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Education.com
College scramble to provide relevant skills for the digital revolution
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Business New Haven
5/31/1999
By: BNH
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Look at any classified ads in print, and especially online, for jobs in greater New Haven, and you'll find scores of openings for information technology (IT) professionals and programmers. No surprise, given the increasing need for high-tech labor in the state.
However, these listings also consist of a rapidly growing number of positions related specifically to the Internet - webmaster, Web analyst, online developer, e-commerce marketer, Web architect, and so forth. In a matter of a few years, this new technology has created a gaping need for a special breed of talent.
What's the source of this new talent? Because the industry is still in its infancy, many people are applying the skills they already have in areas such as graphic design, software development, programming and marketing to this new arena. And a large number of entrepreneurial spirits - some as young as high school age - are teaching themselves the ins and outs of online design and development.
In many cases, they're doing this by using the resources on the Web itself. Another handful of interested individuals are learning the trade through internships with area companies.
In addition, area schools - especially community technical colleges - are quickly stepping up to the plate to offer instruction in this burgeoning field.
“That's one of the strong points about a community school,” says John Vincze, director of business and industry services at Gateway in North Haven. “We are very results-oriented and have the ability to quickly introduce new products to meet our customers' changing needs.”
Gateway's Office of Business & Industry Services provides training to businesses, industry and state and municipal agencies within the college's service area. The school has developed a number of key relationships with area companies and contracted with them for credit and non-credit offerings for their employees.
Vincze explains, “Two years ago, our advisory board looked down the road and said, 'Pure and simple, the Internet is where it's at. Gateway has to be ready to meet the business needs that this new technology will bring.'”
The result? The school now offers two levels of Internet certificates - one in Basic Internet Web site development, and the other expanding into the future-is-now realm of Internet-interactive database development using PowerSoft's Power Builder.
With 302 hours of classroom and lab training in an accelerated format, a one-year program can be completed in 26 weeks. The program is not aimed at entry-level students but rather toward computer professionals who want to upgrade existing skills in the information and communication systems design and programming disciplines.
The classes run the gamut from Web graphics and HTML programming to architecture, firewall security, Java programming and business use of the Internet. Further down the pike: courses in online marketing and e-commerce, says Vincze.
Although the four-year colleges and universities in most part can't act as rapidly to change curricula as the vocational schools, they are beginning to take action.
Says Linda Martin, dean of the School of Business at University of New Haven, “Organizations expect our graduates will have Internet skills on their résumés prior to their first entry-level position because of the tremendous growth in the Web and e-commerce.”
As an extension of UNH's business-to-business marketing curricula, students can take such electives as Internet marketing, international business online and Internet sports promotion. The more technical courses of Web development and programming are being incorporated into the school's computer science degree.
David Stineback, dean of liberal arts at Quinnipiac College, says his school is presently developing a minor in “interactive arts,” which “reflects our increasing emphasis on computer art skills.” In addition to standard offerings in photography, graphic design and desktop publishing, students will be able to take new courses in animation, modeling and simulation and Web creations.
The new minor, available by next spring term, will be for students in fields ranging from graphic arts to mass communications to business, because of the far-reaching nature of the technology.
Most of those who have an interest in and recognize the wealth of opportunities coming from the online world aren't waiting for formal training and degrees. Many of the entrepreneurs - a large number in their 20s - are already successfully capitalizing on new Internet niches.
In 1995, Rachel Bell and Sara Sutton were contemplating what to do after college graduation and bemoaning the stressful process of searching for jobs. They came up with the concept of JobDirect (now based out of Stamford), a Web site through which qualified entry-level job-seekers and prospective employers could exchange job information.
Neither woman had a background in computer technology, but both could see opportunity on the horizon. When the two started talking about their future, the Internet was just beginning to become a popular communications tool for students and business professionals.
Bell graduated from the Taft School in Watertown in 1992 and then enrolled at Hobart & William Smith Colleges, majoring in socio-political diversity of minorities, a major she created herself. She was also selected to be a Helen Heath Scholar in recognition of her excellent academic record.
