I.T. JOBS FOR NON-I.T. PEOPLE.<Why should Web designers and computer programmers This is a list of programmers notable for their contributions to software, either as original author or architect, or for later additions. See also: Game programmer, List of computer scientists have all the fun--and money? These applied technology jobs will appeal to even most technically challenged.> C++.JAVA. HTML HTML in full HyperText Markup Language Markup language derived from SGML that is used to prepare hypertext documents. Relatively easy for nonprogrammers to master, HTML is the language used for documents on the World Wide Web. . WAN. LAN (Local Area Network) A communications network that serves users within a confined geographical area. The "clients" are the user's workstations typically running Windows, although Mac and Linux clients are also used. . IF YOU SAW A TEST GRADE, A CUP of coffee, and a bunch of nonsense words when reading the preceding rather than descriptions of the skills required for computer programming and networking, it's probably safe to say that you don't make a living in the high-tech field. But that doesn't mean you can't secure an applied technology position. Just ask Laura A. Clayton. She had been working in corporate America as a lawyer for nearly 15 years when she decided that it was time for a change. "I wanted to use more of my business skills," says Clayton, 39, who holds a J.D. and an M.B.A. from the University of Southern California The U.S. News & World Report ranked USC 27th among all universities in the United States in its 2008 ranking of "America's Best Colleges", also designating it as one of the "most selective universities" for admitting 8,634 of the almost 34,000 who applied for freshman admission at Berkeley. An admitted tech-novice at the time, she still was able to find a career opportunity at Apple Computer Inc. When probed about her knowledge of computers during her job interview, she readily `fessed up. "I explained that while I didn't have a lot of experience using computers, I could learn fast. He liked the fact that I was a quick read and adaptable a·dapt·a·ble adj. Capable of adapting or of being adapted. a·dapt  a·bil to
change." She was happy to accept the offer.Since then, Clayton has worked in the legal departments of other high-tech companies, such as Cisco Systems “Cisco” redirects here. For other uses, see Cisco (disambiguation). Cisco System,Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO, HKSE: 4333 ) is an American multinational corporation with 54,000 employees and annual revenue of US $28.48 billion as of 2006. . She now converts key initiatives and strategies into business deals, as senior director of business affairs for iPlanet E-Commerce e-commerce, commerce conducted over the Internet, most often via the World Wide Web. E-commerce can apply to purchases made through the Web or to business-to-business activities such as inventory transfers. Solutions, a joint venture between Sun Microsystems Sun Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAVA[3]) is an American vendor of computers, computer components, computer software, and information-technology services, founded on 24 February 1982. and America Online See AOL. (AOL (A division of Time Warner, Inc., New York, NY, www.aol.com) The world's largest online information service with access to the Internet, e-mail, chat rooms and a variety of databases and services. ). She believes that communication skills are very important--even in a highly technical environment. "The ability to translate the benefits of technology in a way that a business can see a positive impact on their bottom line is a skill that a liberal arts liberal arts, term originally used to designate the arts or studies suited to freemen. It was applied in the Middle Ages to seven branches of learning, the trivium of grammar, logic, and rhetoric, and the quadrivium of arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and music. major can easily apply to a career in the high-tech industry." Clayton's situation is far from unique. There are approximately 4.5 million high-tech jobs available--4 million of which are unfilled due to lack of talent--says Robert J. Doleman, founder of Doleman Enterprises, a Reston, Virginia-based executive search and management firm. And while the technology sector functions primarily on the strength of programmers, network engineers, and developers, there are also many applied technology opportunities--jobs that require a working knowledge of, rather than a proficiency pro·fi·cien·cy n. pl. pro·fi·cien·cies The state or quality of being proficient; competence. Noun 1. proficiency - the quality of having great facility and competence in, highly technical applications. "The software industry is exploding, so there's a need for all types of jobs in this field," says William A. Schaffer, author of High-Tech Careers for Low-Tech People. "The key to career success [for non-techies] lies in networking with people in the field. About 85% of all jobs people get in the high-tech industry are through people they know." It's easy to understand the appeal of working for a high-tech company: an exciting, stimulating work environment, continuous access to training, great stock options, and, of course, a fat paycheck. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the Finance Accounting Salary Guide, salaries in the sector are 10% to 15% higher than those in other industries. If you think the only way you can break into the tech business is by investing in stocks, read on. From marketing and sales, to business development, to strategic planning Strategic planning is an organization's process of defining its strategy, or direction, and making decisions on allocating its resources to pursue this strategy, including its capital and people. , we've identified some career options that can help you get with the high-tech program--without having to program so much as a line of code. Technical Writer/Editor Technical writers translate technical and/or scientific information into language the average person can understand. They write operation and maintenance manuals, brochures, catalogs, handbooks, and promotional materials. Tech writers may also produce content for Internet/intranet sites. Technical editors review these documents for readability read·a·ble adj. 1. Easily read; legible: a readable typeface. 