I.T. Professionals Remain Vital To Los Angeles' Expanding Tech Scene
Infused by the inventive vigor of Google Los Angeles, YouTube Space LA and a cadre of growth industries, Silicon Beach is quickly developing into a certifiably significant mecca of 21st century technological advancement.
While the Los Angeles Mayor's Council on Innovation and Industry continues to discover ways to further expand the area's inexhaustible environment of evolutionary creativity from beachfront communities to the Arts District and beyond, fruitful opportunities for temporary, on-demand tech wizards have accelerated. And once your foot is in the door with a temporary position, a full-time job may follow.
"Our knowledge and research indicate four industry verticals with high growth and usage," said Genine Wilson, vice president and Los Angeles territory leader at Kelly Services, Inc., a company that's been putting Los Angeles residents to work for more than a half century. "They are government contractors, technology companies, entertainment and healthcare."
Wilson said the region's top five temporary tech gigs include placements for web developers, project managers, database developers, business analysts and technical support team members. The yearly salary for these coveted, full-time spots ranges from $40,000 to $120,000, depending on the position.
Wilson said on-demand prospects that are credentialed have the ability to boost their income flow by beefing up their approach to self promotion. She emphasized that an advantageous technique for independent workers is to formulate and maintain marketing shingles on social media platforms, including Linkedin, in addition to establishing consequential and flexible working relationships with recruiters.
"They should also remain up to date on the latest technology and industry trends," said Wilson. "But probably the best way to keep working is to do a great job. Being referred from one assignment to another or one company to another by their manager or supervisor is one of the most common ways great consultants stay busy."
Wilson added the probability of engineering a provisional arrangement into a permanent position stands at approximately 40 percent.
"Some larger companies tend to have an allotted headcount just for contract labor with no intention of hiring," said Wilson. "There are also companies that wish to first try out a person to make sure they are capable of their job before they make the commitment to bring them on full time. As a whole, many temporary technical positions today are trending more toward full-time employment."
While Los Angeles' vision of becoming a world leader of progressive technology is actualized in coming years, the growth potential in this niche market enters a new, boundless frontier. For on-demand tech workers, this means their time has finally come.
Sharon Raiford Bush is an award-winning journalist who covers topics of social interest in greater Los Angeles. Some news articles she has authored have been archived by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. Sharon also contributes to Examiner.com.
