Technology is ever changing and advancing. These are the in-demand tech jobs for 2024 and the future. Included are the potential salary, as well as course study and skills fitting for each
1. IT Manager (Median Salary- $140,656)
As an IT manager, your role is to not only lead the team(s) to expand their information technology systems and improve cybersecurity, but they also map the long-term direction of IT needs. Computer/ information technology managers require a background in technology, as well as have the skills for problems solving, project management, and the ability to lead others.
- A bachelor’s in computer science or information technology is often a requirement
- Technical computer skills
- Communication skills- able to effectively communicate with their team, present ideas, and communicate to other managers
- Leadership skills- influencing, building relationships, and mentoring members of the team
- Critical thinking- the job requires someone who understands business functions, strategy, workflow, and decision making
- Problem solving skills-managing conflicts, risks, costs, time, and forecasting
- Software proficiency
- Project management- understanding the details of the project, involving the necessary teams, and making sure the project stays on track and meets the completion date
Cybersecurity is a major role these days, considering the uptick in ransomware attacks to major casinos, hospitals, and businesses. Even network TV is creating shows about cybersecurity, saving the world one firewall at a time. Having a secure network and having someone that can maintain it and protect it is vital to majority of businesses.
A Cybersecurity analyst is a trained professional who specializes in network and information technology infrastructure security. They study and understand cyberattacks, malware, the behavior of cybercriminals, and actively seek to anticipate and protect networks against and prevent these attacks.
A cybersecurity analyst’s primary role is to know a company’s technology infrastructure in detail, monitors it at all times, and evaluates threats that can potentially breach the network. They look for ways to enhance the company’s network security and protect its sensitive information.
- A bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, computer and information technology or a related field such as engineering or mathematics.
- Certifications- CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) and CySA+(CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst) are options as well
- CISSP is a valuable information security certification. It’s been around for over 25 years, and more than 130,000 individuals in over 170 countries are holders of this cert. It’s in high demand and those who have this certification earn more than individuals that don’t. (CISSPs have an average salary of $131,030, according to ISC²)
- CISSP is for professionals with experience- to qualify, you have to demonstrate the equivalent of four years of hands-on experience and have a CISSP holder vouch for you.
- CYSA+ is more in line for someone who is a beginner in cybersecurity. As a candidate, you must display skills in multiple areas of cybersecurity.
- Network and computer systems administrator positions can lead to a cybersecurity analyst role, as these jobs have a familiarity with their company’s network infrastructures and have a general idea of how to manage users and maintain system security.
No lie, we were all web developers back in the early, mid-2000s when everyone had a MySpace account. Changing your background and layout, adding songs, and changing your top friends list qualifies as web development.
A web developer creates websites. They ensure the sites are reliable in performance and efficacy. Their primary role is to ensure the website is visually appealing and user friendly/easy to navigate, while also maintaining performance and capacity.
They fit into three categories: back-end developers, front-end developers, and full-stack developers.
- Back-end developers create the website’s structure, writes code, and ensures the code works. They may also be responsible for managing access points for others that need to manage the website’s content.
- Front-end developers work on the visuals of the website- everything that visitors to the website might interact with. They design the layouts of each page, enhance the appearance, and overall make sure the website is easy to navigate for the user.
- Full-stack developer developers can build the front end and the back end of a website. Since they have a hand in many areas of the development process, they must have expertise in both. An overview of what a full- stack developer can do:
- Develop and maintain web services and interfaces
- Build new product features and APIs
- Perform tests, troubleshoot software, implement bug fixes
- Key Skills for a Web Developer (front-end, back-end, full-stack)
- Multitasking- handling multiple processes and efficiency for web developers working on several projects under tight deadlines
- Self-Motivation- Project deadlines for web development are crucial and so procrastination won’t work if a web developer is looking to meet necessary goals and project deadlines
- Organizational skills- keep track of projects, deadlines, and budgets to ensure targets and goals are met
- Attention to detail- this is crucial since incorrect coding can cause a website to function poorly, not at all, or create a security risk. Web developers often check and double check their work to ensure the application or website is functioning properly.
- Communication- Strong communication skills are necessary since you may have to explain a programming flaw or a functionality issue, or walk someone through a solution, give insight into a project that you may be working on. Being able to explain a complex subject to someone that doesn’t have a technical background will help them make an informative decision, create an action plan and solve problems. This is a good skill that will come in handy throughout your career.
- HTML/CSS- scripting languages used in webpage and web application development
- Testing and Debugging
Y’all saw it coming.
