The IT crowd

The IT crowd The IT crowdPosted October 13, 2011, by Mike KermodeIts a ridiculous understatement to say that IT industries have blossomed in recent years theyve exploded. Information technology is now the cornerstone of modern economies the world over. IT is big. And its only getting bigger.Today, having at least some skills in IT is par for the course, and certainly an advantage. All geschftslebenes use and depend on technology their ability to function hangs on their ability to communicate electronically, develop and manage their websites, manage their information and databases and thats for businesses that arent even technological in nature. These days, having the right IT infrastructure is a prerequisite for success.Naturally, this means that countless job opportunities in IT have emerged many of them high-paying, with IT salaries expected to grow by five to 10 per cent in the next half year. Given the growth and the potential pay, theres no better time to get in on where ITs at.In-demand areasAccording to the Robert Half Technology Salary Guide 2011, which looks at yearly technology market trends and salary data, there are a few key skill sets that are gaining mora traction now than ever before. So its worth keeping the following in mindProgrammers, business analysts and Java developers are more in-demand than ever and can expect substantial salary rises.Same goes for network specialists, especially in light of the burgeoning implementation of virtualisation and cloud computing technology.The demand for infrastructure support professionals and PC technicians will continue to grow as companies upgrade software and operating systems.Security is paramount. As the number of computer users and IT-dependent businesses grow, so too is the need for security professionals.Major upgrades in the public sector, increased investment in IT by the big four Australian banks and resources sector, the Smart Grid implementation and NBN all mean huge demand for qualified IT professionals. With supply unable to meet demand and major shortfalls predicted, thats great news for anyone in the industry.IT rolesThere are almost as many IT roles as there are computer programs, languages, networks and databases. Heres a brief description of some of the key areas that you could work in.DevelopmentDevelopment is a broad term encompassing anything from software design to implementation, project planning, testing and requirements analysis. While a programmer will write the component-level, bare bones code, developers implement and coordinate the creation of software for clients. They still need to be well-versed in programming languages and frameworks such as C, C++, HTML, Java, J2EE, Microsoft.Net and SQL Server.Software architectureSoftware architects take a big picture view of the software development process. Theyre responsible for making design choices on platforms and coding, and communicating them to the developers. More so than developers, theyre a cruci al conduit between a client and their business IT requirements, and the whole lifecycle of the software design process.Project managementThese folk organise all the elements necessary to see that lifecycle through. With a combination of technical and managerial skillsets, PMs muster the resources, team members, contractors and consultants to get a project completed in budget and on time. Theyll also develop business relationships and oversee quality assurance throughout a project. With this level of responsibility, project managers and other senior-level IT staff can earn big bucks up to $2500 per day.Network engineering/architectureModern companies would be nowhere without computer networks, and network engineers make sure they work effectively. They take care of planning, architecting, installing and configuring WANs, LANs and other networks. Firewalls, routers, switches ansicht are all the domains of network gurus.Web developmentWith a solid grasp of business strategy, Internet protocols and scripting languages, web developers build and maintain websites, keeping close communication with clients on their requirements. This includes fashioning the site layout in a manner that best presents it to its target market, as well as to search engines. Web developers talk the talk of SOAP, AJAX, ColdFusion, JavaScript, HTML and LAMP.Database development/administrationAny business that depends on the storage of, and easy access to, mass quantities of categorised information will be looking to database developers to design, implement and maintain good database management systems for the efficient organisation and filing of their data. As more info gets stored electronically, these services are increasingly important.SecurityAs we conduct more and more of our business and information storage online, we also become increasingly vulnerable to security breaches so security has become one of the greatest areas of concern for most businesses. The never-ending task of the security professional is to ensure that data remains free from corruption and unauthorised access, spam is kept to a minimum, and viruses, malware and other forms of hacking are kept at bay.Technical services and supportTo keep IT-dependent businesses running smoothly, there need to be skilled technicians on hand to solve application and server problems, or to help manage frequent upgrades. As PCs become universally adopted by individuals and businesses alike, the need for good support for software, hardware and network connections has never been stronger.Technical writingThese are the explainers, the ones who make the technical gobbledygook comprehensible (sort of) to us mere mortals. The ones who take what the developers have created and translate it into instructions, user manuals, assembly directions, online help systems all so consumers (or workers who utilise the software, like engineers and factory workers) can understand it and put the product to good use. This content need s to be highly comprehensible and easy to follow, so technical writers need to have a knack for simplifying complex information. These days their expertise can extend to other aspects of the publication process, like layout and graphics.It takes more than just a head for codeIn addition to your technical skills, youll need good communication skills. You need these to become a leader in any field, and IT is no exception. That means diplomacy. Listening. Empathy. Building rapport. Good body language. In other words, all the stuff that makes people respect and want to work with you the stuff that helps you work with and lead teams the stuff that basically makes you a well-adjusted and personable person. You shouldnt underestimate its importance. Youll also need a head for business. Increasingly, employers dont just seek performers with the right technical skills, but those with an understanding of how IT decisions bolster business outcomes. This is especially important for those seeki ng to reach the upper echelons of the IT hierarchy. Project management skills are also crucial. As businesses become more risk-averse in uncertain economic times, sound planning and rigorous management practices have become dogma and this isnt just in IT. If you have the ability to organise, lead and manage projects and staff effectively while keeping your eye on budgets and timelines, you will definitely be the IT person employers will clamour for and theyll reward you handsomely for your project managing prowess. You should also consider contracting. More and more, contract work is a favoured employment arrangement for many IT specialists, and for IT companies generally. A recent IT Wire article revealed that IT is one of the biggest areas in which so-called independent professionals, or IPros, can exercise the freedom to be more productive working outside a nine-to-five schedule. Currently around 40 per cent of IT professionals are thought to work on a contract basis, althou gh the number of permanent positions is expected to rise next year. Just a word to those females wanting to get into this notlageoriously male-dominated industry dont worry, you are not alone Your numbers are increasing, and whats more, you can find support with a group for female students and graduates called Girl Geek Coffees, which meets monthly in different cities to discuss industry and academic issues. Grrl power does exist in the IT worldGet IT happeningGiven the prevalence of IT in virtually every industry, it is going to pay to get some IT skills under your belt. No matter who you are, there are measures you can take that will help you get ahead. This might not mean taking on a strictly IT role, but simply expanding your computer skills. For IT or general office workers, this could involve gaining expertise in Microsoft applications and functions. For small business owners, it could be as little as taking an MYOB course, or perhaps a business admin course specialising i n IT to better understand how IT can help your business outcomes. For those already working in IT and looking to progress, you probably already know that professional development in IT just never stops. Your technical knowledge quickly passes its used-by date as technology constantly morphs and evolves. Which brings us toQualificationsThere are many levels of qualification available, depending on what youre after. For instance, you can study information technology as an entry-level certificate, diploma or bachelor degree, and in some cases tailor your studies to something like project management. Consider taking on computer science if youre interested in the theory and mathematical side of computing, or combine IT studies with teaching if you want to help develop bright young minds. On top of this, theres a host of certifications that cater to specific programming languages and developer tools, like, for instance, Cisco, CompTIA, Oracle and Six Sigma courses. These are available as online courses, so you can study where you want, when you want. So whether youre wanting to add to your business credentials or youre looking to progress through the IT ranks, there are many options to get qualified, keep up-to-date, and stay ahead of the game by embracing IT. Dont get left behind Develop your IT skills with an online course.IT ResourcesSystems analyst sample resumeSystems analyst sample cover letterCareer Insider StoriesBrett Raven - RedBalloon Chief Technology OfficerInterested in becoming a?Management ConsultantMarketing OfficerProject ManagerSystems AdministratorHelp Desk OfficerPopular Career Searchesbasic it coursesit qualificationsfast track career in itgov funded IT courses brisbanegovernment funded IT courses onlineIT CoursesBachelor of Cyber SecurityEnquire angeschlossen Enquire OnlineGraduate Diploma of Data ScienceEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Applied Information TechnologyEnquire Online Enquire OnlineAssociate Degree of Applied Informat ion TechnologyEnquire Online Enquire OnlineMike KermodeRelated ArticlesBrowse moreInformation TechnologyITIT market hits temporary slumpThe ICT market is in the doldrums, according to the latest report, but it seems the slump will only be temporary.ITWOMENNine reasons to get a job in ITNow has never been a better time to make the jump into the world of coding, hard drives and USB ports. The IT industry is calling.Information TechnologyITIT career fact sheetConsidering a career in IT? Check out this career fact sheet for everything you need to know about the information technology industry, at a glance.

