Technology is hot!!
Offers More Career Options for Boomers
Joan-Marie Moss © 2000
The future is bright for boomers between 45 and 64 who will account for a larger share of the labor force
- with this group growing by more than 30 percent through 2006, according to the 1998-99 Occupational Outlook
Handbook
Boomers who can apply
scientific discoveries to the production of goods and services and solve
technical problems will have plenty of opportunity for employment well into the
21st century.
Your job search will ideally
involve a two-step process. First you'll want to identify your unique technical
skill-set. And second, you'll want to identify the specific industry in which to
apply your skills.
ComputerWorld's
New Career Chart Toppers notes that more than ever before generalists with
strong technology skills are in great demand. The article attributes this shift
in focus to eCommerce which requires "multitalented professionals with
skills in areas such as the Internet, networking, data security, data
warehousing and 'sticky' Web content development".
The skills that are in highest
demand include:
- e-Commerce The
application of internet technologies to business operations. Web site
developers and programmers skilled in Visual Basic, C++ and Java are
particularly marketable.
- Networking In a rush
to create, maintain and expand both internal and external client/server
systems, companies need people with backgrounds in Unix, Novell and Windows
NT.
- Systems Analysis A
strong background in industry and solid interpersonal skills coupled with
technical savvy to provide a liaison between a company's technical team and
the operations unit.
- Relational Database
Administrators and Architects Larger companies are gravitating toward
Oracle; smaller companies typically seek professionals with Access, SQL
Server and Sybase database expertise.
- Applications Development
and Programming Skills to develop highly specialized programs to run a
company's specific internal systems or to package programs for sale to the
general market. Strong object-oriented language skills are the most pressing
need, particularly Visual Basic, C++. C and PowerBuilder.
- Technical Support The
ability to troubleshoot both hardware and software, to train the end user on
new systems and to answer technical questions are highly marketable.
- Software Implementation
Companies are actively seeking professionals with the ability to tailor
off-the-shelf software packages such as PeopleSoft, Baan and SAP
applications.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics
reports the three highest growth occupations through 2006 include: Database
administrators, computer support specialists, all other computer scientists;
Computer Engineers; and System Analysts. While Monster's
Technology report confirms the importance of this new blending of
Technology with Business skills.
It's not enough just to work with the equipment and software according to 95% of 1,500 CIOs who
responded to a recent survey by RHI Consulting, a leading recruiter in the
information technology community. They also look for well-developed
"soft" skills such as business acumen and interpersonal
communications abilities when evaluating candidates. Why? Because technology
professionals support and interact with virtually every department in a
company.
This is where the second step of your career search is critical. You'll want to market your technical
skills to companies that you are most familiar with. Technology impacts
virtually every industry. Some, like the computer industry, are much further
along, but don't overlook other industries which are just beginning to
emerge on the technological scene.
Leading growth industries
through 2006 according to the Bureau of
Labor Statistics will include Health Services, Management, Public
Relations, and Transportation Services as well as Computer and Data
Processing Services.
SIDEBARS
MORE INFO ON TECHNOLOGY TRENDS
Career References Center
Gartner
Group's IT Journal Trend Watch
Monster's Hot
Career Trends for the 21st Century
University of Delaware Career
Services Center
CAREER SEARCH SITES THAT FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY
CareerBuilder
Career Magazine's Recruiters by
Career Mosaic's Job Board
Headhunter
HotJob's Browse by Industry
Monster Board
National Business Employment Weekly
Nation's Jobs
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Article by Joan-Marie Moss, visit www.CreativeOptions.com June 6, 2006n granted with this footer
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