Human Resources: 2 Emerging Trends in Technology

 

How will technology and its workers fare as companies emerge from the downturn?

Well, two trends emerged in 2010 in the technology sector: Tech has been slow to add jobs for certain skills, and salaries are stagnant for seasoned professionals.

As for the first trend – slow tech hiring – Catherine Rampell reported in The New York Times that certain types of tech skills are required less and less.

“Job growth in fields like computer systems design and Internet publishing has been slow in the last year,” she reported in Sept. 2010. “Employment in areas like data processing and software publishing has actually fallen. Additionally, computer scientists, systems analysts and computer programmers all had unemployment rates of around 6 percent in the second quarter of this year.”

On the other hand, she reports high-tech companies of all sizes can’t find skilled engineers. She cited an Internet real estate brokerage, Redfin, as an example.

Many companies are hiring abroad, including those firms laying off workers in recent years, according to Ms. Rampell. That means, of course, they’re offshoring – they’re after cheaper labor and sales. By hiring overseas, they have lower research costs and ready-markets for products in those emerging nations.

Ageism in technology?

The second trend – mature age affecting earnings – eWeek.com’s Don Sears quoted a study by the University of California at Berkeley that shows technology is not kind to older workers. Yes, salaries and jobs, too, stagnate for tech workers starting in their 40s.

In their book, “Chips and Change: How Crisis Reshapes the Semiconductor Industry,” Clair Brown and Dr. Greg Linden explained how age affects a person’s wages and even job status.

“Older workers are either moved up the ranks into program management or other management positions, with their experience being valued only for their legacy knowledge,” wrote Mr. Sears.

He wrote such employees declining management opportunities face a difficult dilemma.

“We found in out fieldwork that experienced engineers were often forced to work on mature technologies with stagnant earnings, rather than being allowed to learn and work on new technologies with rising earnings,” Mr. Sears quoted from the authors from their book.

Mr. Sears then sought the input of another academic source, who has appeared on numerous network and cable-TV news programs:

“According to another academic, Vivek Wadwha, a director of research at the Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University, ageism is a dirty little secret as companies want younger workers with skills and so are more than willing to part with higher paid technology workers who do not climb the corporate ladder based on high performance,” he added.

What’s the solution for older tech workers? Like the old sales adage says, “Find a need and fill it.” Be adaptable.

The eWeek reporter quotes Mr. Wadwha:

“Move up the ladder into management, architecture or design; switch to sales or product management; or jump ship and become an entrepreneur (old guys have a huge advantage in the startup world). Build skills that are more valuable to your company, and take positions that can’t be filled by entry-level workers.

“If you’re going to stay in programming, realize that the deck is stacked against you. Even though you may be highly experienced and wise, employers aren’t willing or able to pay an experienced worker twice or thrice what an entry-level worker earns. Save as much as you can when you’re in your 30s and 40s and be prepared to earn less as you gain experience.”

Actually, if you understand the principle of being adaptable, that’s good advice for anyone in any sector.

From the Coach’s Corner, tips for job seekers:

Discouraged in Job Hunting? Powerful Tips for the Best Job

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

-Confucius

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Author Terry Corbell has written innumerable online business-enhancement articles, and is a business-performance consultant and profit professional. Click here to see his management services. For a complimentary chat about your business situation or to schedule him as a speaker, consultant or author, please contact Terry.