The headline is explained by the fact that following the off-line registration for MS' "Visual Studio C++ 2010 Express" edition package will take on to a page requesting information about one's professional interests and background. On selecting an occupation type, a dropdown list is given to narrow the choices and contract specialist is listed as an occupation type - somewhat of a rarity in this day of endless web-form-based personal info. collections. Even most job portals seem to overlook our prominence in the job market as an industry sector.
Shame on those folks - the government knows we are 1102's in DoD terms or "purchasing/contract specialists" in the Occupational Outlook (2010/2011*) - admittedly which overlooks a significant purpose of our responsibility in many cases -- the services purchasing agent - but not Microsoft..nope! They got us in their sights as career-growth oriented professionals. Hats off to Gates men and women for knowing who the real hard-workers are. We may not have a say in using google docs vs. microsoft office live docs, but we'll know who knows we're out there when the web services battle wages on!
The occupational outlook may also refer to contract administrators /contract specialists as administrative services managers. This may come somewhat close to hitting the mark also, but often times the contract admin/specialist in a larger corporation will play a much more significant role in substantial business decision-making processes such as those with legal ramifications or impact to the strategic direction of a Division or Business Unit. Thus, may the directory be corrected in subsequent publications with any luck (smile)
