Technology has greatly evolved over the years, and it has now become an essential part of almost every company in the world. That said, the need for reliable IT services has skyrocketed, and companies both big and small are on a lookout for IT professionals who will join their collective. Tech jobs in DC and other states in the US are growing in demand, thus increasing the salaries of tech-savvy individuals as well. This trend has created a lot of unique employment opportunities.
Various IT skills are on high-demand, and people are learning these new skills to find a suitable, steady and, of course, a well-paid job. This is especially true after the global pandemic has left numerous people unemployed. Nowadays, people are looking for stability and certainty that the IT industry can offer them. With that in mind, here are a few of the best IT skills to learn in 2020.
Programming
Programming languages are changing the world as we speak. All the apps we use on various devices were created by programmers and the demand for apps is only going to increase in the future. Learning a new programming language so that you can code seamlessly is quite a challenge.
However, nothing is impossible if you put your mind into it. Some of the most sought-after programming languages include Python, Java, JavaScript, C, C++ and so on. If you want a steady job with an exceptional salary, you should definitely try programming.
Web design
An IT skill for creative souls, web design is highly sought-after in today’s market. Every company has a website these days and they need designers to make those websites look good. Moreover, there’s an emphasis on UX design (User Experience) where designers make an effort to ensure that websites perform in accordance with customer expectations, needs and demands. In other words, designers are needed to create a unique experience for consumers that will keep them engaged.
SQA (Software Quality Assurance)
Everything that programmers make needs to be tested properly before it hits the market. Nobody wants a product that’s not functional or a product that’s fundamentally broken and poorly made. That’s where SQA comes into place. Software testers do what you’d expect them to do – test products to ensure they meet certain standards.
SQA testers must be familiar with various programming languages so that they can do their job well. Essentially, they work closely together with designers and developers to ensure that the final product will bring value to both customers and the company that created it. They do so by detecting bugs and faulty functionality features so that developers can fix those before the release.
IT Service Management and DevOps
As you may already know, today’s market is highly competitive, and companies are trying really hard to keep up the pace. For that purpose, companies are in need of experts that will help them become more efficient and productive, as well as help them increase their overall performance and speed to market.
You can become one of those experts by undergoing ITIL training for IT service management and DevOps. The Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) is a set of practices that focuses on aligning IT services with the needs of a company. In other words, you become an expert in helping companies fully utilize IT services to meet their business needs.
Cybersecurity
Operating in the digital world certainly has its merits, but it’s not without risks as well. Cybersecurity threats are a real problem companies have to deal with regularly. Professionals who know how to tend to such issues are highly sought-after.
Since cyber threats evolve over time, so do cybersecurity measures, which means you’ll have to update your skills every now and then and keep up with the latest trends.
Becoming a cybersecurity expert will lend you a really good job with a company of your choosing. Your responsibility is to protect a company’s network and data from threats and breaches. Besides that, you get to have one of the awesome titles, such as “Ethical Hacker”.
Agile
Agile methodology has gained a lot of popularity over the years. Agile started out as a set of principles that will improve software development, but it has grown beyond that. Nowadays, Agile can be applied as a set of practices that will improve an entire company and how it operates.
When it comes to learning IT skills in Agile, the possibilities are, indeed, vast. You can become an expert in one of the Agile frameworks, such as Scrum, Kanban and XP (Extreme Programming).
Moreover, you can specialize in more organizationally focused skills, such as Scrum Master that helps companies implement Agile practices and Scrum framework or a Product Owner who helps the development team create highly-functional products that maximize value.
The purpose of Agile methodology is to maximize value while adapting to changes with ease, whether it’s about software development or running a company, in general.
Now is as good as time as any to learn new IT skills. With the market on high-demand for IT professionals, it’s not too late to consider changing your career and entering the world of IT that certainly guarantees numerous well-paid job opportunities.
About the Author:
Keith Coppersmith is a business and marketing expert who has experienced both the rise and fall of many businesses. As a regular contributor at BizzmarkBlog, he enjoys writing and providing insight of the industry based on both practice and theory.
