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Bob Cohen, senior vice president
of the Information Technology Association of America, says the industry has turned
the corner.
"There was a period, even after the recession,
where businesses were very hesitant to invest in new systems and make capital
investments based on economic uncertainty," he says. "We've certainly
moved beyond that today, which translates into better employment prospects for
IT workers and a more dynamic market."
Demand for IT expertise, Cohen says, is particularly
strong in the network security field as companies struggle to keep
hackers and Web-based viruses at bay. Companies also are hiring
systems analysts and software engineers at a frenzied pace, along
with anyone with a background in database design, to help leverage
the data they already collect on customers and competitors.
"There's a lot
of focus on data mining right now and unlocking information that yields new intelligence
about customer buying habits or trends," Cohen says. For
all its ups and downs, IT remains one of the highest paying entry-level jobs.
The National Association of Colleges and Employers
in Bethlehem, Pa., notes computer science grads this year received
average starting salaries of $50,820 -- with many offered software
design and development positions starting at $58,000. Those with
information science and systems degrees received starting offers
of $44,775, a figure that climbed to nearly $50,000 for those engaged
in systems analysis and design.
There is "a lot of demand"
for people with degrees in business, computer science and engineering, says Andrea
Koncz, employment information manager for NACE. That's apparent
to Ryan LeRoy. The 22-year-old computer science major at Georgia Institute of
Technology, who graduated in December, already has three employment contracts
on the table. "I think me and my friends in the computer
science program have the skill set for what employers are looking for," he
says. "The majority of us have received a lot of interest from companies,
from traditional IT firms, to banks, to consulting firms to medical practices.
All companies have an IT need of some sort." High
demand in many fields
Many more hot jobs ranked further down on the bureau's list. Occupations
that appear just below the top 10 include: network and computer
systems administrators, database administrators, physical therapists,
forensic science technicians, veterinary technologists and technicians,
and diagnostic medical sonographers.
Physical therapist aides, who perform less hands-on
treatment than assistants, occupational therapists and assistants,
and medical scientists (except epidemiologists) rounded out the
top 20 fastest-growing occupations -- all of which are projected
to enjoy employment growth of 33 percent to 38 percent through 2014.
Momentum also is strong for environmental engineers,
teachers (preschool and postsecondary), cardiovascular technologists
and technicians, hydrologists, computer systems analysts, hazardous
materials removal workers, biomedical engineers, employment specialists,
and paralegals. The BLS projects these occupations will grow roughly
30 percent during the 10-year period.
Not to be left out: finance and
accounting
John Challenger, chief executive of Chicago-based outplacement
firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, notes the accounting industry is enjoying
a period of rapid employment growth following the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002,
which placed strict controls over corporate disclosures and accounting practices
at publicly held firms. "Demand is
very strong in the areas of financial controls and corporate monitoring,"
Challenger says. "Companies are really out there looking for accountants
with that kind of background."
Lucas Group, an Atlanta-based professional recruiting firm, also
predicts healthy growth for the industry. Its 2005 survey of hiring
managers found that 47 percent of companies that responded -- including
banking and finance, consulting, distribution, health care and high-tech
firms -- expected to see significant employment and business growth
this year, up from 36 percent last year.
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