2. Pleasurable or interesting to read: a readable story. , grammar, and accuracy. People entering this field must have excellent writing skills and the ability to translate technical information into layman's terms. Requirements Liberal arts degree in journalism or communications. Many schools offer these degrees with a concentration in technical writing. Strong writing samples and a desire to keep up with the rapid changes in the industry are also key. Earnings Technical Writer/Editor: $36,870-$58,970 Contact Society for Technical Communications 901 N. Stuart St., Suite 904 Arlington, VA 22203 703-522-4114; www.stc-va.org Web Writer/Editor Writers provide editorial content for Internet/intranet sites and translate print documents into conversational style for the Web. Editors polish this content for style, consistency, and easy readability. Web writers and editors work in a team environment with Web designers, Webmasters, and other departments to keep the content current. Requirements An ability to write content for Internet/intranet sites and a working knowledge of HTML and JavaScript. Certifications in Web writing and the above-mentioned computer programs are helpful but not required. Earnings Writers: $40,000 Editors: $50,986 Contact HTML Writers Guild 1225 Tamiami Trail, Suite B18 Port Charlotte, FL 33953 941-627-6848; www.hwg.org Sales Representative There are two kinds of sales representatives: inside sales reps and outside sales reps. Inside sales reps--who sell by telephone--are typically more experienced and better paid than outside sales reps, who solicit customers offsite. A knack for selling and a thorough knowledge of the product are essential. Employers often feel that it's more important for individuals to have selling ability, rather than technical knowledge, which is easier to teach. Requirements Good communication skills, a high level of motivation, and excellent customer relations skills are needed for this position. Earnings Salary range: $40,000 to $150,000, and up Contact Sales.com 1825 South Grand St. San Mateo, CA 94402 650-295-5000; www.sales.com Marketing Communications Marketing communications (or marcom) are messages and related media used to communicate with a market. Those who practice advertising, branding, direct marketing, graphic design, marketing, packaging, promotion, publicity, sponsorship, public relations, sales, sales Manager These professionals support the marketing and business objectives of the company. They develop marketing plans that incorporate advertising, public relations public relations, activities and policies used to create public interest in a person, idea, product, institution, or business establishment. By its nature, public relations is devoted to serving particular interests by presenting them to the public in the most , and sales promotions. In the competitive high-tech field, the marketing communications professional decides which of the many trade shows their company should attend and is part of the organizing team for these exhibitions. Requirements This position is open to people from various backgrounds, including liberal arts and business majors. Working knowledge and/or experience in advertising or public relations may be helpful. Earnings Median salary: $50,100. Contact International Association of Business Communications (IABC) One Hallidie Plaza, Suite 600 San Francisco, CA 94102 415-544-4700; www.iabc.com Brand Manager Establishing and maintaining brand loyalty among customers is an important component of a brand manager's job. These professionals work across company lines and with external agencies to achieve this end. When a company launches a new product or improves an old one, it's the brand manager's job to ensure that customer loyalty remains constant They may work with the advertising, marketing, or public relations department to convey and deliver the products' promise to consumers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) A research agency of the U.S. Department of Labor; it compiles statistics on hours of work, average hourly earnings, employment and unemployment, consumer prices and many other variables. , the job of brand manager is expected to grow faster than average, particularly in the high-tech sector where competition is especially intense. Requirements A degree in marketing or business is preferred. Experience and/or an M.B.A. typically brings the applicant in at a higher level and salary. Good communication skills, an understanding of customer service principles, and knowledge of the product are important for this position. Many brand managers have a background in advertising. Earnings Entry-level salaries for marketing positions range between $21,000 and $40,000, with brand-management positions located at the higher end Coordinates: For other places with the same name, see Billinge. Higher End or Billinge Higher End is a district of the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, in Greater Manchester, England. . Someone with an M.B.A. entering brand management can expect to earn between $75,000 and $100,000. Contact American Marketing Association 311 S. Wacker Dr., Suite 5800 Chicago, IL 60606 800-AMA-1150 or 312-542-9000; www.ama.org Public Relations Associate Since the buying habits of consumers are linked to their perception of a company and its products, public relations professionals serve a vital role because they ensure a positive company image. They work closely with other departments to secure proper media coverage when a new product or initiative is launched. They may send press releases to various news organizations, and provide support for reporters seeking additional information on a product or requesting an interview. Requirements B.A. in communications or journalism and related job experience. Earnings Representatives: $27,298-$36,817 