Outsourcing IT jobs

[VanCitySportsGuy]

It seems like every week I read in the paper, there are always a new batch of North American workers that are getting the pink slip because their jobs have been outsourced (usually to India).

Locally, Telus told 300 workers they will no longer be needed. I'm surprised this happened because there's actually a Telus Employees Union.

I understand it's a business, but I wish jobs would stay locally.

[ODogg]

Re: Outsourcing IT jobs

It seems like every week I read in the paper, there are always a new batch of North American workers that are getting the pink slip because their jobs have been outsourced (usually to India).

Locally, Telus told 300 workers they will no longer be needed. I'm surprised this happened because there's actually a Telus Employees Union.

I understand it's a business, but I wish jobs would stay locally.

I can see this thread being closed in a hurry when it turns down the political road..

[Brian_OS]

Re: Outsourcing IT jobs

Bank of America outsourced thousands of Customer Service jobs to India

That's Bank of AMERICA! Jeez

[pfunk880]

Re: Outsourcing IT jobs

What exactly does this have to do with E&T?

[fishepa]

Re: Outsourcing IT jobs

They outsource because it saves them a ton of money.

[DaHokieBird]

Re: Outsourcing IT jobs

I'm actually kinda regreting my choice of major right now with all this news. I will be a senior next year, and will graduate with a degree in Business Information Technology from Virginia Tech and I'm scared like none other that I won't be able to find a job or it will be some crappy/non paying well job. I guess I'll just have to fall back on plan B, which is to become a bum in Europe.

Thanks,
DaHokieBird

[mjb2124]

Re: Outsourcing IT jobs

DaHokieBird - From my experience, as long as you stay up to date in the industry, they won't outsource you and you'll be paid well. You just have to make sure that you never fall behind. IT changes so fast that need to stay on top.

I've been in IT for 6 years now and have worked in 2 different software development firms and I don't know anyone who's been outsourced at either place. I'm not saying outsourcing doesn't happen....obviously it does. However, I still think there are very good jobs and very good paying jobs still in the US. You just have to show that your worth is more than those in India.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Outsourcing IT jobs

Global economics.

[jmill703]

Re: Outsourcing IT jobs

I too was thinking about this. I'll graduate in 2 years with a degree in Business Information Systems. JoeBoo how much did you get paid when you first started out and got your first job. Also do you have any other useful advice???

[SportsorDeath]

Re: Outsourcing IT jobs

They outsource because it saves them a ton of money.

Gee, you don't say....

[p_rushing]

Re: Outsourcing IT jobs

I think that Business Information Systems is like Management Information Systems, which I got a degree in. I got a job with IBM as an consultant and I'm getting paid great. Most of the people in my major had good jobs out of college also. Now these weren't the slackers or people just getting by. You need to start going to your school's job fairs in your junior year. Then just keep up with it, there are plenty of jobs out there.

[bkrich83]

Re: Outsourcing IT jobs

The jobs are out there, but outsourcing is a definite issue. One reason I have gone to the federal/defense sector. Those jobs will never be outsourced to foreigners. Hell you can't even get in to our parking lot if you're not a citizen. It's tough to compete when you can hire 10 guys from India for the same price they pay me.

That being said, my biggest problem in outsourcing IT is, it just doesn't seem smart to me to hand the keys to a large portion of the countries infrastructure overseas to people in places that may not be politically stable.

[Dice]

Re: Outsourcing IT jobs

Let me get my 2 cents in.

I agree there are IT jobs out there for willing and skilled people. But on the real...outsourcing is a joke. Especially to the consumers. When Dell outsourced their support center a couple of years ago the customer complaint rose to like 150%.

No offense to Indians, but if your going to work for an American company and your majority of customers speak English then it should be a requirment to speak FLUENT english.

These companies need to stop! It's bad for the economy. It's bad for the consumers. And it's bad for majority of the American people. The only people that benifits is the rich owners that owns these companies. So the deadly cycle of 'The rich get richer and the poor don't get a f-cking thing' still lives on.

[mjb2124]

Re: Outsourcing IT jobs

JoeBoo how much did you get paid when you first started out and got your first job. Also do you have any other useful advice???

Pay really depends on where you live and the cost of living. An average starting salary for IT guys in Pittsburgh is 40,000-50,000. It's lower for "break/fix" technicians though. I'm talking about software engineers, network engineers, systems administrators etc... I assume the starting salary in more expensive areas (ie: NY) is much higher. I honestly don't know where Pittsburgh ranks in that regard.

My only advice is to stay on top of things and after graduating, don't think the studying is finished. You still need to go out and get the necessary certifications (Microsoft - MCSE, MCSA, Cisco- CCNA, CCNE etc....). I know a lot of people aren't a fan of certifications and prefer real world experience, but there's no denying that additional cert's will get your foot in many extra doors - not to mention increase salary.

Like others have stated, attend job fairs in college and try to get an internship. If you can't get an internship, it's not the end of the world, but it certainly helps.

[aukevin]

Re: Outsourcing IT jobs

The jobs are out there, but outsourcing is a definite issue. One reason I have gone to the federal/defense sector. Those jobs will never be outsourced to foreigners. Hell you can't even get in to our parking lot if you're not a citizen. It's tough to compete when you can hire 10 guys from India for the same price they pay me.

Same for me. Defense work isn't going to be outsourced. It can be cut depending on who's in office, but you don't have to worry about losing your job to overseas companies.