Demand
A dramatic increase in the number of computer systems in use today by both companies and individuals has been a bonanza for the computer industry and for computer professionals. Greatest demand in computer and information technology today is for top-level executives and bright young entry-level employees with knowledge in the new technologies. Database, telecommunications, and network technologies, along with the widespread use of personal computers, have had a large impact on all computer careers. Those with experience in these areas as well as client-server systems, multimedia systems, expert systems, imaging technology, OOPS, and CASE applications are in great demand. Among the top forty growth jobs of the next decade are computer engineer, systems analyst, computer-operations researcher, and data-processing equipment repairer.
Computer firms will offer many job opportunities as growth in the industry continues. Computer and data processing services will create 795,000 new jobs, a 61 percent growth rate. An emphasis on research and development will continue because new product development is the key growth factor. The increasing popularity of the personal computer has dramatically increased demand for those who can design, build, and develop software for them. Both individual consumers and companies will buy personal computers in increasing numbers. Specialists in communications, networks, and database technologies will be sought by every industry. Systems analysts and applications programmers with expertise in these areas as well as in expert systems, systems integration, and image processing will be very much in demand. Multimedia programmers will find many opportunities. Network professionals including network managers, network systems integrators, and network consultants will be very much in demand by banks, insurance companies, financial service companies, and others. Client-server designers and computer security experts will also be in demand.
Geographically, demand is strong everywhere. North Carolina's Research Tri-angle--Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill--is recruiting in banking, high tech, manufacturing, textiles, distribution, and electronics. Network specialists, PC support, skills in Oracle Corp. databases, AS/400, UNIX, C++, and COBOL are all in demand. Industrial centers such as Detroit, Cleveland, and Columbus, Ohio, are recruiting information systems workers, especially those with Internet skills. Silicon Valley is attempting to fill thousands of hardware and software engineering positions.
Demand is half of the job market picture; supply is the other half. Opportunities will continue to be abundant for computer professionals because supply will not keep pace with demand in most areas, particularly entry-level workers. As demand grows, a percentage decline in the young adult population between the ages of sixteen and twenty-four will continue. With competition from business, universities, and the military, there will not be enough entry-level workers to go around.
A smaller entry-level labor force means a reduced supply of information personnel who are already in demand. Entry-level systems analysts and applications programmers educated in the new technologies will be able to pick and choose. To compensate for the supply-and-demand gap, companies are attempting to build systems and organizations requiring fewer people, increase training efforts, and develop more attractive compensation packages to lure the young talent.
In response to demand and above-average starting salaries, many universities are reporting enrollments in computer science and information systems degree programs to be up as much as 60 percent in the 1996-97 academic year over the previous year. There is a large shortage of computer science and information systems professors to teach the classes needed for this influx of students. The upside is increased career opportunities for professors and instructors in these areas.
This bright picture for young, entry-level personnel has a more somber side for older workers. Promotions will continue to be more competitive because of larger numbers of middle-aged workers with obsolete skills, the need to staff lower-level jobs, and the current trend to reduce middle management positions. Most older workers have neither the skills nor the inclination to postpone retirement to build system architectures.
Opportunities for Women, Minorities, and the Disabled
The computer field is a relatively new one. Its growth has occurred concurrently with many consciousness-raising activities in the area of equal employment opportunity such as the development of the women's movement and the Young and Old Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. In addition, the high demand for skilled personnel in rapidly growing computer areas caused managers to focus on getting those uniquely qualified to do the job regardless of their personal characteristics. Given those opportunities, women have risen to key positions in the information field; further contributing to equal opportunities for women at all levels.
As is the case with women, the computer marketplace has done a better job of hiring minority candidates than other fields. Asian-Americans have been highly successful. The number of key positions they hold is very high in proportion to their overall representation in the industry. Hispanics have also done very well. Although African-Americans have been somewhat underrepresented in the past, this inequity is lessening as those who have entered computer fields gain experience and help recruit other African-Americans. Emphasis on the development of math skills with youths is needed.
