Jan 22, 2009 9:50 pm US/Central
Computer Entrepreneurs Weather The Storm
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Information Technology entrepreneur Brett Miller is weathering the current economic storm, which has proved challenging even for Microsoft.
CBS
Information Technology, or "IT," jobs aren't going away. You can still find many posted online.
But with companies and consumers spending less on computers today, there's less of a need for its products. Local IT professionals tell us they're coping with similar challenges.
CBS 2's Vince Gerasole reports.
From his apartment overlooking Lincoln Park, Brett Miller runs a small software firm and communicates with his 10 workers all over the country through instant-messaging, conference calls and web cam.
Word that Microsoft will lay off 5,000 workers is cause for some concern.
"It does scare me," Miller said. "One company freezes up and others are forced to freeze up."
We talked with Brett in Chicago and his partner, Andrew Matthews, in Texas by web cam. These thirtysomethings already lived through a high tech boom and bust.
"Unfortunately, the economy didn't work out the way we wanted to, and now I am here in Ft. Worth where it's a little cheaper to run my business," Matthews said.
Having overcome hard times, these IT professionals aren't afraid to click through the challenges ahead.
"I enjoy it, I thrive on it -- this is an opportunity to reinvent our company," Miller said.
From small firms like Brett's to the big guys like Microsoft, we're seeing the computer world is not recession-proof. Two interviews can't speak for everyone in the industry, but their excitement in tough times is kind of inspiring.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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