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What IT Shortage?
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What IT Shortage?
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I thought the IT shortage was over, except perhaps for a few of the "hot skills" such as web development, ERP, etc. Yet the most recent Workforce Online seems to be still addressing across the board s
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Forums » Topic Forums » Recruiting & Staffing » What IT Shortage?
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What IT Shortage?
posted at 6/12/1999 6:55 AM EDT
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Posts: 9
First: 6/12/1999 Last: 7/14/1999 |
I thought the IT shortage was over, except perhaps for a few of the "hot skills" such as web development, ERP, etc. Yet the most recent Workforce Online seems to be still addressing across the board shortages.
I've spoken with IT colleagues across the country, mostly in the Mid-West and the Mid-Atlantic. It seems to me the hiring problem is greatly diminished and the demands for sky-high increases a thing of the (recent) past. Am I that out of touch??? |
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What IT Shortage?
posted at 6/12/1999 5:24 PM EDT
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Posts: 1
First: 6/12/1999 Last: 6/12/1999 |
Hi Sarge...
...last I heard, Microsoft was trying to get the government to loosen the controls on allowing foriegn nationals coming to the US to work. Seems thay were/are having troubles getting enough qualified people to work with their networking applications. I'm sure if that's indicative of the industry's situation, but MS certainly was having a problem... Best Regards_____Dwight |
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What IT Shortage?
posted at 6/13/1999 4:10 AM EDT
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Posts: 9
First: 6/12/1999 Last: 7/14/1999 |
Dwight,
Thanks for the feedback. I've noticed a problem in a few areas, and networking is one of the tighter ones. Last year, however, we were practically held hostage by COBOL programmers and that trend at least seems to be on the downside. Funny, because most people seemed to think that 1999 would be the year they could name their price. I think the shortages are pretty much the higher-tech. The H1-B problem does need to be addressed. I wish the government would allow a classification system that would allow more permits for areas with massive shortages. We also find ourselves occasionally faced with additional complications regarding green card deadlines. It sure is an interesting time to be in the industry! Thanks again for the reply. I hadn't heard that about MS. Linda |
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What IT Shortage?
posted at 6/15/1999 1:14 PM EDT
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Posts: 37
First: 6/15/1999 Last: 1/5/2001 |
Im still waiting to see evidence of the supposed high tech labor shortage myself.
Check out my letter-to-the-editor published recently in The Dallas Morning News. (I reside in San Diego, CA but read the paper through their web site). Hardly a day passes that I dont read about how supposedly even recent college graduates are earning salaries averaging $47,000. I earned my BS in Computer Science back in 95, have been constantly updating my skills, and always remain dedicated to my work. As of today, I make not a penny over $35,000 per year as a mid-level webmaster with a large, international company. Perhaps there is actually a GLUT of talent in San Diego? Perhaps I would be more valuable if I had until 1999 to graduate? ===The Dallas Morning News=== http://dallasnews.com/editorial/letters/0613lett2cyber.htm Letter to the editor 6/13/1999 "Companies don't need an increase in immigrants" Sen. Phil Gramm wants to raise the maximum number of so-called H-1B visas granted annually to computer programmers, engineers and other highly skilled technical workers from 115,000 to 200,000. This will enable corporate America to fire even more American programmers, webmasters, network engineers and other high tech professionals with cheaper foreign labor. According to Sen. Gramm and the Information Technology Association of America, there is a shortage of technology workers. The only real shortage is that of cheap technology workers. Having recently been in the job market as a webmaster, I can assure anyone that there is NOT a worker shortage by any means. Here in San Diego, most high tech employers are far too picky about whom they'll hire. One local employer, Qualcomm, continually complains about a worker shortage, even though it recently laid off several hundred people. It's interesting to note that late last year, Qualcomm was begging Uncle Sam to allow more cheap, foreign workers into the country through the H-1B program. Despite frequently submitting my resume to Qualcomm while constantly improving my skills and revising my resume, it has never even bothered to give me a phone interview. And it keeps complaining about a shortage of workers? I finally reached the conclusion that Qualcomm probably doesn't treat its employees any better than it treats their candidates. In the case of other local employers, most of the idiots doing the interviewing don't realize that most competent programmers can easily learn new languages once they have mastered the art of coding. I'm now working with Perl although I had absolutely no Perl experience prior to my current job. My current employer is very pleased with my work. I was able to see the similarities between what I already knew in C++ and quickly get up-to-speed in Perl. Just an example. The cheapest and most effective ways to attract and retain good employees are to respond promptly to job candidates and be flexible. Offer flexible work hours and don't mandate a dress code. It's quite amusing to find that many of the companies complaining about the worker shortage have very rigid work environments (again, dress code and work hours), have management with little or no knowledge of technology and pay well below the market rate in salaries. Perhaps the so-called "shortage" is just a ruse to get Uncle Sam to approve even more guest worker visas. As for immigration, I have no problem with granting permanent citizenship to foreigners who can contribute to this country. On the other hand, the H-1B program merely creates indentured servants. KEVIN KEY, San Diego, Calif. === jabodie@san.rr.com |
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What IT Shortage?
