The Top 9 Tech Careers of the Future: What You Need To Know
Tech is everywhere – in fact, it’s fair to say that no industry can survive without leaning on recent technological innovations. Industries from construction, to manufacturing, to IT, to finance and more, rely on tech providers and experts to perform their operations, benefit from new tools, and secure themselves against cyberattacks.
This is great news for individuals interested in pursuing a tech career. However, some tech careers are sure to be in higher demand in the coming years than others. So, let’s take a look at the top nine tech careers for future success.
Data Scientist
Data is the true digital currency of the world. Companies and corporations across industries use data to:
- Better understand their consumers
- Make market predictions
- Analyze potential business moves, etc.
Furthermore, companies now gather data at an unprecedented rate. All that data is stored and has to be analyzed by data scientists who:
- Analyze big data sets
- Come up with solutions that company executives and managers can use
- Monitor and organize data as it’s collected
Data scientist jobs have competitive salaries, and that amount is set to increase in the future. This profession will become even more vital as companies start to focus on right data collection and analysis in favor of “big data” collection, which involves prioritizing, obtaining, and processing data specific to their target audiences instead of using all the data they collect.
Cloud Engineer
Nowadays, lots of companies put sensitive data on the cloud. They use software downloaded straight from cloud servers and don’t worry about updating it since a managed cloud service provider can do it for them.
Cloud engineers are responsible for many of these remarkable digital feats. Cloud engineers, sometimes called cloud developers or solutions architects, have a lot of different responsibilities like:
- Monitoring and managing cloud systems
- Checking systems for vulnerabilities or potential breaches
- Developing new cloud systems and tools
- Managing the software and tools for companies from afar
As more data gets sent to the cloud, the demand for professionals to run cloud systems and ensure their functionality will increase. Therefore, cloud engineers will find lots of career potential in the near future and have countless outlets to promote their skills.
AI/ Machine Learning Developer
AI and machine learning are taking the tech world by storm — and for a good reason. These digital toolsets enable companies to better understand big data sets and the minds of consumers around the world.More importantly, AI and machine learning are rapidly becoming more important across all industries, ranging from finance to medical software and more. Developers who know how to create or code AI and machine learning tools are already in high demand, and that trend will continue over the next few years.
Robotics Engineer
Robotics has already gained importance in the manufacturing and safety industries, but hiring engineers will become more critical in other sectors as robots become more advanced.
Highly technical robotics engineers need patience and analytical thinking skills. In reward, they’ll get the chance to create unique robots designed to help people or keep individuals safe by handling hazardous work. Robotics engineers’ responsibilities include:
- Designing and testing robot prototypes
- Troubleshooting robots to ensure they work properly
- Building robots
- Integrating software into robotic machines
UX Designer
Some tech enthusiasts may choose to become UX or user experience designers. UX designers create fulfilling, intuitive experiences for apps, websites, software, and other digital tools. They study how users interact with those tools and then develop systems or layouts that facilitate user goals.
A website UX designer may design a webpage outline and button functionality to make using the website enjoyable and intuitive for first-time visitors. UX designers are important for e-commerce business owners, brick-and-mortar companies, security firms, game developers, and many other industries.
Information Systems Manager
Information systems (IS) professionals oversee, organize, and develop new information systems. Being successful in this job requires understanding tech security, how different systems interact, and how to upgrade information systems for organizations as technology evolves.
As more companies lean into the digital side of things and computer systems become more complex, IS managers will also become more necessary. Depending on the importance of their assigned systems, IS managers may be among the most important employees at their companies.
Cybersecurity Analyst/ Specialist
Also important are cybersecurity specialists and analysts. These security professionals are responsible for vital tasks, like:
- Updating antiviruses and other security software
- Helping businesses understand best practices for storing crypto and important data safely
- Holding seminars to teach employees about cybersecurity best practices
- Monitoring computer systems and networks for potential breaches
- Identifying viral attacks or cyber breaches as they occur
The safety and security of vital consumer and company data are in the hands of cybersecurity specialists. Which is why this growing field will become even more important as people put more personal data online — not to mention as legislation like the GDPR enforces heavy fines on companies that don’t take security seriously.
Network Administrator
Network administrators will also become more common over the next several years. These professionals handle important daily operations of computer network systems for organizations, such as internet or internet systems, local area networks, and more. Many network administrators earn high salaries and manage their assigned networks’ stability and safety.