Many of the qualities that members of minority groups need for success are rarely taught in schools. Such business sense as how to set priorities is important. Determining what is important to the organization--that is, how it makes its money--is essential. Good communication and leadership skills are also important. These qualities, in combination with five years of technical experience, have earmarked many minority members for management positions in larger organizations or as managers of their own companies.
Because computer programming is an activity that engages the mind rather than the body, it has been a very promising career for the physically handicapped. In addition, computer technology has enabled the disabled and homebound to work in a number of other fields as well, such as accounting, bookkeeping, and other fields that permit outside contact via telephone, tele facsimile, and computer terminal. For example, the Windows operating system from Microsoft has many features for handicapped individuals. Microprocessors and minicomputers are being used to control the operation of typewriters, tape recorders, telephones, television, lighting, appliances, wheelchairs, limb prostheses, and manipulators. The research and training center of the National Institute of Handicapped Research has developed an entire office environment that can be run by a quadriplegic using a computer-controlled system. Programs exist to train people with disabilities to become programmers such as The Institute of Advanced Technology at the Community College of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh, which is supported by local companies.
Tax credits are offered to employers hiring the socially handicapped. Ex-felons who received data processing skills in such prisons as San Quentin, Leavenworth, and Terre Haute are now out of jail and contributing to society. An early stud) of these programs showed that twenty inmates at San Quentin, who accumulated over two thousand hours of programming experience, have all done very well on the outside. Not one has returned to crime in over two years since their release.
The computer industry has fewer age-related biases than most. The generation that is growing up with computers is also growing wealthier with them. Young entrepreneurs ages twelve to twenty are turning their command of computer programming into sizable profits by writing software. Their imagination and enthusiasm has given them the edge over work-weary, time-constrained adults in the development of games. In past years, talented teens have earned royalties in six-digit figures for developing popular games. The demand for these games has increased every year, making electronic games one of the fast-growing segments in the computer industry.
The elderly are not to be excluded from computer career opportunities either. Eric Knudson began his software company, ACS America, Inc., to capitalize on the work ethic of retired senior citizens and their talents. Knudson developed training centers and recruited workers fifty-five years or older. If able to pass a programming aptitude test, the applicant was given three months free training and hired by ACS America as a subcontractor. These subcontractors are not given such fringe benefits as health or life insurance, but most have this from Medicare and previous employers. What the retirees gain is a new skill, a way to make extra money, and a productive way to spend their time. Opportunities abound for older workers in temporary service firms. Kelly Services has begun the ENCORE program to attract older workers and retirees to temporary service jobs. Information kits are distributed to organizations for retirees and seniors outlining the advantages of temporary work.
The message of this section is that anyone who has the ability to do the job can find meaningful work in computer careers, both inside and outside the home. As long as demand remains high, this is likely to continue.
Working at Home
Apart from the millions of Americans who work full-time for companies and bring work home from time to time, there are three major categories of those who work at home: entrepreneurs who run small businesses from their homes, home-based employees who are electronically linked to the company office (telecommuters), and independent contractors. Of home-office workers, about half are women. Women own about 70 percent of all home-based sole proprietorships. The breakdown of all people working from home is as follows: 50 percent are in professional or managerial occupations; 33 percent are in sales, technical, or administrative fields; and the other 17 percent are in precision production, repair, and other assorted fields. Information-related service jobs dominate home-office work.
The personal computer, with its user-friendly operation, affordable prices, and variety of software has been the driving force behind this trend. Networks have made vast databases of information available for home workers. Several economic factors contribute to the growth in home-based work. Individuals who have been laid off or retired early often start home-based businesses. Women or men with child-care responsibilities find working at home an alternative to expensive daycare centers and a way to spend more time with their children. Corporations can save money on office space and workplace maintenance using telecommuters and independent contractors.
Numerous books on home-based businesses are available in your local library, including The Perfect Business by Michael Le Boeuf.
Temporary Service Agencies
In addition to working at home, temporary service agencies offer an alternative to full-time permanent positions at offices. Temporary service firms have expanded from offering low-skill workers for emergency fill-in positions to workers with personal computer skills who may be hired routinely to meet business fluctuations or to complete an entire project headed by a temporary manager. Automation skills make up roughly a fourth of the business of temporary service firms. Demand has increased for PC programmers and consultants.
