Technology is changing the way we work, and it’s also changing the skills employers are looking for in candidates. If you’re ready to level up your career, here are some of the most in-demand—and highest-paying—skills you can learn to take your career to the next level:
1. Machine Learning
Machine learning is a field of computer science that uses statistical techniques to give computers the ability to “learn” with data, without being explicitly programmed. Machine learning algorithms use data to train a computer to recognize patterns and make predictions.
Machine learning has been used in various applications like search engines, speech recognition, machine vision, recommendation systems and fraud detection. Machine learning can be categorized into three types: Supervised Learning, Unsupervised Learning and Reinforcement Learning.
Supervised Learning – In supervised machine learning, a set of inputs along with corresponding outputs are given as training sets for the computer based on which it will learn how to make predictions about new input data by analyzing previous data. It can be further divided into two sub-categories: Classification & Regression (Classification is when you want your model to predict a class while regression is when you want your model to predict numerical values).
Unsupervised Learning – In unsupervised machine learning techniques no labels or categories exist for the input sample points because these techniques allow us only access them as points in an n-dimensional space where each point represents information about some object or object property that we wish our system would discover in order for it then be able effectively use those discoveries later on during classification tasks etcetera., so here we just try our best but without any supervision whatsoever!
Reinforcement Learning – Reinforcement learning is different from both supervised & unsupervised approaches because instead of using labeled examples like other approaches do; reinforcement learners also take into account rewards associated with actions taken at each turn taken during processing time – this way we can ensure optimal decision making even if there might not exist any relationship between actions taken previously (or currently) within this particular problem domain
2. Information Security Analysis
Information security analysis is the process of evaluating the security of a business or organization. It involves identifying vulnerabilities, managing risks and developing plans to mitigate them. Information security analysts use a variety of methods and tools to perform assessments, including manually reviewing documents such as policies, procedures or employee handbooks; using automated tools; conducting interviews with employees; and performing physical inspections of facilities (such as server rooms and remote access points).
The job market for information security analysts is expected to grow by 14% between 2016-2026 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS reports that the median annual wage for an information security analyst is $91,680 in May 2018—which means half earned more than that amount while half earned less than that amount.
The most common jobs at which you can find information security analysts include: computer systems analyst ($88K), software developer ($100K), computer programmer ($75K) and network architect ($91K). Most companies need employees who are well versed in multiple technologies so it’s important for candidates to be able to demonstrate their knowledge through certifications such as CompTIA Security+.
3. Data Scientist
- Data Scientists are in high demand. The average salary for a Data Scientist is $116,000, and the field is expected to grow by 28% from 2020-2025.
- Data Scientists are in demand across industries: healthcare, finance and insurance (especially cybersecurity), retail/e-commerce, travel/transportation services, agriculture/food production.
- Data Science uses machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to process data for predictive analysis so that businesses can make more informed decisions about their operations.
4. Blockchain Developer
Blockchain is a promising technology that has already been used in many industries. It’s a decentralized ledger and can be used to securely store data, record transactions, and track data.
The blockchain developer skill set includes:
- understanding of the cryptocurrency market (Bitcoin, Ethereum)
- knowledge of the leading cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin and Ethereum)
- how it works as a distributed database
- how it works as an immutable ledger system
5. Full Stack Software Developer
To be a full stack developer, you have to be able to work with all the layers of a website or app. A front-end developer will primarily work on how the site looks and feels, while a back-end developer works on security and efficiency of data. A full stack developer is more involved in the entire process.
The term “full stack” originally referred to software engineers who could write code for both server-side (back end) and client-side (front end). Nowadays, it has been expanded to include additional responsibilities like database administration or DevOps as well as bigger projects that may require collaboration with other teams such as research scientists who are also needed to create machine learning algorithms for chatbots running on Amazon Web Services so they can learn from past interactions with customers before responding automatically next time someone asks them questions about products sold through their website.”
6. Cloud Computing Engineer/Architect
Cloud computing is a system for managing and sharing various types of data, including web documents and applications. Cloud computing engineers coordinate cloud computing systems by developing the hardware, software and network infrastructure that allow them to function. Cloud computing architects are responsible for designing the architecture of these complex systems.
A cloud computing engineer or architect should have excellent problem-solving skills; be able to collaborate effectively with other team members; be able to work well under pressure while maintaining quality standards; understand how technology can impact business operations; possess knowledge of current trends in the industry; and have advanced knowledge of all aspects related to software development as it applies to cloud technology (such as Python).
