With technology becoming more and more important in our work, our entertainment and our everyday lives, it’s easy to see why companies are looking to hire people who truly understand technology. Let’s take a look at the eight fastest-growing technology sectors at the moment.
1) Online IT Degrees
Like computer science degrees, online IT degrees can open the door to many different careers. The key difference here is the online part. Unlike doing a degree from a traditional campus, an online IT degree can be completed from wherever you want. You can also adapt classes and assignments to your schedule. A career in IT infrastructure, to name one example, has an average annual salary of $106,408. It’s grown by 5% in the last 10 years, making it a highly secure sector. It’s clear that online IT degrees are a great way to break into technology.
2) Computer Science
This field can lead you to tons of cool places. Computer science degrees can teach you to be a computer programmer, a software engineer or architect, a database designer, a web developer, a network engineer, a systems administrator or manager, or an IT consultant. As you can see, it can lead to a wide variety of careers. Systems architecture, to name one of them, has an average annual salary of $106,408. Meanwhile, systems administration has grown by 4% in the last decade. Computer science is valuable because of that variety. You’ll have tons of security while never getting bored.
3) Cyber Security Degrees
This is a qualification that’s becoming ever more important in today’s world. With this having experienced growth of 31% in the last decade, it’s clear that cyber security skills are a great tool to have for your career. Since companies desperately need security experts to keep their digital data safe, it’s no surprise that cyber security is such an in-demand skill. Its average annual salary is $93,638, guaranteeing financial security for anyone who gets a job in it.
4) App Development
If you’ve used Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter on your phone, you’ve benefited from the knowledge found in an app development degree. As smartphones get more and more essential to everyday life, app development will grow more and more as a career. It has grown by 22% over the past decade, a hugely exponential jump. With median pay reaching as high as $107,510 per year, this is not a degree to be skipped over.
5) Coding
Coding is one of those skills that can get applied to many different jobs and careers. To learn coding in college, the best route is to do a computer science degree. Jobs in this field are usually called software development. This is a fast-growing field, with a 22% growth rate over the last decade. As the average salary is $107,510 per year, coding can be a lucrative field to get into. It’s a fascinating field as well, one where you’ll get to directly shape the future.
6) Software Development
Software development is an exciting and fast-growing field. Rather than honing in on one programming language or one specialised way of doing things, you’ll get to see the big picture of the software you develop. With an average annual salary of $80,018, it’s also a career that promises job security. Even if you’re let go from your current role, you’ll still have plenty more opportunities. Software development grew by 22% over the last decade, which is a much larger rate of growth than most industries. This is a great field to look into.
7) Game Designer
While this sounds like a pipe dream to many, game design is a very real career. Since it’s grown by 4% in the last decade, it’s as secure as any other career. With an average annual salary of $73,182, it can be an incredibly lucrative career as well as a dream job. Video games require huge teams to make with a wide variety of skills, and are a bigger sector in entertainment than TV, movies and music combined.
8) Web Development
A web development degree opens tons of doors. Among other things, you’ll learn how to manage site functionality, integrate security measures, implement application features and how to develop websites and website applications using a variety of programming languages and web technologies. As it has grown 8% in the last decade, it’s clear that jobs in this sector are exponentially multiplying. The average annual salary in a web development job is $75,487, making it highly attractive.
Conclusion
Of course, it’s always important to do your own research before deciding on a new career. These technology degrees can be a great way to get your foot in the door to some amazing careers. Employers love degrees in IT, app development and more. These are great options to kickstart your career.
References
- “10 High-Paying Tech Degrees You Can Get Online”, Forbes, accessed 5th March 2021, https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicolemartin1/2019/08/28/10-high-paying-tech-degrees-you-can-get-online/?sh=3c964b26c204.
- “Software Developers”, Occupational Outlook Handbook, accessed 5th March 2021, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm.
- “Web Developers and Digital Designers”, Occupational Outlook Handbook, accessed 5th March 2021, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/web-developers.htm.
- “Network and Computer Systems Administrators”, Occupational Outlook Handbook, accessed 5th March 2021, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/network-and-computer-systems-administrators.htm.