Web design career progression...

what are the steps?

[shasan]

I'm sure some of you pros can help me out here. If I got a job as a systems analyst, I'd be gunning for a project management position. I'm not sure what the equivalent is for Web designers?

What are the career steps for a Web Designer?

[Travoli]

I've never known anyone to take a linear path up the corporate IT ladder. I'd say "do what interests you."

One path might be:
Web Designer
Lead Web Designer
Web design department head
CTO

[killroy]

Or how about:

Web Designer
Web Developer
Web Everything
Self Employed Online Businessman

What's a Corporate IT Career ladder? Sounds awfull!

SN

[shasan]

no no no Corporate IT ladder rocks! Especially in a big company when you can covertly sabotage other candidates for a promotion. It's delightfully Machiavellian.

In all seriousity, the freelance/online business can't be my main focus because of the ups and downs. At least climbing the corporate ladder, I can get a steady income all the way... *shrug* That's just the way I see it.

I've also heard of Web designers progressing through the Marketing ranks, that may also be an option.

[DrDoc]

Connections, that's everything! Make yourself seen and heard.

A close friend went from independent contractor to CTO based on connections only. Well, and skills of course.

[too much information]

Get a dog. You will be suprised how many people you meet. Then once you have that in common, you can start networking for your business.

I went to a holiday party last night. (yea, I know it's early but we all work durring the holidays) I meet some new contacts who were indifferent about talking shop as most people you meet... but mention their dog just one time and now we're working with them next week.

I'm not kidding either, you should have seen their faces change when the discussion went to the dogs.

*It must be Friday.

I'm serious about the dog. :)

[shasan]

yeah, I know all about the networking. And when I break it down, it's basically making friends. That's a good idea about the dog though, I never would've thought of that.

[Fenceman]

I wonder if that would work with other pets? I bet a pet gecko would be a great conversation topic!

Or, of course, you could just *say* that you have a dog.... ;)

[dgriesbeck]

Always say you can do it, even if you can't. Then, try like hell to find the time to learn.

I don't think there's a whole lot of progression when you look at my career.

I was a religion major in college. Found a writing job with a technical writing/editing firm. Wound up a techwriter/editor for a while. Started building online help. They asked me to build their website. They went outside for design of new site, but asked me to write content. Now, we're moving our business to web content focus, so I'm the webmaster of our site, writing content, designing, maintaining, etc.

All without a formal comp sci or web design education. And it's been a ride.

I like the dog route, but I wouldn't change a thing...

[lorax]

Ever watched a really good pinball game? Those are the steps I took. Try this one, try that one, hit bottom, dump the last one, try the first one again - SCORE!