Who are we, how did we get here, and where are we going? An IT Career Path in Law Schools Elmer R. Masters Director of Computing Emory Law School

Introduction Is there a professional IT career path in legal academia? Skills and tools one needs to run an IT department in a law school. Background – 22 managers, 4 staff – Non-scientific

Topics of Discussion IT career path – Who we are – How we got here – Where we’re going Skills and tools – Management – Planning – Finance

IT Career Path Who we are: – 22 day-to-day managers – 10 Directors, 4 Managers, 4 Assistant/Associate Deans, 2 Librarians, 2 Faculty – 5 JDs, 6 Masters, 6 Bachelors, 1 PhD – Average 5.3 years in law school IT Shortest: 9 months, longest 13 years 7 with 7 or more years of experience in law school IT

IT Career Path (cont.) How we got here – 22 managers followed 13 different paths to get to current position 3 - Webmaster -> Director 3 – Support/Helpdesk -> Director 2 – Attorney -> Librarian -> Director 2 – University IT -> Director Others: Military, Reference Librarian, Sys Admin, Law Firm IT, Non-profit, Public School IT, Consultant

IT Career Path (cont.) Where we’re going – Open question – 13 – Continue on in Law School IT At current level or at some unknown level – 11 – Leave law school IT To University CIO, private sector – 2 – Assistant/Associate Dean

Real Life (My Path) 5/92 – Reference Librarian 5/93 – Electronic Services Librarian 5/94 – Internet Resources Librarian 11/96 – Associate Director IT 6/97 – Director of IT 6/99 – Moved to current Director position ? – Associate/Assistant Dean of IT

What This Means No clear path Future is hazy Profession is developing Path will follow Brain Drain?

Tools & Skills Necessary to new profession Technical proficiency – Aware of current developments – Provide strategic IT direction If you don’t, somebody will Management – You will have a staff – Performance and service orientation will be important – Team work

Tools & Skills Budget & Finance – Get your own – Keep the books – Plan Stick to it Just say ‘No’ – Hardest part of the job – Political skills

Summary/Conclusion No path … yet Birth of a profession Core of professionals exists Beware brain drain Stay current Manage staff Manage users Manage money

Who are we, How did we get here, Where are we going? Elmer R. Masters Emory University School of Law