Reflections of a Black Analyst in the Age of Obama

Reflections of a Black Analyst in the Age of Obama
By Daryl Plummer

On the day that Martin’s birth is celebrated and the day before the swearing in of America’s first black president, I am facing the dichotomies of two complimentary worlds. One world is the world of a black man working in an industry predominantly peopled by non-black professionals. The other is the world of any man living in a society where change has opened doors that many thought would remain closed forever.

And the doors open to allow change at the highest levels to emerge. The doors open so that people like me can face beautiful new vistas of opportunity - vistas revealing goals that can be achieved by anyone with the strength of will, or the faith of ideals, to reach for them.

Now, everyone can rejoice in the hopes of today and the dreams of the future.
And yet, no one should forget the experiences of today and the memories of the past.

For though there are many subjective worlds, we all live in one real world. The real world is a place where opportunity must be matched by effort - and effort must be matched by desire. And in my world – the Information Technology (IT) world – the question must be asked if opportunity has given rise to true effort. For when I look around me, all I see is unfulfilled desire.

When I look around me I see black Americans rising only so far in IT. Many hold the ranks of secretary or technician, but few lead as CIOs or senior VPs.
Think to yourself - how many black Americans can you name in senior management, as industry analysts, as CEOs, or as billionaires, who lead the way in the IT industry. You may be surprised at how few you come up with. Beyond Chuck Phillips at Oracle, the list goes shallow in short order. How can this be in the age of a black president?

In 2004 a study about blacks in IT highlighted the efforts to make the profession more open to minorities - yet, here we remain. In 2006, a report including quotes from the venerable Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) organization reiterated how much black Americans found IT a fascinating career choice – and yet, here we remain. Now, a January, 2009, Computerworld blog addresses the issue of why there is HOPE for African Americans in IT. And yet, here .. we .. still .. remain. Blacks in IT only tend to rise so high before that glass ceiling taps them gently on the head.

And despite all the efforts of BDPA, despite the efforts of universities to cultivate more black computer industry graduates, despite my own efforts to educate, to provide an example, to encourage, and to cajole – here we remain. I remain one of only 7 black analysts I can name in the IT industry. For over 5 years, I was the only one. I remain one of the highest ranking black associates who can have an impact beyond their own company. I remain frustrated but hopeful that blacks in IT will become something more than just a continuing dream.

So forgive me, Mister Obama, while I cheer the greatness of your accomplishment and I mourn the mediocrity of my own.

I mourn for the black child that cannot even recognize the opportunities she might grow into because she has no exposure to this world.

I mourn the HR practices in IT that seldom follow through on seeking out black candidates for executive level positions.

I mourn the fact that when I look out from stage at an audience of over 5000 people, I can count the number of black “IT-faces” in a matter of seconds.

But I stay true to hope. I stay true to the ideals embodied in a quote by Ronald Reagan. He said, “…there are no limits on the human capacity for intelligence, imagination and wonder.” I could add – no matter what color they may be. But before Reagan and since, there are those who echo cries of hope. Lincoln referred to “a new birth of freedom”, challenging the country to elevate all men to equality. And now, Barack Obama says “Yes we Can!”

Yes. We can.

And we can because he can. We can because the youth of today now see with their own eyes that black and white people all have access to the American dream. We can because those same youth will see that the way to success is not only through sports greatness or entertainment fame. We can because now we have more help than ever before. Whether it is black or white, Chinese or Hispanic, Indian, Muslim, Jewish or all the colors, sexes and creeds of the world – people are banding together to hold the doors of opportunity open.

But what we can do should never eliminate the memory of what we strive to overcome. So hold the memory. Hold the memory close to your heart and just behind your eyes.

Hold the memory of my great grandmother who lived in a time when black people could be persecuted for wanting to rise up to a better life in Georgia.

Hold the memory of my grandmother who walked with her children 450 miles from Georgia to South Florida to begin a new life. She could go anywhere as long as it wasn’t labeled “no blacks allowed”.

Hold the memory of my mother who raised eyebrows when she decided that a single black mother of four could become a nurse by studying alone at night and working two jobs during the day.

Hold the memory of my brother who knocked down doors to become a treasurer and CFO for fortune 500 companies.

And hold my memory too. Because as I stand in a place where I have stood for over 20 years I see myself as a lightning rod of opportunity and seek to help those who would surpass my every achievement – imagined or real.

Thank you, Mister Obama. Thank you for the next step in the dream. Thank you for remembering what Martin said back in a time when few could see that you might ever become real. And thank you for “yes, we can”.

