Acquiring the right mix of technological competence, soft skills, and professional knowledge will help you impress prospective employers. Moreover, it can secure you a high-paying career in one of Information Technology’s fastest developing sectors. Unfortunately, millions of computer programming and IT job opportunities went unfilled in 2020, indicating a considerable technological skills shortage in some parts of the world.
Furthermore, many business learning and growth leaders emphasize technical skills as a top priority for training in the past and coming years. Of course, technology is a vast space with many exciting avenues to pursue. If you want to make technology a part of your career, you must ensure that you are well-versed in some of the most in-demand skills in the coming years.
In-Demand Technology Skills For IT Jobs
Here are some of the technical skills you may choose to consider:
- Data Science & Analytics
Big data analytics is now being used by 53% of businesses to speed up decision-making and improve accuracy. That is one reason data science has ranked in LinkedIn’s emerging careers survey for the last three years. Data processing is the more basic expertise, while data science is more sophisticated, but the two occupations are both related. Data practitioners are needed in various industries, including education, banking, health care, tech, and others.
- Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence is quickly transforming the job environment, making it an exciting time for programmers looking for a new challenge. Hiring for AI practitioners increased by 32% between 2019 and 2020. AI specialists won the top spot on LinkedIn’s list of “jobs on the rise” in 2020 due to their increasingly widespread acceptance.
You can find some overlap with machine learning, but the main distinction is that AI is a broader term referring to computers programmed to behave intelligently like humans. On the other hand, machine learning is dependent on devices making sense of a particular collection of data. Therefore, C++, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Python are among the most important artificial intelligence skills to master.
- Data Visualization
Data visualization is a method of assisting users in understanding the meaning of data when presenting it in a visual context. An example of this is by converting spreadsheets or presentations into clearly understandable charts and graphs. Data scientists and researchers widely use this ability, but it can also be helpful in digital marketing positions. Consider this job to be a bridge between technical and non-technical roles. You are converting the data gathered by researchers into a format that everyone would understand.
- Cybersecurity
Holding networks stable is critical for any organization that receives customer information or deals with confidential data. Unfortunately, when data breaches occur, they can be large, newsworthy, and expensive to recover from. In 2019, the number of data leaks rose by 50%, and businesses that have been famously compromised in the past include Sony, LinkedIn, Chipotle, and others. Many employers had to spend money on security accidents after shelter-in-place orders necessitated the immediate need for telework.
Over an eight-year cycle, the number of unfilled cybersecurity jobs is projected to increase by 350%, from one million in 2013 to 3.5 million in 2021. While this enormous potential for cybersecurity professionals may seem to be a success initially, it also suggests a significant issue. There aren’t enough qualified personnel with the appropriate skills to fill all available vacancies, mainly because almost all the jobs require some security expertise.
- Cloud Computing
With too much business going online, every part of the cloud expanded after the pandemic. That includes SaaS (software as a service), PaaS (platform as a service), and IaaS (infrastructure as a service) (IaaS). As a result, it increases the market for qualified IT practitioners around the board. Even better, Gartner has labeled distributed cloud as the next wave of cloud computing, implying that there is more space for development.
Although cloud computing is only in its early stages, the market for cloud computing professionals is expected to grow. With the introduction of modern cloud technologies such as Amazon Web Services, it is critical to have the necessary expertise for the work prospects. In addition, businesses are now migrating to cloud platforms for various reasons. That includes stability and cost-effectiveness, so the need for this skill is expected to increase in 2021. Cloud developer vacancies increased by more than 100% between 2016 and 2019, which may be a positive indication of what you should expect in the future.
- Software Development
The need for software production is rising rapidly due to the increased demand for software and everyday applications like home design software as the world becomes more digitally linked. As a result, a full-stack developer came in second in Indeed’s best jobs of 2020 study and first in terms of development. Furthermore, the demand for mobile app development expertise is increasing. Developers usually needed to have expertise in programming, UX design, troubleshooting, and debugging programs, and development.
- Blockchain
While the use of the cryptocurrency for which blockchain is most widely correlated seems to be declining, it is often used for file storage, peer-to-peer transfers, crowdfunding, identification protection, and banking. With high wages available for blockchain developers and many companies embracing blockchain technology, it will remain a top talent for 2021 and the years to come.
- Automation
The global robotic process automation (RPA) industry is projected to expand at double-digit rates, exceeding approximately $2 billion in annual sales by end of 2021. In a nutshell, the technique uses apps and bots to streamline and simplify mundane, tedious operations, allowing employees to concentrate on higher-value activities.
To apply for a hot job such as RPA developer, RPA solutions builder, RPA analyst, or RPA solutions champion, you would need a diverse range of technical skills. RPA developers, for example, frequently need to know the Microsoft.NET Framework, which is used to design RPA platforms, in addition to knowledge of business processes, method mapping, and communication skills. It is also advantageous to be familiar with programming languages such as Visual Basic.NET, SQL, CSS, HTML, Python, and JavaScript.
- IT Support
IT support has always been in high demand, and the demand has lately intensified due to the transition to remote working. Since the majority of companies today have workers operating from home, it is possible that they will need more assistance when doing so. As a result, those with IT Support capabilities will already be in high demand in 2021. IT support positions include 1st line support, 2nd line support, among several more.
Final Thoughts
The future of technology begins to evolve at a fast pace. As a result, the need for specialized IT practitioners has never been greater. Knowing what employers are searching for would enable candidates to gain specific skills and stand out in a crowded field of candidates.
Every year, the tech industry evolves and expands, creating a new IT expertise and employment market. Moreover, thanks to the global pandemic, the whole climate shifted radically in 2020, resulting in a significant transition in the working world, from Zoom meets to remote jobs. And, with the work market as dynamic as it has ever been, it is critical to understand the top IT and tech expertise to achieve the proper position suited for your skills.
