Jobs in IT - what is in demand?

[DODGE]

As I casually skim the major job websites here locally I keep seeing all these IT jobs posted. Enough to make me consider a career move. what IT positions are most in demand out there currently? if a person was to go to school for IT, what should they specialize in? also i keep seeing these 'analyst' positions, what is that exactly?

[94form2000z]

Security, Networking, Voip

[SonicblueGT03]

There's a still a decent market for generalized knowledge too (think Jack of All Trades kind of IT work). I do System Operations Support for a large corporation based in downtown Ft Worth and it requires a broad, general knowledge of all facets of IT. But if you want to specialize, I'll cast another vote for security.

[DODGE]

where could one go locally to get a degree (if that is what they are called) or certification in IT security? Night school? Online? ITT?

[Fastlane]

Storage Engineers can make big bucks and VMWare Specialists are desirable too. I am a Network Engineer/DC Manager and we have a tough time finding good engineers in those disciplines. The good ones command top dollar.

[DODGE]

Storage Engineers can make big bucks and VMWare Specialists are desirable too. I am a Network Engineer/DC Manager and we have a tough time finding good engineers in those disciplines. The good ones command top dollar.

do you have to have a civil eng degree to do that?

[txstangnut]

voip, security, e-mail and networking. I think a bunch of us started at the bottom and worked our way up. Certs would probably get you in the door. I would probably skip ITT and maybe look at Global knowledge or new horizons if your wanting get going sooner than later.

[TruestreetTim]

Security, Networking, Voip

Whether it's Cisco or just a local bank even.

[DamonH]

Don't go to ITT or any of those trade schools IMO. You'd be better off (and your wallet would thank you) to just go to Dallas community college and get a 2 year associates degree in whatever specification you choose. While you are doing that, get your foot in the door with a helpdesk / call center job to prove you can handle it and get you exposed to a broad range of issues.

As said before, security, networking, and voip will be in demand. "Analyst" is a general way of saying "problem solver" - low level up to high level, but the higher levels are usually labeled as engineering positions.

[Fastlane]

do you have to have a civil eng degree to do that?

No degree here, just years of experience and some specialized classes from time to time. I am one of those that started at the bottom and worked my way up as a lot of others have done.

Txstangnut mentioned Global Knowledge...they offer some great classes. CCNABootcamp and Boson offer decent classes too if you are looking to start down the networking path.

[Silverback]

Don't go to ITT or any of those trade schools IMO. You'd be better off (and your wallet would thank you) to just go to Dallas community college and get a 2 year associates degree in whatever specification you choose. While you are doing that, get your foot in the door with a helpdesk / call center job to prove you can handle it and get you exposed to a broad range of issues.

As said before, security, networking, and voip will be in demand. "Analyst" is a general way of saying "problem solver" - low level up to high level, but the higher levels are usually labeled as engineering positions.

I agree to a point.

The associates will get your foot in the door more than anything else at entry level, but you should also look into self studying your way into some basic certifications if you have some computer knowledge. A Microsoft certification in Windows 7, or Office, or something will look good, same with a CCNA if you have any Cisco knowledge or availability to equipment to study and learn on.

There are a lot of sides to IT, from Business Analysts (who work as liasons between customers and developers, most are not technical, but understand technology), to Developers (who write programs), to DBA's (who manage databases in SQL or Oracle, etc.), to Systems Analysts/Engineers (who work on a specific technology, i.e. Storage, Operating Systems, Network, etc.), and then there's Project Management (who manage large and small scale projects by aligning resources, objectives, and milestones to accomplish company and department goals. Most of these are not technical, but understand technology). Finally there's management, most managers move up from within the ranks in the IT side, they usually have performed some role as a grunt working in IT, then moved their way up. There is a big seperation here of technical proficiency and management ability at this level. Most of the time even technical managers don't have time any more to keep up with the technology their teams support and they rely on their team to do so.