To the IT industry, I say that the opportunities are real and the desire must flow from those who wish to hire black IT professionals to those who wish to be hired. We will continue to educate, and to seek out people who can be prepped to become the next generation of greatness.

So, yes, we can. But, in the world of IT, I beg you in faith to remember that so far – we have not.


This is also published on my blog:
http://blogs.gartner.com/daryl_plummer/2009/01/19/reflections-of-a-black-analyst-in-the-age-of-obama/



---- Integrity is what you have when no-one is watching ----

Daryl Plummer MVP & Chief Gartner Fellow Chief of Research for Business of IT, Emerging Trends, BPM, and EA Gartner

Read my Blog at http://blogs.gartner.com/daryl_plummer/ Office Direct: +1 770 650 0339 Mobile: +1 404 386 4997Email: daryl.plummer@gartner.com www.gartner.com

Coaches Corner: From Cubicle to Corner Office

The Experts Have Spoken!

Coaches Corner is a collection of career coaching and job-seeking advice from a group of expert technology career coaches from across the United States.

Job Search Tips from a Technical Recruiter
Our guest blogger today is business and technical recruiting consultant, Christyn S. Freemon. Freemon’s is currently providing strategic business planning expertise to businesses in low to moderate income neighborhoods with Chicago Community Ventures www.chiventures.org. She will be starting an IT Consulting and Staffing Company, with an emphasis on diversity, September 2009.

To read more of Freemon’s perspective on career advancement, you can visit her blog at From Cubicle to Corner Office

In an economy that is on the decline, open positions are becoming more and more scarce. At every turn companies are trying to “trim the fat” by decreasing the work force. Despite this fact, companies will still need to hire people, especially in the technology sector. Given the problems facing the financial industry, there will be new compliance standards that companies will have to adhere to (similar to the Sarbanes Oxley standards enforced after the Enron scandal).

Now is a time to make sure that your resume is up to par and that you utilize various resources in your job search. Even if you are just getting feelers out in the market. You will have to be even more competitive in your search, because of the limited job supply.

Please take it from someone who has a background in technical recruitment. There are a few things you need to take into consideration when searching for a new position.

Tailor Your Resume
The importance of a resume is that it is the first impression that a prospective employer gets of you, the job seeker. Think of job hunting like dating, your resume is the equivalent of the first date. You want to make sure everything is perfect, because you only get one chance to make a first impression. You make sure your breath is fresh, you smell nice and your slacks pressed, hair primped. That’s the same thing with a resume. You don’t want your resume to stink and it should have a pleasing appearance. That could be the difference between getting an interview or a “Thank you for applying, but…” letter.

By following the advice below, you will have a pretty good chance of getting called for a second date:

1) Take time to tailor your resume to the particular position that you are applying for. If the company uses specific terms but your resume reflects the synonyms, CHANGE YOUR RESUME.2) Use the objective area of a resume for a "Professional Summary," instead. This section should highlight requested skills from the job description. 3) Requested technological experience should not only be in the "Skills" section of the resume, but multiple times throughout the body of the resume.4) Quantify your results or accomplishments as much as possible. It makes the accomplishment more believable and applicable to the hiring manager. 5)I know its very basic, but please not only spell check, but have another person review the resume to ensure that their are no missing words, grammatical errors, etc. Its gives the hiring manager a bad impressing of the resume riter if they canot spel right or has gramaticl errors. 6) Keep your skills current. If you are out of work for a substantial amount of time, find some academic program or educational course that will allow you to keep your skills fresh.

Work with Recruiters
7)Work with recruiters. I’m not just saying that because I was a recruiter. Think about it: Companies may be laying off internal staff, but they are still working with contingency recruiters because these firms don't get paid unless they place someone. A word of caution: due to the fact no one gets paid until the position is filled, there may be multiple recruiters working on the same open job. Due diligence goes a LONG way here. Get requisition numbers (or job identification numbers) to ensure that you are not being "double submitted." Use your intuition, feel the recruiter out. Also, realize that when working with recruiting firms like this, there is often a deadline associated with submitted a resume. You may get a feeling that you are being "rushed" but understand it is for a purpose. 8) In my technical recruiting experience, many of the Top Chicago land companies in healthcare, banking, finance and food service require the last 4 digits of your social security and/or your birth month and day (not the year). No one is trying to scam you. It is required by the major company to ensure that contingency technical recruitment firms did get permission to submit the job seeker‘s resume for consideration.I hope the above tips can be helpful in any one's job search out there. If anyone would like clarification, or more information I can be reached via email, christyn.freemon@gmail.com.

