Careers in Tech: How to Build a Successful Tech Career in 2024
Are careers in tech still booming in 2024? The technology sector currently faces a crossroads. The allure of high salaries, innovative work environments, and the promise of shaping the future are still the main factors driving people toward a career in tech.
However, the rise of AI, changing shifting market dynamics, and emerging global challenges raise the question of whether careers in tech are still a wise choice. Will tech workers be replaced by AI? Are we looking at an age where only managers and AI operators are needed?
This article explores the current state of careers in tech to find out if they’re still what they used to be. Hint: we’ll also cover how to build a successful tech career in 2024, so you can expect at least some good news..
The Evolution and Current State of the Tech Industry
Today, key sectors within the tech industry have been turned on its head by a plethora of factors and growing niches.
AI, in particular, has seen explosive growth, with some analysts predicting 120% year-on-year growth.
Cybersecurity has become crucial as cyber threats escalate, requiring a constant influx of skilled professionals to safeguard digital assets. With enterprise research firms such as Gartner forecasting 24% growth in cybersecurity spending in 2024, careers in this field are set to be more sought-after than ever.
Likewise, we also can’t forget humanity’s seismic shift towards a digital-first lifestyle.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work became the norm, pushing companies to adopt cloud-based solutions and digital collaboration tools at an unprecedented pace.
This shift has not only sustained demand for tech professionals but has also highlighted the critical role technology plays in maintaining business continuity and driving innovation. However, this begs the question—are the effects really positive?
Job Market Trends in 2024
While we have already pinpointed AI and app development as jobs to watch in the future, nobody was quite ready for the arrival of AI. Hence, many consider it, along with the wider ML field, the main current in today’s murky tech waters.
All things considered, the job market for tech professionals remains robust in 2024, with demand outstripping supply in many areas. Roles in AI, machine learning, and data science are particularly sought after, as companies look to harness the power of data and automation to stay competitive.
The question of mass replacement by LLMs and their derivatives still looms large, but the panic has subsided since the initial hype wave in 2022. Instead of succumbing to fearmongering, most users are now focused on the influx of new positions, such as:
- AI Engineer
- Quantum Computing Specialist
- Edge Computing Engineer
- MLOps Engineer
- Cybersecurity Mesh Architect
- Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Developer
- Extended Reality (XR) Experience Designer
Nevertheless, this wave of optimism is still followed by an undercurrent of skepticism and existential fear. The market is shifting rapidly, and it’s becoming harder to gauge the feasibility of certain opportunities.
Challenges of Finding a Tech Job in 2024
Whether you have a BSc, MSc, PhD or merely a course certificate, there are several things to consider before you start working towards a career in tech in 2024. Of course, every region and niche has some challenges endemic to them, but the industry as a whole is mainly impacted by:
Economic Factors
The tech sector is not immune to economic downturns. Market volatility can lead to budget cuts, layoffs, and hiring freezes, affecting job stability. It’s important to understand how stable a position is, as well as:
- Whether the company is on an upswing
- If they welcome and promote innovation
- How invested leadership is in upskilling teams
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Automation and AI
While AI and automation create new jobs, they also threaten to displace existing ones. Routine tasks across various industries are becoming automated, reducing the need for human intervention.
Not only this but even the hiring process has been changed, with companies increasingly using applicant tracking systems (ATS), meaning that all resumes must be ATS-friendly and personalization is actively discouraged. Hence, even making it past ATS software can be a challenge.
Global Competition
The globalization of the tech workforce means increased competition from international talent. Remote work enables companies to hire skilled professionals from anywhere in the world—so be aware that you may also face competition. On the flipside, you may also have access to more roles.
How to Better Prepare for a Career in Tech
If the challenges don’t phase and you think you have what it takes, it’s time to take some additional precautionary steps. With the increased level of competition and more companies deciding to rely on automation, you’ll need every boost you can get.
Don’t Rely Just on Formal Education
Bootcamps, online courses, and certifications have gained popularity as quicker, more flexible ways to gain tech skills. Programs like those offered by Codecademy, Coursera, and Udemy allow learners to acquire specific skills in a fraction of the time and money it takes to earn a traditional degree.
In addition, even those with a PhD gladly take these courses as a means of expanding their horizons or achieving new levels of subspecialization. Not to mention, these courses and certificates are seen as a legitimate qualification, even by the biggest companies.
Learn Continuously
In the tech industry, continuous learning is essential. Technologies evolve rapidly, and professionals must keep up with new developments to remain competitive.
The same goes for AI and blockchain, as more and more job ads specifically require knowledge and experience in these niches. Hence, even if your main skills don’t revolve around these subspecializations, you’d be wise to familiarize yourself with them, upskill, and make your resume more competitive.
Be Adaptable
You may find yourself not at a tech firm, but in a tech-focused role in an adjacent industry. A front-end developer, for instance, might work in digital asset management or graphic design, while an AI engineer can make a significant amount of money by consulting organizations on how to automate their workflows.
Likewise, you should also be open to acquiring tech-adjacent skills, as they will become the difference makes for tech-oriented jobs. With everyone knowing how to use AI, traits such as gregariousness, agreeability and leadership will be even more valuable.
Is a Career in Tech Still Worth Pursuing?
The short answer is—absolutely. Whether you want to immerse yourself in web development, or just want to experiment with new solutions, the tech job market is only growing. Even though bigger companies have frozen their hiring after over-hiring during the pandemic, everyone else is in growth mode.
Likewise, two years after OpenAI released GPT-3.5, AI still hasn’t taken everyone’s job. And at the rate of advancement we’re currently at, it’s most likely that AI will remain a skill and a useful assistant—not a job-stealer that’s a threat to humanity.
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