Even though unemployment could dip below 6-percent this year, most economists and job seekers agree that Information Technology employment remains weak. However, some educators believe right now is the best time to study for a high tech career - or even enhance the IT skills you already have. "Yes, there's been a downturn now... but when theses students graduate it's extremely likely that they will be a good position for a successful entry point into the profession," says Mike Gregory of Central Queensland University's Faculty of Informatics and Communication.

In fact a recent report suggests current students could look forward to a positive swing in the computing profession. More than 110,000 new jobs are likely to be created in Australia by 2005 through the rapid adoption of information technology, according to a study completed by the National Office for the Information Economy. The national economic forecast for the next three years also shows demand for registered nurses, accountants, sales and marketing managers, and secondary and primary teachers will be high. While demand for Software Engineering, Multimedia, Internet Technologies and Machine Intelligence skills is expected to grow, Central Queensland University's IT program provides a solid grounding for even more specialisations in InfoTech for the next decade. "You need a sensible selection of courses. The demanding ones will help provide better initial career choices," says Gregory.

Martin Nicholls, recruitment director for technology at TMP Worldwide (Australia) told The Australian last month (May 11) that outlooks for project-based recruitment by InfoTech and Telecom vendors were now brighter than they had been in the past nine months. InfoTech employment prospects especially in biotechnology and some government sectors are improving, according to Nicholls. TMP Worldwide's latest quarterly report shows Computer/Information Technology jobs in Queensland will be plentiful.

But qualified IT professionals can position themselves almost anywhere in Australia or the world. A career in high tech offers flexibility to work at home, part-time, full-time, internationally or domestically, or on short-term contracts. And salaries for the right person in the right place are excellent.

"Industry professionals tell me CQU graduates have excellent, practical skills," says career counsellor Robyn Kennedy, who assists graduating students.

The website, www.jobsearch.gov.au reports people with those skills will benefit from very strong employment growth for Computing Professionals, especially for IT Systems Analysts. Even though current job openings are moderate, it says prospects remain very good.

CQU has places available right now for mid-year IT enrolments. Contact Student Administration at 1300 360 444 or 07 4930 9000; Fax: 07 4930 9399 or Email: admissions@cqu.edu.au