Graduating during this time of economic uncertainty can be unsettling. Although the tech industry has seen its share of layoffs and it’s too early to tell the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the tech industry, certain sections of technology will continue to see growth. Here are five tech roles for 2020 tech grads to consider.
Cybersecurity/Network Engineer
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Agency named cybersecurity engineers, cybersecurity risk management jobs, and information technology staff as essential for continued infrastructure viability. These roles are critical to many businesses, especially since many have transitioned to online work. The number of COVID-related phishing attacks has skyrocketed, and the need for professionals to battle these attacks will expand.
Data Scientist/Data Engineer
Before the pandemic, the data science industry was a growing sector of technology, and there was a shortage of talent to fill data science roles. According to the Dice 2020 Tech Job Report, data engineers were the fastest-growing job in technology in 2019, with a 50% year-over-year growth in the number of open positions. While there have been layoffs in this area, data scientists and data engineers are critical to businesses’ data infrastructure, and this trend is unlikely to change due to COVID.
Technology Support
Amid COVID, many companies have transitioned to remote work for the first time, and remote work will likely become a part of our workplace culture. The increase in remote work means that support services for technology have spiked. Support.com recently announced it is hiring for an unlimited number of remote support agent roles.
Software Engineer (Cloud Computing)
Cloud computing has become an essential function in many organizations. With the transition to remote work, the infrastructure needed to support remote work remains a challenge. Despite the lockdowns, there is still a need to distribute food and supplies. Since nearly all online retailers use the cloud to function, the need is greater as online activity surges.
Application Developer
The rise in remote work and reliance on mobile applications will continue post-pandemic. According to Statista, there will be 7 billion mobile device users by 2021, with over 258 billion mobile downloads expected by 2022. Mobile device users are spending 87% of their time on mobile apps. While times are uncertain for many, developers will be needed to carry out critical business functions.
Do you need help searching for jobs in tech? Curious about how your skills can apply to any of the above roles? Schedule a virtual advising appointment today!