As the 2010s wind down, demand for skilled IT workers remains strong. Innovations such as cloud computing and smartphones are more than a decade old now – both debuted in the mid-2000s – but organizations in every industry from retail to health care are still in the process of upgrading their technical infrastructures. IT research firm Gartner has projected worldwide information technology spending will total $3.7 trillion in 2018, up 4.5 percent year over year.
A lot of that money will go to the salaries and projects of IT employees working in high-demand realms such as mobile application development and e-commerce modernization. First, though, these personnel must actually be hired in sufficient numbers, which is not a given in light of constrained labor supply, as well as the dueling incentives (i.e., bonuses, relocation packages, etc.) now offered by many employers.
With the assistance of an IT staffing provider, it’s easier to hire for the most pressing openings, which currently include positions such as:
Mobile Software Developer
In this position, an individual helps create applications and websites optimized for mobile screens. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has estimated that software developers as a group will see 24 percent growth in employment – much faster than the average for all professions – from 2016 to 2026. It cited demand for smartphone and tablet software as a major driver of the expected increase.
To see why employment is growing so rapidly in this category, consider the challenges faced by retailers. Under pressure to compete with online giants such as Amazon and Walmart, they need seamless mobile experiences enabling quick product lookup, easy purchases and app-exclusive deals. Developers provide the expertise to create these features for multiple platforms and device types.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning aren’t the same, but they’re closely related:
AI usually refers to a computer’s ability to perform tasks that otherwise require human intelligence, such as identifying cybersecurity threats on a network.
- Machine learning encompasses the processes under which CPUs develop new capabilities without needing human supervision or intervention.
- Both AI and machine learning are at the center of numerous high-profile innovations such as smart speakers (e.g., Amazon Alexa and Apple HomePod), in addition to behind-the-scenes tech like voice recognition software and the analytics engines that sort massive image repositories. Engineering jobs in AI/machine learning may require additional skills in domains such as big data.
Computer Network Architect
Given its name, cloud computing can seem like a vague and indistinct concept, even though it is rooted in actual IT infrastructures hosted in data centers. Computer network architects help unlock the power of the cloud.
More specifically, they connect various networks to enable communications between clients (such as laptops and smartphones) and remote servers. Any workflow involving a document being sent to the cloud has benefited from the handiwork of a computer network architect. According to U.S. News and World Report, this job has a median salary of more than $100,000 and an unemployment rate of only 1.1 percent.
Find the IT workers you need with Paramount’s help
High demand for specific IT skills means stiff competition in landing the personnel you want. Fortunately, you aren’t alone on your hiring journey. Paramount Software Solutions provides the IT staffing services to help you find candidates with proven expertise in areas such as enterprise systems, data management and application development. Learn more about our offerings by contacting us today!
