Career Mirror -- by Mark Sproxton

Coral Burns constantly uses new technology in her applications development work.

Filled with computer work station after computer work station the five-story former railway-era warehouse fits easily with the modern business inside. Interior design makes the old new again. At one of the stations a senior Web applications developer sits shaking her head. Months of work on a new Web site for a multinational client headquartered in the U.S. have produced results so incredible even she is amazed.

A week ago, however, this same site did nothing but frustrate the developers, including Coral Burns, and the other Critical Mass team members putting it together. "Perseverance is something you (need)," she said of the career. "You keep trying to figure out how it works. You need to be able to go 'I'll figure it out somehow.'" And it's that constant challenge of solving new and different problems she enjoys so much about the work.

"It's different every day," the computer science degree-holder said. "It's not a career people get bored at. Generally people stay with it because there's so much to learn and it pays well. This is one of those jobs you can take and get a job in the States or other places." Her company sits in somewhat of a unique position in Calgary producing Web sites for Fortune 500 companies, or those businesses that are some of the most profitable on the planet. As Burns said, working with companies with money to spend on Web sites, she's able to constantly use new ideas, techniques and technology and continually upgrade her skills.

But like all other production-based positions, hers also comes with its stressors. "It can be very challenging and frustrating if you can't figure out how to get something done and the client needs it tomorrow," she said. "There are stressful situations trying to get something done on time." In situations like these, Burns and other java developers (java is a computer programming language) may be required to work overtime but she more typically works a traditional eight-hour day Monday to Friday.

That search for a job and a regular pay cheque helped turn Burns' eyes to computer science. After graduating with a history degree from the University of Alberta, she found the job market held few options at the time. Deciding to do some career researching, she found several sources indicating computer training would allow many career opportunities. "I was always interested in computers," Burns said. "I enrolled at the U of C and got a computer science degree there."

Since then she has worked four years at Critical Mass, the last two as a senior applications developer. Regardless of whether someone is a junior or senior developer, they will spend the majority of their days behind a computer, or in face-to-face or teleconference meetings, as Burns said much team work is required. And because of that fact, she said developers with sound people and technical skills are much sought after. "We really need people who can talk to people. It sets you apart because so many people just have the technical skills. You could be a programmer who doesn't like to talk to people but you'll never be a manager."

For those with a computer science background, or those with good experience java programming, she believes the future is bright. "Try and get some good education that will give you the groundwork. More and more companies are doing work on the Internet, especially big companies. And as the technology gets better, the Web sites are more and more complicated."