We all dream of a job that pays well, allows us to work flexibly and offers the opportunity to strike an ideal work-life balance. A career in the tech industry can fulfill these dreams and provide other perks as well.
Tech-related jobs are becoming increasingly popular as digitalization becomes more mainstream. Companies are now attracting and retaining the best talent since this industry is rapidly growing. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in tech-related fields is expected to grow by 13% between 2020 and 2030, which is faster than the average for all other occupations. Apart from jobs, who doesn’t like having another income stream by working from home? If you learn how to market your skills and experience, it can also open doorways for freelancing.
A tech career can have opportunities in any field. From healthcare to entertainment, the possibilities are endless. Listed below are seven tech-related careers to consider in 2024.
Machine Learning
Have you ever wondered how Netflix recommends seasons or movies that fit your interests? Well, that’s machine learning in action. In simple terms, machine learning entails training a machine to do specific tasks. According to Indeed.com, machine learning engineers enjoy an excellent base pay of $132,452 per year. To become a machine learning professional, you must have analytical skills and experience in programming languages like JavaScript and Python. Machine learning boot camps can get you started in this industry from scratch; anyone with time and a little dedication can pull it off.
Cyber Security
Cyberattacks are on the rise. According to Cyber Magazine, a ransomware attack occurs every 11 seconds. Hence cybersecurity professionals are in high demand. You don’t need a technical degree to become a cybersecurity professional. For example, an MBA in Cybersecurity degree program can land you a job as a security analyst, which doesn’t require coding/programming. The primary responsibilities of said professionals include collecting data, researching, and developing cybersecurity strategies. According to the BLS, cybersecurity professionals took home a median salary of $103,590 in 2020.
Data Analysis
Data analysis is the overall process of cleaning, transforming, and modeling data to find helpful insight for making better business decisions. The job responsibilities vary depending on the industry and job role. For example, some data analysts prefer statistical software over programming language. Since data analysts streamline the decision-making process, they enjoy high employment in any industry that generates truckloads of data. The average base salary of a data analyst is $65,308 per year. To pursue a career in this niche, you need to have a bachelor’s degree in statistics or a related field, followed by a master’s degree in data analytics.
Artificial Intelligence
Many people often mix up AI and machine learning. However, that’s not quite true. Machine learning is about training machines, whereas AI is about making decisions. AI also plays a crucial role in automating laborious manual tasks.AI professionals, thus, helping design tools that make work easier for humans. According to Talent.com, the median salary in this field is $137,750 per year. To become an AI engineer, you need to have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or other related fields. Having programming and deep learning skills and the ability to work with big data is an added plus to securing a good job.
UX/UI design
Do you want to be in tech without sounding too technical? UX/UI designing is the answer. It is also a field where a technical degree is not mandatory, so you should pursue this career if you have a knack for creative design. UX/UI design is all about creating an interface for the users, such as a website, mobile applications, and much more. UI (User Interface) design relates to how an interface appears to users, whereas UX (user experience) design is how users interact with that interface. According to PayScale, the average salary is $75,373 per year, which brings it at par with other high-paying jobs such as nursing. However, you can also work as a freelancer and earn more money on the side.
Digital Marketing
Again, this may not sound like a conventional tech-related job, but since online marketing is the dominant approach companies use to reach their target audience nowadays, you’ll be working with a lot of technology to get your work done. So, if you have a knack for content creation, this might be the ideal choice for you. Platforms like Google Skillshop and Hubspot Academy can get you started in this field without any prior knowledge. One of the pros of these platforms is that they also provide free certifications to upskill your digital marketing and SEO know-how quickly. As per Indeed.com, digital marketers make around $61,472 per year.
Conclusion
A tech-related career can be lucrative and offer flexibility to work remotely. Hence freelancing and extra income alongside full-time employment is doable as long as you can manage your routine. Due to the pandemic, many people lost their jobs. Yet tech professionals thrived because of digitalization and remote work opportunities. COVID-19 taught us how important is it to acquire technical skills that can support us financially through thick and thin. So, if any field mentioned above captures your interest, enroll yourself in relevant courses. Remember! It’s never too late to pursue a tech career, so get started.
Share Your Views: