Education & Career Trends: September 15, 2024
Curated by the Knowledge Team of ICS Career GPS
Excerpts are taken from an article published on techtarget.com
In today’s rapidly evolving job market, job seekers need to be more strategic than ever. The rise of AI, widespread tech layoffs, and events like the Great Resignation have shifted the landscape, making it crucial to consider demand when planning a career. For those in tech, understanding the most in-demand positions can provide a significant advantage.
Here, we’ll explore nine of the top tech jobs in 2024, including job duties, skills needed, reasons for demand, and career paths.
While salaries may vary depending on location, industry, and company, these positions remain highly sought after across various employers, from startups to large enterprises.
1. IT Manager
Job Description: IT managers oversee an organisation’s technology strategy, making decisions related to software, hardware, and cybersecurity. They collaborate with executives and manage vendor relationships, ensuring tech operations run smoothly.
Skills Needed: Strategic thinking, leadership, project management, broad technical expertise, and communication skills.
Career Path: Typically, IT managers hold a bachelor’s degree in computer science, with many advancing to this role after several years of experience in IT roles.
Demand: 86,000 new IT manager jobs are expected by 2032, driven by the growing importance of digital transformation and cybersecurity across industries.
2. Machine Learning Engineer
Job Description: Machine learning engineers develop AI technologies to help systems simulate human thought processes. Duties include training AI systems, verifying data quality, and analysing datasets.
Skills Needed: Expertise in AI, deep learning, TensorFlow, and Python, as well as experience with natural language processing and algorithms.
Career Path: A bachelor’s degree in computer science is the minimum requirement, though employers often prefer candidates with a master’s degree in AI or machine learning.
Demand: With ML engineering ranked among the fastest-growing jobs, demand continues to spread across industries like IT, transportation, and manufacturing.
3. Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)
Job Description: SREs ensure that websites and applications operate smoothly by combining software development and systems engineering. They build automation, address scalability, and resolve operational issues.
Skills Needed: Proficiency in software development, programming (Java, Python), networking, and DevOps practices.
Career Path: Typically requiring a bachelor’s degree in computer science, SRE roles often need experience with scalable service environments and coding.
Demand: SRE roles have seen significant growth, with 34% annual growth between 2015 and 2019. They are expected to remain critical for businesses managing large-scale services.
4. Software Developer
Job Description: Software developers create programs, applications, and operating systems. They are involved in coding, planning, testing, and analysing user needs.
Skills Needed: Coding in multiple programming languages (C++, Python, Java), software development concepts, and critical thinking.
Career Path: A bachelor’s degree in computer science is common, though some may enter the field with associate degrees or coding bootcamp certifications.
Demand: The need for software developers is projected to increase by 25% through 2032, adding over 450,000 new jobs.
5. Computer Network Architect
Job Description: Network architects design and build data communication systems, from small office networks to cloud infrastructures, ensuring smooth connectivity across organisations.
Skills Needed: Networking technology expertise, business IT understanding, and strong presentation skills.
Career Path: A bachelor’s degree in computer science or information systems is typical, along with five to 10 years of experience in roles like network administration.
Demand: As IT needs expand, 6,300 new jobs are expected in this field by 2032.
6. DevOps Engineer
Job Description: DevOps engineers manage software releases by collaborating with both development and IT teams, optimising systems for efficiency and productivity.
Skills Needed: Coding skills (Python, Java), DevOps tools, automation, and familiarity with continuous integration/delivery pipelines.
Career Path: DevOps roles generally require a degree in computer science or engineering, with experience in software engineering or IT infrastructure.
Demand: With the DevOps market projected to grow significantly, DevOps engineers are among the top 20 most in-demand IT jobs.
7. Information Security Analyst
Job Description: Information security analysts safeguard computer systems from cyberattacks by implementing and managing security measures.
Skills Needed: Cybersecurity expertise, network knowledge, and critical thinking.
Career Path: Most security analysts hold a bachelor’s degree in computer science and have prior experience in network or systems administration.
Demand: Cybersecurity threats continue to rise, driving demand for analysts, with 53,200 new jobs expected by 2032.
8. Data Scientist
Job Description: Data scientists analyse large datasets to uncover insights that drive business strategies. They use AI, predictive modeling, and data visualisation tools.
Skills Needed: Statistics, machine learning, data wrangling, and critical thinking.
Career Path: Most data scientists hold a bachelor’s degree in computer science, statistics, or mathematics.
Demand: As data becomes increasingly critical to decision-making, data scientist jobs are expected to grow by 35% by 2032.
9. Computer Systems Analyst
Job Description: Systems analysts design and implement IT systems that align with an organisation’s needs and budget.
Skills Needed: Understanding of business models, IT systems, research, and communication skills.
Career Path: Typically, analysts have degrees in information systems or computer science, with some employers preferring business-related studies.
Demand: Computer systems analyst jobs are projected to increase by 10% by 2032, creating 51,100 new roles.
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(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article mentioned above are those of the author(s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of ICS Career GPS or its staff.)
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