If there’s one job sector in the UK that seems secure, it’s the technology sector. Investment in technology companies was up to GBP 6.5 billion in 2018, a sizable jump from the previous year.
That investment in technology companies means an increase in technology jobs. These jobs offer higher salaries, growth opportunities, and there are plenty of jobs around.
Do you want to know how you can jump-start your technology career? Keep reading to find out what the hottest technology careers are and how you can start your new career.
The Top Technology Careers
If you’re looking at switching fields and starting a new career in technology, you want to make sure that you’re going to get the right kind of job. Some technology jobs may offer little growth prospects. Those are the jobs that you’ll need to avoid.
These are the top technology careers that offer the best growth prospects now and for years to come.
Data-Driven Jobs
Companies are relying on data to make crucial strategic decisions. These types of jobs are about collecting data and interpreting data. If you can help company executives understand what’s actually happening at their organisation, you will be rewarded with a great career in technology.
Artificial Intelligence
Finding the right tech job is as much about where the industry is going as much as it’s about where the industry is right now. Artificial intelligence is where the industry is going. About 44% of companies worldwide use AI to some degree and that figure is expected to grow.
A machine learning engineer creates processes to automate tasks, or to improve search engine results for users.
Mobile App Developer
It seems like everyone uses a mobile device or two these days. That means that there are billions of devices and users around the world. These users use about 30 different apps a month, which makes a mobile app developer a very popular job.
As a mobile app developer, you’re responsible for designing the app experience for users and programming the app to turn the vision into reality. Just about every type of industry has the need for mobile app development, from financial services to travel.
Web Developer
Even though there are apps and voice-controlled assistants taking over tech, there’s still a need for web developers.
Most businesses are shifting operations to the cloud, which is web-based software. You can ride this wave and develop these applications for organisations of all sizes. You’ll want to make sure that you know programming languages like HTML and CSS.
Digital Marketing
Companies are relying on digital marketing tactics to reach new audiences and increase sales. Digital media campaigns can include social media, search engine optimization, and paid advertising. Even if you don’t plan to enter the marketing field as a career, it won’t hurt to have basic knowledge of digital marketing.
You’re very likely to have to work with the marketing department in many tech careers. The more you know about the work that they do, the more you’ll be able to help them.
Game Developer
One of the favourite picks for the hottest technology careers is to become a game developer. A game developer can do anything from creating the storyline of the game to the programming of the game. If you want to be a game developer, you have to have a love for video games and have the skills to match.
That doesn’t mean winning the next e-sports tournament, but you do need to know C++ and C#.
Cybersecurity
Most organisations operate from the standpoint of it’s not a matter of if we’re hacked, it’s a matter of when. With the average ransomware attack costing around $5 million, you can be certain that companies want to stop these attacks.
As a cybersecurity expert, your primary responsibility is to prevent these attacks from happening. Your second major responsibility is to develop a plan of action in case your systems are compromised.
Invest in Transferrable Skills
As an IT manager, you would be responsible for the design and implementation of a company’s entire infrastructure. You would also have to manage the staff and the budgets as well. You would be responsible for managing the software of the organisation and the hardware, ensuring everything is working and up to date.
Database Administrator
A database administrator can build platforms to store sensitive data such as health information or financial information. They can also manage sales databases and customer records. The most important aspect of this job is making sure that the data is safe and secure.
Getting Hired for an IT Job
Do you have a technology career track in mind? Companies in and around the UK are hiring technology professionals at a very fast pace. You want to make sure that you’re in the best position possible to get your dream job. There are some things that you’ll need to keep in mind as you start your IT career.
Choose Companies to Work For
One of the first things that you want to do is to make a list of companies that you want to work for. Ideally, you want to work for a company that pays well and is aligned with your personal values.
For example, if you value giving back to the community or the environment, you don’t want to work for an organisation that is known for hoarding profits and dumping in rivers. That’s an extreme example, but it does demonstrate why values are an important consideration.
Knowing what you want and value in a company makes it easier to find the company that’s a perfect match for your skills and talents.
Start Networking Now
Even though there are a lot of opportunities in the tech sector, the job front is incredibly competitive. In many cases, getting a job is about the connections you have over the skills and talent.
That’s why it’s important to start networking as soon as you choose a career path. Get a mentor or someone on the inside of companies you want to work for to help guide you in the process.
How can you find these connections? Start by connecting with people using online platforms such as LinkedIn. You can also leverage alumni associations or sign up for courses where they have a partnership with companies to hire students.
Develop Skills and Training
If you want to get a job in technology, you have to have the skills in place to back it up. If you already have a degree in computer science, that will help.
However, companies are usually looking for a very specific skill set when they’re hiring. They want to make sure that you’re up to speed on their systems and understand them. The less time it takes to train you, the better.
If you have a tech degree, you can still gain additional and more specific skills that aren’t taught at university. You can take a business course or a course in IT project management that will put you ahead of the other job candidates.
Are you in a position where your degree is in another field and you’re making a career change? You can leverage your previous professional experience and gain valuable tech skills on top of that.
For example, if you started out your career in sales and added tech skills to your arsenal, you can become a sales engineer.
No matter what path you choose, you’ll need to prove that you have the skills to do the job. The best way to do that is through IT courses and certifications.
CV and Interview Ready
You have the skills, knowledge, and connections. Now, you have to close the deal. You can get your foot in the door, but if you don’t present well, you’ll be overlooked for jobs in the marketplace.
You’ll want to have your CV looked at by others in the industry or you may have it done professionally.
In the interview, you want to show that you’re personable, prepared, and ready to make a difference at the organisation as soon as you’re hired.
Get Started with the Top Technology Careers
It’s no secret that the best careers right now are technology careers. If you’re starting a new job out of university or looking to change careers, you need to strongly consider moving into technology.
These jobs often offer the highest salaries and opportunities for long-term career stability and growth, as long as you choose the right career path. The top jobs range from mobile app development to cybersecurity expert. It’s a wide range of fields where you can easily find a career path to match your interests.
To get a start in technology, you’ll want to get the right skills and start networking now. Those are two key things that you can do to get your foot in the door of a top tech company.
If you’re looking to increase your value in the competitive marketplace, get the right skills by taking the right courses. Contact us today to find out more about our broad range of online courses for IT professionals today.