IT Organizations are Growing, Again!

According to CIO Insight, an August 2006 survey titled, CIOs Put Out Help-Wanted Sign for Business-Savvy IT Professionals, IT organizations are getting bigger, not smaller. Hiring in the following areas is expected to increase during the next 12 months:

• Programming/systems development (33%)
• Help desk/tech support (30%)
• Information/network security (27%)
• Business analysis (26%)
• Quality assurance (19%)

The survey notes that 55% of managers are likely to hire IT professionals who have superior business skills and knowledge and 45% of managers are likely to hire IT professionals who have superior technical skills and knowledge.

The United States Department of Labor also surveys longer-term occupational outlooks. Their latest survey projects growth in the following areas in the next 10 years:

• Database administrators
• Computer programmers
• Computer support specialists
• Computer systems administrators
• Systems Analysts

In Washington state, there are lists of In Demand occupations. The latest list for King County includes:

• Systems Analysts
• Database administrators
• Computer programmers
• Computer support specialist
• Computer Specialists, All Other

Locally, nationally, and across IT organizations, hiring is expected to increase. Companies will always need tech-savvy employees with good communication, problem-solving and business skills.

Bellevue Community College offers two-year degree programs and one-year certificates that fit well with employers needs. Now is a good time to start a new career or upskill to new technologies.