The modern tech-savvy individual is comfortable with and adept at using the various programs, computer applications and software on the market today but relatively few have the skillset to conceptualize and build such things. This makes talented and experienced computer software engineers some of the most in-demand people in today’s job market. A recent story on CNN exemplified how far tech companies will go to draw in and retain engineering talent.
Apparently a new tech start-up company dubbed Hipster was having trouble recruiting engineers with experience in building Web software and mobile apps even with competitive six-figure salaries, the article indicated. So the company was forced to think outside the box and came up with an irreverent job ad saying that the company would reward whoever could fill their open engineering positions with $10,000 in cash and a year’s worth of free beer. The unconventional tactic worked. The company received around 500 job applications, some of which were excellent candidates with experience with major tech companies.
The article also shined a light on how major tech employers like Google, Yahoo and Facebook aim to maintain their talent pool by offering out-of-the-ordinary perks to their employees, such as free lunches, laundry, massages, oil changes and dentistry, to name a few. Not to mention the legendary napping pods at Google for on-site napping. And that’s on top of high salaries and benefits.
The article also inadvertently shines a light on an in-demand profession for those beginning their college careers to consider. Computer software engineer employment is projected to grow by a whopping 32 percent in the 2008-2018 decade, representing much faster job growth than other occupations in the U.S., according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Job growth for computer software engineers will be spurred in part by the demand for new products, new customized software to meet specific needs, and new mobile applications, the Bureau noted.
Aside from excellent job prospects, software engineers draw hefty salaries on average. The average annual salary for computer applications software engineers was $85,430 in May 2008, and $92,430 for computer systems software engineers, the Bureau noted. It appears that the potential for a lucrative career, coupled with growing job prospects and the incentives listed above like free beer, massages, and stock options, it is a good time indeed to be a computer software engineer.
=== About the Author ===
This is a guest post by Nadia Jones who blogs at online college about education, college, student, teacher, money saving, movie related topics. You can reach her at nadia.jones5 @ gmail.com.
