How IT pros can prosper despite economic woes

As the country collectively holds its breath to see if efforts to shore up the faltering economy succeed, IT professionals should be updating skills, taking on new responsibilities and working to become indispensable to their employers, experts say.

Companies at the center of the Wall Street's turmoil such as Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch are expected to cut IT head count, but more IT organizations are opting for a wait-and-see approach by restricting spending and putting off new hires. In the interim, existing IT staff could be called upon to fill gaps and address needs not normally within their job description. (See related story, "Economic crisis means double duty for IT pros.")
"As any company looks to control costs, they look to IT people to become a jack of all trades in some respects. No one in IT can truly be that, but more companies are looking to staff to have broader, more diverse skill sets," says John Estes, a vice president with IT staffing and consulting firm Robert Half Technology.

Industry watchers say the economic downturn presents a chance for IT to show its value to the business. The Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) reports that it has seen an uptake in certifications training, which indicates that IT professionals see the need to update their skills to remain competitive. It could also be indicative of employers sending existing IT staff to training so they can take on additional responsibilities, CompTIA says.

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