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Articles
The March 2007 issue of CIO Insight magazine cites a potential shortage of qualified chief information officers in the next few years. Growing demand for CIOs is not being offset by an increasing supply of talented, well-prepared executives, according to a just-released report, "Grooming the 2010 CIO," written for the Society for Information Management Advance Practices Council. For complete story go to CIO Insight.

According to a September 2005 survey of more than 600 technology professionals, IT and telecom professionals are more optimistic about their futures than workers in other sectors. They cite improved job satisfaction and diminished worries about layoffs. More than 30 percent of those surveyed expected their firms to increase hiring in the coming year. For complete story go to InformationWeek.com

The computer industry remains one of the 10 fastest growing industries in the nation. Overall wage and salary employment in the technology industry is expected to grow 55 percent by the year 2012. Demand for managers to direct those workers will increase proportionately. (U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics)

I. JOB GROWTH

bullet The number of IT managers employed in the United States has jumped 44% since the dot-com collapse of 2001.That translates into 119,000 new IT managers.

bullet Managers now represent 11.2% of IT employment, the fourth-largest tech job category.  The surging number of managers reflects the skills that companies value and the way IT is used and implemented in business today. (InformationWeek, October 2, 2006)

bullet Technology is rising in stature, particularly in the midmarket segment.  Top technology decision makers reported an upswing in money and power.  This rise is due, in large part, to the changing view of IT from cost center to innovation enabler.  (CIO Decisions, June 2006)

bullet Many of the forces driving IT today – outsourcing, automation, cross-department teams, globalization – have dispersed decision making and created opportunities because the CIO can’t manage all of this alone.  (InformationWeek, October 2, 2006)

bullet Employment of computer and information systems managers is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2012. (BLS, 2005)

bullet In VA, the predicted average annual growth rate for Computer and Information Systems managers is 4.0%, compared to 1.7% growth for all other occupations. (VELMA 2005)

II. SALARIES

bullet Median total cash compensation, including bonuses and other cash payments, for IS managers in 2006 is $99,000, up 5.3% from 2005.  (InformationWeek Research National IT Salary Survey, 1999 to 2006)

bullet In VA:  entry level $64,276; median $96,103; experienced $114,107 (VELMA 2005)

bullet 66% of CIOs surveyed bring home $150,000 or more in salary and bonus. (CIO Decisions, June 2006)

bullet 87% of IT Decision Makers surveyed reported receiving a raise of 3% to 6% in 2005-2006.  Nearly 1/3 of CIOs and VPs received raises of 6% or more.  62% reported their last bonus was more than $10,000.  (CIO Decisions, June 2006)

III. TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS

bullet Justin Sowers, Director of Global Business Technology, Pfizer, Inc. says “I like to find people with the depth of knowledge in business and a passion for technology, with the appropriate skills in both areas.”

bullet More computer and information systems managers are making important technology decisions as well as business decisions for their organizations.  The need is increasing for managers with both business savvy and technical proficiency.

bullet Even those who want to stay on technical tracks must develop some management skills.  (InformationWeek, October 2, 2006)

bullet Opportunities for obtaining a management position will be best for workers possessing a management information systems degree, advanced technical knowledge, and strong communication skills.  (INFOWORLD.COM 05.22.06)