Takeaway of the week is a fun mismash of this and that, starting with the increased amounts of money awaiting certain skilled IT pros in the coming year, a biz-minded admonishment for those in-demand IT security folks and, lastly, an honest-to-God thumbs up for video gaming.
Salaries get Mobilized Upward Next Year
IT roles in mobile and wireless sectors, among others, will see hefty pay hikes in 2013, says a well-known industry staffing service.
The money news to come out of Robert Half Technology's annual review of tech salaries in the U.S. is good news for a number of key professions, according to a recent Network World examination of the findings.
The report, which is based on a review of more than 70 IT positions, estimates an average increase of 5.3 percent in the year to come. Estimates are for starting salary figures only, so job seekers take heed.
The following is a sampling of the 15 top roles outlined in the article by year-to-year salary increases:
- Mobile applications developer - tops list with 2013 salary range of $92,750-$133,500
- Wireless network engineer - nearly eight percent increase for range of $85,500-$117,000
- Data warehouse manager - starting salaries to increase by 7.4 percent next year
- Web developer - next year's salary range $65,750-$106,500
- Data security analyst - expected to see starting salaries increase by 6.8 percent
Survey: IT Security Pros Need Business Know-How
Businesses today realize the importance of IT security pros, but that understanding isn't always reciprocated, according a recent survey on the sector.
In discussing the findings of Ernst & Young's Global Information Security Survey 2012 for attendees at this week's Govnet Cyber Security Summit, Mark Brown, director of information security for the professional services giant, focused on the sector's business-specific shortcomings.
"Most organizations think information security professionals are not fulfilling the needs of business," he told his audience in London.
As noted in a ComputerWeekly article on the presentation, Brown said survey findings which showed 85 percent of respondents didn't feel IT security pros supported their businesses should be a "wake-up call" for the IT industry as a whole.
The problem, Brown said, is that businesses must be risk-takers to make profits whereas security pros are inherently averse to risk. The solution requires a wholesale transformation of the security industry as a business venture, with inroads in financial performance, brand and customer loyalty.
"They need to focus on meeting the needs of the business, align with business goals and begin demonstrating business leadership," he said.
When such a transformation takes place, IT security will become a wholesale part of the business strategy and help embrace new technologies the business demands.
For those considering careers in IT security, something to consider.
A Gamer's Delight
That ultimate resource to help developers gain key skills needed to secure that high-tech job?
Might just be that game console in your living room.
That's right, it's an ode - with some backing research - to the real-life, career-enhancing benefits of video games.
In a recent article in Forbes, Dr. Jane McGonigal, who invented the game SuperBetter, which tens of thousands of people have applied to real-life challenges, and some of her peers discussed general benefits to come out of video game playing.
- Critical thinking/problem solving skills: "Being immersed in a video game... can encourage creative solutions and adaptations (which) can then be applied to real life situations," said a prominent healthcare professional. "The result can be surprisingly positive for individuals, communities, and society as a whole."
- Collaboration: Success in multi-player games requires skill in working together toward common goals with limited resources.
- Failure acceptance: Games have clear winners and losers, giving individuals experience in both the highs and the lows.
- Happy to be smart: As McGonical said, "Games make us happy because they are hard work that we choose for ourselves."
While your significant other may disagree, that gaming time could be considered more career enhancer than waste of time.
