By Angela C.
With strategic planning and visionary direction, Austin, Texas, once a sleepy college town, has transformed into a technology hub to rival Silicon Valley. To be clear, California had a significant head start when it comes to technology entrepreneurship and wealth creation, but Austin has exhibited tremendous growth in the last few years. By all accounts, Austin’s luster as a growth center – especially for technology jobs – will continue to shine. Forbes magazine is in on the secret, ranking the city at No. 2 on its list of the Best U.S. Cities for Future Job Growth. [1]
Austin’s growth by the numbers
The proof is in the numbers. According to Mark Schill of the Praxis Strategy Group, employment data from 2004 to 2014 showed that Austin led the nation in job creation in the tech sector, with a remarkable 73.9 percent growth for the period. In the STEM sector, referring to companies identified as science, technology, engineering and math focused, Austin showed a growth rate of 36.4 percent, which is fourth highest nationwide. [2]
Of the $100.9 billion gross product generated by Austin-based businesses, roughly 25 percent comes from the advanced industries sector that includes wireless telecommunications, aerospace engineering and the oil and gas industries. In spite of its hefty contribution to the local economy, this sector accounts for roughly 12 percent of all jobs in Austin. [3]
Prospects for the tech sector in Austin
Looking forward, the Austin Technology Council expects tech job expansion to continue through 2017 with one in five Texas technology jobs being Austin-based. The leading sectors will be engineering, computer systems design and computer programming. By the end of 2017, the software development sector will create at least another 1,700 new jobs in Austin. [4]
If you expect to join the corporate ranks in a few years, take note that Austin is seventh nationwide in NerdWallet’s reckoning of Best Places for Recent Grads to Find Jobs. Low unemployment rates, stable median earnings for credentialed employees and affordable housing means bright futures for Austin-bound graduates. [5] Forbes concurs, ranking Austin at No. 19 on its list of Best Places for Business and Careers. [6]
Dell and other companies that ushered in the Austin tech boom, remain solid. The ranks of tech powerhouses in Austin have expanded with a slew of tech startups, including 17 that are now part of the Inc. 5000 list. Austin boasts of a diverse business sector, covering technology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and biotechnology. [7]
Riding the tech wave in Austin
Austin has emerged as the technology center to reckon with, and anyone aiming for a tech career track should pay attention to the possibilities in Austin.
• Look at the Austin job market and re-focus as needed
Austin’s economic base is very broad, providing opportunities for job candidates of various backgrounds to gain a toehold in this market. Strive to understand what makes Austin tick: Browse the website of the Austin Chamber of Commerce to see who the big tech players are and what they are doing. [8] Remember that tech companies need writers, researchers and marketing specialists as well as engineers and software developers.
• Internships will get you in the door
Tech companies are known for generous internship programs, so polish off your resume and jump-start your job hunt with a paid or unpaid internship position. The Austin section of Internship.com lists available positions in Austin companies. The Austin Chamber of Commerce is also a good source of leads and tips.
• Participate in Austin-based professional associations
Membership in professional associations can be costly but well worth the exposure and the networking opportunities. The Austin chapters of the Association of Information Technology Professionals or the Association for Women in Technology would be perfect starting points. Participation in sponsored activities and member-centered programs will give you the chance to mingle and learn from Austin’s corporate leaders.
• Austin is a giving city: join in
Good things come to those who are generous with their time and resources. Volunteer to share your tech skills as a teacher, programmer or database manager in schools, libraries and community centers. Contact the Austin Independent School District or the Austin Public Library for more information.
• Further your education in Austin and advance your career
These days, there is no excuse to slack off when it comes to learning the newest technologies or research studies. Massive open online courses (MOOCs) offer resources for virtually every aspect of the tech world. You can complete courses at your own pace or register for traditional continuing education courses at the University of Texas at Austin. The university itself is a hotbed of research and entrepreneurship, providing various pathways to tech careers. [9]
All roads lead to Austin for those who see their future in the tech sector, but you have to come prepared for the ride.
Resources:
[1] http://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2014/07/23/naples-austin-head-list-of-best-cities-for-job-growth/
[2] http://www.forbes.com/sites/joelkotkin/2015/04/14/cities-creating-the-most-tech-jobs-2015/
[3] http://www.brookings.edu/research/reports2/2015/02/03-advanced-industries#/M12420
[4] http://austintechnologycouncil.org/austin-economic-study-2/
[5] http://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/cities/best-cities-recent-grads-find-jobs-2015/
[6] http://www.forbes.com/sites/navathwal/2015/02/12/5-markets-poised-to-be-the-next-silicon-valley-for-real-estate/
[7] http://www.kansascityfed.org/PUBLICAT/NewGovernance04/Powers04.pdf
[8] http://www.austinchamber.com/index.php
[9] https://utexas.app.box.com/s/7up89rs4akdfilryezk3an8ixavsraof
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