Internet Developers

Employers

Many businesses are online these days, from the Fortune 500 companies to the smallest of mom and-pop shops. The smaller companies might have one person in charge of everything Web related: the server, the site, the security, and so on. Larger companies employ a department of many workers, each one taking on specific responsibilities. There are 222,600 Web developers and digital designers employed in the United States, according to the Department of Labor.

Most companies hire outside companies or consulting firms to create and maintain their Web sites, so these companies are the leading employer in the industry. Some firms specialize in Web development or Web site management; other firms offer services relating to all aspects of Web site design, creation, management, and maintenance. Very large companies may have their own Web developers and departments, so jobs can also be found there.

The Internet is worldwide; thus, Internet jobs are available worldwide. Wherever there is a business connected to the Internet, people with the right skills can find Web-related jobs.

Starting Out

If you are looking for a job as an Internet developer, remember that experience is key. College courses are important, but if you graduate and have lots of book knowledge and no experience, you're going to get a slow start. If at all possible, seek out internships while in school or even volunteer opportunities.

Use the Internet to find a job. Visit the following Web sites for job listings: http://www.dice.com, https://careers.computer.org, and http://jobs.acm.org. While you're online, check out ACM Career News (https://www.acm.org/articles/careernews), which provides links to articles about information technology careers. Many professional associations also provide information on career trends and advice on the job-search at their Web sites.