How to Become a CTO

A panel of experts share their thoughts on how to become a CTO and what the job entails in an article with Maryville University. The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) ensures that current applications, hardware, and processes support the goals and employees of the organization. CTO is one of the highest-ranking IT positions in a typical corporate hierarchy and professionals who want to know how to become a CTO should be ready for a lifetime of learning.

How to Become a CTO?

A bachelor’s degree sets the foundation for any professional who wants to become a CTO. With the knowledge of database design, digital forensics, cyber law, programming, and data integrity, graduates can move on to work in a variety of IT professions. Aspiring CTOs must build a strong educational base and gain experience in entry-level positions before taking the next step toward becoming CTO.

The article further mentions that in addition to having technological expertise, a CTO needs to have the confidence to lead a team of people across multiple departments effectively. Becoming a CTO requires a professional to be proficient in the following skill areas such as business, leadership and decision-making.

With the years of education and experience required to, organizations know the importance of paying a CTO well. According to PayScale, the average annual base salary for a CTO is $153,830. This base salary may increase in the coming years, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the number of director- and manager-level positions, including CTO positions, to increase by 44,200 between 2016 and 2026. With the rising number of opportunities in the next eight years, there is ample runway for professionals to reach the top IT positions in organizations.

Read more: How to Become a CTO or Chief Technology Officer?

Summary

In conclusion, becoming a CTO can look possible with the right pathway. Also know more about the skills a chief technology officer should possess to contribute to your company’s wider goals.