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From software developers to cybersecurity experts, technology professionals play a critical role in shaping the modern world. No wonder, then, that so many people are drawn to IT roles and the chance to pursue a career that's both intellectually stimulating and financially rewarding.
But no one becomes a tech hero overnight! However talented and well-qualified you are, you'll still need to choose a specialization that suits your interests, skill set and personality. To help you chart your career path, here's a rundown of five of the hottest roles in tech, plus the skills and qualifications employers look for when they fill these positions.
Hot Job #1: DevOps Engineer
Software development methodologies like “Agile” help teams deliver quality products at speed by encouraging incremental development, collaboration and accountability. For many organizations, however, such methodologies don't do enough to break down the barriers between their development and operations teams.
Enter DevOps. As the name suggests, this methodology enables development and operations teams to work in harmony across the software development lifecycle, from planning and coding to deployment and monitoring. DevOps engineers aim for continuous integration of code development and testing by using tools that allow teams to collaborate and provide feedback in near real-time.
Why are DevOps engineers in demand?
DevOps is a highly cost-effective approach for software development and testing, which is one reason for the current popularity of this IT role. Another reason is the explosive growth of the cloud over the past few years. As cloud development projects grow in both number and complexity, DevOps engineers play a pivotal role in optimizing application development to meet the needs of both users and the business.
Valuable skills and experience for DevOps engineers
- Cloud computing platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure
- Optimizing code and automating routine tasks
- Managing Software as a service (SaaS) applications
- Containerization DevOps tools like Docker and Kubernetes
- Languages — English fluency is often a must-have skill
Hot Job #2: Data Scientist/Data Analyst
Data scientist is one of the most advanced IT roles, blending statistics, mathematics and computer science. Indeed, such is the role’s intellectual complexity that many companies expect data scientist candidates to have a PhD in one of the aforementioned disciplines.
But don’t be fooled into thinking that data scientist is an academic role. Companies employ these professionals to analyse and extract information from large data sets to help them guide their operations and business strategies. Organizations that learn from data in this way can cut costs, improve decision making and find new market opportunities. In short, data scientists need a head for business as well as a head for figures.
The same could be said for data analysts, although this IT role differs in significant ways from that of data scientist. Data analysts tend to work with existing data, whereas data scientists design processes from scratch to capture that data. Good data analysts excel at creating charts and reports that present data in fresh and compelling ways.
Why are data scientists/data analysts in demand?
As industries become ever more data-driven, so the demand for these IT roles increases. These days, organisations harvest raw, complex data from a wide array of sources, including social media channels, databases and Internet of Things (IoT) sensors. Data scientists are the key to unlocking valuable insights from this torrent of unprocessed data.
If you’re considering a career in data science or data analysis, you may be concerned that automated processes could replace these IT roles as companies invest in machine learning tools to build predictive models. However, while these tools are increasingly powerful, few experts expect them to replace data scientists and analysts any time soon. Data still needs to be tailored and prepared according to the business needs of the organisation — a task best suited to human beings with domain knowledge.
Valuable skills and experience for data scientists
- Programming languages like Python or Java
- Application of advanced statistical models to real-world business challenges
- Power BI, Tableau or some other business intelligence (BI) tool
- Written and verbal communication, including fluency in English
Valuable skills and experience for data analysts
- Experience with spreadsheets and reporting applications, including queries and pivot tables
- Understanding of various data models
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Hot Job #3: IT Project Manager
The IT sector is full of brilliant people with brilliant ideas for brilliant technology. But that’s not enough .to bring a product to market. You also need someone who can see the bigger picture and weave the diverse and sometimes competing strands of a project into one cohesive strategy.
That person is the project manager, a role that combines technology operations with general management. Responsible for shepherding a project from inception to completion, IT project managers must:
- Identify any resources needed for the project and draw up a budget to cover them
- Develop project schedules, milestones, methodologies and key performance indicators
- Assemble and coordinate a team with the necessary skills and experience to execute the project on time and according to specification
Why are IT project managers in demand?
In an increasingly digitized and global business landscape, companies need to quickly adapt to changing circumstances in order to bring their products and services to market. To make that happen, they need leaders who can think on their feet and turn a set of complex requirements into a single, coherent strategy — IT project managers, in other words. If you have leadership skills, a passion for technology and the ability to drive change in an organisation, this is a career path with excellent long-term prospects.
