The information age began in the 70’s, and the world has never been the same again.
While the nature of jobs in the future is uncertain, substantial human resource will be required in computing, and IT as these will be the drivers of the fourth industrial revolution.
Simply put, there are numerous lucrative opportunities in Information Technology young professionals could take advantage of now and in the future.
If IT is your dream profession, take a look at some areas of specialization that are worth considering.
IT Consultant
Consultants come on board to advise and help companies take actions that support their organizational goals.
There are numerous reasons why companies hire consultants.
Top among them is to cut costs. In some setups, hiring an internal IT staff can be expensive or unnecessary. In such instances, hiring someone on a consultancy basis cuts costs while according to the company the IT support it requires.
To be successful in this role, you should have hands-on training in IT, as well as a reasonable experience in IT.
IT Security Analyst
IT security analysts plan and execute security measures to protect computer and network systems in an organization.
They are also instrumental in designing recovery systems in case a company suffers an attack.
The number of cyber-attacks are increasing and evolving, creating a need for not only more security analyst professions but also, professionals with high levels of expertise.
If you are keen on becoming an IT security analyst, start by gaining certification from a reputable institution.
You can do a Bachelor’s Degree in Software Engineering or Computer Science. You can also opt to take a cybersecurity course online.
Cloud Architect
Technology has made it easier for businesses to operate across countries and territories. It’s also made it possible for companies to function effectively with numerous offshore sites and remote workers.
Cloud computing is one of the technologies that can be credited for this.
This technology makes it possible for an organization to have its information in a safe, easily accessible place for any of its employees.
This does not just happen, however. Companies need to engage cloud architects to design, implement, manage, and monitor these systems.
Most architect jobs require a Technical Bachelor of Science Degree, coupled with additional certifications.
Health IT Specialist
If your passions lie in both IT and healthcare, you can work as an IT professional in healthcare.
Health IT is a thriving field with most players in healthcare striving to transition to electronic health records.
In this field, you will merge computer knowledge with record keeping.
Medical coding, cancer registry and billing are newer specialties whose demand is expected to increase.
Web Developers
There are over 3 billion smartphone users in the world.
Almost every company has recognized the potential in marketing their services online and the gains that can be reaped from e-commerce. But they need content, web applications and websites.
These are services you could provide.
To help your clients increase their client base, you need to understand how to make visually stimulating sites, optimization, and be familiar with Web languages.
You are Spoilt for Choice
As you can see, you have many choices to pick from.
Aside from the academic know-how, the IT field is practical, and therefore highly skill-focused.
To be good at it, ensure that you always lookout for opportunities to learn and test drive your theoretical knowledge before getting into the job market.
Look for internships, apprenticeships and even mentors that can hold your hand and teach you the ropes.
Similarly, work on your soft skills as well. Teamwork, communication, and time management are examples of soft skills that can help you succeed in your career path.
