Choosing an IT Career Path Specialty

When the error messages fly and the games won't load, there is only one thing to do and that is to find a guy with a ponytail. No no no... well... maybe. There is a certain perception of the technically savvy but that is another topic all together. So you're a geek. You have your AT&T UNIX manuals right there next to your book on C++ and old print outs of Zmud triggering scripts. Behind your stack of certification study guides picked up at the half price store lays a treasure trove of laser printer manuals and even an old strategy guide for the game Myst. Unfortunately there comes a time when the need for greater funds rears its ugly head and you must find a new job to support your informational lifestyle. For you it could be because of raised gas prices, or that pesky health insurance. It might be because FIOS is now in your neighborhood, or you suffer from Monster drink addiction, or your Mom is simply making you move out of the basement so her quilting bee has a place to meet. For whatever reason it may be, the time has come to spread your wings and find new employment.

So what's the problem then? Finding a good job should be easy for one with more than average intelligence. Unfortunately many times it is not that easy. It is a strange economic situation we are in these days. The information technology field is ripe pickings if you can handle the nerves and insecurity of contract work, or you want to sit staring at a screen while the user on the other line tells you for the third time what is wrong with her Viewsonic computer. There is of course nothing wrong with helpdesk and desktop jobs; they are great places to get your foot into the IT world. It just happens to be a very hard position to rise out of. Perhaps this is where you are now. In that environment being a jack of all trades is a saving grace to you and your employer. Your natural curiosity will make you a shining star among your peers, maybe even making you a lead, but you will unlikely find a high level of success and the intellectual curiosity that your quivering brain waves crave.

Focus Focus Focus!

Those who are succeeding in this market are those who can specialize in a particular niche. This does not mean to give up your mountain of half read books and manuals. Only to draw focus on what employers want. For instance there is a fifteen to twenty thousand dollar difference between a walking on water desktop technician and a Jr. Network administrator. Why? It is because of the networking specialty. Don't believe me? Then why are cobalt programmers never allowed to retire?

What do I do?

Remember when you were a kid, and you had to eat your veggies before you were allowed desert? It is sort of like that but the complete opposite. Examine what it is you really enjoy doing. When you finish your dinner plate of reports and tasks, what is it that you rush off to do for the fun of it? Do you load that new Linux Distribution? Are you drooling over the new PERL module? Do you just have to redesign that web page one last time? These are your money makers; these are your doors to your new Redbull stock.

You will find greater success and opportunities applying your joy in working with the things you see as your hobbies. When you are able to completely immerse yourself in your work and enjoy it, you will find your success because everybody and their dog's company are going to want your skills. Almost anything can be turned into a good career if it is something you're passionate about. Even Pascal still supports college teachers as they twist and warp new minds in the introductory programming classes.

Even your couch potato XBOX sessions might inspire you to specialize in the console's repair or even (dare I say it?) a professional game beta tester! Ok ... you're not likely to make much money after you spend it all on games but it's about passion right? So here is what you are going to do:

1. List your hobbies and passions.

2. Choose the one you just can't get enough of.

3. Examine how your skills can be applied to that interest.

4. Find out who offers those kinds of jobs and what they look for.

5. Keep learning, but continue to have fun.

I know, "Do what you love", sounds too simple but there it is. The trick is to specialize in one or two areas to give you that edge over the guy with the ponytail who just happens to know a little about everything. Keep this in mind and for goodness sakes, move out of your mom's basement.