Information Technology Careers are Booming

By Jessica Santina
Learning & Life Columnist

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A recent report by CareerBuilder.com says that a third of all hiring managers plan to hire more staff in the second quarter of 2006, and information technology is among the most popular sectors.

Information technology (IT) encompasses a variety of careers that have to do with software, telecommunications, wireless systems, the Internet, hardware, peripherals, and computer and data services, according to the Employment and Training Administration. But 92% of workers in information technology work for non-IT companies, such as healthcare, retail, or even financial services.

Why Information Technology?

All across the globe, companies have invested nearly $11 trillion in technology, which is why IT-related careers comprise seven of the top thirty fastest growing occupations. And it's why Money Magazine rated Software Engineer as the number one job on their list of the 50 Best Jobs in America, and not far behind, Computer/IT Analyst made it in at #7.

The amount of skilled workers quitting their jobs out of dissatisfaction is at a five-year high, and it coincides with an unemployment rate that is at a rare low of just 4.7 percent. Business 2.0 magazine reports that there are now about 2.6 million people leaving their jobs each month, which is at the same level it was before 9/11. That means that employers across the board are scrambling to hire qualified employees, which can give you an edge in your negotiations.

And because information technology requires highly skilled workers with college degrees, unemployment in this field is even lower; for those with college degrees, it's at a meager 2.2 percent. Information technology degree-holders are urgently in demand in virtually all industries.

Beginning Your Career in IT

The strongest plans for employee recruitment in the second quarter of 2006 are in the Midwest and South, followed closely by the West. The fastest growing job markets, according to Business 2.0 magazine, are sunbelt (Southern and Western) cities. Particularly for information technology degree-holders, Austin, Texas is rife with opportunities. Austin's thriving semiconductor industry and local resident Samsung put it in position for double-digit growth this year.

The signs are very clear: if you've been considering a career in information technology, the time to get started is now.

Sources

About the Author
Jessica Santina is a freelance writer with a background in media and marketing. She also teaches first-year writing courses at the University of Nevada, Reno.

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