I've been a systems administrator at a large healthcare organization for almost six years, starting as a junior and quickly moving up to a senior role. My manager and I have talked about management positions, as I have previous managerial experience in another field before transitioning to IT. However, since I work remotely from out of state, I didn't apply for a recent managerial opening because the preference was for someone onsite, and I didn't want to waste anyone's time. This is the second management opportunity I've had to turn down because of my remote status, and I feel like I've hit a ceiling in my current organization. My team manages clinical applications and systems, and while I enjoy my role, I'm looking for ways to grow and feel a bit stagnant. I see this as a sign to explore new opportunities. What career paths or next steps would you recommend? Should I focus on cloud computing, on-premises systems, networking, or end-user computing? I have a bit of experience in various IT areas, but coding isn't my strength, though I do like scripting for automation. I'm not particularly interested in information security, but I'm open to it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
9 Answers
You've reached a structural limit in your current setup—remote roles tend to block movement into management at places like yours. I'd pivot towards cloud and automation, using tools like Runable to transition from firefighting to a more strategic, system-level focus. That's where the real growth is!
I'd say keep looking for remote positions. They can be hard to find, but they will pop up. Right now, pretty much everyone wants remote work, including the company you’re with.
If you're set on staying remote, cloud computing seems to make the most sense. Also, consider MLOps—a lot of companies are facing infrastructural challenges, and talent in this area is hard to come by.
I manage in healthcare IT completely remotely, and while it's a challenge, it is possible. You'll need to be willing to step outside your comfort zone, but there are remote management roles in rural health sectors.
Next time, don’t hesitate to apply anyway! Let them know what your work conditions are upfront. Being already in the company can help mitigate some of the risks they might see in hiring a remote manager.
Definitely consider roles in Platform Engineering or DevOps. Those fields are often very remote-friendly and can utilize your diverse experience.
With your background in sysadmin work, your scripting skills, and experience in healthcare, I think cloud infrastructure like AWS or Azure, or focusing on endpoint/device management would be the best bets. Both fields are remote-friendly and are seeing a lot of demand right now, making good use of your broad skill set.
Honestly, you haven't hit a ceiling in your career; you've hit one at your company. Remote work combined with a desire for management roles has limited opportunities, but there are paths you can take. Consider switching companies for a remote leadership role or deepening your technical skills in cloud and automation—these options can lead to increased leverage without necessarily managing people.
It seems like you value remote work more than the management role. If that's the case, focus on shifting your career path and looking for remote managerial positions at other companies. The current one might just not be the right fit for you.
Yeah, it feels like everyone is competing for remote roles these days; it'll just take some patience.