Careers in information technology have emerged out of the need to streamline business practices and reduce waste. Those adept at deciphering the strange dialects of computer programming may find that jobs in this field are vital to innovative business strategies and overall growth. In fact, mired in the economic downturn, businesses are calling on computer-savvy professionals to be the heroes of the recession.

A survey administered by the Society for Information Management (SIM) polled IT executives from approximately 250 corporations to rank their current managerial concerns in order of importance.

In this year's results, managers ranked business productivity, cost reduction, increased IT support and automation of business process as their top priorities.

"This year's top four management concerns all relate to IT obtaining immediate returns by reducing the cost of doing business," said Jerry Luftman, a professor and executive director in Stevens Institute of Technology's School of Technology Management.

According to Luftman, rather than reducing their own expenses, IT organizations are being asked to help other business reduce costs, resulting in steady employment rates in the field.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, computer and information systems managers held about 264,000 jobs in 2006, with about 1 in 4 working in computer systems design.