How to become a CTO
Learn how to become a Chief Technology Officer (CTO), including required technical skills, leadership qualities, and educational backgrounds for this key role.
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A chief technology officer (CTO) leads a company's technical operations to ensure they meet business goals. Discover how to become a CTO, including job duties and salary details.
What does a CTO do?
A CTO is a top executive who generally manages the technological aspects of a business. They leverage technical expertise and business skills to define and direct a company's technology vision and strategy.
Depending on the organization, your responsibilities as a CTO can include:
- Integrating emerging technologies such as generative AI into company processes
- Developing guidelines regarding an organization's information technology infrastructure
- Ensuring company technology complies with federal privacy and security regulations
Steps to become a CTO
There is no one direct path with specific steps to follow to become a CTO. However, you can start by earning a college degree and gaining relevant experience as you work toward obtaining an executive role.
Step 1: Earn a college degree in the field
Earning a college degree is usually the first step toward becoming a CTO. You generally need at least a bachelor's degree in a related field, such as computer science or information technology, to gain entry-level employment. Some roles require a master's degree in areas like business administration or technology management.
These degree programs can help you acquire the technical abilities needed to eventually work as a CTO:
- Computer programming
- Database management
- Systems architecture
- Software design
- Systems analysis
A college education can also help you gain the necessary business management skills to be a CTO, such as:
- Leadership
- Adaptability
- Communication
- Project management
- Decision-making
Step 2: Obtain relevant experience
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), top executives commonly have at least five years of experience in a related occupation to qualify for high-level positions. CTOs may have as many as 15 years of experience working in lower-level management roles, along with a strong technical and leadership background.
Several job pathways can provide you with the relevant expertise needed to advance to the level of CTO, including:
- Information technology director
- Technical project manager
- Engineering manager
- Software engineer
- Information security manager
Step 3: Pursue optional certificates
Companies do not often require any specific type of certificate to become a CTO, but pursuing these additional credentials can demonstrate your technical skills and business acumen. They can enhance your resume and give you an edge over other job candidates applying for CTO roles who do not have these qualifications.
Several certificate programs are available that can provide you with specialized training to help you excel as a CTO in areas such as:
- Technology proficiency
- Strategic planning
- Interpersonal skills
- Business management
- Leadership development
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