In the 90’s it had an strong expansion due the introduction of Windows to the mass market. That make it easy and within reach of everyone the use of a computer. But until the dot com boom when the information technologies became massive and the use of a computer was diversified.This, for us the people who works in the area, means in economic and laborterms, some excelent news. There was few professionals and the market was big. Easy money for everybody. Nevertheless being novices in the industry we have made some mistakes, that although are to be expected by the little experience in the field, seems to me that already it is about time of those to be indicated and corrected.

1. To work for free

This it is an common mistake specially in young people (who are the majority at the moment in this profession). It is common that we are known as �the cousin of a friend who knows of computers� and because of that everybody can request us a gratuitous favor. have you ever seen a friend doctor give you a free consultation? Or a lawyer? Our work is mainly mental. It requires an accumulation of knowledge that not everyone has and that cost money and time to get it. Why should we give for free what has cost us a lot of money and effort?

2. Not to recognize our place as professionals

Very commonly in our area we are known like �the boy who knows of computers� and we do not give ourselves the place which we deserve like the professionals who we are. Those 4 or 5 years you spent in highschool are not in vain Mr. BSc

3. Recognize your expertise area

If you are reading this is because you like to learn more about the field you are in. And is very likely that you are a very curious person and that you like to learn from everything. But that, towards the outside, can turn against you. See points 1 and 2. Because you are known as the guy who “knows computers” (whatever that means), you will be the most popular person when someone has problem with anything that has a bit to do with computers. Sinces “how do I install X” to “can you make me my website?”. And I know you can do it. But “can” is very different from “must”. Recognize your expertise area, devote to it and advertise yourself as an expert in it. When you are known as an expert in some area, your wage will be great and you can have the luxury of choose the job you want to work in. A surgeon knows a lot about pediatrics but he won’t change a open heart surgery for attend a child flu, trust me. Don’t take the jobs you don’t like just for the sake of doing em. Let the people who likes it to do em. The IT field is pretty big, it can give us work to all of us.

4. Devote yourself to learn

This may have a little in common with the previous points but I cannot leave it outside. This is a pretty fast evolving area, without a doubt. What you know now can become obsolete in a very small time and as a professional you will be worth less to the labor market. Don’t ever stop learning more and more. Today the tech makes you very easy to get new knowledge in an easy, selective and fast way. You don’t need to read everything out there. Today single you need an RSS reader (for the desktop, I can recommend you RSS Bandit or Feed Demon) and to find sources of content you like. Are you a programmer? Suscribe to Digg feed and Reddit Programming. Do you like the hardware? Tom’ s Hardware is an excellent source of knowledge. Is your field project management? Joel Spolsky’s feed is a good place of information (specially his first essays). If it is not enough, look for forums relatead to the subject you like. The information is there. Is waiting for you to absorb it.

In short, respect your profession and it respect your work. Doing it you will help your work area to grow. We are a set of professionals who shared our knowledge very openly. Use it in your favor and don’t screw yourself or other people in IT.