Hot Jobs: Mainframe Programming
Mainframe programmers analyze, design, code, test, implement, maintain, and document mainframe computer system software. They usually work on one or more specific software applications including operating systems, compilers, utilities, job control language, and other control modules. Mainframe programmers also analyze user hardware and software needs and recommends upgrades or new purchases.
Employment
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), computer programmers held about 455,000 jobs in 2004. Programmers are employed in almost every industry, but the largest concentration is in computer systems design and related services. Large numbers of programmers also work for telecommunications companies, software publishers, financial institutions, insurance carriers, educational institutions, and government agencies.
Many computer programmers are employed on a temporary or contract basis or work as independent consultants, providing companies expertise with new programming languages or specialized areas of application. Rather than hiring programmers as permanent employees and then laying them off after a job is completed, employers can contract with consulting firms. Consulting jobs may last several weeks to a year or longer.
Job Outlook According to the BLS
Employers will continue to need programmers who have strong technical skills and who understand an employer’s business and its programming requirements. Given the importance of networking and the expansion of client/server, Web-based, and wireless environments, organizations will look for programmers who can support data communications and help implement electronic commerce and intranet strategies. Demand for programmers with strong object-oriented programming capabilities and technical specialization in areas such as client/server programming, wireless applications, multimedia technology, and graphic user interface likely will stem from the expansion of intranets, extranets, and Internet applications.
Jobs for programmers should be most plentiful in data-processing service firms, software houses, and computer consulting businesses. These types of establishments are part of computer systems design and related services and software publishers, which are projected to be among the fastest growing industries in the economy. As organizations attempt to control costs and keep up with changing technology, they will need programmers to assist in conversions to new computer languages and systems. In addition, numerous job openings will result from the need to replace programmers who leave the labor force or transfer to other occupations such as manager or systems analyst.
A factor limiting growth in employment is the outsourcing of these jobs to other countries. Computer programmers can perform their job function from anywhere in the world and can digitally transmit their programs to any location via e-mail.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Computer Programmers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos110.htm (visited April 13, 2006).
