IT is a booming industry with a wealth of potential career opportunities. Due to people’s everyday reliance on computers and technology, it’s safe to say that jobs in this sector will continue to grow. If you’re looking for a career change, check out this list of top 5 IT jobs, to help make a decision about your future in the industry.
1. Information Security Analyst
An information security analyst works to implement and continually improve computer security systems, and come up with strategies that ensure vital information is protected from cyber-criminals. A bachelor’s degree in computer or information security is typically necessary. Employment opportunities in this sector are expected to grow by approximately 28.5 percent in the coming years.
2. Mobile Application Developer
Mobile application developers work to create applications for various types of mobile devices, such as Android and Apple cell phones and tablets. They use a variety of programming languages to do their job. If you want to work in this field, you should expect to get, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree in IT specialities like computer science or software engineering. This can be a difficult field to get into, but the long-term growth for employment opportunities is approximately 30.7 percent.
3. Data Scientist
A data scientist works to direct the application and gathering of data for multiple corporations, government agencies, and other organizations. They use their broad skillset to tackle the storage, retrieval and implementation of data systems and data. Data scientists often take on a management role working within a team of IT professionals.
Most employers will expect applicants to have a bachelor’s degree in an IT related field. Some employers may require a master’s degree. The employment opportunities for this career path are expected to grow by about 11.5 percent in the coming years.
4. Web Developer
If you like technology and art, this is the ideal career for you. It allows you to sharpen your IT skills the fun way while you earn a living. Professionals in this field design website navigation and layout. They also test websites for optimization, and write code for web pages.
You will usually need at least a bachelor’s degree in a field related to IT. There is expected to be approximately a 15 percent growth in employment opportunities in this sector as time goes on.
5. Software Engineer
Software engineers work to develop, optimize, design and test computer programs. These are used for business applications, video games, operating systems, network control systems, and social networking sites. To break into this diverse field, most employers will want you to have at least a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field. The employment opportunities in this sector are expected to grow by about 11.1 percent.
Working in IT usually requires some type of formal training. You have the choice between a college degree, apprenticeship training or a trade school, depending on the career path you want to pursue, so this is a flexible field to get into.