There is a huge demand for information technology (IT) professionals nationwide. In fact, two years from now, the U.S. Department of Labor forecasts that there will be one million IT jobs available with no one to fill them, according to CIO magazine.
Sounds like job security, doesn’t it? But to maximize your career, it is a good idea to be on top of major trends in IT positions. Our business is dynamic and sometimes disruptive, so it is a field where trends come and go rapidly.
Here are the top three IT trends people should be aware of.
1. IT Professionals Moving Into Leadership Roles
For years, IT pros were expected to make sure everything in tech worked, that systems were up to the mark and perhaps to gather data. But increasingly, they are moving into customer-facing leadership roles.
Part of the move is fed by a growing realization on the part of companies that data and digital systems alone are not enough. Information on customer preferences needs to be gathered, and users need both information and insight on products. The chief requirements of companies are increasingly meeting goals, solving problems and addressing human needs. IT pros are in a position to contribute meaningfully to all of these.
As a result, soft skills, including the ability to communicate and work with a team, are more important than ever.
2. Certifications in Analytics
The age of Big Data is upon us, with machine learning, artificial intelligence, blockchain and more contributing to vast streams of data. That is very good news for IT professionals. But the area companies define as crucial is transitioning from data gathering to data analysis. Certifications in data analytics are increasingly important.
Partly, this is driven by the growing realization that streams of data by themselves cannot enhance product offerings, productivity or cost containment. For all of these, analysis of data is needed. Optimizing value is what it is all about, not solely optimizing the amount of data or transmitting it without sufficient preparation.
3. The Growing Importance of Cybersecurity Skills
It is becoming increasingly obvious that IT devices and systems are open to sophisticated cyberbreaches and cybercrime — and the number of actors is growing as well, from hackers to other companies and foreign countries.
As a result, the need for IT professionals to have cybersecurity skills is a growing trend.
Many observers believe that schools and training programs need to focus more on cybersecurity than they have in the past. Up until recently, the focus has been more on expanding coding skills.
Widespread security breaches, such as the one at Equifax, will likely continue to reveal the need for more cybersecurity professionals who can work in cybersecurity, governance and corporate compliance departments.
Contact Us If You’re Looking for an IT Job
Here at Nesco Resource, we help skilled IT professionals further their careers. Whether you are looking for your first job or are a seasoned pro, we can help you maximize your job search. Contact our company today to learn about our available positions.
