Name: Keith Sievers
Title/Employer: Sr. VP-CIO/Kemper Auto and Home Ins. Co.
Age: 57
Education: BA
Tenure in IT industry: 35 years
First tech job: Project Manager
Current role:
As CIO I am accountable for applications development and supporting operations and technical services.
What's been your best job and why?
This job as it provides the opportunity to lead.
What do you think is the number one non-IT skill IT professionals need today?
Collaboration skills.
What do you credit your career success to
I had a very good mentor.
What are the top three skills a high-level IT manager needs today?
Breadth (not depth) of technical exposure, problem solving ability, people development skills
What is the best career advice you've ever received
Don't surprise your boss.
What's the top advice you'd give to a new IT staffer?
Respect your co-workers, be versatile, take accountability for your work and don't be a victim.
What would you advise someone looking to find the type of role you currently have?
Understand the business you serve, be ethical, set high standards but appreciate the people who work for you.
What is the one career decision you would change if you could?
None really.
If you had the choice to jump into any other job, tech or non-tech, what would it be?
CEO
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