In a world where technological advancements happen with every tick of the clock, IT departments are increasingly becoming crucial to businesses that want to thrive rather than just survive and stay competitive.
Across industries, companies from small to large rely heavily on technology to minimize expenditure, reach customers, get new leads, attract more sales, enhance customer service, and everything in between.
And when it comes to HR departments, and operations, many companies incorporate the use of in-house IT solutions aimed at streamlining communication, employee onboarding, payroll management, staff appraisals, and much more.
Most importantly, the conventional modern-day business relies heavily on analytical data to make decisions that could make or break success. Plus, IT is a really diverse field, meaning that the number of professions you could possibly specialize in is literally endless.
Related: Explore a Career: Key Job Responsibilities, Qualifications/Education, Salary Statistics
1. UX Designer
With the rise of AI and augmented reality, the need for innovative digital solutions has never been higher. UX design is vital in supporting this transformation, and this particular IT job pays better than many other tech jobs.
Sometimes called UXD or UED, UX design is all about creating digital systems that ensure a great experience for its users, whether it’s a mobile app or a web app. A UX designer in the US, for instance, may earn between 75K and 100K, or more depending on who they work for, their specific roles, and their skill level. A UX designer can earn a salary of $70,000 annually, give or take!
Related: UX Designer: Key Responsibilities, Skills, Salary
2. Web Content Management Specialist
In today’s tech-driven world, creating content management systems that can protect and host customer and client data effectively should be a top priority. Web content management specialists are needed to address this need, which is why the demand for people who specialize in this career is on the rise.
Web content management is also an incredibly diverse field, considering the numerous areas, tactics, and platforms through which modern-day companies use to market their brand, products, or services.
While some people land these jobs because of reasons such as being word smiths, and, content management is also a diverse field that requires specialization in one area or another. As a web content management specialist, you can earn a minimum of $65,000 annually, give or take!
3. Artificial Intelligence Engineer
The advancement of technologies is generating massive demand for AI engineers, as industries across the globe strive to make use of new solutions. The years ahead will be extremely interesting for AI and machine learning, and AI engineers need to be prepared to meet the challenge of future trends.
For the up-and-coming generation of students with a passion or interest in IT, artificial intelligence, and machine learning technologies, AI engineering could be a giant career prospect.
4. Cybersecurity Analyst
Cyber security is an absolute necessity, especially since, as expected, cyber-attacks are becoming more complex and sophisticated by the day. And as much as antivirus software, security protocols, and firewalls may effectively keep prying eyes and potential hackers at bay, it’s essential to have an expert analyst in charge of keeping servers, web portals, systems, apps, and websites impenetrable.
Some attacks, for this reason, demand for cyber security analysts is expected to rise in the coming years, and you can be among the first people who get a chance to pursue it.
Cybersecurity Analyst Median Salary: $66,430 (Approximately)
5. IT Asset Manager
Median Salary: $76,000
IT asset managers are often responsible for managing all aspects of the company’s IT infrastructures, such as servers, routers, printers, storage, scanners, and more. This is done using IT asset management software that’s customized to the company’s needs.
They may also use technology to manage tangible assets for the company, from inventory to equipment and even real property. Most asset managers also have a team working under them to oversee.
The demand for IT asset managers is, obviously, expected to rise in the coming years, and salaries for them will continue to rise in the coming years.
6. Mobile Developer
Median Salary: $65,360 (Approximately)
The future of technology is mobile-centric, and new software solutions and services are often being developed specifically to improve mobile apps.
There’s little doubt that technology will only continue to thrive and evolve. The demand for mobile developers is on the rise, and salaries for them will continue to rise in the coming years.
7. Data Scientist
Who is a data scientist? This is the big question that would not go away. Unlike computer scientists and engineers, data scientists don’t generally write programs. Instead, they tend to use programming tools to analyze large quantities of data and identify patterns.
Data scientists are important members of any tech team and in 2018 and beyond, data scientist jobs should be some of the top paying ones in the job market.
In today’s world, where tech is practically taking over every industry, data scientists are needed to analyze, forecast, and predict future trends. In the not-so-distant future, most business-oriented jobs will need data scientists, and you’re more likely to get paid more for your data-related expertise than for your technical skills.
Data Scientist Median Salary: $77,350 (Approximately).
8. Network Administrator
Median Salary: $75,840
What was once seen as the backbone of the corporate world is now the backbone of virtually every organization. If you’ve got a good head for business, an understanding of the inner workings of an IT network, and a tendency to keep network administrators and their office equipment functioning smoothly, you could be on the fast track to a lucrative career in this particular area.
A network admin’s job is more about surveillance, making sure that everything is running smoothly without much of a networking breach!
At this point, you should be able to clearly see that some of the best jobs in today’s age don’t necessarily require a college degree. And, in many cases, they don’t even require specific technological experience let alone a college degree.
Regardless of how you would like to work in the tech industry in the future, however, one thing is for certain: you need the right skills and training to do it.
