If you are looking for steady tech career paths that pays well and remains in-demand, here are five roles to consider.
By Tony Teshara
Over the last two years, as the pandemic has slowed down, we’ve seen the rapid acceleration of tech, and how we approach it professionally. From the emergence of AI to the continued emphasis on cloud computing and security, the need for specialization is higher than ever. If you are a fresh college graduate or a seasoned pro looking to make a change, here are a few in demand careers.
Tech Career Paths to Consider
Machine Learning Engineer
Machine learning engineers play a critical role in the development and deployment of artificial intelligence systems. They are responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining machine learning algorithms and models that enable computers to perform tasks without being explicitly programmed. This involves tasks such as data preprocessing, feature engineering, model selection, and hyperparameter tuning. Machine learning engineers collaborate closely with data scientists and software engineers to integrate machine learning models into production systems, ensuring scalability, efficiency, and reliability. They also continuously monitor and optimize models to improve performance and adapt to evolving data patterns. Machine learning engineers stay updated on the latest advancements, experimenting with new algorithms and techniques to push the boundaries of what AI can achieve.
A degree in computer science, computer programming, mathematics, or data science provides a solid foundation for a machine learning engineering specialization. Having knowledge in programming languages such as Python and big data technology such as Hadoop or Spark are a must to succeed as a machine learning engineer. Salary ranges can vary, but due to current high demand and specialization, can fetch higher salaries. Junior machine learning engineers fresh out of school can expect to earn about $110,000 USD annually, while a Senior level professional can make anywhere from $225,000-$500,000 USD annually.
Data Scientist
If machine learning engineers are the lead guitarists for the band called “Algorithm”, then data scientists are the bassists, laying down the strong foundation in the background that makes everything go. Data scientists are analytical experts who specialize in extracting insights and knowledge from large volumes of data. They possess a unique blend of skills in statistics, mathematics, programming, and domain expertise to uncover meaningful patterns, trends, and correlations within datasets. Data scientists are proficient in SQL, Python, or Go, allowing them to manage data manipulation and cleaning techniques, as well as advanced statistical and machine learning algorithms. To be successful as a data scientist, you must derive actionable insights and predictive models from complex data as well as carry strong soft skills, like collaborating with various stakeholders..
Most data scientists carry a bachelors in computer science with a specialization in either machine learning or data science. From a compensation standpoint most junior data scientists earn on average about $90,000 USD annually, while a senior data scientist with about 10 years experience can make about $160,000 USD.
Mobile Application Developer
We live in an app-first world, which means the demand to have developers who specialize in mobile app designs and implementation is higher than ever. The level of sophistication that most mobile apps require far exceeds the skillset of the average frontend developer. Mobile application developers build apps for platforms like iOS and Android. Some also create cross-platform solutions. Using programming languages like JavaScript and Swift, they build apps with user-friendly interfaces, optimized performance, and seamless functionalities to enhance user experiences and business strategies. Flutter is an emerging programming language and is in especially high demand and can provide great job security. Having a great baseline in front end technology such as React and React Native will help you stand out from the crowd.
Any bachelors degree in computer science is a great baseline to become a mobile developer. A good idea is to follow it up with coding boot camps, online courses, and certifications that specialize in mobile development, giving you focused education. Many mobile developers start as a frontend developer working on UX/UI components, gain real world experience and eventually move into app development full time. Mobile app developers start off making about $60,000 USD annually, all the way up to $175,000 USD, depending on specialization.
Blockchain Developer
Blockchain developers are responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining decentralized applications (DApps) and smart contracts on blockchain platforms such as Ethereum, Hyperledger Fabric, or Corda. They leverage their expertise in programming languages like Solidity, Go, or Java to create secure, transparent, and tamper-resistant digital ledgers that facilitate peer-to-peer transactions and automate business processes. Blockchain developers collaborate with stakeholders to understand requirements, architect blockchain solutions, and implement consensus mechanisms and cryptographic protocols to ensure data integrity and immutability. They also conduct thorough testing and debugging of smart contracts to identify and resolve vulnerabilities, ensuring the security and reliability of blockchain applications. Additionally, blockchain developers stay updated on emerging blockchain technologies and standards, contribute to open-source projects, and participate in blockchain communities to continuously improve their skills and drive innovation in the field.
Blockchain developers usually have a degree in Computer Science, IT, or mathematics. Working experience and certifications in machine learning, data structures, or database networking are added bonuses. Most junior blockchain developers start out of school at about $85,000 USD, while many senior developers earn almost $200,000 annually.
DevOps Engineer
DevOps engineers play a critical role in bridging the gap between development and operations teams, focusing on streamlining the software delivery process and improving collaboration across the entire software development lifecycle. They are responsible for automating processes, implementing continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, and managing infrastructure as code to ensure scalability, reliability, and efficiency of software systems. DevOps engineers utilize a variety of tools and technologies to automate tasks, monitor system performance, and facilitate rapid delivery of software updates. Additionally, they work closely with development, operations, and quality assurance teams to identify bottlenecks, optimize workflows, and foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement within the organization. Ultimately, DevOps engineers drive organizational agility and deliver high-quality software products to customers in a timely manner.
Most DevOps engineers start with a bachelors in Computer Science and follow it up with subsequent certifications in DevOps, Cloud Computing, or Machine Learning. Understanding cloud environments such as AWS or Azure, as well as essential technology such as Docker, Kubernetes, or CI/CD platforms such as Jenkins provide a great foundation to becoming successful in DevOps. Typical starting salaries for DevOps engineers start at around $100,000 USD for an entry role and can earn upwards of $180,000 for 7+ years of experience.
Conclusion
Technology is rapidly changing. If you want to find great job security and good pay, think about one of the above specialties. If none of those feel right to you, examine the marketplace for technology trends and anticipate where the demand for talent might be. Hiring needs continue to evolve, so the more you stay in front of it, the better chance you have of landing your dream job.
By Handle Editorial Team
Founded in 2019, Handle is a BS free staffing and recruiting firm who has placed over 350 candidates in 6 countries into various North American companies. Our goal is changing outdated recruiting norms by shining a light on hiring practices, trends, and industry news in a frank, no-nonsense matter.
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