Unveil the Perks of Joining the IT Profession
Post-COVID-19, the IT industry has experienced a surge in demand for skilled professionals, rather than a decline (1). This global trend is driven by the increasing need for tech experts in various sectors such as automotive, healthcare, banking, travel, beauty, and more (2). The IT field is dynamic and promises countless opportunities for growth (3).
Employers find IT professionals to be valuable assets, and the demand for these professionals continues to grow post-COVID-19 (4). The IT world offers numerous growth opportunities for qualified and consistently-skilled professionals (5). Pursuing a career in the IT industry could lead to a stable and recession-proof career, especially with consistent self-upgrading and additional IT certifications (6).
The current trend is referred to as Industry 4.0, also known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution (7). A significant impact of technological advancements is observed on consumers and businesses globally (8). The top tech jobs projected for 2024 include Big Data Specialists, FinTech Engineers, AI and Machine Learning Specialists, Software and Application Developers, Security Management Specialists, and Information Security Analysts (9).
Big Data Specialists are expected to grow by 110% by 2030, reflecting the urgent need to manage and analyze massive data sets (1). FinTech Engineers and AI and Machine Learning Specialists are also in high demand, highlighting the expansion of financial technology and AI applications (1). Software and Application Developers have 60% projected growth, showing ongoing demand for building digital products (1).
The demand for cybersecurity experts is particularly high due to increased dependence on data storage and online transactions (10). Security Management Specialists and Information Security Analysts are growing 55% and 40% respectively, driven by heightened cybersecurity risks and increasing data breaches worldwide (1,4). Emerging niche roles such as Prompt Engineers, AI/ML Ops Specialists, and Cybersecurity Architects are also in demand as AI adoption surges and security threats evolve (4).
The U.S. tech workforce grew by 1.2% in 2024 and is projected to continue expanding in 2025, reaching approximately 6.1 million workers (11). Growth is broad but concentrated in data, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and enabling technologies, though some traditional software/web development roles face disruption due to market and technological shifts (11).
The highest-paying roles for 2025 include Software Engineering Manager, Mobile Applications Developer, Information Systems Security Manager, AI Engineer, DevOps Engineer, Cloud Architect, Blockchain Engineer, Big Data Engineer, Data Scientist, and Cyber Security Engineer (12). These positions require a mix of technical expertise, leadership, and specialization in areas affected or accelerated by COVID-related digital and work environment changes (12).
In summary, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digital adoption and highlighted vulnerabilities such as cybersecurity, prompting strong growth in data science, AI, FinTech, and security roles in tech employment across industries. Specialized roles in AI operations and prompt engineering are also emerging rapidly to meet the demands of new technology landscapes (9,11,13).
References: 1. TechRepublic 2. Forbes 3. ZDNet 4. TechTarget 5. CIO 6. Inc 7. Deloitte 8. McKinsey 9. Dice 10. Cybersecurity Ventures 11. CompTIA 12. PayScale 13. Glassdoor
Technology education and self-development, such as coding, could be invaluable for career development as the post-COVID-19 landscape reveals a surge in demand for skilled IT professionals in various sectors like automotive, healthcare, banking, travel, beauty, and more. Pursuing a career in the IT industry offers opportunities for growth and stable employment, especially with the ongoing digital revolution (TechRepublic, Dice, Inc, ZDNet, Forbes, CIO, CompTIA, Glassdoor).
With the onset of Industry 4.0 and technological advancements, cybersecurity experts are particularly sought after due to increased data storage requirements and online transactions, making cybersecurity roles such as Security Management Specialists and Information Security Analysts high in demand, promising considerable career development for qualified professionals (Cybersecurity Ventures, TechTarget).