Happy Hunting

More from Blacks Gone Geek:

Click Here for Coaches Corner: Keys to Success in 2009
http://blacksgonegeek.org/CubicleToCornerOffice.aspx

Click Here for 2009 IT Job Outlook Survey Results
http://blacksgonegeek.org/2009ITJobOutlookSurveyResults.aspx

Click here to join the discussion on BGG Answers
http://blacksgonegeek.org/Answers.aspx

Coaches Corner: Keys to Success in 2009

The Experts Have Spoken!

Coaches Corner is a collection of career coaching and job-seeking advice from a group of expert technology career coaches from across the United States. In this session, the panel answers the following question:

In light of the troubling economic climate and tightening job market, what is the one thing that job seekers must do in order to be successful in landing a good job and advancing their careers in 2009?

Establish Your Web Presence
Milt Haynes, Founder of Blacks Gone Geek, a social networking initiative dedicated to promoting African Americans in IT

Communicate Your Value
Deborah Chambers Chima, CEO, Chambers Consulting Group, Ltd., an executive coaching firm that focuses on unleashing leadership potential

6 Letters You Need to Use: G.O.O.G.L.E.
April M. Wiliams, "Networking Goddess" at CyberLife Tutors

Job Seeking in a Troubling Economic Climate
Linwood Bailey, Owner of Fields of Success, a company dedicated to supporting the personal growth and development of corporate professionals through the delivery of coaching solutions and services.

Are you Flexible?
Tanya A. Hinton, CPC, Founder of Diversified Search Services (DSS) is an executive research firm specializing in the timely identification of hard to find talent, nationwide and globally.

Incorporate the Six Degrees of Separation Theory
Patricia E. Perkins, CPCC – CEO, Exodus Coaching, a leadership and life coaching firm focused on helping leaders.

Hear what the experts have to say. Click here to read the full article on Blacks Gone Geek.
http://blacksgonegeek.org/CoachesCorner.aspx

2009 IT Job Outlook - What is the Wisdom of the Crowd?

The Survey Results are In!

See how Blacks Gone Geek Readers answered the question:

In light of the troubling economic climate and tightening job market, what is the one thing that job seekers must do in order to be successful in landing a good job and advancing their careers in 2009?

http://blacksgonegeek.org/2009ITJobOutlookSurveyResults.aspx

What is the Wisdom of the Crowd?

The wisdom of the crowd refers to the process of taking into account the collective opinion of a group of individuals rather than a single expert to answer a question.

Let your voice be heard! Check out the detailed survey results and send us your observations and recommendations. We will use your input to form a collective opinion.

Join the Blacks Gone Geek Community

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2009 IT Job Outlook - Blacks Gone Geek Readers Poll

High tech companies continue to announce layoffs amid one of the worst economic downturns since the Great Depression.

Sony said in December it plans to cut 8,000 jobs, close factories and reduce electronics investment by nearly a third in response to the current economic conditions.

AT&T will lay off 12,000 workers through 2009 as the company reorganizes and faces a tough economic environment, the company said in December.

Sun in November said it would be laying off 15% to 18% of its employees as part of a restructuring plan aimed at saving $700 million to $800 million a year. The cuts amount to 5,000 to 6,000 people.

HP was expected to announce layoffs as it integrates Electronic Data Systems into its corporate fold, but the size of announced job cuts on Sept. 15 (24,600 employees over the next three years) was a shocker.

Sprint Nextel confirmed layoffs, saying it would cut 4,000 workers from its payroll and close about 125 stores after it lost more than 100,000 customers.

Dell had eliminated 3,200 jobs by the end of its 2008 fiscal year in February of this year. A month later, Dell gave a revised layoff number of 8,900.

Yahoo said it would cut about 1,000 jobs in February.

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You have the power to drastically change someone’s life.

We all know someone who has been affected by this economic downturn. Some people need more help than others to find a job.

You probably know something that can help your friends improve their skill set and do what they need to do to get back in the job market and become successful again.

Here’s your chance to help someone who has been laid off recently to reshape their skill set and get back in the workforce. It’s time for you to speak up and let others know what you see.

Click the link below to take this short 3-minute survey to share your perspectives on IT job prospects for 2009.

2009 IT Job Outlook - Blacks Gone Geek Readers Poll
http://blacksgonegeek.org/2009ITJobOutlook.aspx


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