Friend-LINK: <%=INSERTTEXT%>


 

A Weekly ComputorEdge Column by Douglas E. Welch

 

 

 


WelchWrite Main -- Douglas E. Welch -- Rosanne Welch

Archives 2000

Career-Op Main -- Career-Op 1997-1999

 

December 2000

December 22, 2000

Preparing for the year ahead

It is hard to believe that another year is about to end. I hope all of you had a fun and productive year. Of course, as many tech workers are finding, the future doesn't look quite as bright as it did last year. As the Internet sector moves from childhood into its teen years you will find that both money and perks might be harder to find. Along with this general slowdown you might experience setbacks both known and unforeseen. The most important action you can take right now is to spend a few minutes to organize both your personal, professional and financial life.

December 15, 2000

The trail ahead

The end of the year always brings a deluge of predictions for the coming one. Of course, as this entire year has proven, we have little idea how anything will work out in 2001. In many people's eyes this was to be the year of disaster, with catastrophic failures in everything from your toaster to the entire power grid. Thankfully, very little actually went wrong and the year has continued much the same as others. Of course, in non-technology areas the world remained as unpredictable as ever. That said, I will offer a few words on what 2001 might bring to you as a high-tech careerist.

December 8, 2000

Beware the golden handcuffs

As most of you already know, competition for high-tech talent is at an all-time high. Companies are finding it more and more important to retain the talent they have since it is so difficult and costly to attract new talent. This has led many companies to increase both the quality and variety of incentives to keep employees from "jumping ship." While this can lead to some amazing opportunities, it can also reduce your career options and lock you into a company you would rather leave.

December 1, 2000

Not a game

Pursuing a high-tech career can be a wild and wooly ride. Read any of the industry magazines and you will find stories both fascinating and horrific. Some people might think a high-tech career can be a ticket to easy wealth and security, but it is always important to remember that the big players in the game usually only have their own best interests at heart. If you don’t look out for yourself you could end up just another casualty of the dot-com battlefield.

November 2000

November 24, 2000

Tools of the trade

As high-tech workers we often have a regular set of tools; the screwdriver, the pliers, the CAT 5 cable maker, but increasingly we have a set of knowledge tools as well. These resources, whether print, online or personal contacts, allow us to do much better work than might otherwise be possible. While each discipline of high-tech work has its own vernacular and resources, here are a few "tools of the trade" that might help you on the way to a better job and a better career.

November 17, 2000

Take advantage of the holidays

As you probably know, most companies tend to slow down around the holiday season, unless, of course, they are in a business directly related to holiday retail or events. We look forward to this slower pace as we wind down to the end of the year, but you might want to take a different approach this time. While the holidays may not be the best time to look for a new job (See Holiday Recharge, December 1998, <http://www.welchwrite.com/dewelch/ce/ce9812.html>), you can turn these slow times to your advantage.

November 10, 2000

Getting the word out

These days a career rarely consists of only one job worked until retirement and rewarded with a gold watch. No matter how secure or happy you might feel in your current job there will come a time when you will need to look for a new one. Sometimes, though, people ignore their most important resource when they start the search for the next step in their career -- their personal network of connections.

November 3, 2000

Life on the (mailing) list

Talk to any high-tech worker today and one of the first laments you will hear is, "I don't have time for a life, I am too busy working!" While this is unfortunate on so many levels it has lead to a new type of socializing in both business and personal lives--the mailing list.

October 2000

October 27, 2000

All in the family

Imagine this scenario…one day, out of the blue, your brother or sister comes to you with a new business idea. This might be some hot, high-tech, Internet new economy startup or opening a new retail establishment at the local mall. Regardless of the type of business, there are a few issues that are very important when you contemplate going into business with a family member. This week I will offer a few ways to insure that your new partnership doesn't put undo strain on your family and vice versa.

October 20, 2000

Computer (career) nightmares

Over the past several years of Career Opportunities I have written about a variety of problems that can effect you as a high-tech worker. This week's theme provides a perfect reason to revisit some of these issues and reiterate the most pressing problems you might face as you develop your computer career.

October 13, 2000

Adult Education

When most people think of adult education they think of graduate degree programs like an MBA, technical certification programs like MCSE or CNE, or community college extension programs. In reality, some of the best adult education you can find might be sitting next to you in your own office or on the Internet. Too often we ignore the experience of our co-workers and the availability of information on the Internet when we think about upgrading or changing our careers.

