One of the fastest-growing industries in the world of business is IT employment. The shift in the labor force over the past 25 years to more technologically intensive fields has dictated that the IT field grow at rates far in excess of the national average. An educational base in the IT field remains a solid starting point for long-term careers in either the private or public sector. The dozens of different jobs available in the IT field are used both for private sector employment, and for jobs with local, state, and federal government entities as well. In this, IT jobs are among the most flexible in the nation.
The jobs that qualify as Information Technology positions are more widespread than many other job categories. IT jobs are those that address the study, design, and support of computer-related information. IT jobs deal with more than just software, however, and hardware development and monitoring are among the most common IT jobs in the industry. Dealing with electronic communications across computer networks and ensuring the safe storage and dissemination of electronic data is the primary responsibility of any person in the IT employment industry. Job titles in IT employment arenas are more aptly chosen than for some careers, and titles such as Database Administrator and Network Security Specialist describe precisely the responsibilities that their holders share. A database administrator, for example, is charged with the control and care of the physical aspects of a central server or database. The implementation and troubleshooting of new hardware and software fall squarely within the purview of the Database Administrator, or DBA. Database management software is the most common type used by a Database Admin, and knowing how to best configure the software to meld with the hardware components of the system is vital. The Database Administrator is also charged with the control of user accounts, meaning that new users and access levels must be approved by the Database Admin before being added to the system.
IT employment jobs offer excellent advancement opportunities for those who have the education and experience to keep ahead of the learning curve. New technologies are released regularly, and both hardware and software are frequently upgraded as new versions are released. For this reason, continuing education is vitally important for anyone in the IT employment arena. Thankfully, most universities offer distance-learning options for IT employment needs and the continuing education requirements to remain effective on the job can be found online easily. While there are some IT generalists in the job market, the more popular options are to have specialized personnel for each position. IT employment jobs require such specialized knowledge that having them filled by a generalist typically means that the job isn’t being filled as effectively as a specialist could. While smaller companies who have a smaller IT budget can generally use only a small staff of generalists, larger corporations will find it difficult to manage their network infrastructure without a dedicated staff of specialists. While jobs in the IT employment industry have grown steadily for over a decade, the competition for such jobs can be fierce. Common fields such as Database Administration typically have a tighter margin and higher numbers of applicants than more specialized fields such as Information Security, so it’s important that applicants actively stand out from the competition. The most effective way to do that is to excel both educationally and in networking amongst prospective employers. Attendance of trade shows and expos is an excellent start, and the ability to provide both a resume and a full accounting of references is essential.
As increasing numbers of businesses gain a more dedicated IT employment infrastructure, the need for qualified IT personnel will continue to increase. By the year 2016, the number of jobs for database administrators is expected to increase by nearly 40 percent, totaling nearly 750,000 jobs for Database Administrators alone. More specialized fields, such as Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts are expected to increase by over 50 percent. By 2016, over 400,000 jobs are expected to exist for Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts, and the earnings are expected to increase, as well. For a Network Systems and Data Communications Analyst, the salary is expected to grow at an above average rate for the next decade, likely in excess of 10 percent annually. A Database Administrator can expect earnings to increase annually, as well, though at a slower rate. IT employment opportunities exist across all business sectors. In industries such as banking, however, where information security and network maintenance is vital, it’s more typical to find better-funded and more comprehensive IT coverage. Insurance companies and hospitals both boast extensive IT support, and the manufacturing sector uses IT employment to support the existing maintenance staff for its computers and electronic machinery.
While networking and personal contact is vitally important for anyone looking for a job in IT employment, there are other resources which can make the difference between success and failure. There are headhunting firms which specialize in IT headhunting, and those are always a good place to start. A headhunting firm will take the seeker’s information, including job history and references, and will shop that applicant around to as many employers as possible. Good headhunting firms will provide independent documentation of the applicant’s qualifications so that the applicant will stand out in the minds of prospective employers. One IT headhunting specialist, Panache IT Headhunting, can be found at (http://www.panacheit.com/) . They offer full-service placement, and maintain a network of companies which contain employees that they’ve placed. This gives them a leg-up when shopping for an applicant, since their previous applicants are often well-known in their positions. This history of excellence has catapulted the Houston based firm to the top of the charts in the IT headhunting field. There are also specialty websites which deal exclusively with IT employment fields. Monster, Careerbuilder, and non-specialized sites are of limited use, but a website dedicated to the IT job market, such as Dice.com (http://www.dice.com/) , can provide job-seekers with the specialized service that may just help them land the IT employment job they seek.
