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Careers in the Web Profession

Overview

  • What is a Web Professional?
  • What skills are needed to be a Web Professional?
  • Where do Web Professional work?
  • What is the career outlook for Web Professionals?
  • How do I become a Web Professional?
  • Does WOW Support all Web professionals?

What is a Web Professional?

Essentially, webmaster is a term that can be used to describe almost any web professional. A webmaster can be:

  • one person interfacing with Net-based communication, back-end technology, and business management
  • a general contractor/team leader for the creation and management of websites
  • a person who authors and creates HTML, CGI, XML, Graphics and more
  • a web project manager
  • an individual who markets and promotes web sites

What Skills are Needed to be a Web Professional?

  • Keen technical, design, project management and problem solving skills
  • Good business sense
  • Solid communication skills (oral & written)
  • Strong computer skills

What Talents are Needed to be a Web Professional?

  • Motivation-Self Starter
  • Creativity
  • Independence
  • Ability to work with and motivate others
  • Visual layout skills
  • Organized

Where do Web Professionals Work?

  • Large corporations
  • Web design firms
  • Government agencies
  • Academic organizations
  • At home
  • Internet companies
  • Everywhere

Corporate Web Professional Job Responsibilities

  • Website administration and security
  • Communications, marketing
  • Develop objectives/strategies
  • Project management
  • Budgeting
  • People management
  • Interdepartmental
  • Communication/coordination

Independent Web Professional Responsibilities

  • Customer interaction for the planning of Web site goals and objectives
  • Budget development
  • Website page development
  • Content/customer consultation
  • Marketing and sales
  • Business management

It’s a Great Career

Web Professionals have one of the top jobs in America based on:

  • Income
  • Outlook
  • Security
  • Stress
  • Environment
  • Physical Demands

*according to the 1999 Jobs Rated Almanac *according to the 1999 ComputerWorld survey

Salary Information

Web Professionals have one of the top jobs in America based on:

  • In 1998, starting salaries for Webmasters averaged about $49,400*
  • Webmaster salaries jumped more than 11% to $53,000 in 1999*
  • 92% of the IT professionals work for non IT companies*
  • Some companies also offer cash bonuses, stock options, larger salaries
  • Can make over $100,000.00

*according to the 1999 ComputerWorld survey
*according to the 2005 WOW survey

Career Outlook for Web Professionals

  • Employment growth for consulting
  • The development of new software tools like Web authoring tools has increased the demand for Web Professionals
  • The growing demand for websites will increase the demand for Web Professionals
  • Growth in e-commerce will further increase demand

Becoming a Web Professional

  • Develop technical skills, knowledge, and abilities
  • Develop business understanding and sense
  • Cultivate visual design and layout skills

Web Professional Areas of Study

  • Webmaster fundamentals
  • Web content development
  • Web server administration
  • Multi-Media and interactive web elements
  • Security
  • Graphics
  • Databases
  • Project management
  • Website administration
  • Web Development
  • Web communication and marketing
  • Business knowledge
  • Legal issues
  • Budget development and management

Web Professional Education Programs

  • Administered by colleges and universities worldwide
  • 100 to 140 hours of course time for Level one
  • 140 to 180 hours of course time for Level two
  • High School graduate plus 2-3 semesters for certificate

Advice for Aspiring Web Professionals

  • Develop disciplined study habits
  • Take a well-rounded curriculum
  • Sharpen your communication and
  • interpersonal skills
  • Take computer, business, and art/design courses while in school – the sooner you start, the sooner you will finish

How does WOW Support Webmasters, Designers & Developers?

  • Working with industry and education, WOW offers the Certified Professional Webmaster, Web designer, and Web Developer programs that webmasters, designers, consultants and developers.
  • This program is providing education, training and multiple levels of Web Professional certification and is available through community colleges, universities and training companies worldwide.
  • To support this effort, the U.S. Department of Education has granted WOW, the University of Washington, Public Broadcasting System, Prentice Hall PTR and Coastline Community College a $1.7 million grant for development of the Web education and certification program.
  • This collaborative effort has resulted in Internet and Web Professional education programs that are available on-line, on CD & DVD, and at campuses and training companies around the world.