Then you have Application specialists, who are SME's (Subject Matter Experts) on a particular application or set of applications, i.e. SharePoint application Engineers, work in SharePoint and understand the interoperating of the application, but Developers do the developing, while DBA's manage the Databases, Storage Engineers manage the shared storage for the Databases, and Windows Engineers manage the O/S cluters, and server hardware. (this is in a larger organization with seperation of duties. In smaller shops, this would all be the job of a Windows/Intel Server Engineer, except maybe development/database work)

If you want to be technical and be a worker or a mental asset, then get to know a product or set of products and become engulfed in it and everything to do with it. If you are happy working on projects, designing architecture, and even providing support to customers (internal and external) then find something you really like and stick with it. The bigger money seems to be in security these days, next would probably virtualization. But you can specialize in either of those in almost any sort of technology base you choose.

Personally, I've been on the Windows side my whole life, but a jack of all trades when it comes to networking/security/applications/databases, etc. My career path is managment, I don't want to be doing the actual work anymore. I'm tired of the on-call rotations, project assignments, and working on projects that management/corporate cut midway through. Instead I want to manage people, and be technology sound in doing so. My boss used to do my job, and moved up to his level. When he gets promoted, my plan is to take his position, or move with him as a mid level manager under him. If not, once I finish my masters in Technology Management, I'll probably look for another mid level management position at my company.

[UserX]

ESX/virtualization is big right now.

[Sgt Beavis]

Storage Engineers can make big bucks and VMWare Specialists are desirable too. I am a Network Engineer/DC Manager and we have a tough time finding good engineers in those disciplines. The good ones command top dollar.

Absolutely true.

I'm a VMware guy. You can make six figures doing this because, when done right, it saves companies millions of dollars.

I quit HP last summer but they actually made me a counter offer and threw in a pretty good retention bonus. I also get a lot more say in my assignments. No more getting put on an assignment just because I have the cycles.

However I think a certified newbie will likely get around $50k or a bit less. I've had my certification since 2004 and have kept it current. I was the first person at HP to be certified in VMware vSphere 4 in 2009 and one of the first in the world to be a VMware Certified Advanced Professional (number 24). I'm currently pursuing the VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX) certification. Right now there are about 80 of those in the world.

Experience wise, I have designed and implemented virtual datacenters for more than 20 companies.

I'm pretty sure I could go out right now and get even more money with my experience. However I like my work environment at HP and am satisfied with my compensation. I'm at the upper end of my pay scale and my boss is now putting me up for a promotion next year so I can keep moving upward.

Specializing in virtualization was the best career move I ever made.

[Skidmark]

Database, Security, Storage

[ceyko]

In my opinion things that are hot are - in order....

1. DataCenter
-VMWare
-SAN/Storage Technologies
-Blade Servers

2. Cisco Unified Communications (CUCM, Unity, CUPS, MPX, UCCX, WebEx, DMS, CIUS...etc...etc
-With UCS/VMWare this is where you'll accel
-Route/Switch core competency

3. Wireless
-Not just LWAPPs throughout a building, but true wireless engineering. Microwave, mesh and so forht

4. At least L1-3 security, route/switch, and other network based technologies are becoming more of a commodity these days. Good money, but people are not paying the huge dollars anymore.
-Exception in Datacenter type switching. Think MDS, Nexus and so forth.

As a vendor for all these things, we hire based off certifications, experience and actually being able to do the work. I don't feel a "degree in these things" is applicable in anyway shape or form to doing the job. I'd concentrate on certifications to get in the door and then experience with more certifications.

I'm a 3 CC*P and about to start down the CCIE-Voice path. These certifications alone will keep me employed for anytime in the foreseeable future. In this field there are plenty of smart folks with degrees, but we're all in the same bucket. The exception is when higher level management opportunities come along - they DO stand a better chance. Unfortunately, I've seen great Engineers/Architects (technical) go from being very happy to miserable in those positions. (Sales driven company)