WESTPORT, Conn., March 4, 2009 — The recession is heightening competition for IT jobs, while exerting downward pressure on compensation. Many IT professionals are considering changing careers, but are understandably concerned about wasting the investment in their education and experience. That concern should be dispelled by Debugging Your Information Technology(TM) Career (Elegant Fix Press – http://www.janiceweinberg.com/book.html), which features 20 alternative fields where computer professionals’ technical knowledge will be advantageous.
Janice Weinberg (http://www.janiceweinberg.com), the author, is a career consultant formerly with IBM and GE, whose IT background enabled her to identify the 20 careers. While most of them aren’t usually thought of as computer jobs, computer proficiency is a key qualification for success in each. For example:
- An architect’s knowledge of best practices in systems design would be a strong asset in a technology due diligence position.
- A software engineer or project manager who supported CRM applications would bring desirable qualifications to the technology alliance function of a company marketing CRM software.
- A network security administrator should perform very well as a cyberliability insurance underwriter or broker.
- A business analyst who guided logistics staff in defining their IT requirements could parlay that experience into a corporate development analyst role at a company marketing logistics software.
- Any IT professional who can assess the commercial potential of new computer technology could qualify for a position as an equity analyst covering the computer industry.
Most of the careers can be entered without further education beyond a BS in a computer-related discipline. Several – for example, business continuity planner – require a certification. Some readers may be motivated to become forensic accountants, healthcare administrators or technology attorneys. Many of the fields can be springboards for new consulting practices, or additional revenue sources for established consultancies.
As Weinberg describes each career, readers will:
- Learn about the nature of the work and the types of organizations – whether corporate, nonprofit or governmental – where one can be employed in the field
- Realize why computer expertise is an advantage in delivering top performance
- Be able to truly imagine themselves in the field by reading the hour-by-hour Typical Workday
- Understand whether a recession could undermine job security and, if so, why
When discussing the vulnerability of particular fields to recessions, Weinberg recommends career-management steps to minimize or avoid any negative impact. Since job security can also be affected by offshoring, the Offshore Outsourcing Situation and Outlook section of each career chapter should be of considerable interest. Many of the fields are quite insulated from offshoring for a variety of reasons, as Weinberg explains.
Readers will learn job-hunting techniques tailored to specific fields, including guidance in:
- Selecting the most relevant aspects of their experience to highlight in their resumes and interviews for greatest impact
- Applying screening criteria to identify employers most likely to be receptive to their candidacy
- Using the size of an organization and other factors to determine the appropriate executive to contact
The Information Sources section of each chapter will ensure that readers don’t overlook useful resources when they search for additional information. Depending on the field, these may include books, credentialing organizations, professional associations offering networking opportunities, and directories of companies/executives to approach for employment.
While there are many books providing IT career advice, Weinberg’s gives new – and much broader – meaning to the term “computer job,” demonstrating that an IT professional’s knowledge constitutes precious currency in a world dependent on computer technology.
CONTACT:
Janice Weinberg
203-226-6745
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