As one of the oldest and largest information technology consultancies in the United States, I’ve often chucked ideas about the future of work to my friends and fellow analysts. Among these optimists are IBM’s Institute of Technology in Watsonville, CA. In an article (hat tip to Business Insider) published last month, the consulting firm notes that innovation has been with us for centuries, but only now is it moving at a rapid pace. Sure, computers will take many jobs away, but they will also generate new ones. Consider all this in 2020.
According to IBM, the number of people employed as entry-level tech jobs – meaning people with technical training and experience – is decreasing. In response to this trend, the company says it is investing in new and advanced technologies to increase the number of employees in high-demand roles. This includes positions in research and development, manufacturing, and sales. In addition, IBM is making investments in technology to support its customers in using information technology to improve their business performance. This could mean cutting costs by moving jobs out of the US or creating more local jobs, depending on the country in which you are based.
The other day, I was having this discussion with someone at an online think tank. We were having a conversation about the changing face of technology and jobs. Someone said that the number of entry-level jobs available is shrinking, especially compared to the number of available jobs in the “cyber city” of India, which seems to be taking up all the tech jobs. Our acquaintance went on to say that the number of available jobs in the “CYB” region, which refers to the Indian computer industry, will rise because of government and corporate incentives, which are driving the economy in that country.
My take on this is that we need to look at what is going on in India, as well as what is happening in the United States, to better understand what the future of tech might hold for professionals like myself. One thing I’ve noticed is that many technical jobs – including those in the “cyber city” of India – are not getting posted to the major IT recruiting firms. While the companies in India are doing great in developing new technologies, there just aren’t the same opportunities to get top quality IT jobs to people outside of India and the United States. This could mean that the IT jobs of tomorrow won’t be available in the U.S., and that those who do get the jobs will likely have a highly competitive salary package attached.
Still, if you have the right skills (which include both the technical and the marketing ability), an opportunity to work for a top tier BPO or technology multinational could be ideal. There are currently many openings for BPO individuals in the United States. The best way to see which positions exist in your area and which ones don’t is to start browsing online for BPO job listings. You can then narrow down your search to positions that you’re interested in, as well as the type of individual you’re looking for to help you fulfill your dream.
Another area that is hot at the moment is data analysts. This job falls under marketing in that analysts use the data they have access to (such as customer records, financial records, etc.) to help their client improve their offerings and/or make more informed decisions. A good data analyst should have access to the most up to date analytics software, as well as an ability to think on their feet and effectively communicate to their clients.
If you’re looking for an entry-level tech job, consider one that falls under the digital media arts and design field. Many digital media artists and designers work in design studios. These individuals create websites, banners, logos, and various other digital media pieces for clients. Digital media arts and design career, therefore, often falls under the web development realm. Job seekers with skills in web design should, however, also have excellent technical skills. Because many of today’s websites are created using Adobe software, it’s essential that the person applying for a job have a working knowledge of this software.
The last major type of job on this list is called a digital marketer. Digital marketers are typically entry-level tech jobs, but there is a wide range of responsibilities that can be included in these roles. Marketers can perform research on various products or services and help to market the products to those in a certain demographic. In some cases, marketers may be called upon to directly sell products to a company’s existing customers, while others may be hired to run an affiliate program or perform some kind of promotional work for a company. A digital marketer job description, then, usually involves being a skilled sales and marketing professional.
