First, I wanted to tell you that I thoroughly enjoy receiving the on-line issue of eCommerce Connexion. It's a great resource for reading about latest technology trends, and hearing from insiders about how organizations are putting to practice these new technologies. I offer a sincere thanks to you and your organization for making it available to the community.

I wanted to provide some feedback on your article found in Volume 4 Issue 1 of Wayne’s World: There you pose a question, "Where are all the Americans?"

I believe it is one of those questions that is answered by asking another question. Which came first, the lack of resources to fill the jobs, or the profit driven mega outsourcing initiatives taken on by America's largest corporations?

You see, from my perspective outsourcing has contributed and will continue to contribute to the lack of resources, not the other way around. I speak from first hand experience. I've been an EDI Systems Analyst for 12 years. I have solid broad experience, a great work ethic and love what I do.

I have worked for several companies over the years, which also included hiring positions. ... and.. I'll admit, there were times when it was not easy to find someone to "fill the position". However, I believe most organizations have lost sight of a valuable resource, thier existing employee base. Fewer and fewer companies seem willing to invest in "growing" their own people.  It is almost as if companies want an "out of the box" candidate, complete with five programming languages, knowledge of all communication protocols, and who can also perform a juggling act on the side. Oh, and if they have a Masters or PhD, even better.

I am a big proponent of growing people from within, and I’ve had the opportunity to influence that decision on at least three occasions. Each person who has been “developed” is a smashing success in the field, and they demonstrate a loyalty only found in the “American” breed of worker.  I mean no offense to folks from other places. I too, have worked with many, many programmers from all over the world. Great people! Love ‘em. But the American worker has a culture and understanding of other peoples like no other. We are a diverse nation. We have learned to relate to people around the word in a unique way. We are adaptable work-horses.

I feel passionate about the outsourcing dilemma. I have been witnessing one company after another sending their work “off shore”. One by one, people and whole departments I have worked with for years at other companies were being replaced by generic email aliases, where an inquiry yields an email response in improper English which promises feedback within 24 hours.

Then, the rash hit my organization. The company I am currently employed with, a computer reseller who specializes in IT services, software and hardware, made a decision to “Outsource” their entire IT department to an “Offshore” company in India. All IT is going off shore, from SAP ABAP programming, EDI, B2B, NT support and other extended areas. More interesting is that all of the roles here are filled within the organization. It is not as if we couldn’t fill the positions. There has been little demonstration of loyalty or concern for the employee.  I’d like to say that my company is the exception, however this same experience is being echoed through out the United States. Corporate greed has replace corporate ethics.

Will all of us displaced workers be able to find new work? Perhaps; but we may have to travel, or relocate. We are competing globally for job, not locally.

As a nation we wonder why our children do not seek careers in computing, programming etc. Who could blame them for taking a step back when they are watching their parents lose their “well paying jobs” to lands overseas. Unfortunately, programming is only one of several career areas being outsourced in great numbers. All kinds of positions, from blue collar to the white collar work is being sent away, with little left behind to replace what is gone.

If you are concerned to learn more, feel free to research the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the reports there are eye opening. One report Table V–3. Factors changing occupational utilization, 2004–14, states “15-1021 Computer programmers: Moderate decreases in all industries are expected because of improved productivity and the overseas outsourcing of some programming work.”

A second report, Chapter II. Accounting for Offshoring in Occupational Employment Projections, contains a full table with various occupations. Please note, Computer industry jobs are among the top ten. Below is a small excerpt of the table.

Table II–1. Occupations susceptible to significant risk of offshoring
Occupation Code	Title
13-1023	Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm
	products
15-1011	Computer and information scientists, research
15-1021	Computer programmers
15-1031	Computer software engineers, applications
15-1032	Computer software engineers, systems software
15-1041	Computer support specialists

Bare in mind, high school students utilize these statistics when choosing career paths. Guidance Counselors across the nation obtain “Handbooks” from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics to help students make informed decisions about their future. If we believe we have a shortage of American Programmers now, according to these projections they may be near extinction in 10 years.

In conclusion, to answer your question, “Where are all the American?”  Well, some are still employed, however many are gearing up to post their resumes.

Thank you for your kind attention.