No More Web Jobs?

No more web jobs? What?!?!?? It seems a few days ago Smashing Magazine posted this article hailing the end of all Web Design jobs. It seems the articles author thinks in the future, only Facebook, Twitter, and mobile apps will matter. Why would anyone use anything else? :)



Thankfully, Smashing allowed web designer Michael Aleo to post a rebuttal stating why there will be web design jobs for years to come.



So I would like to make a couple of points on the premise of the original article.



First, let me say, don't get caught up in labels. Back in the day, everyone wanted to hire a "webmaster". Well for the most part that job title has gone away, but there are still plenty of jobs. Designer is just one title and if that title goes away, the fundamental skills will always be in demand.



Second, in my opinion, Twitter and Facebook are just better versions of chat clients like AOL Instant Messenger (AIM). Sending updates on what you ate for lunch is the future of the Net?  I think not. Am I gonna buy books on Twitter?  Buy clothes on Facebook? Once again, I think not. They are niche apps and their total domination of all things Internet is far from certain.



Finally, what technology are all those iPhone apps based on?  Mostly web/browser based technologies. Mobile devices will change the Web and the Net. But replace it? I don't think so.

Become a JavaScript Ninja

Ajaxian has an article on how to become a JavaScript ninja. A lot of good suggestions here. I would say join the right startup   or just regular company for that matter. Who knows, maybe the web development team at the local power utility is a fun bunch doing interesting work. Don't limit your options. Working with people you enjoy is the most important thing.



Build some tools you can use. Maybe other people can use them and who knows, maybe you will be employee #1. :)

Thanks a LOT Craig Davey!

[sarcasm on]All I can say is thanks a lot Craig Davey! Way to set the bar too high for the rest of us! I ran across this post on the 37signals blog announcing their latest new hire. Not only does he make this wonderfully sharp job application. He then has the gall to link to this portfolio of wonderfully designed web sites he has worked on. All the symmetry and tasteful color schemes make me sick. How is my paper resume gonna compete with this! What will become of inflated resumes when folks start proving they have talent! I guess I'm gonna have to take off the 25 years of J2EE experience bullet off mine. /sigh. Thanks a lot Craig. Way to ruin paper resumes forever.[sarcasm off]

Had to put the sarcasm filters on. I have found posting on forums recently that if I don't, only about 50% of the folks get the joke. So it is best to avoid a bunch of "why are you hating on Craig" comments if possible. :)

It does make one rethink whether a paper resume is enough anymore. Also, note how the 37signals guys "interview" someone. They actually work with the person for a few weeks. I can't think of a better way to find out if the person can do the job and if the person fits into the team. Cool stuff.

Work on Stuff that Matters

I stumbled across a few posts that are a little old, but definitely worth linking to. First I found this post by Jeremy Zawodny, on his new job at Craigslist. He talks about his new job after 6 months and refers to this post by Tim O'Reilly. Both posts are focused on three key points.

• Work on something that matters to you more than money.
• Create more value than you capture.
• Take the long view.

All three points are sage advice. I was fortunate enough to work as a CPA after graduating from college. The hours were long, the work was dull and I wasn't very good at it, but you could make a lot of money. Well, l learned from the experience, that being happy is much more important than making money. If you do something that interests you and helps people, success will follow and the money takes care of itself.