Can You Be a Hot Commodity in the World of High Tech?

There is a huge labor market gap in the world of IT. Technology changes so quickly that many people find their skills are outdated overnight. Degree programs can't keep up with demand, and few are expansive enough to fully prepare professionals for the evolving needs in the field of IT.

To further complicate matters, fully half of the labor force is actively discouraged from participation. Not much is in place to get women interested in the field. Finally, schools have failed to update curriculum to meet the demands of an evolving economy.

Fortunately, all of that is about to change, and the kids in school today are in line for epic, high-paying careers in tech fields. And they'll be the hottest commodities on the job market in a few short years.

Labor Market Gaps
According to the U.S. News & World Report, the five best STEM jobs in the field of technology are computer systems analyst, software developer, web developer, IT manager, and information security analyst. Each of these jobs can be found in virtually any field; education, industry, manufacturing, and healthcare.

Studying for a career in IT opens up huge possibilities – and makes you a hot commodity on the job market. The right education, and you can set yourself up for a lifetime of success.

One of the industries expecting the largest increase in IT staffing is healthcare. Healthcare has steadily been moving to paperless systems which require far more technology solutions. Online health portals, digital charts, and virtual visits with physicians have opened up a plethora of IT jobs that far exceed the people available to fill them.

One of the ways companies are beginning to fill this gap is by hiring people from outside the usual channels. Specifically, companies have begun recruiting older workers, women, and youth. For individuals interested in a career change, or those who want to forgo student loans, the opportunities have never been better.

Many of the positions desperately needed don't require formal degrees or extensive experience. Because of the many specialized areas within the field of IT, security certifications are becoming a popular and viable pathway into these careers.

Reaching out to Women
There is a significant gender gap in engineering and computer science degrees being awarded. While the majority of degree-seeking students are female, few choose STEM education. The need for qualified professionals in these fields is only projected to grow. In order to bring more women into STEM fields, and even more specifically the fields of engineering and technology, the industry will have to begin pursuing women.

To really make a dent in the market gap, women must become invested in the field. Cyber security is one area that is aggressively recruiting women. A recent conference in New York was designed to do just that, and included the vice president of IBM security and the head of the computer science and engineering department at NYU. During the conference, speakers pointed out that not only can women fill the many vacancies in the field of cybersecurity, but they will bring new insights and solutions due to the different ways women and men approach problem solving.

Talent recruitment firms have made an effort to invest in the diversification of the IT field as well. It has become increasingly apparent that there isn't adequate talent to fill the demands of the job market. When a company is in the business of providing candidates to firms, they are able to see the broader trends and negative impacts of having such a small pool of workers.

Many people are beginning to realize females won't become a larger portion of the IT landscape unless their interest is captured long before they reach the point where they need to make a choice in college majors. Programs that teach girls to code and then recruit from that student population are becoming a popular outreach method.

The Role of Education
A few small programs won't be enough to stimulate the interest of enough students to fill the growing need of IT professionals in the coming years. The final piece of the puzzle resides in our public education system, and the key is starting the process early. Integrating games for children who are not even able to read has been extremely successful. Studies have shown that the sequential thinking processes so crucial to developing computer code can be understood by children. Turning it into a game makes the learning process fun.

Individual cities like Chicago have begun making IT classes a requirement for graduation. This ensures that their student population will at least have the fundamental exposure to coding and the field of technology to generate interest in STEM careers. Florida recently became the first state to pass legislation allowing coding to fulfill the foreign language requirements for public high school students. The bill also requires universities within the state college system to accept two coding credits in place of foreign language credits.

As more cities and states follow the example of those leading the way, students will begin to see how diverse the career opportunities are. They will also begin to see they are more than capable of working with technology, as it becomes fully integrated into their education.

While the growing need for IT professionals is a significant concern for the companies who are experiencing staffing shortages, it is a remarkable opportunity for those who are interested in the field. The industry focus on diversification, quicker and more diverse educational pathways, and increased opportunities within public education create unlimited opportunities for those interested in exploring career opportunities in the field of technology.

Sure, IT sounds a little nerdy. But who can argue with a skill in such huge demand, that pays so well? I was pretty surprised to find that coding is fascinating. Maybe you will be, too.

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