IT Development: It's Back!

A few years ago, it seemed as though the majority of IT development jobs were destined to be sent offshore. Today, however, there is strong demand for J2EE and Microsoft .NET development skills. New applications and methodologies mean that developers spend less time alone in their cubicles and more time interacting with the team.

By Laura French, Star Tribune Sales and Marketing

Last update: September 4, 2009 - 2:31 PM

Just a few years ago, careers for U.S. IT developers seemed to be going the way of the black and white TV. Surprisingly, however, many of the hot jobs in this tough job market are for Microsoft .NET and Java J2EE programmers. There is a strong future in application development, according to Ashley Monseth, senior recruiter at McKinley Consulting in the Twin Cities (www.McKinleyConsulting.com). But today's jobs are substantially different from those of yesterday.

Monseth says that companies have discovered the limitations of handling development offshore. Working long-distance, it's hard to be sure that the right level of technical expertise has been assigned to the project. Companies learned that having an on-site developer with expertise in the application and knowledge of the client's business could actually save time and help to assure project success.

Thinking Outside The Cube

As a result, Monseth says, offshore teams are still employed to keep work going 24/7, but companies rely on a core group of developers, software architects, quality assurance personnel and project managers on site.

The new development jobs are substantially changed from the good old days of COBOL and C++, however. "You're not just sitting in your cubicle these days," Monseth says. For example, she says, Agile methodology is "really hot right now." Development teams hold daily "scrum" meetings to talk about the day's work and the issues to be resolved. "Extreme programming" gathers the team in "one big room and pumps out a big piece of the project in two or three days. If a company can do it well, a lot of people have fun in that environment."

J2EE and Microsoft .NET are the leading software development platforms, and they're likely to stay that way, Monseth says. In the Twin Cities, .NET has a slight edge. A dream candidate might have experience with both platforms and deep expertise in one, Monseth says.

Stay Current To Stay Employed

Training is available from a range of sources, including both colleges and private companies. Internships and networking are good ways to find entry-level positions, Monseth says. The career ladder can lead to software architect positions or to project management. For people who choose to stay in development, Monseth expects the demand to remain steady in years to come. "It may not be called .NET 15 or 20 years from now, but it will be something related. If you stay current, you'll be fine," she says.

Laura French is principal of Words Into Action, Inc., and is a freelance writer from Roseville.

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