[ad_1]
Steve Gickling is its CTO Calendarthe ideal place for unified calendars and all your planning needs.
getty
IT can be known as an in-demand and relatively stable field to break into. There are few businesses today that do not depend on some form of technology. But the tech landscape is also known for its rapid developments and setbacks.
The growth of dot-com companies in the late 1990s and the eventual bursting of that bubble in 2000 is a good example. Those looking to enter or stay at the top of the tech industry often wonder what skills employers want. Staying current with business trends and being willing to learn something new can help aspiring IT professionals stay ahead of the curve.
However, it’s often more important to match interests with the technology skills businesses need and build on those passions from there. This is not just because technology rarely stands still. It’s also because certain basic skills and programming languages become building blocks for the next big thing. Based on the directions companies are now taking with technology, here are four skills that can benefit businesses today.
1. Programming and Coding
Technology works with code. Without it, the apps, websites and mobile apps that people rely on wouldn’t exist. Now, the programming language skills that businesses need can vary depending on the platforms that make up their internal technology stacks. Many organizations also work with many different vendors for cloud-based services, which can make things a bit more complicated.
JavaScript and SQL are definitely essential programming language skills. Even C++, a programming language introduced in the mid-1980s, still has its place. But other languages like Python are in wide use and demand due to the emergence of artificial intelligence and big data.
Understanding the elements of the specific programming languages that businesses use can be key. Building a portfolio of diverse coding and programming language experience or certifications can help a young techie. However, knowing how to implement coding practices is the critical skill companies need.
2. Project Management
Developers may excel at coding and different programming languages, but they usually dive into the details of a project first. Businesses need someone to oversee the development of an application from start to finish and coordinate all the work of individual developers. This is where project managers and knowledge of agile development methodologies come in.
For example, Scrum is one of the most popular approaches. Companies need Scrum masters who have learned how to break projects into sprints, allowing developers to quickly build high-value features. More and more companies are developing their own apps as e-commerce and customer service shift to mobile and self-service platforms. This creates a demand for project leaders who can take an app from the ideation stage to full release.
3. Data Analytics And Data Science
With an emphasis on construction data-driven decisions, companies are dealing with more information than ever before. This data often comes from multiple sources, creating the need to keep everything in sync. There is also a need to make all this information digestible for people in non-technical roles.
That means someone has to set up databases, make sure they’re working properly, and funnel the right information into the leaders’ offices. A company could have entire data teams or specialists scattered throughout the organization. Regardless of the approach chosen, data science and analytics organize and analyze the information that businesses receive.
The ability to build relational databases and interpret what different sets of data mean is what big data is all about. A business can collect all the information it wants. But without knowing how that data fits into the big picture and whether it should influence decisions, it’s not very helpful.
4. User Experience
When programmed into an app or website, ideas come to life. However, the way a developer thinks an app or website should work can be completely different from the end user’s perceptions. If you’ve ever bought a piece of DIY furniture, you may have experienced this kind of disconnect. The engineer thought their design would be easy to put together. Your confusion and frustration said otherwise.
App and website development teams need people who specialize in user experience to ensure that such disconnects do not occur. Testing applications and platforms from a user’s perspective requires a combination of people and technology skills. Knowing how to translate between the experience of a layperson and a developer ensures that apps don’t fall flat on the market. The ability to act as a go-between also helps businesses deliver improved customer experiences.
Development of Technical Skills
Most business leaders know that technology functional roles aren’t going away anytime soon. If anything, these roles are expanding into new uses of automation, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality. Newer specialties related to big data and user experience are emerging as distinct competitive advantages become more important. Technology skills that relate to and enhance these competitive advantages can benefit businesses and IT professionals who want to contribute.
Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Am I eligible?
[ad_2]
Source link
