The Top 5 Fastest Growing Jobs In The IT Sector

There’s no easy path to success in the IT sector, but there are certainly ways to increase your chances of having a rewarding career. One of the ways is knowing which fields in IT have the most potential for future growth. There are a lot of great choices out there, but as technology changes, so does the demand for certain positions. That's why it's crucial to plan for your training in advance, and lock in on an area where forecasters expect rapid growth over the next few years. Choose from the following list of the fastest growing IT jobs to land a rewarding position that's certain to last.

1. Data Scientist

Not surprisingly, data science is one of the fastest growing and most lucrative jobs in the IT sector. Data scientists wrestle with big data on a daily basis. They use their advanced skills in programming, mathematics, and statistics to organize enormous amounts of jumbled data into a more usable form.
The work of the data scientist doesn't stop there. Once they make this data more manageable, they use their analytical skills to solve a variety of business and financial problems. These skills include industry specific knowledge, contextual awareness, and a willingness to question assumptions. Depending on location and company, data scientists can quickly begin earning between $100,000-$150,000 a year.
Here are a few certifications that make data science candidates more attractive:

● AWS Big Data Specialty Certification
● Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)
● EMC Data Science Associate (EMCDSA)

2. Information Security Analyst

With cyber criminals getting smarter every day, tight security is now more important than ever. This applies to companies from every industry sector. The need for constantly tighter security also ensures that highly skilled information security analysts will always be in demand.
The average base salary for information security analysts is just over $76,000 a year. They additionally earn an average of about $5,300 in bonuses and other incentive programs, with some receiving up to about $14,000 a year. Do the math and you'll see why the certifications you'll need are more than justified.
There is a wide range of certifications that will make you a much more attractive candidate:

● Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
● Cisco CCIE Security Certification
● Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
● Comptia Security+

While these aren't the only IT security certifications available, they'll certainly get you off to a good start.

3. IT Consultant

Due to the nature of their work, IT Consultants will always be in high demand. While it may vary from company to company, an IT consultant's chief responsibility is advising clients on the most efficient use of their information technology. They also help improve the existing structure of a company's IT, with an emphasis on dynamic, industry specific problem solving.
The average base salary for an IT Consultant who's just starting out is approximately $70,000 a year. However, the salaries in closely related jobs such as Senior IT Consultants or IT Project Managers can range from $80,000-$107,000 a year.
The following IT Consultant certifications will help you land the best possible job:

● Project Management Professional (PMP)
● Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
● International Information Systems Certification Consortium (CISSP)
● Information Systems Audit and Control Associate (ISACA)

4. Network Architect

The field of Network Architecture also promises to continue growing at a rapid rate. Just as the name implies, a Network Architect designs and implements computer networks for companies from a wide variety of industry sectors. These include networks like the familiar local area network (LAN), intranets, and wide area networks (WAN). Depending on the company, these networks can connect anything from a few offices to an internationally distributed communication system.
In addition to having a rosy growth forecast, Network Architects also earn an excellent salary. The exact figures depend on location, company, and level of experience, but they typically range between $60,000-$140,00 a year. The median Network Architect salary is approximately $91,000 a year.
Like most attractive IT jobs, there are a number of Network Architecture certifications available. Choose from among these to nab the best job and maximize your chances for advancement:

● Cisco CCIE Collaboration Certification
● Cisco CCIE Data Center Certification
● Cisco CCIE Routing and Switching Certification

5. Cloud Engineer

Cloud engineers are IT personnel who are responsible for tasks related to the field of cloud computing. The tasks involved in cloud computing can include initial design, cloud management, support, and maintenance.
Cloud engineers earn an average salary of about $95,000 a year. Many companies are looking for candidates with the following certifications:

• AWS Certified SysOps Administrator-Associate
• Cisco CCNA Cloud
• CompTIA Cloud+ Certification

Interested in pursuing one of the careers or certifications mentioned above? INE has all of the training materials necessary to help you pass your certification exams and land the job of your dreams. Check out all of our training solutions at ine.com.

Author: Benjamin Shepardson founder of NoStop Ghostwriting. As the company's leader, Ben brings to the table an innate ability to help small businesses compete with larger competitors through content strategies and SEO.

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