The digital age has transformed our lives and delivered incredible job opportunities. We’re now more connected than ever, and able to work from anywhere in many digital jobs.
We’ve got minicomputers in our pockets, and then there is big data, blockchain, and artificial intelligence. All play significant roles in our everyday lives. And businesses are desperate to hire professionals to help them navigate the digital landscape.
There is a digital role for almost everyone. The trick is to discover where your talents align with demand.
The Evolution of the Digital Age
In the late 1980s through the 1990s and early 2000s, the internet was changing how we worked and communicated. An age of internet pioneers and incredible innovation ushered in the Dotcom Bubble and a huge market crash. But this proved to be the foundation for the new wave of digitalization and immense job creation.
In those early days, digital jobs were mostly limited to IT support, web development, and network management. Fast-forward to today, and companies hire a broad spectrum of talent to fill roles that range from AI engineer to developers, to data scientists, and digital marketers.
Gone are the days of IT generalists. Today, specialization is critical to navigate the complexity and scale of digital operations. This evolution has been key to positioning digital careers at the heart of today’s workforce.
Where Do We Go Now?
The future for digital professionals is linked to emerging technologies and tech trends. AI, machine learning, and robotics are leading the way. Such developments promise to change the way we live and the types of work we do.
People may be fearful of job displacement, but these new technologies are also creating new career opportunities. For example, virtual and augmented reality is no longer the sole remit of gamers. We’re seeing these technologies used to deliver immersive experiences in education, healthcare, and real estate among many other industries.
Driven by greater concern for the health of our planet, there is a growing sector dedicated to creating and using green technologies.
Of course, cybersecurity is a critical concern. As our reliance on digital technologies grows, companies, governments, and other organizations need people to combat the threat from cybercriminals.
And, finally, with the rapid growth of remote work, the digitalization of our economy is leading us to global, decentralized teams that will rely on robust and intuitive systems and infrastructure.
No wonder the forecasts for jobs growth in the digital sector are so high.
Digital Skills Are in High Demand
The digital jobs market can be complex and overwhelming. It’s advancing at quite a pace, too. Opportunities are diverse and vast.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has forecast that there will be more than 680,000 new computer and IT jobs created in this decade. With the need to replace workers added into the mix, this equates to around 420,000 job openings each year. And with such demand for talented candidates, digital jobs offer some of the highest salaries in our economy.
Yes, there are amazing opportunities for digital professionals, but you’ll need to keep on top of your skillset.
Key Skills for the Digital Jobs of the Future
As the technological shift continues, certain skills will be essential.
Technical skills like coding, data analytics, digital marketing, and cybersecurity expertise are highly sought after. In fact, these types of hard skills are becoming a baseline for highly paid technology jobs, regardless of the industry in which you work.
Soft skills shouldn’t be ignored, either. Especially in remote working environments, skills that include effective communication, adaptability, and digital collaboration are also proving to be crucial. Problem-solving and critical thinking skills are keenly sought, too.
Last but not least, with digital technology permeating all aspects of our lives, emotional intelligence is growing in importance. Working with remote and diverse teams requires you to empathize with diverse people. You’ll need to demonstrate good online ethics, too. And finding your niche will be critical.
What Is Your Niche in the Digital Jobs Market?
There are many roles available in the digital world, all requiring a unique set of skills. We’ve got web developers, data scientists, digital marketers, UX/UI designers, cybersecurity experts, the list goes on.
It’s about identifying where you fit in best. Do this, and you’ll discover a role that you enjoy. It won’t feel so much like work. And when you do something that you enjoy, you tend to progress faster.
Matching your skills to the right digital job is about knowing yourself first. What skills do you possess, and what do you most enjoy using?
If you are a good coder and love to create functional, efficient software, then software development could be your calling. On the other hand, if you love people watching and creating engaging content, then digital marketing could be your ideal playground.
When we work with candidates, we make sure to have conversations that help you understand where your talents lie and what niche would serve you best, and how you can develop your career for the future.
Positioning Yourself for a Digital Career
It’s crucial to have a career strategy in today’s digital jobs market.
First, we know that technology will continue to evolve. Therefore, you must demonstrate a continuous evolution of your skills as well as keeping pace with new trends. Online courses and qualifications are good ways to achieve this.
Second, engage with like-minded professionals on social media such as LinkedIn. Build your personal brand by demonstrating your knowledge and soft skills online – via your social media, a personal website and blog, for example.
Finally, embrace a growth mindset. Be flexible and adaptable. Learn from experiences and use constant change as energy to continuously develop your knowledge and skillsets.
The Bottom Line
In summary, the constant evolution we are witnessing in the digital world is creating an avalanche of new opportunities for digital professionals. Those who remain abreast of the latest trends and technologies, and demonstrate the ability to be flexible and adaptable will be the digital champions that employers want to hire.
Navigating this dynamic digital landscape demands a conscientious blend of technical and soft skills, and a desire to remain ahead of the game. Have you got what it takes to develop through every disruption that technological advances bring?
For an in-depth discussion about your digital career, Submit your resume to TECHEAD today.