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March 9, 2001

Disillusionment

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The "New Economy is dead! Long live the New Economy!" Despite the flurry of recent layoffs and the trouble this will cause high-tech workers, I am honestly pleased that the Internet bubble has finally burst. Disillusion is defined in Webster's New World Dictionary as "1. To free from illusion 2. To take away the idealism of and make bitter." Despite its usual negative connotations, I believe it is much better to woken from our illusions so that we can make our career reality better. There is no need to be bitter, though. I consider it much more of an epiphany. Suddenly I understand that the Internet boom was an aberration, like so many before it. Yes, we have seen the dreamland that might be possible, but our work can only be done in the real world.

The big change

My pleasure at seeing the beginnings of more sober thinking in the high-tech world has little to do with arrogant startup founders who touted unworkable business plans (if they had one at all) or the millions of dollars of capital that were squandered, although these things pain me. The most destructive influence of the Internet boom is the way it changed our thinking about our jobs, our lives and our careers.

I have some knowledge into this change as I was caught up in it like everyone else. I work in high-tech as well as write about it. Who could watch the Internet stars making millions of (mostly virtual) dollars and not be changed? How do I get my piece of the pie? How do I get on this train? Too often, thoughts of work and career simply went out the window as we reached for the brass ring. Now I hope that we can all settle down and start thinking about the truly important steps in our career. The Gold Rush is over. A few got rich, but most went bust. Now it is time for miners to return to their previous lives, hopefully much the wiser for their adventure.

The truth is the high-tech industry is an amazing industry and it was long before the popularity of the Internet. Most high-tech workers earn well compared to other trades and the technical knowledge you carry grants you a certain license to deviate from the typical corporate norms. Surely there is a down side to every job, but as my wife is so fond of saying when her co-workers complain about the difficulty of writing a network television show, "It isn't coal mining!" You are not facing days of hard physical labor in a dangerous work environment . Cubicles might drive you nuts sometime, but if they collapse on top of you they probably won't cause any severe injuries. You need to remember, after all the hype and hoopla, that you are still working in a profession that holds both respect and monetary benefits that some workers will never experience.

 

So you're thinking about a high-tech career

I have received letters over the last several years from many people seeking a new career, a new start. In many cases, though, the first reason they mention for wanting to move into a high-tech career was due to the money they saw there. Even today, high-tech jobs are seen as high-pay/low difficulty jobs that anyone can do with a little training. My first response to these people was always, "do you think you would enjoy working in high-tech?" It was my gentle way of asking them to think about the career choice they were making and why they were making it. For me, money is never a good reason for doing anything, especially if it is the only reason. I agree that a high-tech job might look very enticing to someone who is without work or facing a layoff, but I can almost guarantee that if these people are not happy in their work they will not earn anywhere close to the money that they thought possible.

Just because it is easier to enter a high-tech job than, say, become an architect or a doctor, this doesn't mean that it is a good fit for anyone and everyone. Investigate high-tech careers before you make a blind jump. If you find the fit is good, welcome. You might just find, though, that your talents would be better used elsewhere.

Finally, for all of you who are already engaged in the pursuit of a high-tech career, welcome back. We have been through some crazy times, but the dust is starting to settle and we can all get back to the business at hand, building our careers and doing the best work possible. We have come out of our illusions, but they have allowed us to see many things more clearly.

about this column.

Douglas E. Welch is a freelance writer and computer consultant in Van Nuys, California. Readers can discuss career issues with other readers by joining the Career Opportunities Discussion on Douglas' web page at: http://www.welchwrite.com/dewelch/ce/

He can reached via email at douglas@welchwrite.com