Does a Career Pivot to a New Technology Role Make Sense? Experts say ‘Yes’
Forrester released a report in September 2017, which confirmed what IT and technology professionals already knew from experience; it’s a good time to be employed in the tech sector. The report indicated that global purchases of software, hardware and services by both private business and government agencies would grow by at least 4% in 2018 alone.
Spending in software and technology consulting services were also forecasted to increase over 6% in 2018, according to the “Midyear Global Tech Market Outlook For 2017 To 2018”.
If you are thinking of making a career pivot into technology or retraining for a ‘second act’ out of early retirement to pursue lucrative employment opportunities, consider some of the highest demand roles and where your new career could take you.
Which Technology Careers Are Projected for Continued High-Growth?
Our global recruitment team chose eight of the most high-demand career opportunities for candidates currently employed in the technology sector. From technical skills such as software development, to marketing and ecommerce design, and IT data privacy and security, there are many niches worth exploring as an exciting new career opportunity.
1. Computer and Data Information Scientist
One of the few roles in information technology that warrants the label ‘scientist’, the growth rate for this role in America exceeds other IT roles, at 19% per annum. Computer and information research scientists are responsible for inventing and designing new and innovative approaches to using technology for personal use (consumer SaaS) or business applications. They also work to solve complex problems in the healthcare and medical industries (including use of aggregate health data for predictive models and precision care).
2. Senior User Experience Designer
A team leader who works with other designers, product engineers and IT talent to create a memorable, efficient and intuitive experience for the end user (business or customer) who will be using the software. This involves a deep understanding of psychological principals of web design, data flow, imagery and multimedia, to create positive and competitively profitable engagements with the end user.
3. Software Architects
Software architects are responsible for all the attributes and decision making that goes into creating a high performing piece of software. This individual understands how to manage the flow of data, while designing an interface that allows the information to be accessible (and protected). Code writers are responsible for making choices that help the software to provide accelerated functionality, while maintaining the integrity of the network to ensure reliable use, and minimal down-time.
4. Software Engineer
One of the most important aspects of the role of software engineers, is to continuously improve and update existing software to help organizations remain agile and competitive. Frequently the implementation of an entirely new platform is too time and cost intensive, and software engineers help to grow the capabilities in tandem with business needs.
Another important contribution of software engineers (when building new software from the ground up) is the ability to design UX for scalability, including multiple platform versions of the software, planned updates and patches, and to ensure compatibility and stability for the software as it coordinates with other software.
5. ASIC Design Engineer
An ASIC design engineer (application specific integrated circuit) defines and coordinates action changes, writes documentation and test parameters and specifications, and provides technical support to team members and reports to management on authorization and verification technologies.
To obtain a position as an ASIC Design Engineer, a professional must usually acquire a degree in electrical or computer engineering (master’s degree is preferred in large corporations). Strong programming skills are required, including Verilog, C++ and other code methodologies.
6. Vice President of Information Technology
Leadership skills and corporate diplomacy are required for this coveted role at the top of the hierarchy of IT and technology management. Many corporations require the completion of an MBA program in addition to 20 years or more progressive experience in IT work, in the areas of programming, system design, operations and some exposure to network security designs and protocols.
7. Chief Information Security Officer
From managing secure financial and banking transactions for the organization, to the requirements of GDPR regulations and the protection of corporate assets, the Chief Information Security Officer is one of the most important and valuable roles for large corporations. This individual typically requires a minimum of an honors degree in IT, with a decade or more of systems security management, and leads the national (or sometimes global) technology teams to protect data against infiltration or illegal access.
As fines for data breach of customer information can reach into the millions, the head of information security will play a critical role to protect the organization, through innovative network security measures, training for staff and data administration.
8. Vice President of Ecommerce
As consumers continue to increase demand with online shopping, both independent ecommerce owners and retail chains are rapidly adapting. The Vice President of Ecommerce manages the marketing and promotional aspects, as well as overseeing the security of financial transactions and UI design of retail websites, supply chain management and much more.
Moving to Live Close to a Tech Hub May Become a Thing of the Past
One of the greatest limitations or challenges to the high rate of job growth in the technology sector, is the geographic concentration of leading technical and executive roles in specific areas around the world. Technology Startup’s are an excellent opportunity for new graduates and entry-level candidates, but they tend to be focused in areas where capital investment firms are located. That’s how we begin to see patterns in the location of tech-hubs in areas like San Jose California, Boston and New York, London, Berlin, Amsterdam and Madrid.
It is not surprising to learn that the cities that have robust growth and thriving technology hubs, are also some of the most expensive cities with high-cost of living, that can make recruiting leading technology talent more difficult. Increasingly we are seeing organizations that are located in these areas, who are willing to provide telecommuting or ‘work from home’ salaried or contract opportunities for skilled technology experts. It is also an effective cost-saving strategy, as large corporations rapidly outgrow the space they have onsite, for employees in office environments.
For technology professionals, the opportunity to reside in an area with a lower cost of living, while enjoying the competitive salary of an individual who lives in or near a tech hub, is growing.
Education and Training
Some credits and advanced standing can be applied for career professionals who have extensive transferrable skills. However, given the advanced level of technical skills required to transition to a career in technology and IT, University level retraining is frequently required, with a Bachelor’s in Information Technology, and some post-graduate (or MBA) certifications for leadership roles.
If you are not finding the career opportunities you wish to explore locally, take your technology career global with reesmarx. Start today by establishing your candidate profile, which is searchable by our international team of recruiters. Get matched to an exciting new career opportunity and browse available roles from leading employers around the world.
At reesmarx, we specialize in the technology sector, and help connect talented professionals to growth oriented organizations in thirty countries.
