Name:Tom Claridge
Title/Employer: CEO/S.H.P.C
Age: 21
Education: BA in game design
First Tech Job: Hand built my own computer.
Current role: As CEO I lead the team in all projects. Also, it is usually my job to set into motion any new ideas, for new projects and the such.
What's been your best job and why?
This one as I get to meet others interested in making my dreams materialize.
What do you think is the number one non-IT skill IT professionals need today?
Personality. Yes, you can have your flashy skills with a computer but if you can't hold a decent conversation with your boss, without quivering, or swallowing your heart then that's that.
What do you credit your career success to ?
My colleagues. They pushed me to make something of my ideas, and my dreams.
What are the top three skills a high-level IT manager needs today?
Personality; a level head; if you go off like a decapitated chicken you're doomed to failure. And imagination. Be creative and don't follow up on old ideas, make new ones.
What is the best career advice you've ever received?
A wise man once told me; "Blood sweat and tears...that's step one!" Amusingly enough, he never got to step two. And yet, I understood him clearly.
What's the top advice you'd give to a new IT staffer?
Don't be too careful. Security is nice and fuzzy, sure, but take a risk, get your idea and opinion out there and make it count. There are very few second chances in this field. If you're going out, go out swinging.
What would you advise someone looking to find the type of role you currently have?
Dream big, talk small. Don't let all of your "self" out to those around you. You make a big impression when you pull some resource out of yourself when the time is certainly dire. If they least expect you and you shock'em, you've won the day. Never give up.
What is the one career decision you would change if you could?
Not starting earlier. Yea, I'm young, but I always feel like I could have gotten a jump on things, maybe a little sooner.
If you had the choice to jump into any other job, tech or non-tech, what would it be?
A science field maybe archeology. But I never had the patience for all the schooling.
Other recent articles from TechCareers
Hiring Report: Computer Merchant Hiring Consultants Skilled In Software Engineering, Infrastructure, ERP, Business Analysis
Career Profile: VP-CIO/Wind River Systems
Become a member to take advantage of more features, like commenting and voting.
Register or sign in today!