IT Consultants Express Optimism in Survey on Future Salaries.

Continuing education and certifications high on list of "must haves".

Exclusive to Consultimes:

    A survey was conducted in early April with a broad base of IT professionals. Participant skills ranged from Deskside Support Engineer to Security Administrator and included some very cogent comments about the future, like:

   ·. . ."There will be people who will need to convert to newer technologies since some of the older technologies will already be addressed or (issues) eliminated due to the Y2K problem. Although these professionals will need some retraining, their basic problem solving and programming and/or management skills are still intact."

    While some surveys recently suggested that salaries might become stagnant after all the Y2K flurry, our survey found much more optimism. One respondent who admits his junior role presently, knows the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead: "The end of Y2K means nothing to me. I'm focused on climbing the certification ladder, gathering real time experience, and earning more. Compared to what I can make now, I'd say at least 300% increase in salary - maybe a lot more - in the next 5 years. It's up to me."

    Continuing education and acquiring important certifications were high on the list of requirements to assure salary increases. Of those responding, 93% indicated they were "Somewhat important" or "Very important" to reach their salary goals (49% answered "Very"). Only 7% suggested that they were not important. Further analysis showed that those were (most often) higher skilled professionals with 10+ years of experience.

    A particularly insightful comment was added by one consultant:· "Certifications are important because they show a level of understanding of a particular or series of products. It helps employers understand that the person is not just one who "tinkers" but is serious about the IT arena. With regard to salaries, certifications should be weighed into the equation equally with job performance. You may have an employee who is extremely proficient and productive that simply does not have the time to pursue certification."

    Commenting on the results of the education and certification issue, a Manager of Skills Training for an IT consulting and staffing firm had this to offer: "Our alliance with CBT Systems, Inc. to offer over 300 titles of free training will continue to be an important cornerstone in retaining good IT Professionals. If certifications are "top-of-mind" to them, then we should be top-of-mind too; especially when it comes to where they can earn and learn and grow their career."

    Why the optimism? The answer may lie in some of the selected comments from survey participants which follow:

   · "I project a 70% increase in salary in 5 years because I'll have over 10 years experience."

   · "At least 20% because each year I have improved skills."

   · "Salaries will increase because of the consistent need for experience in all of the IT profession."

    Clearly, IT professionals are acutely aware of the constant change in technologies and their need to stay current. An example is this quote from a WAN Engineer:

    · "I forecast that the need for Information Technologies will continue to grow in numbers and value. In order for businesses to maintain an edge over their competitors, they will need to implement the advantages that newer technology can provide. The advantages (of newer technology) allow businesses to operate efficiently and produce more at lower costs."

IT professionals can participate in this 3-question survey by visiting www.consultis.com/consultant/survey.cfm