[ajug-members] Jobs, Jobs, Jobs

[Burr Sutter]

I'm curious about something and I'd like the community (you) to respond.  
Bill Gates was recently quoted (I also heard his interview on NPR this
morning) that the US must raise the headcount for H1B Visas and find ways of
graduating more computer science graduates due to an acute labor shortage.  
Many IT jobs just can't be filled.

In contrast this testimony by Bill Gates the AJC recently had an article
about local experienced IT workers taking 20+ months to find another job if
they can find one at all. 

ComputerJobs.com says there are 2200+ positions available.
AJUG Jobs show that the number of open positions is climbing. 
www.ajug.org/jobs

I'm curious to know what you think about this topic.  Perhaps we are
comparing apples to oranges.

Computer science & software engineering disciplines are a subset of the
general IT market.  Perhaps the labor shortage is specifically in the
hardcore development area not the general IT functions which are often
unrelated to software development.  

Does a graduate with a BS in CS/MIS with great C, C++, Java or C# skills
(many of you on this list have such backgrounds) enjoy his or her pick of
multiple job openings?

Please don't assume that I'm in favor of artificial protection of the US job
market. That is outside the scope of this inquiry and a separate debate. If
you are curious about that topic The Economist recently had a great article
on why the US should continue to allow foreign well-educated immigration and
especially foreign kids who wish to come to US universities.
I believe the software development community is strengthened by cultural
diversity.

This inquiry is focused on the vibrancy of the local software development
community.  Are coders all gainfully employed?

Burr