posted at 6/18/1999 12:35 AM EDT
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Posts: 9
First: 6/12/1999 Last: 7/14/1999 |
Kevin,
I wonder if your situation is unique to San Diego? I don't find that labor is any cheaper for H1-B candidates. If we bring them in cheap, we run the risk of losing them once they are settled and able to better shop around. So I try to pay market rate whatever the situation. Also, because our company hires for the long haul, we encourage and reimburse greencard processing fees. I haven't found any of that to add up to "cheap foreign labor", but I'm only basing this on my experience. I don't want to indict an entire section of the country, but I have heard of companies on the west coast taking advantage of H1 employees, and giving them lower raises because they probably won't leave. I do caution, however, that this has just been hearsay to me. I don't know firsthand. In my particular case, I hire an H1 status employee if he/she is the best person for the job. I sincerly hope you can find a good positon with fair pay. Good webmasters are hard to find, esp. when they understand business issues. Linda |
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What IT Shortage?
posted at 6/18/1999 4:49 PM EDT
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Posts: 37
First: 6/15/1999 Last: 1/5/2001 |
Thanks for the insight and kind words.
Im currently developing (and already HAVE developed) browser-based interfaces to ODBC databases (MS Access) using Perl and Win32 ODBC. Ive also modified AND developed JavaScript navigation menus using layers to conserve page space. These skills SHOULD be in high demand, dont you think? I would actually prefer to stick with my current employer which is 94% employee-owned (NOT corporate America), has a great work environment (fairly loose dress code), and a great bunch of people to work with. I know: I cant have the best of all worlds, but I would like to at least make what new college graduates supposedly make. Considering that I would like to stay (though this may change in time) should I bother asking to have my pay raised to around $45,000 (still below the pay of new college graduates, but a 29% increase over what I currently make). Any words on how a request of this nature would be viewed from an HR / management perspective? Or, should I simply move to a greener pasture? Can anyone out there give me an HONEST average salary figure for a full-time position (not contract) for someone with my skills (as mentioned above) in San Diego? I have a VERY difficult time believing that companies are really paying new college graduates $47,000 on AVERAGE? To clarify, average would not be referring to a candidate with a MS from MIT. |
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What IT Shortage?
posted at 6/20/1999 8:33 PM EDT
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Posts: 14
First: 6/20/1999 Last: 7/21/2000 |
You are experienced in low level areas. An Access programmer makes more than you but they also know Visual Basic. They average near $50-60 on the East coast, but it is more for the VB than Access.
Most access power users do not make more than you becasue it is a low level skill that is readily accessible. ODBC and Perl sounds impressive but also low level. My friend, you need to get expereince on mid range systems using Oracle and Unix to make the big money. As well as exposure to ERP systems like PeopleSoft, SAP, or Lawson. The new graduates that you read about mostly have experience. Do not equate new grad with no experience. Also a lot of these people will travel 80% of the time. As an issue of your self, you will only make a salary that someone is willing to pay for based on the skills that they can afford and the value they perceive. Most often salary is the result of how you present yourself as a professional. |
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What IT Shortage?
posted at 7/2/1999 1:10 AM EDT
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Posts: 9
First: 7/2/1999 Last: 3/26/2003 |
Mark is correct when he says that the skill set you mention is not the hot skill set that you are reading about. The Dallas area is considered "telecommunications alley". The "hot skills" paying money in that area, aside from SAP, PeopleSoft and Oracle, are wireless technologies such as CDMA, TDMA, RF knowledge, etc., and programming skills for other telecommunications in cabling technology, Satellites, PBX, etc.
Many of the students hired come out of school witha degree in Electrical Engineering, and only sometimes with a Computer Science degree. None of these students come out of school without a year's worth of solid experience - at a minimum. They have all worked for major corporations in internships or as Co-ops in either Hardware or Software development. And yes, there is a severe shortage of talent out there - particularly in the Wireless arena. However, I will say that the money you mentioned earning fits more with a Junior Website Programer which typically does not include Perl and Java programming, though it may include Javascript. The surveys I have, all consistently show a salary in the mid to high $40's for 2-4 years web development experience. The West Coast is even higher, but bear in mind that Silicon Valley brings those salaries up quite a bit. Pay is also different within different industries and sizes of companies. You need to factor that in as well. Lois J. |
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What IT Shortage?
posted at 7/10/1999 10:12 AM EDT
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Posts: 9
First: 6/12/1999 Last: 7/14/1999 |
You ask some really good questions. I've been out on short term disability and away from email for a few weeks. I'd like to think about fair answers to your questions and get back to you.
If you would be so kind as to remind me, you can email me lsarge@ix.netcom.com Talk to you then |
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