Patterns of Skills and Careers in the Information Technology Workforce

There are a number of significant forces shaping the Information Technology (IT) work force: the migration of skills due to global sourcing, the thin pipeline of skills in high-income locations due to several years of lowered enrollments in IT-related university programs, and the impact of the largest retirement bubble in history, that is, the retirement of baby boomers. The impact of these forces was investigated through interviews and surveys with companies that purchase IT global sourcing (clients) and those that deliver IT services (providers). The results of this research indicate a new pattern of skills and capabilities that will be required by individuals pursuing a successful career in Information Technology. Business skills and client facing skills showed up at the top of the rankings. They also indicate the need for industry to develop a new approach to hiring and retaining IT professionals. The traditional career path of programmer-analyst-manager will need to be replaced by new paths.