for Chief Information Officers (CIOs) contemplating their next career move, the landscape of opportunities can be both exciting and daunting. With experience in IT strategy and implementation,CIOs are uniquely positioned to take on a variety of leadership roles. But how do you decide when to move, where to go, and what to prioritize?

According to Sharon Mandell, chief information officer of Juniper Networks, the ideal next step varies greatly depending on individual circumstances. In a recent interview, Mandell shared her insights on how CIOs can strategically plan their career advancement.

Identifying Your Next career Move as a CIO

“That really depends on the individual CIO, their time in the role, the scope of their responsibilities, the scale of the companies they’ve worked for, and most importantly, their personal interests and aspirations,” says Mandell. The key is to align your next role with your personal and professional goals.

Potential moves include taking on a CIO role at a larger company, transitioning to a different industry, or even exploring opportunities in smaller organizations with compelling missions. “The next step could be another CIO role at a larger company in the same industry, or a shift to a different industry — smaller, same-sized, or even larger — if the challenge is compelling. It might very well be a smaller association with a mission or chance that you’ve always wanted to take on,” Mandell explains.

Some CIOs may also consider adjacent functions such as customer support, engineering, marketing, or HR. While a move to CFO or chief counsel is less common,it’s not entirely out of the question for those with the right background. Other options include stepping into a COO or CEO role,or transitioning to venture capital or advisory positions.

“There’s no single ‘right’ next step — it’s about what makes sense for your unique path and purpose.”

Timing Your Career Transition

Knowing when to make a career move is crucial.Mandell suggests that the best time to move is “when you feel like you’re no longer having a significant impact or adding meaningful value in your current role.” She likens starting a new role to being thrown into the deep end, where initial feelings of being overwhelmed eventually give way to vision and transformative change. When those changes become incremental, it might potentially be time to consider a new challenge.

It’s also vital to remain open to unexpected opportunities. “Sometimes, opportunities show up when you’re not actively looking — something that fills a gap in your background, stretches you in a big way, or offers a challenge you’ve always wanted to take on,” Mandell notes.Even when content in your current position, be receptive to possibilities that align with your long-term aspirations.

Knowing When to Stay Put

Conversely, there are times when staying in your current role is the best course of action. “I don’t like leaving a role when I’ve taken a risk on a project, a technology, or a transformation and haven’t yet seen it through to a solid or stable outcome,” Mandell states. It’s important to see your initiatives through to completion and ensure that your team is well-supported.

Additionally, leaving a leadership team in a difficult position is not ideal. “I also don’t want to leave a leadership team holding the bag, especially if I’ve been pushing them outside their comfort zones,” she adds. Staying long enough to deliver tangible results ensures that your peers understand and appreciate your decisions.

However, sometimes opportunities are time-sensitive.Weighing the value of staying to finish a project versus making a move is a critical part of career planning. Ultimately, you want to leave on good terms, with colleagues who would welcome the chance to work with you again in the future.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

One of the biggest mistakes CIOs make when planning a career move is “chasing title, prestige, or compensation as the sole driver of the decision, or assuming that ‘bigger’ is always better,” according to Mandell. While these factors are important, they should not be the only considerations.

The most rewarding career moves are those that allow you to surround yourself with great people, make a meaningful impact, and continuously learn. “At the end of the day, what matters most is the people you surround yourself with, the impact you’re able to make, and what you learn along the way,” Mandell emphasizes. The right role should challenge you, stretch you, and enable you to contribute to the organization’s success.

Embracing the Journey

Mandell concludes by noting that she has never rigidly mapped out her career. Instead, she has made decisions based on what felt right at the time, prioritizing balance and personal fulfillment. “