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November 2, 2001

In demand

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Looking only at the economy and the dearth of high-tech jobs available, you might think that your high-tech career is in for a rough ride. There are other important issues involved, though, that could actually help your career over the long term. As company budgets get tight, there will be less inclination to spend big on new software and hardware. Many companies will find that they need people who can keep their existing systems running as smoothly as possible.

Dig in

Whether you are employed in a large corporation or a small business your management is going to be looking to you for new ideas on how to maximize their current technology. You can help cement your position in your company by providing these answers. Your intimate knowledge of your computer systems can help to make you a bit more indispensable to your company than before. You know where flaws exist. You know where small improvements can provide large gains. You know how to make the current technology do things that can directly effect the bottom line.

This is certainly not to say that you should go out of your way to keep information from others in order to protect your position. That is a dangerous road and does little to endear you to your management or your fellow employees. Instead, you should use your knowledge to eek out more performance, better integration, and increased reliability from the technology you have.

Not much fun

One reality of this new technology austerity is that you might not be having as much fun as you did in the past. We all like to be playing with the latest, greatest toys. In fact, this is usually one of the ways you continue building your career, by introducing management to new tools for business. For the next few years, though, toys are going to be in short supply. There will still be some experimentation with new technologies, but only when they have some clear relation to the bottom line. If you thought you had to work hard to justify your purchases in the past, it will be nothing compared to the next few years. You will have to work smarter and dig deeper to build your technology justifications, but it will still be possible to keep your technology education moving forward.

This won’t last forever. All things are cyclical. The economy will rebound. Your job offers will expand, as will your career. Don’t let a few months of downturn make you lose faith. Do your best to keep informed of new technologies on your own. Do your reading both in print and online. You want to be prepared for the upturn long before it arrives. In this way, you will be ahead of the majority who aren’t ready for the turn back to growth mode.

More important

The truth is, as a high-tech worker, you are going to become even more important to your company than ever before. Without your skills, your company is going to have a hard time competing in an ever-tightening market, regardless of their business. Now is the time to insure that you have adequately demonstrated your worth to the company. Make sure you have your portfolio in order to demonstrate past successes. In addition, start developing plans today about how you can help your company even more in the future. It can take a dramatic change in your thinking, but this change is necessary to insure your future career growth. Don’t get caught in the trap of "newer is better." Now is the time to do as much as you can with what you have.

The world may look a little dark right now, but the country, the economy and all of us will eventually recover. It will not be an easy road, but by keeping our wits about us we can smooth out that road as much as possible. Always remember that you are important, regardless of the work you do or the company for which you work. You have a collection of knowledge that can help others work better and help companies thrive. Don’t sell yourself short. This knowledge is exactly what keeps your high-tech career satisfying and lucrative.

 

about this column.

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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

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