Researching Computer Job Skills
"True" computer jobs or not, what really counts are the skills employers require. One of the best ways to learn more about that, is to conduct a trial or real job search on the Web. Job descriptions during a good job market are likely more representative and accurate long term for skills in high demand, but it doesn't hurt to search at any time to get the ball rolling. Even after you land a job, it's a good idea to stay abreast of the newest, ever-changing skills that employers require.
To get started, see Computer Jobs, Internet Jobs and Entry-Level Jobs. For your convenience, the links to job banks in Computer Jobs are arranged by specialty, which will also give you a good idea of the types of jobs available. For job banks of other types, just click the links in categories to your left or browse the Topic Guide.
To research education, training and certifications, see Online Training and the article "Computer Certification Pays". Also consult with career and curriculum advisors at your local colleges and tech schools.
Tip: You don't need to attend expensive, instructor-led classes to earn certifications in many cases. Instead, you may learn through less-expensive, self-study or online training, and then pay to take the exams.
The Internet is great for researching IT trends and careers, so get your mouse pointer on everything "IT" that you can. For example, read trade, technical and computer publications.
Check "crystal-ball" skills forecasts, too. For example, Computerworld periodically releases IT hiring forecast and skills surveys among others. While it's nice of Computerworld, these types of long-term forecasts might be inaccurate. Publishers have deadlines to make, so they can't take technological advances, economic conditions and other future unknowns into account. (The September 11 terrorist attack on the U.S. is a case in point.) Employers are constantly shifting hiring trends based on their economic health, internal staffing needs, and the needs of their customers, to name only a few. But at least these surveys give you a clue about the skills in demand at the time they were written and for the near future.