Greetings to all IT workers and experts,

I am a fresh computer engineering graduate with very good academic results. In university, we learn a little of both hardware and software. I am now actively seeking employment.

Currently I am being offered a job in a small firm that develops web applications e.g. e-business solutions. What I know is that the company deals only with software and the web, nothing at all with hardware technology.

I am sure I will pick up useful software skills such as VC++ and Java, and software engineering. In fact I am really interested in software development too. I enjoy creating web pages and simple web applications too.

But what I would like to know is whether these skills are transferable to other firms which deal with some hardware e.g. Motorola.

I ask this because the world seems to be moving towards mobile computing and embedded systems. I know that software is essential for any such system to function. But would VC++ and Java be used in such system development?

Another concern of mine is that the Internet appears to be flooded with web programmers. I even read a magazine article that seems to suggest that web programmers are so in excess that many are offering services at ridiculously low prices for the sake of income. Is web programming still marketable nowadays?

Are software developers expected to know hardware as well? I ask this because electrical engineering (hardware-based) students seems to know software too, and are in higher demand than computer engineering students.

Yes, I am a confused newbie. Do offer some advice and article links to help me answer my doubts. I don't want to take a wrong step in my career and jeopardise my potential and marketability in the IT industry.

Thank you so much for your attention!

Ani

I'm a web programmer currently programming database applications, because I couldn't get a web programming position out of college. Web programming is still "The Next Big Thing", but currently, the market is nearly saturated.

Important note: it is saturated with OK programmers similar to me. If you are a web programming god who can hack a CGI email application in 15 minutes, then you could probably find a position. But you'll most likely have to hunt and replace someone.

If you want, email me your resume, and I can pass it on to my friend who does tech recruiting. it's free for you, and that's how I got my current position.

Thank you for your advice, river-wind.

I am only an OK programmer now. I have tons and tons to learn. That's why I worry, because there must a million people like me trying to find a job now.

Thank you for your offer about the resume, but I don't live in the US. From what I know, recruiters in my country look at resumes in a very different way from Americans. I am only a fresh graduate, but I have been told that I should write a longer resume (mine is only 1-page long) and include all my sports activities. That was a novelty to me!

Back to the issue about web programming. You mentioned you are currently developing database applications. Many web applications nowadays also fall back on the database. Since you are now becoming accustomed to database programming, do you think the skills you have learnt will be applicable to web programming? Is database programming a useful and marketable skill? I am interested to know because I have applied for database-related jobs too.

Thanks again!
Ani

When considering a job with a software firm and keeping on eye on the marketability of your career, the most important thing to keep in mind is transferrable skills.

If you spend all your time simply coding in one language and focusing all your efforts on their fairly limited proprietary software that could be a negative on your resume.

You are as marketable as your experience is diverse.