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Readers Say Difficulty Recruiting IT Managers Reflects Poor Working Conditions

We got quite a lot of feedback from disaffected IT managers on our articles and blog entries about why young people aren't getting into IT. IT managers described the profession as having become tough and unrewarding, with long hours, little pay, and little recognition. We invited readers to write in after senior executive news editor Chris Murphy wrote an article saying that IT managers must do more to recruit young people into the job, starting with their own children. InformationWeek Editorial Director Bob Evans says universities and colleges are failing in their obligation to educate. For comments on this issue, read the comments sections of the blog entries accompanying the articles. Chris wrote a blog entry inviting reader comment on his call for IT managers to start recruiting at home. Marianne Kolbasuk McGee wrote a blog entry asking whether it's harder to keep good people. And I did a blog entry suggesting that one reason it's harder to recruit young people is that they've seen that IT managers have been badly treated the past five years. Here's some of the comments I received in e-mail:

"Some IT folks of my acquaintance are thinking about getting out, i.e., seeking second (or even third) careers," said Rick Schrenker, a systems engineering manger for the department of biomedical engineering ag Massachusetts General Hospital, said. "It isn't just because of outsourcing but rather the attempts by many companies to squeeze blood from stones. Among other things, my friends are expected to be available 24x7 to respond to the whim and woe of anyone with an IT-related need. Kids aren't blind to their parents' lifestyle, and they really get the message when a parent changes career."

He added, "My children are all young adults, and none are in IT. So I've never had the opportunity to influence a young person directly re: IT. If I did, my first advice would be the same as I gave my children: a person should follow his or her heart. But if they queried me further, I'd tell them that IT is currently not a good choice for a young person who wants a life in addition to a job. IT eats its young. As recently as five to ten years ago I would not have said that."

He continued: "IT is not only in danger, it is a danger. The rate of change of IT is way too high to be effectively engineered and managed, yet it provides the foundation for much if not most business change today. The impact of that rate of change on an IT technologist's personal life is what is driving at least some away from the field. Far too many business leaders, as usual focused on next quarter's bottom line, are oblivious to any of this. It is a recipe for disaster."

In a follow-up e-mail, he said he is happy with his current job, but believes he's on a small island of decency in a sea of abuse. "If I had to leave, I think I'd try my hand at running a tackle shop or something," he said.

Peter Klon, a recent college graduate, said companies simply aren't hiring recent college grads, all the jobs available require five years' experience.

"I've tweaked and prodded my resume and cover letters an untold number of times," he said. "I've focused on specific companies for employment; calling, e-mailing and faxing. It doesn't matter what I do, nobody wants college graduates for any sort of software-related position, IT or anything else. It simply doesn't make sense for me to invest my time and money in the Certification Flavor of the Month when it isn't going to do anything for me. Trade publications and corporate stars such as Bill Gates are telling us to go to college and acquire relevant tech degrees, but there simply aren't any employment opportunities for such graduates. "

Eric Brantingham said he's seen developers from India take the jobs of Americans in his workgroup, at lower cost. "I am a lead developer with over sixteen years of experience and I earn less than $35 per hour with benefits. Everyone talks about how the jobs in the US will be more of a business analyst role, but in order to be good at that role you need a fundamental understanding of how software is developed and experience with developing software. If all the entry-level jobs are moved overseas, then only the people overseas will be gaining the experience needed to become future business analysts. Unless companies and the government actively change the current policies, the future of IT in the US is very bleak."

Reader Michael Moore, a PC engineer for Dan River Inc., blamed the quality of education in computer schools. "My son had seven certifications including CCNA, A+, and most of the MCSE by the age of 18. When he went to a reputable university with a highly touted computer science program, he quickly found that most of his professors had not keep up their skills and he was quickly turned off by their lack of basic computer skills."

Moore added, "So instead of being a rising talent in IT, he is in management with a Fortune 500 company. He has also seen lots of talented people over the age of 40 unable to find IT jobs after their companies have downsized."

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