Software technology grads have unprecedented options for high-paying jobs in Michigan

By: Deborah Johnson Wood

College graduates holding degrees in software technology and related fields have an unprecedented opportunity in Michigan to land a high-paying job.

Many experienced software engineers have left the state due to the economic challenges facing employers, opening the door to a wide variety of technology positions at companies that need the expertise.

So says Tech Trends prophet Keith Brophy, former owner of NuSoft Solutions and now general manager of the Enterprise Integration Solutions division of RCM Technologies, a nationwide software solutions company. The division currently seeks five software developers for the Grand Rapids office, but is having a tough time finding the talent. Brophy's theory is that qualified grads don't know where to find the jobs.

"The software talent doesn't realize how many opportunities there are," he says, "Because there's such a broad range of positions, it's hard to fully describe them. If a candidate fresh out of college goes to one of the online jobs boards, they might not even search under the right category."

The categories include web developer, database developer, analyst, user interface specialist, software tester and software architect. Brophy says these jobs can pay entry level wages of $40,000 and progress to more than $100,000 for experienced talent. And advancement comes very fast,

"The reason for the fast advancement is the very strong ripple effect when these jobs are created," says Brophy. "You hire the people, get them active in creating custom software, that software solution drives more opportunity for the business and more sales, and that, in turn, drives growth and jobs."

Brophy suggests software engineers looking for jobs should attend one of the area technology groups like aimWEST, West Michigan .Net User Group or the West Michigan SharePoint Users Group to build relationships with people in the industry.

"If you meet 10 people there, the need for talent is so great you'd probably come away with job opportunities," he says.

Source: Keith Brophy, RCM Technologies; Kate Washburn, Wondergem Consulting

Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].