Career opportunity
Information Technology (IT) is a large field where people can build their own career specialty in several ways. You can build your career as a software tester, programmer, system architect, business analyst, or project manager. You can build your career as a developer specializes in certain programming language such as C++ or Java. You can build your career as a software engineer specializes in different operating systems such as Window or Unix, or Linux, etc. You can build your career specialty in web development or embedded application, or mobile application. You may want to build your career as a Dot.Net expert or J2EE specialist etc. The list is endless as there are many specialties as there are developers. Of course, most people develop not just one specialty, but a combination of several specialties.
Many students ask me: “How do I select my career specialty? How do I maintain my career over time? Which specialty is easy to find job than others? What is the “right” specialty for me?” My answer is:” It DEPEND ON YOU”. It is different for each person as there are several "right" career specialties, not just one. People may work in an areas for a while then change their minds, move to another areas. With so many areas to chose, there is no reason for a person to limit in just one specialty. As students, you must select the specialty area that you like, chose the career that makes you happy, select the area that offers you both the challenge and learning opportunity, and the specialty that offers you the salary that you want (assuming that money is important).
However, there are things that you also need to consider as well: Do NOT select a specialty because it is a “fashionable thing”. You must ask yourself: “Is this specialty in line with my abilities? Do I have the right knowledge and skill to do it? Do I have the motivation and dedication do it for a long time (At least several years). You may also ask whether the specialty are has longevity? Some new technology is hot for awhile then die. (Think about the Dot.Com phenomenon few years ago). You also need to ask: “Is the specialty in compliance with my principles and ethics? (You may not want to be a hacker or do something illegal). As students who either just start college or nearly finishing school, you must frequently ask yourself these questions and make decisions about which direction to take. Sometime, ego does interfere in your career decisions. If a particular specialty is popular then it may appeal to you but you need be honest with yourself about your ability rather than just follow the popular trend blindly. You must understand the difference between a career and a job. A career is something you will do for a long time, maybe your whole life. A job is something that you do to get paid. You need to plan your career specialty carefully and do not hurry into something that you may regret later. So you may want to ask yourself: “Am I preparing for a career or just looking for a job, any type of job?” and you must be honest with yourself when answer it. You need to look inward and asking: “Am I planning for the long term career to get to something that I am passionate about it, committing to do it and will enjoy it for a long time or am I just trying to send my resume to as many companies as possible just to get a job interview and accept anything that come along?
Graduating during a recession time when jobs are scarce is difficult but that does not mean you should forget about your “career” and wait until the market recovers. It is possible that the job market may not turn around for another ten years. Today, there are many opportunities than ever before if you pay attention to the news or follow the technology trends. With globalization, many people will remain out of work for a long time because they are waiting for something to come when the world is changing fast and be more competitive. There is a critical shortage of highly skilled people all over the world so today companies do NOT hire people in one place but will go where the knowledge and skills are available at reasonable wages. That means, you could work for foreign companies if you have the right technical and foreign language skill. You may work for a local company who has contract with a foreign company to do outsourced works. You may work directly to a foreign company who need your skills. Some work can be done in your own home if you have broadband connection to their systems. “Virtual employee” is the new thing in the industry today and the near future.
So, what will happen to a graduate who has skills, ambition, and plans for a successful career like you? You have to make a decision. Are you going to simply continue to look for any job that you can find? Or, are you going to take a thoughtful approach, and consider what these opportunities means to your specific situation? Telecommuting to work (Virtual employee) and contract work (Outsourced) is here and going to be more common in the near future. People with technical skills and good foreign language do NOT necessarily have to work in a local office but do have many choices. In other words, you do NOT have to rely on a local company for your future career.
My questions are: “Do you have those skills that could be turned into your own advantage? Do you have foreign language skill? Would you consider employment with foreign company? Would you consider travel to another country to work? What kind of technical skills that you have? Are you ready to compete with people from another countries? Do you have a portfolio of work to show potential employers? What steps are you currently taking to plan for your future career? Maybe now is the time to gather all the skills that you have and evaluate them to see if you have any deficiency. If there are any then you must fix them NOW. Do NOT wait for someone to tell you that you do NOT have the skill that their company need. A lifelong career starts and ends with you and you must make the decision.
Sources
- Blogs of Prof. John Vu, Carnegie Mellon University
