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Industry Profile -- by Mark Sproxton
Web jobs are out there but competition is stiff, say those
interviewed for this issue of nextSteps.org. With more and more
people graduating from programs first developed to provide workers
for the failed dot.com craze, competition for those vacant positions
will only increase, they add.
Regardless of the job, however, even where educational
requirements are posted, there will always be a clause stating
equivalent experience will be considered. And those with a solid set
of basic skills able to learn new skills independently and quickly
will likely have a good shot at available positions. Those showing an
entrepreneurial bent promoting their skills and services to others
will also find Web work as well.
While many are familiar with the Internet, there is a long list of
confusing job titles and overlaps in knowledge from one position to
the next. Often, the bigger the company, the more specialized the
work and the smaller the company, the more duties someone is likely
to have.
Perhaps the most stable of Web positions are those of computer
programmer and database analyst. These positions require in-depth,
behind the-scenes knowledge that keeps Web sites working. Without
them, no one else who works on the Web would have a job. On the other
hand, the design side jobs are in the same boat as communications
staff, likely one of the first ones to go if a company has to lay off
staff.
In this issue we talked to a small company Web designer, a Web technician, a Web programmer and a Web entrepreneur. This month's Hot Tip looks at ways to strengthen your Web
portfolio, while the Jump Start lists some educational options as well
as links and other networking opportunities to the industry.
Here's a brief summary of some of the jobs available in this
industry with links to more information from the Occinfo Web site:
Web designers, depending on the size of their employer, will be responsible for the look and feel of a site and may
also contribute to programming how a site functions as well.
- Pay will range from $23,000 - $70,000 per year.
- Above average occupational growth is expected to 2006.
Web developers (sometimes called computer programmers) are largely responsible for writing the computer codes
that allow Web sites to operate, store information, receive
information etc.
- Pay will range from $23,000 - $100,000 or more a year.
- Above average occupational growth is expected to 2006.
Webmasters (Web administrator) occupy a position hard to define. In some cases they will monitor the functioning of an organization's Web site, while in other cases they will be more
responsible for Web site content and in other cases responsible for
writing the computer code for an organization's Web site.
- Pay will range from $23,000 - $60,000 or more a year.
- Above average occupational growth is expected to 2006.
Web technicians are charged with setting up Internet connections, Intranet connections, computers, software and other technical devices.
- Pay will range from $20,000 - $80,000 per year.
- Above average occupational growth is expected to 2006.
Database analysts design and develop programs allowing data, such as the information displayed on these pages, to operate and work properly on Web sites.
- Pay will range from $17,000 - $90,000 per year.
- Above average occupational growth is expected to 2006.
Technical writers are responsible for documenting how different parts of a Web site work and may write things like
"Help Files" to aid others in using the site.
- Pay will range from $15,000 - $90,000 per year.
- Average occupational growth is expected to 2006.
Here are some related careers previously featured by nextSteps:
Wireless network technician
Communications engineering technologist
Technical writer
Web project manager
Software engineer
Programmer analyst
Web designer
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