Question: I have been with my current employer for over four years...I have progressed from an entry level position to a programmer (information analyst). The company is a large IT provider, very dynamic and provides huge areas to explore. Unfortunately, I find the mottos and policies designed to attract high-end IT people are out of tune.

Even though my new position should be exciting and challenging, it is not. I am unchallenged and underutilized. There's no satisfaction or motivation ...My managers never seem to get involved. I've been told I'm too opinionated but I see myself only wanting the best for everyone.

I don't believe I will ever be excited again by this company (the love is gone)....I believe I should move on. What should I do? I don't have a lot of time to look for a new position... Are agencies the way to go? I don't want to make a mistake. But I need a position that will offer some excitement. I feel as though money isn't even that important anymore,

it's the overall satisfaction.

Answer: You say the love has gone, so I assume that at one time you were "in love". This was probably early in your relationship, when you were flattered by the attention of this large corporation, which took you in and started you along your career path.

Although you feel your relationship has grown stale, your working life has been established on four years of progressive experience. This is an excellent start. But to turn it into a satisfying and rewarding career, you have to learn how to manage yourself strategically.

Doug Knox, who has worked in the Information Technology (IT) field since the early 80's, spent most of the time as a manager with one of the five top IT companies. Knox is now a business process consultant, a partner in EQ Alliances, a small business consulting firm.

You need to take stock. Research your company, your industry and assess yourself, Knox says. Here are some of the questions to answer:

• Who am I?
• How have I developed?
• What are my skills?
• What skills do I need?
• What are my goals and objectives?
• And how can I capitalize on my track record inside my organization or outside?

On this latter point, a word of caution. You seem anxious to move on despite your employer's "huge areas to explore". This makes little career sense. And I wonder if you're feeling jilted because your ideas weren't accepted.

If you are, guard against this. Career decisions are business decisions. Ultimately, you may decide that leaving is your best career option, but make that an informed decision, not an emotional one.

Perhaps a large "corporate culture" with well-defined procedures and processes is too bureaucratic and stifling for you. Then again, you may be working in the wrong corner under the wrong managers.

Ironically, if you do decide to leave, knowing corporate procedures and processes could work to your career advantage. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

First, assess your own performance, Knox advises. If you see yourself as a strong performer, let the human resource department and other people know that you're interested in a move.

Large corporations often have a 'skills bank', he adds. Keep your skills sharp and current. And constantly update your information in this skills bank. "It's a way to remind people and keep your name top of mind."

Take time to research your current organization fully. Create an organizational chart. "Start with the Chairman and CEO; examine the titles of the various vice-presidents," Knox suggests. "Look at the company's operations nationally and abroad."

Ask your manager's secretary for a copy of your employer's "global phone book", he continues. "It should have organizational charts for different manufacturing facilities, branches, and plants."

Read this phone book intuitively. Look for "entreprenurial niches. These tend to be small and fast moving groups with a visionary manager and a senior executive sponsor," Knox says. "As areas like this develop, there's generally a need for somebody with a good technology background to go in an build some of the pieces from scratch."

If alternatives don't present themselves, then look outside your organization. It could be that your nature and goals are better suited to a smaller firm, where you'd be considered an intermediate programmer and have some input into design and development decisions, Knox says.

And small growing IT firms are often in need of programmers with corporate experience who understand planning procedures and techniques, he says.

Agencies may be able to help you source these. But do your own research, as well. Surf the internet looking for companies in a growth spurt, Knox advises. Read the technology stocks looking for firms that have recently gone public.

Managing your career in a growing and volatile field like information technology demands a lot. You simply have to be well informed: About your field, your current employer, about yourself. You can't think and react strategically in a vaccum of information. Good luck!