How's it look from your end?

[northernbeaver]

I am a junior level programmer Living in Guelph Ontario Canada. I went to a College and have my Computer Programmer/Analyst or Microcomputer Manager certificate. I know Access, ASP, DAO, ADO, VFOX, VB, and Flah to name a few of my skills. I was a lucky person and got a 6 month contract fresh out of school that I turned into about 14 months of work. I went to work for a company where there was about 25 users and 1 tech person. I was to be her assistant. The pay was great for a guy fresh out of school but much lower then the Average pay. After that Job I got a much different job as a Software Support/Programmer position in a company that provide Hardware/Security/Custom Software. The company has about 6 owners and 4 employees all with different technical backgrounds. So all told I have about 4 years experience in the Programming industry now, Ive learned all about Database Structure, Network set ups, Server Administration, Web design and Customer support because in this job I have to do everything. Working with Different companies, multitasking,customer support.

With all this being said now, The future is looking very grim. In this company there is no room for advancement. The pay is way below scale, I work about 12 hour days with no overtime pay. The sorry state of the job market in Ontario (at least my luck with it) is the fact that no on is hiring. There are other factors in my distaste for my current situation but I cant list them here as Im sure my boss will be reading this. SO my question is this where are all you fellow programmers and web developers and all the other IT people from and how do things look from your end? do any of you have any advice as to where I may want to move to to find work?

 

[mmorancbt]

Well, first I know that Ontario is certainly struggling right now, more so than the U.S. because when the U.S. economy is hurting it hurts Canada immensely.

I have been a technology professional for 15+ years: application development, network integration, data conversions, project management, CIO, etc. I have always been able to find gainful employment due to: Experience, willingness to trade pay for opportunity, and working the numbers.

The economy is always cyclic and I.T. is not suffering in isolation. There are really two phases of career development. During tougher economic times you look to trade pay for opportunity. With jobs tougher to come by and projects being held by companies as they wait for sales to pick up, the companies out there are looking to maximize their dollar.

You need look for a company and opportunity where you are relied on to take care of many aspects of technology. If possible, you need to develop solutions that stretch you and provide extreme value to the company. The experience is indespensible.

As you do this, you are also staying involved with professional networking - -creating and cultivating new contacts.

The next phase of career development happens during the boom. Your willingness to focus on solutions with current technical tools - and your professional network of contacts - will allow you to more easily separate yourself from the masses and create opportunity. You well-rounded skills and GREAT ATTITUDE displayed during the tough times will serve you very well.

It is at this stage of career development you move into Project Management or management and prove your worth.

Check out my article, "Why Technologists Must Learn To Speak Business" for an idea of what it takes to become a value-added technologist.

http://news.TheTechMag.com/articles/?id=0,7180,6682010,00.html

I hope this is helpful. Matthew Moran
The I.T. Career Builder's Toolkit

http://www.cbtoolkit.com