A few readers have pointed me to this Computerworld story that summarizes the findings of three research groups who’ve analyzed what the IT workforce will look like in 2010.
“The most sought-after corporate IT workers in 2010 may be those with no deep-seated technical skills at all. The nuts-and-bolts programming and easy-to-document support jobs will have all gone to third-party providers in the U.S. or abroad. Instead, IT departments will be populated with ‘versatilists’ — those with a technology background who also know the business sector inside and out, can architect and carry out IT plans that will add business value, and can cultivate relationships both inside and outside the company.”
The skills the top code crunchers will need, says the analysts, “will be honed outside of IT. Some of these skills will come from artistic talents, math excellence or even a knack for public speaking — producing a combination of skills not commonly seen in the IT realm.”
The bottom line: Routine skills are out, whole-minded ones are in.