I was flourishing strictly off their website didn't even need to go to a career fair or use any other site my senior year. Even tho you're alumni status you can still hit the university career fairs and what not and mingle. I know at my uni we do a networking events during homecoming for college of engineering and computer science. It's all about building that network

 

[dathbgboy]

Word up, I keep forgetting about DICE, I get caught up on Indeed and the Pittsburgh Technology Council, should get more hits since I've revised my resume recently to reflect my web dev and PM skills. Good looks on the suggestion

Did you check your universities career services site? I was flourishing strictly off their website didn't even need to go to a career fair or use any other site my senior year. Even tho you're alumni status you can still hit the university career fairs and what not and mingle. I know at my uni we do a networking events during homecoming for college of engineering and computer science. It's all about building that network

I used to go when I was in undergrad but not since graduating. I'm different than most as I don't have a B.A. in Computer Science or Engineering, I went against better judgement and didn't switch my major because I just knew I was going to law school I've only been into this CS/Web Dev/PM stuff for about 3 years now.

 

[and1play5]

Good stuff, but I don't see the point of getting network+ if you have CCNA. I have network + and security + but once I get CCNA I'm not going to renew them unless somewhere down the line I decide to work for the DOD.

I go to WGU, part of the degree program breh

 

[4318michaeljohnson4318]

I used to go when I was in undergrad but not since graduating. I'm different than most as I don't have a B.A. in Computer Science or Engineering, I went against better judgement and didn't switch my major because I just knew I was going to law school I've only been into this CS/Web Dev/PM stuff for about 3 years now.

In your opinion what has been the hardest part of landing a BA role? Getting the interview or handling interview questions with no experience?

 

[dathbgboy]

I used to go when I was in undergrad but not since graduating. I'm different than most as I don't have a B.A. in Computer Science or Engineering, I went against better judgement and didn't switch my major because I just knew I was going to law school I've only been into this CS/Web Dev/PM stuff for about 3 years now.

In your opinion what has been the hardest part of landing a BA role? Getting the interview or handling interview questions with no experience?

Getting the interview

 

[luckyluchiano]

Getting the interview

Thats with any job. With me im pretty much going to get the job if i get the interview unless someone REALLY better than me gets it, after a while its hard to screw up
Interviews when you have done a ton of em, they are usually all the same.

 

[capital sb]

Getting the interview

Might be best to try to pursue a more direct degree. MS in Systems Engineering or Technical Management if possible.

 

[4318michaeljohnson4318]

Getting the interview

Well how is your network looking? Are you connected with the tech recruiting companies?

 

[dathbgboy]

Getting the interview

Thats with any job. With me im pretty much going to get the job if i get the interview unless someone REALLY better than me gets it, after a while its hard to screw up
Interviews when you have done a ton of em, they are usually all the same.

Yea, I know that. It's tough, it doesn't make it any easier applying online and make it easier for companies to filter applications and resumes.

Getting the interview

Might be best to try to pursue a more direct degree. MS in Systems Engineering or Technical Management if possible.

I was thinking that, cost always comes into play though you know. I've been thinking of going back once I at least got my foot in the door and could afford to fund it out of my own pocket. In the mean time, I'm just learning languages on my own so that I'm not sitting idle.

Getting the interview

Well how is your network looking? Are you connected with the tech recruiting companies?

I've connected with a few here in the city but they always tell me I don't have enough experience for their clients, even for helpdesk positions.

 

[HankHill]

Look into fellowships also. I've been applying to MSIS programs now (got into one already). Now I'm looking at fellowships and grants that can fund it.

Also, if you don't want to go back full time, look for professional masters programs that are catered to people who work full time. They usually have the classes at night and/or online.

 

[capital sb]

Yeah you have to think about the return on investment. Take out some loans and knock it out. The degree will put you where you need to be.

 

[dathbgboy]

No doubt, I'll look more into it. I would have to take some prereqs first, about 12 cr. , find people to write letters of recommendations for me, and then take the GRE. I got so much college debt now that I really gotta do some soul searching with this . Appreciate the input fellas.