Forum Moderators: LifeinAsia
Some background: I'm not a tech industry person, I'm a graphic designer expanding my capabilities to produce websites, and I do not have the luxury of a web team, I am the sole person responsible for my employer's website, I am organized under the Communications branch of the organization but I work with a small Technology team that handles the integrity of the servers and network connections.
Any suggestions for a better title than Webmaster?
We're in the same boat. I decided on "Web Developer" because that is pretty all-encompassing - includes design, develop, update, etc. Sounds better than webmaster, too.
But this is changing.
Job titles are important for 2 things:
1. When you are in the job market
2. When your co-workers need to know who to talk with to solve a site problem.
Job Market: Employers are looking for targeted skill sets. Specific titles help employers and jobseekers quickly match with each other. "Webmaster" does not quickly and easily convey skill sets or past experience. It has lost meaning and efficiency.
Co-Workers: They need to know who to call to get their problem fixed. "Webmaster" is a good title only when there is a single technical person running everything. Otherwise it is not descriptive enough to be a help.
Website developer, Graphic Designer, Systems Administrator, Database Administrator, Programmer, etc... Are much more descriptive in the computer/IT market as its complexity grows exponentially.
To answer your question pingryweb, I recommend something that describes your focus followed by a "guru" or "blackbelt" at the end :)
I've got Corporate Information Officer - Web Content, which seems as though all I perform is updating words.
It doesn't cover the graphics, scripting, server admin, SQL 2000 Admin, CF5 Admin etc etc. which I perform.
The reason behind this is to keep me employed in the position. If my duties included these things the job would be stripped and outsourced.
Try and get some nice buzzwords in there, and don't settle for a title less than 3 words long. A handy acronym would be nice too
I realize that to most people in my company, the IT industry is a gray area they don't know much about.
One thing is that the web development industry is even more gray to people, even a lot of IT people. I guess because it is more of the norm to choose a networking or graphic design career. Personally I like it that way, it gives it distinctness.
I especially like my situation, we are a Billion dollar company, with a pretty good size IT dept.. Only thing is that I'm the only person in that company that knows anything about web design, or graphics for that matter. Sure things are getting a little out of hand, I've just hired someone who starts next month to help me, but I do realize that I'm treated as a very valuable asset to the company and paid as such.
IMP - Internet Marketing Professional
CRAP - Computer Related Administrative Provider
SAD GIT - Search And Directory Graphical Interface Technician
I generally fill out online forms with "Internet Development Manager" or "Internet Development Coordinator." It sounds stuffy and impressive.
I must admit that I kind of overlooked a few resumes when I was hiring a developer last month because they sounded like they were more of the management type, and lacked what I needed technically. I had to make a second go around later because I didn't find what I was looking for, and saw that I missed a couple of people because of it.
I ended up going with one of the ones I previously missed. I think he had listed himself as web architect, but after interviewing him found him to be exactly what I was looking for. Not what I thought what a web architect would be, but I guess it's all a matter of perspective.
I've noticed in the UK the "new media" fraternity seem to have closed ranks on SEO as a real profession and value add. If you speak to some people they think SEO is just slapping keywords on a page and submitting once.
Just be interested to know whether to call myself something like web marketing consultant and possibly find a way to break down the silo mentality ?
It is SO popular that is on the list of all spam list companies. They simply get a list of domains, stick webmaster in front, and add it to their lists. Much better a chance as any that it will stick. Same goes for info, sales, support and other generics.
Most "Web developers" have more than one duty, depending on where they work. I am starting to see the name "IP" used for freelance web developers that do just about anything from site planning, design, creative direction, and graphic work.
I have used "I.P." and goes over well since I have a wide area of experience.
I.P. = Internet Professional
However - If your duty is one, and Web design/developer is all you do - then so be it. Web developer is the name for you.
WHAT! "Sounds old and out of date?" Nah...!
I think professionals that work in Web development and design are so used to fast change. We feel we must also change to keep with the pace of the industry.. Am I wrong? Not only must we change our rebel artistic clothing, funky hair styles, and retro glasses, BUT! We feel our job title must change also.
I sense an identity crisis looming around web developers. These are People who are stuck behind their monitors brewing up creative ideas for our employers - When their own creative being is not being starved from long eye bending hours! So what can we do? Change our names! ha ha!
Well - my 2 cents worth..
Sincerely,
I.P.
In terms of job titles, the internet is still in its infancy. Look at job titles from the early days of radio and television, compared to today. A lot has changed. The internet is changing even faster. So the job titles will adjust accordingly.
Web Developer doesn't seem to convey the daily responsibility of updating/maintaining the site, nor the overall management of the site. I wouldn't imagine a Web Developer meeting with executives to discuss changes and additions to the site. I see Web Developer used by many Graphic Designers looking for website design work, so its a much more specialized and limited title IMHO.
Year 2
I was Web Developer
Year 3 (now)
I am an "Internet Strategist"
Next Year
I may be "PPC Accountant" ;)
Example: Joe Dude MD
MD = Media Developer.
WMD = Web Media Developer.
WCE = Web Content Editor.
IMD = Interactive Media Developer.
WMCD = Web Media Creative Director.
iGeek
iSlave
iNerd
This is all I can spew out of my brain this AM.
~enjoy!
Webguruworld.com?
As for myself... my kids and their friends commonly refer to me as "that crazy lady that works on the Internet". I much prefer the title Webmaster than that! As for telling people what I do, I just say I'm a Web Developer. They really don't understand it for the most part anyway, so I don't stress over it too much.
Grand Exalted Poobah of the Web Most High