Valuable skills and experience for IT project managers
- High-level communication skills and a track record managing teams and individuals
- Project management certification from a recognised institute
- Familiarity with project management software tools, methodologies and best practices
Hot Job #4: Full-stack Web Developer
Entry-level web developers tend to come in one of two flavours: front-end or back-end. Front-end developers are concerned with the look and feel of a website and how users interact with it. Back-end developers are concerned with the website's basic functionality and how it interacts with databases, servers and the cloud.
As you progress in your career and gain knowledge and experience across different programming languages and frameworks, a third option will become available: full-stack developer. These elite tech professionals can move seamlessly between back-end and front-end processes. Furthermore, they are well-versed in business trends and user experience best practices, which equips them to advise and consult on strategy. Finally, full-stack developers must be first-rate communicators with the ability to collaborate with a wide range of clients and stakeholders and report to senior management.
Why are full-stack developers in demand?
Given the value they can bring to an organisation and the rising demand for web development in the technology sector, it’s no surprise that full-stack developers are highly sought after in 2022. When hiring developers, employers aren’t just looking for first-rate coding skills. They also want talent with the adaptability and flexibility to accelerate and streamline the development process, and full-stack developers are well-positioned to meet this need.
However, it’s not an easy IT role to walk into in the early stages of your career. Seize any opportunity you can to work on both front-end and back-end processes so that you can credibly market yourself as a candidate who has mastered both.
Valuable skills and experience for full-stack developers
- Thorough knowledge of languages and frameworks such as C#, Java, JavaScript, Angular, Reach and Vue, plus database management systems such as MySQL
- Experience of working with software development methodologies like Agile, Waterfall and DevOps
- Being a self-starter who can work with minimal or no supervision — many full-stack developer jobs continue to be remote
Hot Job #5: Cybersecurity Analyst
Can you think like a malicious hacker and identify vulnerabilities in your organisation's information security setup? Can you also think like a business executive and design a cybersecurity strategy that will protect the company's reputation and bottom line?
If so, cybersecurity analyst could be the job for you. You’ll work closely with cybersecurity architects and engineers. While these roles overlap and are often confused, they’re not the same. Analysts are the first line of defence, monitoring the organisation’s network to detect breaches and vulnerabilities. Based on this analysis, cybersecurity architects and engineers can design and implement systems to counter the threats identified.
Why are cybersecurity analysts in demand?
As more and more organisations adopt digital-first business strategies, they become more vulnerable to cyber-attacks. To mitigate this risk, they’re looking to hire cybersecurity experts who can prevent, detect and respond to cyber events. We’re seeing high demand for cybersecurity analysts and similar IT roles across the board, but particularly in industries like financial services, healthcare, government and retail.
Cybersecurity analyst is an intermediate-level IT role that typically requires at least three years of experience working in information security positions. If you're just starting your technology career, consider entry-level security positions like security administrator.
Valuable skills and experience for cybersecurity analysts
- A deep understanding of local and international standards for information security such as ISO 27001.
- Certifications or credentials such as CISSP, CISA or CISM.
- Experience working with SIEM tools like Splunk, ArcSight and Alien Vault
Bonus track: Business Analyst
Business analyst is a multi-functional role, and professionals in this position may draw on knowledge and expertise in fields like computer science, finance and marketing. Regardless of their specialisation, all business analysts have a passion for identifying and interpreting customer needs and translating these into actionable business strategies.
Common business analyst responsibilities include financial analysis, data flow analysis and project management. Strong communication and collaboration skills are essential for this role since business analysts often work with designers, developers and quality assurance teams to implement product corrections and improvements.
Why are business analysts in demand?
The demand for business analysts is already high and expected to increase over the next few years. One of the key drivers for this demand is digital transformation and the ability for organisations to retrieve vast troves of data about how their businesses operate. This data can give businesses a crucial edge over their competitors — if they have people on their team with the skills to interpret that data and turn it into useful insights and solutions.
Valuable skills and experience for cybersecurity analysts
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, finance or a related field
- Experience building and testing APIs
- Ability to write basic SQL queries
