Dealing with a boss is always a difficult situation since there are a number of conflicting issues to manage. A job, after all, is just a stepping stone to another job in your career path. Some of your goals in your job are to learn the most about your position, industry, technology, organization, and people while receiving the best benefits package and compensation. Your boss, on the other hand, wants you to support their goals and objectives, fit into to their political scheme, make people happy, all while keeping his costs down and profits high. So what do you do? Do you follow your personal goals or your bosses? How do you know when to "fit in" and when to offer your own creative ideas? Is there a methodology to follow when you start a new job and do you follow the same processes when you have seniority at a company? Sonia Schmitt will discuss these issues and a methodology for how to deal with your bosses in different circumstances. She will discuss an effective job advancement strategy and a framework for planning your career.

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Sonia Schmitt has been employed in the information technology field for 8 years. Her experiences include systems engineering, project management, application development, helpdesk support, technical writing, and market assessment. Sonia is currently a Manager of Systems Engineering Business Development for SAIC in Falls Church, Virginia. She is responsible for strategic direction, marketing policies, and identifying and planning new opportunities for systems engineering services at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Walter Reed Medical Center, and the Department of Treasury.

Sonia's previous position at SAIC was a Senior Systems Engineer in the Advanced Network Solutions Group where she performed high-level LAN, WAN, and web design studies for commercial, government, educational, and international projects. Before joining SAIC, Sonia worked 3 years as an Information Technology Consultant at the World Bank and 5 years as a computer contractor for various companies (such as Gannett, Bell Atlantic, & Booz-Allen). In her part time, Sonia works as an Adjunct Professor at Northern Virginia Community College, American, Marymount, and George Mason Universities. Sonia's degrees include a BS in Mathematics, and MS in Systems Engineering & Management from George Washington University.

She is currently pursuing her doctorate degree, also at GWU, and she hopes to teach full time after graduation. Her hobbies include international travel, downhill skiing, scuba diving, and watching action movies.