Sutton likewise attended Taft and then went on to the University of California at Berkeley, where she majored in international relations. Additionally, she was accepted into the national AmeriCorps community-service program and has worked at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium and the American News Service in Vermont.
JobDirect has since grown into a leading online database for employers throughout the U.S. and Canada. It has also established working relationships with students and administrators at 2,000 campuses.
To grow the business, Bell and Sutton have brought on Kevin Gage as chairman/CEO. Gage, with a B.A. in accounting from Ithaca College and an MBA in finance from the University of Bridgeport, is also a CPA. Rob Ford, the company's first token 30-something, fills the role of president/COO, using his prior experience as a teacher and coach at both the high school and college levels.
The story of Jesse Keller, vice president of development at JobDirect, paints a true picture of many of new Internet entrepreneurs.
Now 26 years old, Keller joined the company in 1996 after getting a degree in sociology and computer science from Yale and having interned for Microsoft for three summers. Keller had expected to join Gates following graduation but fate intervened.
While developing a Web site for two fellow Yale students, he met Bell during a friendly game of billiards. “Rachel and Sarah had the Web concept all ready to go, but didn't have the technology background. That's where I came into play.”
Like other employers, Keller now is charged with finding the right people to join JobDirect. “Because this is such a new field, you can't expect to find individuals with a lot of experience in Web design and development. Rather, you hire those people who have created their own Web site, have strong programming and Web development skills and then teach them what is needed to further these abilities.”
Keller agrees with other recruiters and employers that hanging on to these talented people can be a challenge, especially with such a large demand for their skills. There's a lot of jumping from one company to another - not so much for money's sake, but to be a part of an organization with the most interesting and latest developments in Web design and e-commerce.
Another hiring dilemma: Many of these young Internet entrepreneurs graduate and then quickly move to the two coasts to find the “hottest” action. They don't want to stay in rural or suburban areas such as Connecticut.
Many larger companies that are establishing Internet and intranet sites turn to outside firms rather than build up their own inhouse staff and technology. BIC, for example, works closely with its vendor Web-Worx in Prospect.
Three years ago, Web-Worx spun out of its sister marketing and advertising company that already had a 13-year history. “We have a team of 17 people totally dedicated to Internet development. And with a base of 400 clients, we can afford the latest servers for high-end performance,” says Managing Partner Tom Peterson.
Web-Worx helps clients develop and market an “electronic brochure” and, if desired, move into e-commerce. The firm's employees range from a masters in communications who recently was executive producer of video on ESPN and is a strong writer, to high school grads who have built their own Web sites, to senior developers and programmers.
The firm also offers summer internships for high school students and sends some full-timers to schools such as Central Connecticut State for more in-depth computer courses.
Out of the 100 or so e-mails Peterson gets weekly for job positions, he may hire one. Most of the applicants want to get into the field but don't have the requisite skills. Interest alone is not enough, especially since he needs experienced talent to keep on growing.
“We grew 100 percent in sales this past year,” Peterson says. “In 1999, we expect $2 million in sales and next year, $4 million to $5 million.”
Organizations in need of talent are extensively using online job search vehicles, since anyone wanting a career in this field naturally looks on the Web. Those hiring are also contacting local schools.
Since 1996, Frank Nevins of Cheshire has been president of Logo'd Softwear, three e-commerce-enabled sites that allow users to design and purchase customized sportswear online. He keeps in touch with all area colleges to help find students with experience in graphic design, marketing and production who can build, maintain and promote his sites, as well as keep thing running smoothly from the technical side.
One thing's for sure: As the Internet, and especially e-commerce, continue to explode, those who get the skills and experience one way or another are going to command attention.
Paul Hinostroza, a senior in computer science at Quinnipiac, says he began looking for work in the area of networking or the Internet a couple of months back. He had to put the search on hold when companies wanted to interview and hire him in a week's time - even before he graduated and finished up his part-time job with the college.
As soon as he gets his diploma this month, however, Hinostroza is certain it won't be long before he lands just the right job.
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