Spring Break
IT opportunities hold job promise
Amanda Berens
Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: News
Despite layoffs, some technology companies are continuing to hire new employees and the field might be worth looking into for those who are struggling to find a job.
Job fields that are still growing include the medical, government, education and technology fields, said Becky Vianden, associate director of the UA Career Development Center.
One of the fastest growing occupations is computer support specialists and systems administrators, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. There were 862,000 people who held those jobs in 2006 and it is projected that by 2016 155,000 jobs will be added.
Despite the layoffs these jobs still are needed. The medical and technology fields still are growing because of the retirement age population and the need for more health care, Vianden said.
President Obama hopes to have all medical records computerized in five years, a move that could save lives, money and jobs, he said in a speech to Congress.
NCR, a Northwest Arkansas technology company that specializes in self-service registers and computers, but locally works exclusively to support Wal-mart stores' technology, might have a few jobs available in the next month, but because of budget cuts will probably not be able to proceed with any new equipment or upgrades, said Coy Terry, NCR on-site account manager.
"We are not hiring right now, but I have seen more people applying in the last six months [despite that], Terry said.
One way to find technology companies that are hiring in the area and beyond is to use the UA career center's eRecruiting tool, Vianden said.
The Web site can be found on the Career Development Center's front page. On the Web site, all the jobs that come through the office are posted. Students already have an account with their UARK e-mail address, Vianden said.
Just search for any keyword like technology and it will list the results for jobs, internships and co-ops, Vianden said.
Technology jobs will be affected just like the rest of the job sector during the recession, but in regard to IT there are a lot of opportunities for people with those degrees, Terry said.
"In my experience however, more overqualified people are being forced to take less pay to get a job", Terry said.
There are job opportunities in the technology field, but after graduation a student might not be able to get a job right away.
"If you can't find a job [right now], be flexible in the kind of job or the location. Vianden said.
Job fields that are still growing include the medical, government, education and technology fields, said Becky Vianden, associate director of the UA Career Development Center.
One of the fastest growing occupations is computer support specialists and systems administrators, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. There were 862,000 people who held those jobs in 2006 and it is projected that by 2016 155,000 jobs will be added.
Despite the layoffs these jobs still are needed. The medical and technology fields still are growing because of the retirement age population and the need for more health care, Vianden said.
President Obama hopes to have all medical records computerized in five years, a move that could save lives, money and jobs, he said in a speech to Congress.
NCR, a Northwest Arkansas technology company that specializes in self-service registers and computers, but locally works exclusively to support Wal-mart stores' technology, might have a few jobs available in the next month, but because of budget cuts will probably not be able to proceed with any new equipment or upgrades, said Coy Terry, NCR on-site account manager.
"We are not hiring right now, but I have seen more people applying in the last six months [despite that], Terry said.
One way to find technology companies that are hiring in the area and beyond is to use the UA career center's eRecruiting tool, Vianden said.
The Web site can be found on the Career Development Center's front page. On the Web site, all the jobs that come through the office are posted. Students already have an account with their UARK e-mail address, Vianden said.
Just search for any keyword like technology and it will list the results for jobs, internships and co-ops, Vianden said.
Technology jobs will be affected just like the rest of the job sector during the recession, but in regard to IT there are a lot of opportunities for people with those degrees, Terry said.
"In my experience however, more overqualified people are being forced to take less pay to get a job", Terry said.
There are job opportunities in the technology field, but after graduation a student might not be able to get a job right away.
"If you can't find a job [right now], be flexible in the kind of job or the location. Vianden said.
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