You truly must live in a secluded world if you have not heard about or have suffered from the current global economic downturn (not using the other “big D” word – I don’t want to jinx myself or anyone else for that matter by saying it out loud). How much affect has the current economic situation had on the IT industry and how will it impact the IT industry in the immediate future? One event last week could help you decide.
To gauge the current impact, all you have to do is read the news from last week. That will give you some idea as to how the global economy is impacting the IT field. Some companies have been viewed as relatively recession proof (I really don’t think any one company is recession proof). It turns out that last week one of these supposed “recession proof” companies succumbed to market forces. There had been rumors for some weeks that Microsoft was going to layoff several thousand employees . Last week, the rumors proved true as Microsoft started the process of laying off some 5000 employees worldwide. From what I have read – part of this is due to sluggish computer sales – people and companies are holding off purchases of desktops and laptops (but not it seems the very popular netbooks – the new small form mini-laptops favored by road warriors and others who just need to check email, surf and type up an occasional document).
How is this going to impact Microsoft Certifications? So far it has not hit Microsoft Learning hard (and let us hope it doesn’t !). Companies will still need training for their employees and individuals will need certifications to better posture themselves once this downturn has reversed. Classes are still running, though sometimes with fewer students. So, that it is all good and besides – there are a lot of new products and technologies that are in the process of being released or will be released soon (Windows 7 comes to mind immediately). So don’t think that just because there is economic turmoil you should hold off taking exams or attending Microsoft classes.
This is one of those times when you should evaluate where you are and where you need to go to meet your obligations and goals. I view this as an opportunity to focus on new objectives and technologies. I have to in order to provide for my family. I, like my many others, must actively seek out work, whereas last year we had to turn down work. I, like many others, will have to find new areas within the IT field, to further our careers and not just rely on the same classes and old certifications for work. Let us hope that what the economists are saying is true and that we should start seeing improvement in the 3rd or 4th quarter of this year.
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