Company: InstallShield Software Corp., a Schaumburg-based provider of software distribution products
Salary range for this job: $50,000 to $77,000
Time on this job: 8 months
Previous jobs: I was an information-systems project manager at Quaker Oats and, before that, was a consultant at Andersen Consulting.
Age: 30
Education: BS in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree from J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management.
How I got this job: While (studying part-time) at Kellogg, I belonged to an entrepreneur club, where I received an e-mail listing jobs. I wasn’t looking for a job at the time, but the company looked interesting, so I applied.
Why I took this job: I wanted to move out of a support role in a big company to a small, growing software company.
Main responsibilities: I’m responsible for installation tools that companies such as Microsoft use so customers can install their software. We sell software companies the tools that allow the transfer of data from CD-ROM, floppy disk or the Internet to a computer. I take the software tool from concept stage to development to release. I work with product development and marketing to define what our product should do. Then, I define the specifics of the product. Once the product is built, I meet with the marketing group on packaging the product.
Best thing about the job: I love the entrepreneurial environment and the excitement of the work. You never know what’s going to happen tomorrow.
Worst thing about the job: The juggling act to make sure everyone’s happy.
My ideal next job: Business development or product marketing at InstallShield
Advice to job seekers in this field: Have a technology background, but, more important, have communication skills. Take writing and speech classes.
