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The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic is taking a huge toll on the global economy, destroying millions of jobs around the world as cash-strapped companies are forced to reduce staff. The International Labour Organization has forecast that the pandemic could reduce global working hours by nearly 7 percent in the second quarter of 2020—equivalent to 195 million full-time jobs.
The pandemic is forcing many firms to rethink the way they operate. Companies are now digitizing processes, allowing employees to work remotely and moving to platforms. All this is increasing demand for certain tech professionals to help with the transition.
The tech sector is considered one of the safest industries in a post Covid-19 world. These are some of the positions whose demand is on the rise now and will continue to increase in the long run.
Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Engineer
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a technology that focuses on teaching machines to think like humans. Part of AI, machine learning is a technique used to create complex algorithms that learn based on experience and make accurate predictions.
AI and machine learning are becoming more and more pervasive in today’s world, with applications across every industry and area of human endeavor. For example, in e-commerce and retail, machine learning is used to create targeted campaigns that attract more buyers. Marketeers use machine learning to collect and parse vast amounts of data to provide online customers an experience similar to what they would have in-store.
As the tech industry shifts its focus toward the emerging field of automation, demand for AI/Machine Learning Engineers is exploding. From 2015 to 2018, the number of job openings for these professions grew by an astounding 344 percent.
These are among the best tech jobs for the future by most measures. These developers use big data to train models involved in natural language processing, economic forecasting, and image recognition.
The average base salary for an AI/Machine Learning Engineer is $146,085.
Information Security Analyst
As companies move growing amounts of data online, the need for qualified Information Security Analysts is multiplying. Information Security Analysts work on the front lines to protect information systems from cybersecurity threats. Their job is to ensure that hackers and criminals do not gain access to user data and sensitive company information. The Information Security Analyst is also responsible for testing systems to identify any areas of improvement.
An Information Security Analyst’s responsibilities vary depending on the company, but generally speaking, they include monitoring security access, performing security audits on company infrastructure, analyzing security breaches to identify the cause, writing and updating disaster recovery plans, and verifying the security of third-party software.
Many employers still expect a bachelor’s degree in computer science, but it’s possible to land an Information Security Analyst job without one. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 2018 to 2028, the number of Information Security Analyst job openings will grow at a rate of 32 percent, which is much faster than average.
The median salary for this profession is $98,350
Computer Research Scientist
A Computer Research Scientist is an expert in the field of computer science who focuses on solving complex problems. Being at the vanguard of technological information, their research expands our understanding of computer science and makes computer technology more efficient.
These professional researchers are responsible for finding vulnerabilities in software before hackers can cause damage. Without them, modern technology would be much less advanced and secure. Their work may result in leaps in software technology that are as important as advances in hardware capabilities.
Becoming a Computer Research Scientist can be a very lucrative and rewarding career path. From 2018 to 2028, the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the number of job openings for Computer Research Scientists to expand by 16 percent, much faster than average. The median salary for this profession in 2018 was $118,370.
Data Analyst
In the digital age, data is king. More and more roles focus on data and how to use it. A Data Analyst is skilled at interpreting data, ensuring its accuracy, and finding the best ways to use it.
A Data Analyst translates data into plain English, whether sales figures, market research, logistics, or transportation costs. Their ultimate goal is to help companies make better business decisions. Experts expect the number of job openings for Data Analysts to grow by 16 percent from 2018 to 2028.
In 2019, Data Analysts were earning, on average, $118,370 a year.
Web Developer
Web Developers design, build, and maintain websites and web applications using different programming languages and frameworks. They are behind every website and web application you use, including the Career Karma website.
Web Developer positions fall into three categories: Front End Developer, responsible for the part of the application that the user sees; Back End Developer, who focuses on what’s happening behind the scenes; and Full Stack Developer, who deals with both ends of the application.
No matter what type of Web Developer you want to become, you can get started on your career by earning a computer science degree from a university or attending a coding bootcamp. Some even choose to teach themselves the trade by using the resources available for free on the web.
As long as we have the Internet, we will need qualified web developers. Demand for these professionals will continue to grow for the foreseeable future, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 13 percent rise in the number of openings for this profession from 2018 to 2028.
Web Developers, even entry-level positions, bring in handsome salaries. The median salary for a web developer in 2018 was $69,430.
UX/UI Designer
People who design products are in high demand and command big salaries, which makes a career in UX/UI design very attractive.
A User Experience (UX) Designer focuses on creating products that are as easy to use and intuitive as possible. They conduct research that exposes the potential challenges customers face with the product. Based on those findings, UX Designers make changes to optimize the user experience.
A User Interface (UI) Designer, on the other hand, is responsible for the overall design and look of a product. They choose the colors and font of a website as well as the style of each element of an application. They also assess the accessibility of a particular design. UI Designers use the information gathered by UX Designers to create aesthetically pleasing and functional designs.
In short, the UX Designer conducts research and identifies problems customers face with a product. They pass that information to the UI Designer, who uses it to create an attractive and functional design.
