Computers Today, October 1-15, 1999, The Net: Jobs@E-dorado

The Net is becoming a recruitment base for a new breed of tech-literate professionals.

The past year has witnessed rapid changes in India's Internet domain. Bilingual portals, new sites, E-commerce services, tie-ups and acquisitions are pointers. The result: a number of Internet jobs, a bewildering array of certified Net-related training courses and the rush to cash in on the "Net wave". Forget the still-to-explode Internet market and low PC penetration in the country, online jobs have already created a demand that far exceeds supply.

Cyberspace is already changing stiff mindsets. It is no longer viewed as the 'unknown, risky over-hyped technology". Aspirants are ready to take risks and flow with the strong current. Spurring them on are success stories of companies like eBay Inc. and Yahoo Inc. Luring them further are cash bonuses, stock options and soaring pay-packets.

The Role-call

Management/Liaison Roles:
Director,Web systems
Project manager, Internet
Project manager, intranet
Project manager, Web
Project manager, Electronic commerce
Web architect
Business technologist (account manager)

Technical/Infra-structure Roles:
Webmaster (technical)
Web systems administrator
Web support specialist
Web developer/programmer
Web security manager

Content/Marketing Roles:
Webmaster (content)
Web marketing editor
Web corporate editor
Web content contributor

For the wannabes eager to learn emerging technology and embrace change, the Net offers a wealth of opportunity. The burst of E-commerce, intranets and extranets on the Indian corporate scene has given rise to a rash of jobs with fancy designations like architectural consultant, E-commerce director and Web strategists.

Typically, Internet companies look for multi-talented professionals with skills in areas such as networking, data security, data warehousing and Web content development. While some of these workers are self-trained or 'certified', most of them learn on-the-job. Internet skill sets can be conveniently divided into four key areas: creative, programming, project management, network and systems administration (see box).

Interestingly, there are no clear demarcations and Net companies are shying from fixing specific job titles. Instead, a general designation such as 'Web consultant' is preferred. According to industry observers, there is a growing demand for people who can do everything from Web development, support and maintenance to business roles such as marketing and finance.

Flow En-course

The Net and E-commerce tidal waves, creating 1,00,000 jobs every year, have spurred IT institutes into providing a range of courses focussed on the Net. Be it Java programming for the technical minded or Web designing for the creative kind, there is a "specialised" course for everybody. While software such as Flash, Dreamweaver, Freehand, Fireworks, Director, Photoshop, Adobe Premier and QuarkXpress are popular among the Web artists, the content providers focus on Frontpage, Dreamweaver and MS+ office. Similarly, Perl, CGI, ASP, Java, C++ and Python are the preferred technologies for Web programming. According to Pramod Khera, executive director, Aptech Ltd, "Web courses are being offered by all institutes as IT itself is moving the Internet way. Any student wishing to learn computers has to necessarily learn about the Web and the Internet." A couple of years ago, it paid to be equipped with SAP and COM knowledge; today the premium definitely is on being a certified Web professional.

The Net job rush is also fashioning newer jobs all the time. For example, an HR Webmaster. Acting as a recruiter, an HR Webmaster is expected to look after online applications and resumes, and weave his way online around career sites and databases. A key function is to identify and lure potential employees whose resumes are not posted online. Another emerging role is that of the Internet management consultant. The job profile: to be a business advisor and dissect a company's rationale for being on the Net. Tomorrow's hot job: Web design and consultancy.

After initial tinkering, organisations are today focussing more on how a site works than how it looks. Hence, there is an increasing demand for site architects who know how users search sites for information. In the case of department stores that are going online, the premium is for designers who can "architect" sites which are easily searchable and strategists understand the mechanisms of ordering online. In a nutshell, E-commerce is hot. Enterprisewide application programmers too are increasingly in demand.

