Job candidates for the most in-demand IT positions are hard to land in 2021, and that\u2019s likely to continue: Postings for open IT jobs are at their highest level since 2019, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.<\/p>\n
\u201cSoftware and application developers, IT support specialists, systems engineers and architects, IT project managers and systems analysts are among the positions in highest demand,\u201d reports the CTIA<\/a>. And jobs related to emerging technologies and skills accounted for about 28% of open IT positions, the trade group reported.<\/p>\n We reached out to recruiters, executives, and tech pros, asking them to weigh in on the best opportunities they see in the year ahead. If you\u2019re burning out on your current gig, or feel that your role may be heading toward a dead end<\/a>, consider some of these roles that offer security and steady growth for the foreseeable future.<\/p>\n Jason Johnson, CIO for Sweetwater, says he\u2019s seeing more roles currently requiring software development skill regardless of the primary job descriptions. That includes \u201cdata scientists, web developers, network engineers, computer programmers, database administrators, and many more titles,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cWe used to think of software development as a primary skill, and it still is; however, it\u2019s rapidly becoming the basis for all IT jobs.\u201d<\/p>\n Specifically, Johnson points to an understanding of Python and R, \u201cusing standard APIs and Ansible (Python) to roll out configuration changes, leveraging cloud best practices that involve infrastructure as code using tools like terraform. All of these skillsets require modern IT engineers to think and be software developers.\u201d<\/p>\n The demand for talented product managers is still strong in the technology sector, says Arthur Hu, CIO at Lenovo, especially those with business acumen.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re critical for being able to sit astride technology, business, and product direction discussions,\u201d Hu says. \u201cGreat product managers can integrate well and deliver functionality and value to their users.\u201d<\/p>\n Also in great need: Senior software engineers who can mentor junior programmers, Hu says.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s important as companies continue to place more focus \u2014 and investment \u2014 in digital transformation,\u201d he says. \u201cBusinesses are recognizing they can get differentiation from software, even if they are not traditionally a software business.\u201d<\/p>\n CompTIA noted strong demand for \u200b\u200bIT pros in various nontechnology industries, including manufacturing, professional, scientific and technical services, finance, and insurance.<\/p>\n The skills gap is growing most acutely for multiple security roles that demand qualified candidates, says Kent Blackwell, senior manager of Schellman & Co.<\/p>\n \u201cBlue team SOC analysts, web application security testers, network engineers that can lock down routers\u00a0\u2014 the security space continues to grow at a rapid pace and demand is certainly outstripping supply,\u201d Blackwell says. \u201cMany security\u00a0jobs\u00a0require understanding\u00a0the\u00a0systems you\u00a0are\u00a0attacking or protecting, so starting with a career\u00a0in\u00a0network administration, the help desk, systems administration, or even a web development background\u00a0are\u00a0all good launching points for moving into a more security-focused role.\u201d<\/p>\n Jeff Friess, director of the IT practice at Global Executive Solutions Group, says firms are so concerned about cybersecurity breaches \u2014 which may cost companies millions of dollars per incident \u2014 that there are many more open jobs than professionals to fill them.<\/p>\n Security analysts need to be generalists with skills that are more broad than deep, he says, with the ability to work in various areas of the company doing the hiring. \u201cThey should be able to think strategically and see the big picture regarding information security, and have the necessary interpersonal skills to deal with stakeholders and speak to board members.\u201d<\/p>\nProgramming \u2014 regardless of IT role<\/h2>\n
Product managers<\/h2>\n
Software developers (who can mentor)<\/h2>\n
Anything cybersecurity<\/h2>\n
Data scientists and data engineers<\/h2>\n