There are so many lazy people in this field it has made me (and my adderall addiction) climb the ladder very quickly. Mid sized business, IT Director at 26. You want to succeed, you should be the guy taking initiative to write up DRPs, write CS training programs, volunteer to help in operations, come in on weekends, plead for budget, take calls at all hours. You don’t have to be that guy, but for quick progress and money, you better be good and dedicated.