Depending on their exact responsibilities, network administrator managers may be required to hire or promote individuals, assist with the onboarding process, and train new employees.
Mobile App Developer
Like web developers, mobile app developers will also be in high demand in the future. That’s because mobile apps are more popular than ever. As a mobile app developer, you’ll meet the needs and preferences of mobile users, make visually appealing design elements, and develop mobile apps or games suited for different devices.
As mobile apps become more ubiquitous, more developers will be needed to fill the labor gap. Modern apps are available for practically every need, ranging from travel, to cooking, to gaming, etc.
Wrapping Up
Any tech-focused career is likely to yield great returns in terms of salary and professional opportunities. But the above nine tech careers are particularly good choices if you want to ensure you’ll earn excellent pay and that your skillset remains in demand for decades to come.
How to Get Back in the Job Market After a Long Absence
Partner Content
Below is an article originally written by Kristin Hanes for PowerToFly Partner Stash, and published on October 6, 2017. Go to Stash's page on PowerToFly to see their open positions and learn more.
Once you've been out of the job market, it's tough to get back in. Whether you chose to travel, raise your family, or were sidelined due to a layoff, applying for a new role after a long time away can be intimidating.
But if you are thinking about dusting off your resume, now is as good a time as ever to do it.
The economy has recovered from the financial crisis, unemployment is at a multi-decade low, businesses of all kinds are hiring, and wages are increasing.
"Now is an excellent time," said Brandi Britton, district president of OfficeTeam, a company that specializes in staffing. "The employment market is very good right now, and there are a number of opportunities."
The most in-demand jobs she's seeing? Administrative assistants and executive assistants across all industries, as well as customer service professionals.
Here are Britton's tips for job seekers who've been out of work for any period of time.
Brush up on your interviewing skills
You might feel silly doing it, but practicing for your interview will help you nail the job you want.
Britton advises getting a friend or family member to ask common interview questions, many of which can easily be found online. Rehearse those answers extensively, and have your helper throw in a few random questions so you can practice answering on the fly. That way, you'll sound genuine when you're interviewing on the actual day.
Then, once you know who you're interviewing with, do some research. LinkedIn can make it easy to see what an interviewer has been working on and his or her past professional experience.
Tell employers up front that you took time off
It's important to address a large gap in employment up front, but you also don't have to go into great detail about why you haven't been at work. You can say you were out for personal reasons or family matters, and just leave it at that.
Amit Melwani, 30, needed a job after taking two years off to travel around the world with his wife. When he came back to San Francisco, he dove back into the job market in order to find a position similar to his old one in software sales.
"I prepared extensively, researched every company for hours, wrote out answers to 25 interview questions and rehearsed how to deliver my answers," he said. Melwani said he sought out positions at companies where he felt confident he could succeed.
Even though some prospective employers gave him push back about taking so much time off work, he landed a job in San Francisco in about six weeks.
Update your technical skills
In this marketplace, strong talent is hard to find. What will ding you is if you haven't kept your technical skills up to date, Britton says.
"I would recommend that if someone has been out of work for a long time that they take some classes to help them make their technical skills more relevant," Britton says. "These are traditional software programs like Microsoft Word, Outlook, which are the most commonly-used programs companies require at a minimum."
Don't want to spend money on a class? Volunteering can be an ever better option. Employers like to see practical, recent, relevant experience, Britton says. Learning skills at an unpaid job can build experience that can lead to paid work.
Ask for an informational interview
It may feel awkward at first, but asking for an informational phone interview can really help you find a job. Most people are willing to give you 5 to 15 minutes of their time for a quick call about their position and company, Britton says. And it's a great way to network.
"You can contact a manager of a company or department you're interested in and ask them how they got started, what they would suggest you do to get into a company like theirs and back into the workforce," Britton says. People are usually ready to help other people, and it helps the job-seeker understand the company and the job.
Melwani says he was definitely ready to get back into the workforce after traveling, and he has some tips of his own for people ready to find a job.
"If you can show them you're ready to get back to work, are excited, and have polished up your skills, it's a non-issue," he says. Here are some other things he advises: Have a plan of action. Figure out your criteria for the company size, your job role, compensation, and specific industry. Then speak to as many people as you can who can help you out with direction. Prepare for for interviews by rehearsing answers to questions.
"And don't apologize for your time off," Melwani says. "Make it clear you're ready to get back to work."
By Kristin Hanes
