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Chief Information Officer

Interviews

Insider Info

At universities, students cart their laptops to class, plug in and take notes. When they go home, they can print out their notes, send e-mail and do their research on the Internet.

But how is all of this technology coordinated? And who makes the decisions on a high-tech campus?

At one university, the director of information technology works with executives to decide how to implement new business strategies, and to figure out just how to make the systems work.

Janice Sissons is that director. She works to upgrade and maintain the telecommunications systems.

"There is so much technology on campus these days," she says. "Someone has to oversee the entire academic computing systems, help human resources, look after all the audio-visual equipment and the telecommunications."

Sissons specializes in telecommunications. "With distance education and more courses going on the computer, long-distance operations have become very important on campus," she says.

Sissons is also involved in the everyday workings of the campus. "You might not first think of mail services as information technology, but they are coordinated. They can be made to work more efficiently and use a better system," she says.

Communications have become so important in companies that most large corporations hire CIOs to help them keep abreast of technology and in touch with the rest of the world.

Tad Pinkerton is the CIO at the University of Wisconsin. He says that trying to decide what future path a university or a company should take is often tricky. "A lot of people have a lot of different ideas about where the university should be heading," he says. "That can make the work very difficult."

Some executives may feel that university education is becoming too dependent on technology. Others feel that the only way to ensure quality education is to advance with the latest technology. "Some major controversies arise over the strategy the university should take," says Pinkerton.

That's when a CIO has to know more than the ins and outs of information technology. "You have to work with people, help them figure things out and act as a mediator in some discussions," he says. "Communications skills are especially important."

Pinkerton oversees 800 information technology workers. "Half of my job entails managing the staff that looks after all kinds of computer services on campus, telecommunications and academic services."

CIOs are dealing directly with information technology. Their work is never stale or boring.

"I need to have so many different varieties of knowledge," says Sissons. "Telecommunications are always changing. There are new ways to do things. I need to know about them, and decide if they will work better in our situation. It's a really exciting part of my job."

Information technology is advancing at a rapid pace. There is little time to sit back and contemplate decisions. "You are never bored in this job," she adds.

"The learning curve is always evolving," agrees Laura Lukasik. She works with an information technology association. "CIOs have to work to stay on top."

CIOs must be able to learn new technology quickly, direct and negotiate with others, and develop sound business plans. It often means long hours with tight deadlines. But some people thrive in this setting.

"In IT, there are so many challenges," says Pinkerton. "You have to get out there and meet each one head on. That's what is truly enjoyable about this work."