7. Big Data Architect
Big data architect
The big data architect is responsible for designing and building the infrastructure that supports large-scale data processing. The role requires a combination of technical, business and domain knowledge, so it’s a specialist position that requires extensive training and experience. The best candidates will have experience in multiple areas: database design; software architecture; cloud computing; information security; ETL (extract transform load) processes; self service BI (business intelligence); NoSQL databases such as MongoDB or Hadoop/Spark/YARN clusters.
This role is high paying because it requires advanced skills, but also because it’s extremely demanding on your time—you’ll need to spend hours researching new developments in technology so you can stay current with best practices. It also involves creating complex relationships between people who are working on different parts of the process (IT engineers, business analysts, etc.).
8. DevOps Engineer
For those who don’t know, DevOps is a software development process that emphasizes communication, collaboration and integration between software developers and information technology (IT) professionals. This type of cross-departmental teamwork helps ensure the smooth operation and maintenance of systems. But it’s more than just running your computer or website; it’s about making sure the entire system runs smoothly so that your work can be done efficiently and without any unnecessary downtime.
The job outlook for DevOps engineers is strong: according to Glassdoor research, the average base salary for a DevOps engineer was $114,813 as of May 2019—and we’re not talking about programmers here; these are people with real experience using tools like Chef (a configuration management tool), Puppet (another configuration management tool) and Docker (a virtualization platform). In fact, many companies hire their own employees as full-time DevOps engineers to oversee all IT operations in house instead of outsourcing this task to an outside vendor. This means there’s plenty of opportunity out there for anyone who wants to break into this field but doesn’t have experience yet; however, it’s important not only to understand how these tools work together but also how they fit within larger organizational structures so that everyone can do their jobs effectively while still being able to communicate effectively with other departments such as QA or marketing teams!
9. Mobile Application Developer
Mobile apps are the future of technology. The ability to create, use, and maintain them is a great skill to have in your arsenal.
10. AI and Machine Learning Engineer
The future is here, and it’s AI. Artificial intelligence (AI) is the most in-demand skill for the future, according to LinkedIn data from 2018. In fact, 1 in 10 professionals have already taken on an AI-related job.
AI is changing the way we live, work and play — so if you’re looking for a career that will likely still be relevant decades from now (and keep you busy), consider learning how to code or hire an engineer who can help build you this bridge between humans and machines.
These skills will pay off in the long run
- Healthcare skills
Healthcare is one of the fastest-growing industries in the U.S., and it’s expected to grow even more over the next decade. It’s no secret that nurses and other healthcare professionals are in high demand across all settings, but there are also plenty of opportunities for those with less intensive training. For example, medical assistants—who assist doctors with administrative tasks like scheduling appointments and organizing patient records—are projected to have an 11 percent growth rate between 2016 and 2026, according to BLS data.
- Education skills
Education also has a lot going for it as far as job prospects go: The industry is projected to add nearly 2 million jobs by 2024 (that’s 1 out of every 8 new jobs created), making it one of the fastest-growing sectors in America, according to BLS projections . Most educators require at least an associate degree; however, some fields such as special education may require higher levels of education or certification from specialized institutions like colleges or technical schools , depending on your state’s requirements . If you’re interested in working with children but don’t necessarily want a full-time career teaching them at school after graduation day every year , consider becoming an early childhood teacher instead! This career path allows teachers who love interacting with kids all day long but don’t want full responsibility over their education process during regular school hours.”
Conclusion
It’s important to remember that your skill set isn’t etched in stone. You can always develop new skills, no matter what your background is or how old you are. In fact, many of the most valuable skills on this list aren’t things that someone can just pick up overnight. They require many years of schooling or training.
Even if you don’t have time to go back to school full-time, there are other ways you can learn these skills. Look into classes offered at a local university or community college in the evening; they may offer entire programs dedicated to some of these subjects. You could also search for free online courses offered through schools like MIT and Harvard that cover subjects like machine learning, artificial intelligence, and blockchain technology. Your career might be long over before any of those things become obsolete!
Even if none of these careers sound interesting to you personally, remember that the principles behind them still apply—don’t fall behind when it comes to learning new things! This could mean anything from reading a book on an unfamiliar topic once every week (or even once every month). Remember: someone out there somewhere is actively pursuing knowledge while you’re sleeping away your life… don’t let them get ahead of you!