Observers feel that the most valuable Internet professionals will be those who combine a sound business understanding with technical skills. Says Manish Bharatia, vice president-North, IndiaWorld Communication Pvt. Ltd: "Today's most-wanted Internet jobs are Internet consultants, Photoshop or Graphic experts, Internet strategist and E-commerce experts." Where job potential abounds, misconceptions thrive. Bharatia's caveat: Internet is not an easy means to earn quick money. While its true that you can sell direct to consumers worldwide for a hundred dollars a month online, exploiting this opportunity requires hard work and hours of research. Dismissing claims that a formal degree is necessary, Bharatia adds, "Internet is a new medium and the only way to know it is by using it. The longer you use it, the more familiar you get to know its dynamics." As more people come on the Net in India, there will be more demand for Indian content-information, educational or entertainment.

So far, the Indian Net industry is dominated by young blood. How could it be otherwise when Java is only two years old? The median age of CEOs in the Indian Net companies is less than 30; the average age of employees is in the 22-26 age bracket. A growing number of women from non-IT backgrounds are being drawn into Internet businesses. In the US, many of them are getting into content development and design segment.

Netcos in the US are showing the way. Consider Virtual Vineyards, an online wine company. Nearly half of its employees are women. Recent polls from a variety of organisations indicate that women more typically account for 20-30 percent of an Internet team.

If the gender issue is being bended, the work culture too is being mended. Practically all the Net firms have a 'cool' Americanised culture: young people, music, posters, flexible timings and late night work. According to Samuel Meattle, president & CEO, Module One, "Internet is a hot, new medium. It's exciting as well as daring. Young minds fresh out of college, eager to be a part of the "hip" world instead of the "lala" atmosphere, can identify with this set-up."

An Internet job is also about long working hours. On an average, Net professionals put in about 70/80 hours a week. Aspirants must be flexible to embrace change and switch gears all the time. According to Dave McClure, Association of Internet Professionals, "Web designers will be in less demand as authoring tools improve. The job of the future is to be a Web strategist--the person who creates a strategy to meld the Web site with the business plan." Don't wait for clearer definitions of Web jobs and responsibilities to emerge in the coming years. With a little creativity, flexibility and technical knowledge, you could easily morph into the new age Web worker.

Net-set Profiles

Web Designer/Site Builder: The duties of a Web site designer vary from company to company. Traditionally, they require site development skills such as C++, Java and HTML, a sound knowledge of the Internet technologies and the latest developments going around along with design skills. Suitable for computer savvy people with artistic pursuits. An offshoot of this job title is the Net Specialist with skills in senior-level networking, Knowledge of LANs and WANs, security, E-commerce, Unix, Windows NT and Novell applications is essential.

Web Master or System Manager: Since the Net and the software designed to run on it has grown from a UNIX base, an understanding of UNIX and multi-user systems is a prerequisite.

Web Masters: The key focus is on maintaining Internet services and developing the site. Typically, the skills required include multimedia, Mac Webmastering, community building and database integration.

E-commerce Manager: Oversees the E-commerce suite (Internet/intranet development, electronic file/fund transfers and electronic data interchange).

Web Strategist: Along with strong business and technical skills, a Web strategist must have a marketing vision. The core idea is to keep an eye on the competition to maintain your company's leading edge.

Windows NT Systems Architect: Since many information technology companies have started connecting via NT technology, this is a hot job these days. Work function includes network design, network management, security, scalability and performance.

Cross-Platform Security Specialist: As resident network and data security specialist, the key responsibility is to ensure there is no security lapse. The job requires a strong applications programming, network technology, and firewall expertise.

Technology Strategist: Technical knowledge across all platforms is a must. The main focus is on the future-to streamline and manage transition from old technology to new systems.

Internet Sales Engineer: The core focus is on pre-sales work, post-sales support liaison, and maintaining a smooth interaction between the customer and sales, and engineering and operations. A prerequisite: people skills-dealing with customers effectively.

Business Development: Armed with strong marketing and communication skills, the core competence required is concept selling-luring people to buy space on the Net and placing advertisements.