The tech industry is taking off — the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that 550,000 new IT jobs will be added to the workforce by 2026, outpacing the growth for education, financial services, and retail sales.1,2 This period of rapid expansion is being fueled by the rise of artificial intelligence and other new technologies, reshaping traditional products for consumer, corporate, and government use. As these trends change the way that we live, work, and interact with people from all walks of life, it’s no wonder that the median annual wage for IT professionals is higher than all of the occupations in the United States.3
If you are searching for a new job in the IT industry, these tech trends will help you find your niche:
Artificial Intelligence
At the dawn of the 21st Century, artificial intelligence could only be found in science fiction novels and blockbuster films. Employers hired IT professionals to perform tasks that computers could never complete, and the demand for IT jobs kept pace with the technology of the time.
But over the course of the last two decades, the rise of big data, fast computers, and tech financing has led to a new form of AI. Consumers and small businesses have access to technology that used to be reserved for government use, and now, artificial intelligence can be found in mobile applications, call centers, and airline flights.
As artificial intelligence becomes a vital part of our lives, IT jobs will change to meet the needs of a new industry. Gartner predicts that there will be 23 million AI positions by 2020, and most of them will focus on developing, programing, testing, and maintaining computer automated systems instead of replacing them.4
Cybersecurity
At the same time, artificial intelligence and machine learning have made it easier for hackers, companies, and foreign countries to threaten our security. Cybersecurity is a growing field within the tech industry, and it will produce 3.5 million new jobs by 2021.5 CNBC states that the average salary for cybersecurity professionals with bachelor’s degrees is $116,000 per year, more than twice the national average for all occupations.6
Internet of Things
The Internet of Things (IoT) is taking over the IT industry, one product at a time. Many of the machines that can be found in homes, small businesses, and retail centers across the country are gaining WiFi connectivity, and as these “things” communicate with one another, the data that they produce will have to be interpreted by an IT professional. 76,500 new IT jobs were created in 2018, many of them due to the rise of IoT technology and advanced robotics systems.7
Virtual Reality
For many Americans, an augmented reality can only be found in video game technology. But over the last few decades, the government has adapted VR and AR technology for military use. IT professionals who are searching for positions with the federal government and defense contractors can take advantage of this trend — information technology is one of the fastest growing industries in the public sector.8
Blockchain Technology
Fans of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are probably familiar with blockchain technology, an encrypted payment platform for digital transactions. But blockchains have broader implications for financial services, and banks like UBS and Berenberg are conducting tests to see if they can put the technology to better use. IT professionals who work in banking, law, or finance will see the biggest returns — there has been a 517% rise in demand for blockchain engineers over the course of the past year.9
As the tech industry adds thousands of positions to the workforce, job candidates can take advantage of the latest trends in information technology. Click on the link below to find IT jobs in your region.
