Global Information Technology
ISSUE
06
JobPrep
June 2012
The Voice of Career Insight
In this issue
How to Start a Career in IT
High Tech Worker Shortage P.1-P.2
Many people love the people
How to Start a Career in I.T. P.1/P.3
in IT (Information Technology).
Java Developers Top Demand List P.2
This is a good field but it does Networking Mistakes We Often Make P.3 not mean that you work with computers only. Helping others use their computers is often a big part of the job. This field is
High Tech Worker Shortage: Has Anything Changed?
very big. From an ATM ma-
Alarm bells over the lack of high-tech
chine, to PC techies, to a net-
workers in the U.S. have been ringing for
reer paths for some time," Howerton
work administrator to a graphic
years, turning the story into near-legend.
says. "Most colleges will tell you the low
designer to a webmaster, to the
But is the worker shortfall still a fact?
high schools on tech education and ca-
number of computer science students
record producer, these people
While a consensus is elusive, many indus-
coming in is related to the shortage of
are all in IT.
try experts say yes, and the problem is
graduates coming out in this field."
1.Discover if you are already skilled in IT. If you have a PC
growing.
Concern over the high tech shortage
"When I hear from employers that there is
dates to the 1980s, with a crescendo of
and use it for more than just
a shortage, I believe them," says Steve
alarm hitting in the late 1990s and early
typing and basic office work,
Langerud, director of professional opportu-
2000s. The issue is heating up again as
doing homework, playing games
nities at DePauw University
and casually browsing the web,
and a workplace consult-
then you have the right stuff for
ant.
the job.
"Firms know how real it
"We currently have more than 5,000 openings, tech job openings in San Diego, that we can't fill. There is a severe shortage."
more companies embrace the advanced manufacturing model. For Bob Slapin, executive
2. Make a list of what types of
is. They see how much
IT work you might be interested
money it costs them by
in. For example, if you love
having to pay a premium
computer games, you can list
for talent, and they see the
"game testing," or "writing game
money lost in services they cannot provide
software." If you enjoy design-
to clients because they don't have work-
workers over the years, but not like this,"
ing,
ers," adds Langerud.
Slapin said in an email. "We currently
"graphic
design"
or
director of the San Diego Software Industries Council, time has only made conditions worse.
"We've been dealing with the lack of
"software design" should go on
The long-term scarcity springs from a de-
have more than 5,000 openings, tech job
your list. If you are interested in
ficient educational system, says Terry How-
openings in San Diego, that we can't fill.
how the internet works and how
erton, managing partner of TechNexus, a
There is a severe shortage."
computer connect to each other,
tech incubator firm based in Chicago.
"network administration or net-
"There's been a lack of emphasis at U.S.
The lack of IT skill sets in particular is what's Continued on page 2.