Expert: Leigh Ishikawa - 3/24/2008

Question
Considering all jobs you consider to be shipped overseas.. besides programming wouldn't you consider network, systems & database admin something that had better chance of not being offshored?  If not which? Why?

Thanks

Answer
There is no such thing as a job that is secure from off-shoring.  The only job is one that absolutely demands a physical presence.  Even so, those jobs are getting simplified and stripped down to the basics.

In today's world, you can simply:
1. unbox a pc
2. Screw it in the rack
3. Put the network cable and power cable in the system
4. Send an email with the mac address to the person.

That's all it takes for someone remotely to start the system, install everything, and do all the work from the other side of the globe.

The only way to make sure one's job is not offshored is to be the individual who wears the thinking cap in the industry.

People who 'do' things will be eliminated over time.  The difference was that in the past, when you acquired a skill, it became an asset.  In today's world, it's an expense.  Companies are doing everything to make everyone interchangable.  That said, people who think of innovative ways is rare, and difficult to find.

What ever you choose, pick a field that you are passionate and continue to learn the latest technologies out there.  The days of "Well, I know x, so I'm all set" are fading quickly.

- L