The IT worker's meltdown worry list

The economy is in bad shape--very bad shape. That means job worries all around, and IT workers are not immune. The Corporate Executive Board in Washington, DC surveyed 50 CIOs, and nearly 25 percent said they have imposed a hiring freeze, while half said they are cutting spending on consultants and contractors.

However, Computerworld.com said some skills will always do well in this market. It cited a need for SAP techs and even financial services IT experts who can integrate platforms and improve risk management systems. There are some options available for workers and many uncertainties. You could consider relocating, with the Northern Virginia IT sector not in as bad shape as some other parts of the country. But that is not so easy to do, and in the meantime, no one knows how long the downturn will last, whether companies will turn to outsourcing to save money or how drastic the cuts will be.

What can one do to avoid getting laid off? Analysts and various surveys all seem to agree that companies will be deferring new IT projects and cutting where they can until the economic questions are resolved.

For more on IT jobs and economic worries:
- see this Computerworld.com article