Data and networking connections can be considered the unsung heroes of the new digital era.
The latest transformations in the digital sphere have made a positive impact on its job sector. Employment of tech jobs is growing faster than the average for all other occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The projections point to a 12% growth from 2018 to 2028.
In fact, the demands in the IT field are so recent that they’re creating gaps in the market. If you’re interested in an occupation related to IT, learning about the latest technology trends can help you plan the next steps in your education and your career.
Here are six technologies that are finding their way into the IT job sector, according to Deloitte’s Tech Trends of 2019 report.
Mobile App Development
It’s estimated that in 2020, there will be 3.5 billion smartphone users worldwide. China, India and the United States are expected to be the countries with the highest number of users. What will companies do to stay relevant? Well, they’ll need apps. A lot of them.
Facts About Mobile Development
- The Internet of Things (IoT), which allows a wide variety of devices to connect with one another, is expected to increase the importance of mobile apps.
- The app economy is predicted to be worth $6.3 trillion by 2021.
- Recommended skills according to Robert Half: mobile development languages such as Java, Java EE, Java ME, JavaScript, .NET and HTML
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is known as the movement of data and software from internal to external servers. The move allows data to be stored, managed and processed, allowing companies and users to share pools of storage, networks, applications and servers.
Since cloud computing requires coding, people who manage the cloud usually have software engineering skills.
Cloud computing jobs are on the rise as well, as more companies switch to cloud solutions. According to Gartner, the market for cloud services is projected to grow 17.3% this year and is expected to become a driving force of service capabilities for companies by 2022.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is currently the biggest cloud computing platform, and it generated $25 billion in 2019, according to Amazon.
Facts About Cloud Computing
- Through cloud services, you can access information on any device connected to the internet.
- Other software vendors that are using cloud computing technology include Google, Microsoft and Apple.
Cybersecurity
When organizations move the bulk of data to offsite servers or the cloud, the risks of hacks and breaches increases. And, after cybersecurity incidents have alarmed major tech industries, companies shouldn’t underestimate how critical it is to keep their network security up to date.
This concern is spiking cybersecurity jobs in 2019, and companies are finding themselves with a shortage of people trained in network security, as reported by TechCrunch. The shift to cloud computing, for example, contributes to the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals. Fortunately, that means there’s an opportunity in the market for people with the right risk analysis skillset.
Facts About Cybersecurity
- A 2017 report by Cybersecurity Ventures estimates that the talent gap in that field is expected to reach 3.5. million unfilled jobs by 2021.
- Recommended skills according to Robert Half: information security, network security, network protocols, firewall administration, and encryption technologies.
Data Engineering
Big Data is integral for many companies, and an architectural approach to information technology, also known as data engineering, ties everything together. This discipline consists of designing, building and maintaining data warehouses where raw data is transformed into queries that are accessible and easy for analysts to read.
In an interview with Forbes, Howard Dresner, founder and CRO at Dresner Advisory Services, explained that Big Data is becoming a practical pursuit for organizations that leads to a need for more data warehouse optimizations.
After a market study in 2017, his company reported that 53% of companies surveyed had adopted Big Data.
“Across the three years of our comprehensive study of big data analytics, we see a significant increase in uptake in usage and a large drop of those with no plans to adopt.”
Facts About Data Engineering
- According to Robert Half, the average salary for software engineers is $124,500.
- After Hired surveyed over 700 skilled developers, it reported that demand for engineers specializing in data analytics and machine learning is on the rise.
- Recommended skills according to Robert Half: NoSQL, data mining, raw data processing and maintenance of relational databases for storage
Blockchain
Blockchain is a recent technology used to store data that is often more secure than keeping it on a centralized server. The “block” is a record of a transaction that, once completed, is added to the “chain” that creates a digital ledger.
This digital register has been used to log transactions involving the use of cryptocurrency, which have no physical form. Blockchain also helps maintain a user’s intellectual property.
As the tech community looks for other uses of technology such as crowdfunding, digital voting and identity management, encrypted database agreements and blockchain as a service are gaining popularity. Companies are looking for professionals who understand blockchain and can use it as a bookkeeping platform that is hard to corrupt.
Facts About Blockchain
- According to the Deloitte report, high-performance blockchains across industries are expected to arrive soon. Its ubiquity will be witnessed in sectors such as advertising, government and manufacturing.
- Blockchain’s business value is going to grow to more than $176 billion by 2025. It will exceed $3.1 trillion by 2030, according to a Gartner report.
Internet of Things (IoT)
Simply put, IoT is a massive network of various devices that “talk” to each other at the same time. When devices like cellphones, headphones, computers and televisions connect, they are chained to broadband internet provided by different carriers. Today, with over 26.6 billion connected devices worldwide, and a forecasted number of 1.3 billion connections by 2023, the demand for jobs in this field is on the rise.
Facts About IoT
- Despite the universality of the IoT, data breaches are driving demand for IT professionals to equip organization’s and company’s databases with effective cybersecurity strategies, according to the Deloitte report.
- This means that IT professionals interested in looking for a job related to IoT should consider honing their cybersecurity skills.
- Job titles in IoT include: Software engineer, data scientist, IoT consultant, IoT project manager and IoT strategic marketing manager
For many of these technology applications, online courses work as great facilitators. But if you want to be competitive in the market and boost your existing qualifications for a job, pursuing an MBA in Information Technology Management can increase your visibility and keep you up to date with the latest practices within the IT sector.