Re: I need opinion

Ryan (ryanr_at_ou.edu) wrote:

: I am a senior majoring in MIS at a local state university. I have read
: that the MIS field (especially the programming, database development
: areas) is exploding. Although I am beginning to feel slightly
: concerned.
 

: I would really appreciate the opinion on how it REALLY is in the
: market today. I am married and started back to college after a 5 year
: absence and am considering the sales field compared to the MIS field
: (money-wise). I have heard that there are "MANY" jobs where you can
: make excellent salaries in the IS field, but more specifically:
 

: 1) Can you really make the $50,000+ salaries that everyone advertises,
: and I hear about?

Absolutely. You normally don't start in that salary range, but you can get there within three years fairly easily, if you are at all competent.

: 2) If you become a developer in a 'hot' language such as Oracle,
: Sybase, SAP, C++ etc. is it true that you would have to relocate every
: few years?

No. In fact, if you are a hot market, you can pretty much pick what you want. Relocation = bigger money. If your goal is to stay in one place, you won't make the same money your consultant co-workers do, but you'll do ok.

: 3) I have also heard that immigration and offshore programming
: services is going to greatly impact the U.S. salaries of the IS
: professionals.

Yes and no. There is quite alot of impact on people jamming out code. Communication skills still count for plenty and this area is not as severely impacted by offshore programming.

: 4) What are your thoughts as to where the industry will be in 5 years?

More tools to help "administrivia" tasks. Tighter deadlines. Global access to programs and data. Way more emphasis on quality and testing.

Information is the driving force in the global economy. Today's situation is analagous to the explosion of transportation in the late 1800's - its a totally open market and will blow away old paradigms of industry.

: I hope that someone can give me some insight, considering that the
: readers in this group would know more than anyone else because you are
: in the field right now. I just don't want to take what all the
: recruiters and school faculty are telling me at face value. I greatly
: appreciate any help anyone can provide. Please feel free to email your
: response if you desire.
 

: Thank you,
: Ryan R.
Received on Mon Oct 21 1996 - 00:00:00 CEST