Every year brings changes to jobs in the technology industry. What does 2017 have in store? Consider these trends.
The Hottest Jobs
Image via Flickr by gromgull
According to LinkedIn, 12 of the 20 most promising jobs in 2017 are in the tech field. In fact, sales engineer jobs are projected to grow 159 percent year after year, and site reliability engineers are projected to take in $140,000 per year.
Some of the other tech jobs that are trending in 2017 include:
- Technical program manager
- Data engineer
- Scrum master
- Software engineer
- Data architect
- Analytics manager
These jobs require a broad range of skills, most of which center on specific programs, such as Hadoop, Python, and Apache. Other sought-after skills that aren’t attached to specific programs include data mining, project engineering, variance analysis forecasting, and software development.
It is also worth noting that designers are a hot commodity. Graphic designers, software designers, and other types of designers make a good salary and are extremely valuable to employers.
The Most Wanted Traits
Many of the things that employers want don’t relate directly to technical abilities; the most employable people often possess soft skills that will bring a team together and promote innovative thinking.
In 2017, many employers are keeping their eyes out for candidates who have good social skills. In the past, a social disposition might have been seen as a roadblock to productivity, but that mindset is changing. Social people bring a human quality to the workplace that automated processes will never be able to imitate.
Organization is another thing that employers crave. People who can organize a project, meet deadlines, and keep their desk tidy often have an easier time finding jobs than folks whose mindset is a little more chaotic.
Punctuality and critical thinking skills are also on employers’ lists of desirable traits.
A Changing Tech Landscape
Technology changes at a breathtaking pace, and even college grads may have a difficult time keeping up. These changes affect jobs across all parts of the tech industry, including design, cyber security, and software development.
To keep up with the latest trends, job candidates should avail themselves of a broad range of resources, including online training courses, books, and periodicals.
A Growing Demand for IT Workers
According to data from Robert Half Technology, only two percent of businesses plan to reduce their IT staffs in 2017. Twelve percent plan to put hiring on hold, but the remainder plan to add team members to their IT departments. Some will move workers from other departments to IT, while almost 70 percent of businesses plan to openly hire IT experts.
There may also be more of a demand for contingent IT workers rather than full-time staffers. In 2016, about 80 percent of IT workers were full-time employees, whereas only 20 percent were contingent workers. This ratio might change in 2017.
If you work in the tech industry, staying on top of trends can help you find a job that fits your skills. It can also help you decide which of your skills to develop so you are more desirable to employers in 2017.