Managers: $42,980-$64,429 Contact Public Relations Society of America 33 Irving P1. New York NY 10003 212-995-2230; www.prsa.org Special Services Sales Representative Unlike regular sales (Stock Exchange) sales of stock deliverable on the day after the transaction. See also: Regular representatives who sell manufactured products, services sales reps sell an intangible product--a service. For example, services sales reps for computer and data processing data processing or information processing, operations (e.g., handling, merging, sorting, and computing) performed upon data in accordance with strictly defined procedures, such as recording and summarizing the financial transactions of a firms sell complex services such as inventory control, payroll processing, sales analysis, and financial reporting systems. Services sales reps act as industry experts, consultants, and problem solvers. Requirements Companies selling computer, engineering, and other highly technical services generally require that applicants have a bachelor's degree. Certification and licensing is also becoming more common for sales and marketing representatives. Sales representatives must be highly motivated mo·ti·vate tr.v. mo·ti·vat·ed, mo·ti·vat·ing, mo·ti·vates To provide with an incentive; move to action; impel. mo , energetic, well organized, and efficient. Earnings Median salary for computer and data processing services sales representatives: $41, 200. Contact Sales & Marketing Executives International Inc. P.O. Box 1390 Sumas, WA 98295 770-661-8500; www.smei.org Event Manger manger cattle trough which served as crib for Christ. [N.T.: Luke 2:7] See : Nativity This position is similar to the conference and travel position in non-tech companies. Event managers plan all the logistics of trade shows, exhibitions, and promotional days--a major avenue through which technology companies advertise their products. Duties may include staffing booths, ensuring that electrical needs are sufficient, and promoting the event. Event managers are often on site to make sure all aspects of the event run smoothly. Requirements This is an entry-level position open to those with little technical experience. Organizational and planning skills are required. Exposure to the product and people in other parts of the company make this job a good stepping stone to other positions. Earnings $32,000-$55,000 Contact Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals in Business 801 North Fairfax St., Suite 404 Alexandria, VA 22314 703-519-3700; www.socap.org Web Designer A Web designer creates graphic content and the layout of Web pages, and plans the placement of links. They work in a team environment with Web writers and editors, Webmasters, and advertising content providers. Requirements Most companies require knowledge of HTML, XML XML in full Extensible Markup Language. Markup language developed to be a simplified and more structural version of SGML. It incorporates features of HTML (e.g., hypertext linking), but is designed to overcome some of HTML's limitations. , FrontPage, or JavaScript. An artistic background is useful as Web designers should be creative and have a good eye for design techniques that work well on Internet/intranet sites. Experience as a graphic designer for a print publication may be helpful. Earnings Median: $46,734 Contact HTML Writers Guild 1225 Tamiami Trail, Suite B18 Port Charlotte, FL 33953 941-627-6848; www.hwg.org --Additional reporting by Robyn D. Clarke <Brian Anderson> As chief of information services See Information Systems. for the mayor's office in Philadelphia, Brian Anderson Brian Anderson may refer to:
"Most people are not aware of the great career opportunities in information technology," says Anderson, who believes that the first step to breaking into the industry should be developing your awareness. "Specialized spe·cial·ize v. spe·cial·ized, spe·cial·iz·ing, spe·cial·iz·es v.intr. 1. To pursue a special activity, occupation, or field of study. 2. skills, such as network engineering, Web development, or project management are in high demand," but you can get into other areas if you just know where to look. <Mathew Greene> Matthew Greene, 42, is managing director of Utendahl Capital Partners L.P. (No. 3 on the 2000 BE INVESTMENT BANKS The following is a list of investment banks Financial conglomerates Large financial-services conglomerates combine commercial banking and investment banking, and sometimes insurance. list, with $1.92 billion in senior managed issues). He also oversees the Institutional Equity Sales and Trading team at the company. With a master's degree master's degree n. An academic degree conferred by a college or university upon those who complete at least one year of prescribed study beyond the bachelor's degree. Noun 1. in finance from the Wharton School of Business and a bachelor's in computer science from Syracuse, Greene knows what it takes to manage his staff of seven, which incorporates the use of the Internet to trade stocks for various institutions. He credits networking and hard work with helping him get ahead in the high-tech industry. "Find a mentor Mentor, in Greek mythology Mentor (mĕn`tər, –tôr'), in Greek mythology, friend of Odysseus and tutor of Telemachus. in this industry for guidance and advice," says Greene, a married father of two. "Ask as much as you can from your peers. Knowledge is the key. Don't be afraid to ask if you don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. the answer." RESOURCES The following Websites and publications offer additional information on technology careers. * High-Tech Careers for Low-Tech People by William A. Schaffer (Ten Speed Press, $14.95); www.hightechcareers.net * www.techies.com: This Website is dedicated to improving the quality of life for technical professionals. * www.wetfeet.com: Provides all the background information you'll need on the applied technology position you want. * www.itprofessionals.com: This Website acts tike a 24-hour recruiter. Post your resume and check out the available jobs. |
|
||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion