Students with Web Skills: Perfect Candidates for
IT Jobs
There is a shortage of IT workers. An April 2000 study by the Information
Technology Association of America estimates that one in every dozen jobs
is vacant, and finds that employers cope by hiring temporary or contract
employees. High school and college students who have gained Web skills
using Macromedia's products are perfect candidates for such jobs. Firms
may be persuaded to utilize student interns, for example, or otherwise
hire Web-savvy students as contractors.
Indeed, "Bridging the Gap: Information Technology Skills for a New
Medium" reports that relevant background knowledge and hands-on experience
are the top two skills sought by employers. Moreover, E-business and interactive
media are not only "stealing headlines," but workers as well: "Demand
for workers with Web-related talents is now almost 13 percent of all IT
jobs." Around 1.6 million new jobs for IT workers were created in
2000.
College graduates with Web skills have a clear advantage when applying
for such jobs. The average IT firm has six times more jobs for Web developers
than a non-IT firm would have. These companies have employed many mature
high school students with Web-specific skills, as well as college students
and recent graduates—and the trend shows no sign of change.
For more information, read Bridging
the Gap: Information Technology Skills for a New Medium.
Web Design Job Market Friendly To Students
Senior high school and older students with experience
in Web production or design enjoy a friendly employment environment. The
U.S. Department
of Labor's "Report
on the American Workforce 1999" indicates that for over seven years
of economic expansion the labor market has had shortages such as the lack
of skilled
IT workers that's been widely reported by the press. Employers are responding by increasing their recruitment efforts. This
might include searching on high school or college campuses for candidates
to fill Web-related jobs. From such data, it seems reasonable to conclude
that Web-skilled students would have bright employment prospects. "Those
workers who have gained skills that are in demand have been increasingly
well rewarded," states the conclusion of "Report on the American
Workforce 1999."
Web site production and design are certainly among the skills most in
demand, and students are in a good position to fill many jobs. Often able
to work from home or a dorm room, students are naturally comfortable with
the quick pace of Web time and very accommodating of odd schedules.
See
the Report on the American Workforce 1999.
Marketing & Sales Industry Ripe for Web-Skilled Students
The Bureau of Labor Statistics "Occupational Outlook
Handbook: 2000-01" projects
that the Marketing & Sales industry will employ some 17.6 million workers
by 2008. The industry is especially ripe for Web-skilled students, such as
those with hands-on experience using Macromedia's products. For example, in U.S. News & World Report magazine's November 1, 1999,
cover story, "2000 Career Guide," e-commerce companies alone
are projected to spend $22.2 billion on advertisements by 2004. They list
Web Promotions Producer as one of their 21 "hot job tracks" for
2000. Being skilled in programs like Macromedia Director or Macromedia
Flash and knowing HTML and Java are advantages. Pay for such jobs ranges
from $30,000 to over $80,000 per year for a full-time position, depending
on experience.
Review the U.S.
News & World Report 2000 Career Guide and the Bureau
of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. |