October 6, 2000

New Money/Old Rules

The Internet economy is filled with stories about fortunes made and lost. While I would love to be able to tell you how to be the next Internet millionaire, the truth is most people make money the old-fashioned way -- they earn it. Despite all that might be new and different in the "new" economy" there are a few business guidelines that apply to all businesses whether they are based on the Internet or not.

September 2000

September 29, 2000

In the mood...

There comes a time in every high-tech career when important decisions need to be made. Unfortunately, you are often forced to make these decisions at exactly the wrong time. When you are looking for work, unexpectedly downsized or just unhappy with your current job you aren't in the right place to make decisions that might effect the rest of your career, if not the rest of your life.

September 22, 2000

Security for your company and your career

Most computer security discussions today focus on the Internet, firewall systems, and anti-virus programs, but high-tech careerists will find that security goes far beyond that. Too often the weakest links in the security chain are the people who develop and use the technology.

September 15, 2000

Communication vs. Presentation

In an age when everyone, even your grandmother, seems to be creating Microsoft PowerPoint slide shows, your ability to present your ideas has become more important than ever.

September 8, 2000

What to do?

To many high-school students don't understand the diversity of high-tech careers available to them.

September 1, 2000

Something for nothing

Sometimes, in very specific circumstances, giving away your knowledge can be a way to generate more business.

August 2000

August 25, 2000

Troubleshooting your career

Take a few minutes to do some work on your career problems.

August 18, 2000

Surviving a high-tech shutdown

Internet startups are attracting more and more technical talent every day, but lately we are starting to see an increase in companies that can't get through their growing pains.

August 11, 2000

Back to school

It is almost impossible to believe that the summer is coming to an end. In another couple of weeks children will be returning to school with new notebooks, backpacks and, hopefully, a little bit of excitement towards what they will learn this year. Whether you are watching your own children go off to school or merely watching the neighborhood children, this month is a good one to go back to school yourself. Nothing succeeds in the high-tech career market like knowledge, so send yourself back to school.

August 4, 2000

Are we ready

Are we, as computer professionals, capable of writing software and building hardware that is good enough to become part of people's lives in ever more intimate ways?

July 2000

July 28, 2000

Politically Correct

Paying attention to the actions of your elected representatives is becoming more and more important to your career.

July 21, 2000

Is web site design really a business?

 

July 14, 2000

It takes time...

We always underestimate the time people need to accept and embrace new technology.

July 7, 2000

Not everyone's a star

You don't have to be a high-tech star to be a success.

June 2000

June 30, 2000

Partnering for Profit

You can't do everything yourself. Partner with other high-tech workers to get the best projects.

June 23, 2000

All the same

How will you fare when the tech industry consolidation occurs?

June 16, 2000

The coming consolidation

How will you fare when the tech industry consolidation occurs?

June 9, 2000

Home & Work

Sometimes the best thing for your job is spending more time at home.

June 2, 2000

In a perfect world

The "perfect job" is a myth, but there are ways to find the best fit for you.

May 2000

May 26, 2000

Helping Hand

Give your boss a helping hand and you just might open doors to a new career.

May 19, 2000

When someone comes calling

How do you react when another company or recruiter comes knocking on your door?

May 12, 2000

Networking

Networking need not carry smarmy associations. There are ways to network without being annoying.

May 5, 2000

Friends and Partners

Where do you draw the line when making friends out of business associates?

April 2000

April 28, 2000

Career Web Sites

April 21, 2000

The New Home Office

April 14, 2000

Moving it around

April 7, 2000

What to do when you don't know what to do?

March 2000

March 31, 2000

More important than you think

March 24, 2000

Mergers & Acquisitions

March 17, 2000

Mentoring

March 10, 2000

Playing it safe

March 3, 2000

Help people help themselves

February 2000

February 25, 2000

Integration

February 18, 2000

No shame in trying

February 11, 2000

Mistakes

February 4, 2000

All in this together

January 2000

January 28, 2000

It pays to know Macintosh

 

January 21, 2000

Start now on your retirement planning

 

January 14, 2000

W2K: Here we go again

 

January 7, 2000

Investing in yourself

 

Book Recommendation

Browse the WelchWrite Bookstore

<%=INSERTTEXT%> 

 

Also on Welchwrite.com

<%=INSERTTEXT%>