Tech Careers: Top Ten Tech Skills to Learn in 2021
Every year, the tech world grows and changes. This leads to a demand in new tech skills and job openings. The covid-19 pandemic drastically changed how the world works, from remote work to virtual meetings. And with the job market being competitive like never before, it is important to know what tech skills to learn in 2021 to secure the right role.
By understanding what employers are looking for, you will be able to know the best tech skills to learn and stand out from the ever-growing competition in the job market. So here are the top useful tech skills to learn in 2021 that you need to be aware of.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
Described as one of the fastest-growing tech fields with the World Economic Forum projecting that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will create up to 133 million new jobs by 2025. This makes it one of the best skills to learn right now. Basically, AI refers to programs that can execute tasks such as speech and image recognition, facial recognition, and image classification. And since AI can execute these tasks faster and accurately than humans, AI skills are increasingly growing in demand.
Machine Learning (ML), on the other hand, refers to the AI application that extracts data to deliver insights while efficiently performing rule-based tasks. Machine Learning applications are applied in data mining, data analytics, and pattern recognition.
Skills:
Machine Learning professionals can specialize by acquiring Natural Language Processing (NLP), neural networks, and robotics, and deep learning. Some of the things to learn include Python, TensorFlow, R, Java, and NLP. In fact, learning how to build chatbots is another vital skill that falls under Machine Learning.
Jobs: Some of the Machine Learning jobs you can land include ML developers, Engineers, Researchers, and Computer vision and robotics engineer.
Salary:
AI researchers can get as much as $1 million annually, while machine learning engineers can make an average of $114,000 or more.
Online Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence courses worth pursuing:
Cybersecurity
There is no doubt that cybersecurity has been one of the top tech trends in recent years thanks to its importance for organizations that need to keep their network and user information secure from attacks. However, a shortage of cybersecurity experts has created a demand for professionals with information security, network security and vulnerability assessment skills. If you are passionate about helping organizations keep cyber threats at bay, then cybersecurity is one of the useful skills to learn right now.
Skills:
Network security, Cybersecurity, Information security, and Vulnerability assessment are some of the skills to learn if you want to land a position as a Cybersecurity Specialist. Additional skills include basics in programming languages, systems administration, network fundamentals, mitigating vulnerabilities, risk assessment, and digital forensics analysis.
Salary:
The average annual salary of cybersecurity experts is $82,768.
Online Cybersecurity courses worth pursuing:
- Introduction to Cybersecurity Nanodegree
- Cybersecurity Fundamentals MicroBachelors Program
- Essentials of Cybersecurity
- IBM Cybersecurity Fundamentals
- Cybersecurity Capstone
Related: How To Start A Career In Cybersecurity: A Beginner’s Guide
Project Management
According to the Project Management Institute, the demand for project management roles is expected to grow by 88 million by the end of 2021. This makes PM one of the most useful skills to learn right now. Project Management can be an extremely rewarding role to assume and the skills learned can be highly valuable, especially during these uncertain times.
Skills:
To take on a project management role, you need to hold a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Pairing this credential with other useful skills to learn can greatly advance your career as a project manager.
Salary:
The national average salary for a Project Manager is $66,137 in United States.
Online PMP certifications worth pursuing:
- Project Management MicroMasters Program
- Results-Based Project Management
- Professional Certificate in Agile Project Management
- Introduction to Project Management
- Project Management MicroMasters Capstone
- Project Management: Mastering Complexity
Related: How To Become A Project Manager Without A Degree: A Step-By-Step Guide
Software Development (mobile and web development)
A solid command of in-demand programming skills can open up amazing career opportunities. According to the BLS, the job outlook for software developers in the US is expected to grow 22 percent between 2019 and 2019. Currently, some of the most in-demand programming languages worth learning include Python, Java, JavaScript, and Go. Python is also the most commonly used programming language presently. Angular and React are the in-demand front-end tech skills to learn right now. Django and Spring are excellent programming skills to learn for those who aspire to be back-end developers. Other programming languages worth learning now include Kotlin, Typescript, and Scala.
Salary:
The average salary of developers can be somewhere between $75,000 to $110,000.
Online Software Development courses worth pursuing:
- Introduction to Programming
- Front End Web Developer
- Full Stack Web Developer
- Java Web Developer
- iOS Developer
- Android Developer
- Android Basics
- Blockchain Developer
- REACT Developer
- Intermediate JavaScript
- C++
Related: Computer Programming For Beginners: Everything You Need To Know About Computer Programming [2021]
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is a relatively new field and the demand for cloud computing experts is certainly on the rise. With the emergence of the new cloud technology such as Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure, it pays to prepare for opportunities that come with these platforms with the best skills to learn. Organizations are also migrating to cloud solutions thanks to the many benefits like cost-effectiveness and security that comes with it. As such, cloud computing is clearly one of the best things to learn right now.
