The tech industry is at the top of the list when it comes to profitable organizations. Studies reveal that the US tech industry is predicted to grow by 5% in the coming two years.
While it’s good news for skilled techies looking for a job, it also demands those in the field to keep their skills sharp. Therefore, you will need to know more than the basics to get your foot in the door of a top tech company.
The versatility of the field brings new tech skills to the mix with every new launch. And with 10.7 million people looking for a job in the US, there’s no option but to make your resume stand out.
We have compiled a list of tech skills predicted to be in high demand in the coming years.
Table of Contents
1. Cybersecurity
In the age of digitalization, the biggest hurdle for companies is to keep their data secure. The WannaCry ransomware attack in 2017 was a significant wake-up call for many businesses. It highlighted the importance of cybersecurity and how vulnerable we are to cyber-attacks.
Therefore, companies are willing to pay top dollar for the types of technical skills that help them keep their data safe. Ethical hacking, cryptography, and disaster recovery are some of the most in-demand skills in the cybersecurity field. You must also know ways to mitigate risks and threats and have a working knowledge of compliance standards.
2. Data Mining
Data is at the frontier of the tech industry. Those who know how to mine data and extract valuable insights will always be in demand. With the amount of data generated daily, it has become difficult for businesses to make sense of it all. It is where data mining comes in.
Data mining is the process of extracting patterns from large data sets. It is a key skill for anyone looking to enter the field of data analysis or big data. IBM SPSS and SAS are popular data mining tools. You can learn them through online courses or boot camps.
3. Web Development
The recent pandemic brought a wave that shifted many businesses online. And with that, the demand for web developers has sharply increased.
Web development is a vast field, and there are many programming languages that you can learn. But if you’re just starting, we recommend learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. These are the most popular programming languages and will give you a solid foundation for web development.
In addition, strong creative ability and problem-solving skills will take you a long way in this field.
4. User Experience (UX) Design
Approximately 71% of small businesses have a website today. But how many of them offer a great user experience?
UX professionals have a creative eye and are always thinking about improving the user experience. User experience design is about offering the best possible experience to the user. It involves everything from the website’s layout to the color scheme and typography.
Knowing the design principles of Gestalt will give you an edge in this field. Sketch and Adobe Creative Suite are some of the best in the business if you’re looking for tools to enhance your UX design skills.
5. Digital Marketing
An average American spends 17+ hours online every day. So, it presents a huge opportunity for businesses to reach out to their target audience. But they need the right people to do it.
Digital marketing covers various activities, such as SEO, content, social media, and email marketing. It is an integral part of any business’s marketing strategy. And those with the right skills can mint a lot of money.
The best way to excel at digital marketing is by doing it. Many online courses can help you get started.
Some high-paying digital marketing roles include:
- SEO manager
- Content marketing manager
- Social media manager
6. Artificial Intelligence
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is on the rise. It is being integrated into various aspects of our lives, from how we shop online to how we drive our cars. The potential of AI is still being explored, and we are yet to see its full potential. But one thing is for sure, those with AI skills will become the future stars.
If you’re looking to enter the field of AI, we recommend starting with programming languages and algorithms. You can also learn AI tools such as TensorFlow and PyTorch.
7. Natural Language Processing (NLP)
Have you ever wondered how Google Translate works? Natural language processing is the key to making it happen.
NLP is a branch of AI that deals with processing and analyzing human language. The target is to simplify mission-critical business processes and streamline customer interactions. It is used in various applications, such as machine translation, chatbots, and voice recognition.
Although NLP is a complex field, it offers a lot of opportunities for those with the right skills. Python is the most popular programming language for NLP. However, R is also gaining popularity. If you’re looking for NLP tools, we recommend NLTK and spaCy.
8. Blockchain
Have you ever used a Bitcoin ATM? If so, you have used blockchain.
Blockchain is a distributed database that allows for secure and transparent transactions. The underlying technology behind cryptocurrencies is now expanding into other areas. The financial sector is the most active in the blockchain. But it is also used in healthcare, supply chain management, and voting.
If you’re looking to enter the field of blockchain, we recommend learning about Solidity and Ethereum. These are the most popular tools in the blockchain space. You can also learn about other blockchain platforms, such as Hyperledger and Corda.
9. Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is the new normal. It allows businesses to scale quickly and efficiently. And with the pandemic, many businesses have shifted to the cloud. Professionals looking to enter the cloud computing space should have a strong foundation in programming and networking. Cloud certification will also give you an edge over the competition.
Some other complementary skills include DevOps, containerization, and orchestration.
If you want to add these skills to your repertoire, try learning about AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.
With this skill, you can work as a:
- Cloud Architect
- Cloud Engineer
- Cloud Developer
Final Thought
In this round-up, every mentioned skill is in-demand and will likely remain for the next few years. So, if you want to make a career change or stay ahead of the curve, learning any of these skills will give you a leg up.
But learning them is just the first step. You also need to update your skills to stay relevant continuously. The world of technology is ever-changing, and those who don’t keep up will be left behind.
