Not just for geeks

The CEO of Napster is thinking about you. Megacompanies such as America Online, Microsoft and Intel are thinking about you. The government is thinking about you. They’ve created television ads and have connected with secondary schools/JCs, colleges, universities and other communities to spread the word about technology careers to young people. Why? Throughout the next decade, America’s information technology (IT) sector will be short 2 million workers. They want you to fill those jobs. Before you run for cover from intricate computer-programming languages, before you shudder at the thought of sitting alone in a cubicle with a PC all day, consider this: Technology is inescapable. It’s impacting every job sector, and the fastest-growing, highest-paying jobs of the future are technology related. If you still think working in technology means working among geeks and nerds, think again. “I use Web sites like gamedev.net, mp3 and Vbworld to make Web sites, play music and learn new computer languages,” says Chris Jerry, an information/technology student in California. “I figured I was already doing it for fun, why not study it and make a bundle of money after I graduate?” The Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) recently reported that the hottest, most in-demand technology jobs are in technical support, Web development and network administration. In 2001, employers tried to fill 1.6 million jobs in the IT sector alone. Another 1 million IT-related jobs are available in non-IT companies, such as banks, accounting firms, non-profit organizations and small businesses. The demand is high and so are the salaries. According to salary surveys released by Information Week Magazine, the highest paying jobs are in Internet and new-media positions, with average pay ranging from $66,000 to $75,000 a year. Database managers and network administrators are paid between $50,000 and $70,000 a year, depending on the size and type of company. Working in IT usually offers a casual work environment and flexible hours. Jerry adds another incentive: “Young people know more about technology than adults. We can make real changes in the industry someday!” IT is profitable. But is it interesting? Working in technology can mean creating a cool Web site, designing 3-D graphics for an on-line movie or training people to use hardware and software. It can also mean troubleshooting computer crashes and problem solving glitches, developing wireless technology for cellular phones or writing code for computer games. Nicole Kershner, a secondary-school student, never would have considered technology as a career before she was encouraged by a teacher to take a graphic-design class. “I saw fun things that I could do, like Web site design. Now, I’ve taken apart a whole computer and put it together again—and I never used to think of myself as someone technical!” If there is not an IT program in your school, get exposure to technology in other ways. “If you feel that you are not getting enough exposure to technology in the classroom, ask for it,” Taylor says. “It doesn’t have to be a math or science class to involve technology. A social-studies project could involve on-line research and Power Point presentations and will help you develop organizational and teamwork skills.” If the IT industry is so much fun and pays well, why are there so many unfilled jobs? One of the challenges is image perception. Surveys of teenagers report that young people still think tech jobs are for geeks, girls tend to think computers are for boys, and many people aren’t aware of the opportunities available. Darlene VanEvery, Senior Program Manager at the ITAA, helps to organize outreach programs to change that stereotype. “Students think that there is no interaction with people, no creativity, and it’s all math and science,” VanEvery says. “The reality is, people created computers, and lots of people have to get together to make them work. IT professionals are constantly inventing new ways of dealing with issues—it’s some of the most creative work there is.” Adrienne Rogers, senior project manager in the creative-services department at Electronic Arts in California, agrees. “As someone who manages the production of packaging for the video games that we produce, I work with every group: marketing, finance, operations, studio, legal, advertising and sales—that touches a project,” Rogers says. “It takes a whole team of imaginative people to deliver our product.” Wherever your interests lie, it’s important to remember that to succeed professionally, you need to also acquire skills such as public speaking, critical thinking and teamwork, which will help you adapt to a constantly changing industry. Executives throughout the IT industry clamor for technically skilled graduates who can also communicate well. Although it certainly helps to have a grounding in math and science, you should also consider classes such as public speaking and debate to further develop these skills that are in high demand. Kelly Carnes, assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Technology Policy, who also works to promote technology careers on a national level, underscores the need for teamwork in today’s dynamic workplace. “Jobs were once broken down into specific tasks where people were assigned to do one part; they are now assigned to teams, and there is a need for high communication and problem solving,” she says. “Technology was supposed to dumb down jobs and eliminate the need for people; instead it has up-skilled jobs and increased the need for people to work together.” The influence of technology reaches beyond IT jobs and includes computer programmers, database administrators, and software engineers. Every job now has a technological component. Whether you work in health and medicine, arts and design, manufacturing, or information technology, every career requires some level of technology competency. “Medicine is as people-oriented as you can get, but every doctor in the hospital now has a pager and a PDA — personal digital assistant — that helps them perform better on the job,” says Danielle Thomas Taylor, a pediatric resident at Strong Memorial Hospital in New York. “Instead of having to run to a book to look up information on drugs or dosages, I have a desk reference in my pocket.” Still hesitant about your career in technology? If so, consider this: people change jobs an average of five times throughout their careers. You may change to a job that doesn’t even exist today. Chances are that it will involve technology. It doesn’t matter whether you go into law, sociology, journalism or engineering—technology is changing the way we live, work and play. It’s better to embrace it and move forward than be left behind. SIDEBAR: A guide for you to go tech www.gettech.org: An inside look at technology careers, a technology quiz to “test your tech,” and answers to burning questions like: What does technology have to do with Pop-Tarts®? www.hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey: If you want to dabble in design, visit Web Monkey and try one of their on-line tutorials in html, animation, streaming audio and more. www.informationweek.com: This industry magazine on-line is a comprehensive source for all things technical, including careers, industry issues and tech products.

Article provided by www.nextSTEPmag.com

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