Salary:
Cloud engineers can earn a median salary of $125,000.
Online Cloud Computing courses worth pursuing:
Data Science and Data Analytics
Data science is one of the fastest growing fields and is widely referred to as the sexiest job in the 21st century. With more and more businesses (large and small) turning to data for decision making purposes, data-driven skills are extremely valued and this explains why BI Analytics, Data Analysts, Data Architects, Business Administrators, Database Analysts, Business Analysts, Chief Data Officers, and similar roles are on the rise. In fact, a 2018 Future of Jobs report projects that Data Analysts and Data Scientists are going to be the top in-demand roles by 2022. This explains why Data Science is one of the most important skills to learn right now.
Skills:
Some of the skills you will need to take up a data scientist role include statistics, programming skills, data intuition, data wrangling, software engineering, machine learning, supervised and unsupervised learning. Specific programming skills you need to learn include R, Python, Julia, Java, Scala, and Go.
Salary:
The average salary for a Data Scientist is $122519 per year in United States.
Online Data Science courses worth pursuing:
- Data Product Manager
- Data Visualization
- Data Engineer
- Data Analyst
- Programming for Data Science with Python
- Programming for Data Science with R
- Spark
- Establishing Data Infrastructure
- Applying Data Science to Product Management
- Database Systems, Concepts, and Design
- Establishing Data Infrastructure
- SQL Nanodegree
Related: Everything You Need To Know About Starting A Career In Data Science
DevOps
In an increasingly digital world, the reliance on new technologies and applications to facilitate business operations while maximizing returns is on the rise. Perhaps, this explains why DevOps engineering is one of the best skills to learn right now according to LinkedIn Talent Report.
DevOps professionals have revolutionized the way organizations meet the growing demands for their customers. And the best DevOps professionals are those who have what it takes to work across the organization. With the right DevOps skills, you can speed up the process development cycle while maintaining an extremely high degree of accuracy without compromising on security.
Skills
Effective DevOps engineers are expected to know and understand how to use the following tools: Version control, Continuous Integration Servers, Deployment Automation, Configuration Management, Containers, Monitoring and Analytics, Infrastructure Orchestration, Network Protocols, and Testing and Cloud Quality tools.
Salary:
The average yearly salary of a DevOps engineer is $91,000.
Best online DevOps Engineer Courses:
Information Systems Management
According to the BLS, the demand for Information Systems specialists is expected to grow by 10 percent per annum through to 2029. If you are wondering whether this is the right skill to learn right now, then this should be your answer. Information Systems experts are responsible for developing information systems strategy that aligns with the organization’s broader objectives. These professionals also support various IT related business functions.
Skills:
Besides holding an IT-related degree, Information Systems experts are required to have technical expertise and knowledge of computer-related technologies. Business Management skills can also be a plus for this role.
Salary:
The national average salary for an Information Systems Manager is $72,637 in United States.
Best Online Information Systems Management courses worth pursuing:
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is property of Amazon. This cloud computing system provides on-demand computing platforms, storage, database, and analytics services for businesses. The demand for Cloud technical managers, software engineers, and solutions specialists is on the rise. And with Amazon always on the lookout for technical professionals who can work on innovating and building more cloud computing systems, there is no doubt that AWS is one of the best skills to learn right now.
Salary:
Amazon software engineers can earn between $89,000 to $115,000.
Best Online AWS Courses worth pursuing:
Related: Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certification: How To Get AWS Certification
Blockchain
Blockchain makes it into this list of useful skills to learn right now thanks to growing popularity of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Besides its application in cryptocurrency, blockchain is also gaining popularity for peer-to-peer payments, file storage, crowd funding, digital voting, and identity management, among other applications. As such, organizations are constantly on the lookout for developers who understand smart contracts, blockchain, and are capable of building decentralized applications. Most banking and other financial institutions are also adapting blockchain, making it one of the best skills to learn right now.
Skills:
Some of the blockchain skills to learn include database design, networking, programming languages like JavaScript, Java, C++, Python, Go, and Solidity.
Salary:
According to Hired, the average salary of Blockchain Engineers in the US is $162,000. Â
Best Online Blockchain Courses with Pursuing:
Tech skills to learn in 2021: Conclusion
As the world of tech continues to change, so is the demand for professionals with the most sought-after tech skills. With technology roles dominating the list of the best or most in-demand jobs for the future, investing time and resources in acquiring one of these skills will definitely boost your demand in the tech market as well as your value as an employee. So what are you waiting for? Sign up for one of the online courses provided and boost your career with one of these skills to learn in 2021.