Can You Apply for a Job When You Are 3 Months Pregnant

Can You Apply for a Job When You Are 3 Months PregnantCan You Apply for a Job When You Are 3 Months PregnantEvery three seconds somewhere in the world a baby is born, with an average of over 130 million live births annually. Given that in the United States, nearly half of the workforce is female, it is inevitable that there are bound to be a lot of pregnant job seekers So what is a woman to do?The current law in the U.S. does elend require a pregnant job seeker to disclose this information. Employers canleid legally discriminate against a woman for being pregnant and once an offer is extended, they are also not allowed to rescind that offer based on pregnancy. A pregnant woman has every right to apply for a new job without revealing her situation. While there are ethical and trust issues to consider, lets first look at the why it makes sense to keep your pregnancy to yourself when einstellungsgesprching.1) Lets face it. While it is not legal to discriminate, there is still tremendous discrimination against pregnant women. From the perspective of an employer, it is certainly understandable they would not want to knowingly hire someone who is going to be out for several months within a relatively short time period after their start date.2) Nobody has a crystal ball. While women hope their pregnancies will go smoothly, the sad truth is that women miscarry all the time. Typically women dont even tell some of their family members about being pregnant prior to the three-month mark for this very reason.3) While it may seem dishonest to withhold this information during an interview, telling an employer you are pregnant should be done on a need to know basis. You may, in fact, be the best person for the job. Why risk being turned down unnecessarily?Be aware that if you start a new job while pregnant you may not be entitled to paid leave or medical benefits covering your pregnancy. While you do not have to tell your prospective employer that you are pregnant during the i nterview process, it may be wise to tell them before you start your new job. You are likely going to be showing within a few months and it will seem dishonest if you dont say anything.It is likely they wont be totally thrilled to find out, but they will be more understanding if you come clean early in the process. Also, if you do not like the way they react, it may be an indication that you should not accept the position after all. If the company is not family friendly, it may not be the place for you. By telling your new employer about your pregnancy once an offer has been extended, you can have an open discussion about flex hours and possible opportunities to work from home. You will be in a better position to negotiate.While you may be pregnant, it does not mean that you are not going to be a tremendous asset to the organization. Husbands who are job seeking and have pregnant wives at home dont need to disclose their status during the interview process and neither should you. Hav ing babies is an average occurrence. While it may pose a brief inconvenience for an employer, it should not become a deterrent to seeking the best job possible. You deserve to do a thorough job search and give yourself as many possible career options as possible, pregnant or notOur thanks toGlassdoor for the guest blog post. Glassdoor is your free inside look at jobs and companies. Salary details, company reviews, and interview questions - all posted anonymously by employees and job seekers.