4 Technology Skillsets You Need If You Want a New Career
Back in 1986, when I was spending a lot of time on my Commodore 64 playing video games, my parents would tell me to stop messing around on “that silly computer” and focus on my school work so I could get somewhere in life.
If only I had ignored them.
Having the right technology skills could lead to an amazing job—and career—in technology. And it’s never too late—or too early—to start your tech education journey.
The Tech Job Market Is Strong…
…And it’s predicted to keep growing,* as companies try to keep pace with new technologies and innovations. Employers of nearly all shapes and sizes—everything from small businesses to large multinational corporations—rely on highly secure, user-friendly computer networks and software to achieve their goals.
And that’s where you come in. With the right online technology degree, you could start or update your career and gain the skills you need to crack the code to your future. And just in case you’re wondering, here are four skillsets businesses and organizations are desperate to hire.
Networking
What it is
In its most basic sense, a computer network functions as the highway over which data can travel from location to location. This data moves through physical lines of fiber and cable, wireless channels, or the cloud—or a combination of any or all of those. Someone has to design, build, install, and maintain networks. When the network is down, the business or organization can come to a screeching halt—losing time, money, and consumers.
What types of skill you need
Information management, computer servicing, operating systems, network communications
What types of careers you could pursue
Network administrator, systems analyst, network engineer
Cybersecurity
What it is
Cyberattacks and data breaches seem to be in the news every day, with hackers finding ways to break into organizations’ mainframes and steal valuable info. Even governments aren’t safe. Smart, trained, capable computer specialists with the skills to stop cybercriminals in their tracks and prevent the loss of sensitive information are urgently needed.
What types of skill you need
Ethical hacking, information security management, computer forensics, cryptography
What types of careers you could pursue
Information security specialist, network administrator, computer programmer, systems analyst
App Development
What it is
You know all those cool apps on your phone and computer? Well, businesses need apps, too, to help their teams be more productive. That means they need people to produce web applications, interactive presentations, mobile applications, and user interfaces. The demand for such skilled individuals is extremely high.
What types of skill you need
App development programming languages and technologies, digital imaging and illustration, front-end and back-end development, user experience (UX) theory and practice
What types of careers you could pursue
Software engineer, mobile app developer, computer programmer
Web Design
What it is
Web design is more critical than ever for businesses, because every web page they create should be able to seamlessly work on any kind of device—from phone to tablet to desktop to laptop. And if a business’s web page glitches out on one type of device, the consumers who encounter it are likely to surf to a competitor’s web page. Beyond that, today’s web design also includes critical data tagging to measure performance metrics for content.
What types of skill you need
Website design, web programming, graphic design, marketing
What types of careers you could pursue
Web developer, mobile application designer, e-learning developer, information designer
Getting started is easy
It’s not too late for any of us to start that journey into a technology career. In fact, now may be the best time ever to start learning the skills that could put you in the job-hunting driver’s seat for the foreseeable future. The number of many high-tech careers is predicted to grow faster than average (12% by 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics)* and offer good salaries, so technology positions make very attractive careers.
Whether you want to develop software, build computer systems, or prevent cyberattacks, there could be an exciting job in tech for you. Independence University offers online technology degrees that fit flexibly into your schedule.
And as for my parents who told me to get off of my “silly computer” back in the ‘80s? Now they call me to come fix their devices.
Touché, Mom and Dad.