Artificial Intelligence has taken off over the past few years. For example, the AI portrait app, Lensa, was heavy on social media as people were creating “magical avatars” of themselves to use for profile pictures. AI filters are used on Tik Tok that make avatars of the user, showing where they may have had a wound or a sickness in their body, and it looks like it’s accurate…according to the people that use it. And let’s not forget the biggest of them all- the Terminator.
AI professionals work in the computer science field and focus on building machines that have the capability of “learning.” These machines take the information they’ve been provided and use it to problem solve and learn from the input.
Some examples of using AI (outside of social media): Health care- a company may use a chat AI bot to answer questions that a patient might have regarding insurance; media companies use it to suggest shows or movies you may be interested in based off things you’ve previously watched. AI out here got Patrick and SpongeBob singing Drake and Lil’ Wayne songs. The travel industry uses it to give real-time updates on traffic and change in routes to help you get to your destination faster.
A bachelor’s in computer science, data science, mathematics, or statics is good. Programming, mathematics, and machine learning concepts are a major focus. It’s possible to also become an AI engineer through online courses and bootcamps.
Key Skills
- Programming languages (ex. Python, Java)
- Framework and libraries – software libraries or platforms that provide developers with tools and building blocks, APIs, and pre-built components to build and deploy artificial intelligence (AI) models and application
- Data processing
- Machine learning- a branch of artificial intelligence and computer science that focuses on data use and algorithms to mimic the way humans learn, gradually improving in accuracy
- Knowledge of intelligent user interface (IUI)
- Problem solving/ analytical thinking
- Communication
- Creativity
Cloud computing is the process of providing computer services such as servers, storage, databases, and analytics over the Internet. It allows users on-demand access without needing a local infrastructure or hardware.
There are different types of cloud engineers:
- Cloud architects
- Cloud software developers
- Cloud security engineers
- Cloud administrators
- Cloud network engineers
- Cloud automation engineers
Cloud engineers work with customers to understand their needs and create a customized solution to improve their business operations. They focus on the technical aspects of building and maintaining a cloud infrastructure, including building the applications that will run on the cloud platform.
- A bachelor’s in computer science or a related field, and expertise in programming languages (Java, Python, Ruby, etc) are skills essential to be a cloud engineer.
- Knowledge of operating systems like Linux, Ubuntu, and Windows
- Understanding and knowledge of networking concepts is critical in developing a secure and scalable computer system
- Knowledge of security protocols
Key Skills
- Technical skills- experience with cloud technologies such as Amazon Web services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform
- Infrastructure as code- Terraform, CloudFormation, or Azure Resource Manager to automate the creation and management of cloud infrastructure
- Data management- work with cloud-based database services such as AWS RDS, Azure SQL database, or Google Cloud Spanner
Just like a cybersecurity analyst is a crucial role, a network engineer’s role is also crucial. These are professionals that build an organization’s network foundations and ensure it runs smoothly for the business’s operations.
- Expert knowledge of networking concepts and protocols such as TCP/IP, DHCP, UDP, and routing
- Experience with network hardware and infrastructure such as routers, hubs, servers, VPNs, and switches
- Knowledge of firewalls and security for network security
- Knowledge of cloud networking architecture, virtualization, and automation
- Experience with monitoring and troubleshooting complex network issues
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent communication skills to explain technical concepts to non-technical individuals
- Good time management skills to coordinate various project aspects
In general, network engineers perform daily tasks to ensure the network is running properly.
Key Responsibilities
- Establishing, designing, and implementing the network layout to improve network efficiency (LAN, WAN, Access Points)
- Performing tasks such as monitoring network traffic, analyzing network logs, and identifying issues to track and improve network performance
- Troubleshooting network issues by identifying the root cause of the problem and developing a plan to resolve it
- Collaborating with other teams such as system administrators or security personnel for resolving issues and ensuring the optimal working of the networks
- Configuring and maintaining various network hardware and software such as routers, switches, and firewalls to ensure network security and efficiency
- Implementing security measures such as firewalls, VPNs, and intrusion detection systems, monitoring network activity for suspicious activity, and responding to security incidents
- Conducting maintenance of network and implementing network upgrade tasks such as installing new hardware or software, upgrading existing devices, or making changes to network configurations
According to Zippia.com, 62 percent of network engineers have a bachelor’s degree, and 21 percent have an associate degree. Concentrations in computer science, information systems, mathematics, physics, and engineering are areas of study. You can gain hands on experience by interning or working in Network, IT, or related roles.
Certifications are beneficial, as it allows you to stay up to date on the latest knowledge regarding networking and shows that you are an expert in specific networking technologies. Common network certifications for network engineers include:
- Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
- Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
- Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
- CompTIA Network+