Anyone else getting sick of jobs being outsourced?

[Jhonny2x4]

big reason why i didnt major in cs, it's way too easy to be outsourced

Yeah, this too.

Had the options of doing CS/Programming, and my Dad (who at the time was deep into a 30yr stint at a global IT company) advised me off of it for exactly that reason.

So if you love IT, what can you shoot for that's relatively high/higher in job security?

[Sexual_Chocolate]

hacking

[Jhonny2x4]

hacking

Wouldn't that be more of a cert route though? I know computer science teaches some foundations of programming, but I'd imagine a IT security cert (not the exact name) would prepare you for something along those lines, right?

[magma]

I've worked in IT (support and bits of development - I'm now the developer for a 3rd line Windows server team) pretty reliably for 12 years now... plenty of outsourcing has happened (I work in one of the 'worst' industries for it) but most companies have local teams as well as remote ones; there definitely aren't as many [high paying] jobs in the US and UK as there used to be, but if you're willing to put the graft in, get your skills and actually do a job you'll be alright... in fact, you'll be more than alright. ITs needed *everywhere* - but it's not us setting the prices anymore, it's the market. That's better, tbh... we used to rinse businesses for all we could get - it didn't lead to the greatest image for IT techs... people actually almost... like us now.

Tbh, I'm fucking glad I didn't go to Uni though. I was contemplating a CS degree, but didn't get my 1st offer and panicked a bit... but 4 years sitting in a lecture hall instead of learning skills on the job? Nah... unless you want to be a genuinely hardcore programmer or graphic designer then it's just not worth it; you'll end up relearning everything as soon as you start work... plus you'll be in a shit load of debt. Get money.

[Forum]

I've worked in IT (support and bits of development - I'm now the developer for a 3rd line Windows server team) pretty reliably for 12 years now... plenty of outsourcing has happened (I work in one of the 'worst' industries for it) but most companies have local teams as well as remote ones; there definitely aren't as many [high paying] jobs in the US and UK as there used to be, but if you're willing to put the graft in, get your skills and actually do a job you'll be alright... in fact, you'll be more than alright. ITs needed *everywhere* - but it's not us setting the prices anymore, it's the market. That's better, tbh... we used to rinse businesses for all we could get - it didn't lead to the greatest image for IT techs... people actually almost... like us now.

Tbh, I'm fucking glad I didn't go to Uni though. I was contemplating a CS degree, but didn't get my 1st offer and panicked a bit... but 4 years sitting in a lecture hall instead of learning skills on the job? Nah... unless you want to be a genuinely hardcore programmer or graphic designer then it's just not worth it; you'll end up relearning everything as soon as you start work... plus you'll be in a shit load of debt. Get money.

Not just about the degree at the end though, for a lot of people its the best 3 years of their life

[wub]

big reason why i didnt major in cs, it's way too easy to be outsourced

Yeah, this too.

Had the options of doing CS/Programming, and my Dad (who at the time was deep into a 30yr stint at a global IT company) advised me off of it for exactly that reason.

So if you love IT, what can you shoot for that's relatively high/higher in job security?

I went the business studies route...I manage the people in India instead of competing with them for the roles.

[LACE]

with this B.Sc. i'll never go hungry again

[wub]

Need to get cracking on my MBA...BSc looks shit on the business cards

[LACE]

you're so hating on me wub. so much H8

[Forum]

Whats the standard one? BA?

[wub]

you're so hating on me wub. so much H8

I've got a BSc Hons, no hate here gurlfrend

Whats the standard one? BA?

BA - Bachelor Arts (inc. humanties type stuff)
BSc - Bachelor Science (techy stuff)

You get the Hons afterwards if you've done a 4yr course w/ work placement (I think, it's been a while).


Couple of my mates did History w/ Political Science (not my bag, but they seemed to enjoy it) at different universities, one got a BA and one got a BSc for the same degree so not quite sure how the classification works in some places.

[magma]

Not just about the degree at the end though, for a lot of people its the best 3 years of their life

Yeah, but I often find those people are the ones that got onto a grad programme and stopped having any fun the day they graduated.

So if you love IT, what can you shoot for that's relatively high/higher in job security?

Specialise in something. If you want to do support learn Unix, learn a Database technology (SQL, Oracle) or learn Architecture or Cisco switches or something... 1st line helpdesk cats are ten a penny, but if you've got more skills than "Have you tried turning it off and on?" then you'll always be in demand somewhere.

If you want to do development then get some experience behind you - do some projects yourself online to build up a bit of a portfolio.

Also, don't be afraid of short term contracts... lots of the best IT roles only last for 3-6 months... it can feel insecure, but actually you can normally find the next one easily enough and you earn a bit more cash.

[wub]

+1 on the Cisco stuff...if you have a CCNA/CCNP you'll never be out of work.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cisco_Care ... ifications


Think I've got a Sales Essentials course due at some point...company is required to keep a minimum number of colleagues globally for certain qualifications so we qualify as gold partner or something.

[Forum]

Since i've finished uni ive been to maybe 10? job interviews, not a single one of them even mentioned my degree. I might as well have put that ive got a 1st from Oxford on my cv..

[wub]

Since i've finished uni ive been to maybe 10? job interviews, not a single one of them even mentioned my degree. I might as well have put that ive got a 1st from Oxford on my cv..

But you are getting interviews though...would you have got so many if you didn't have a degree, that's the question. Asking someone about their degree is one of the best ways I find to get my head around someone's personality & attitude towards work, can understand why some folk don't ask though.

Wouldn't go all out with an Oxford 1st though, that's the sort of thing folk might check But a 1st in Business from a red brick polytechnic (Bournemouth, for example) isn't the sort of thing that people would probably look twice at.

[idontreallygiveashit]

So if you love IT

[magma]

Since i've finished uni ive been to maybe 10? job interviews, not a single one of them even mentioned my degree. I might as well have put that ive got a 1st from Oxford on my cv..

I don't think I had any academic qualifications on my last CV; it says I went to 6th Form, but doesn't mention subjects or grades or anything. IT jobs, especially on the support side of things, are all about experience... my CV is basically a big list of the technologies I've worked with and for how long.

BUT there are quite a few employers out there that won't even interview you unless you have a degree, especially for permanent roles in Finance and the upper end of Retail - I've always thought it was a bit silly and, actually, a few of them have ignored it and interviewed/hired me anyway, but it's worth keeping in mind. It's another reason why I'm happier contracting than looking to go permie at the moment, tbh.

[SCope13]

Damn. Was considering majoring in CS, but I guess not now haha.

[garethom]

There's more IT jobs out there than ever. Saw an (unfortunately already expired) ad the other day for a test manager offering £70k a year. Companies are DESPERATE for workers.

IT support is easily outsourced, but organisations will always want a local-ish team to support their work. I work in Birmingham, and the contract will never move away from Birmingham because the organisation's HQ is in Coventry.

Not sure what it's like in the US, but still, IT is only going to get bigger.

[scspkr99]

Outsourcing isn't a 'problem'. It gives jobs to countries with often a far poorer population (poor people need jobs too you know) and to top it all off. Cheaper products = more people can affoird them. Unless you're an elitist who only thinks rich people should have stuff.

somewhat disingenuous when the people who's jobs are outsourced can't buy them.

I don't have a issue with outsourcing but your arguments in this thread about child labour and outsourcing display a lack of joined up thinking in my opinion.