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IT pros must actively acquire new skills to keep up with evolving technology. These in-demand skills will keep you competitive and functioning well in your IT career, regardless of what the future holds.
As an IT professional, this is a time for you to level up your tech skill sets by obtaining specific knowledge. If you choose to maintain the status quo, you risk losing relevance in your field. Below are some of the top IT skills in demand this year that you could add to your resume and get you one-step closer to reaching your IT goals.
By building these skills, IT pros can add maximum value to any project they contribute to. They may even see increased income as a result of upskilling.
The CompTIA research team identified the top skills for 2024 based on analysis of job posting data from Lightcast covering the 12-month time period ending on December 31, 2023. We’ve categorized them by the IT framework which divides IT functions into four pillars:
This list also contains additional professional skills that can be added below any component. Each component represents different levels of skills you can continue to learn to further any IT goal.
In December 2023, active job postings for tech positions in the United States totaled nearly 364,000, including 142,295 newly added by employers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Technology job gains were recorded in four of five sector categories, according to the CompTIA Tech Jobs Report. See what skills are in demand in the IT industry and discover your next move
Here are 24 popular IT skills that you can seize in 2024 to unlock your potential and advance your IT career.
Before diving into the functional pillars and professional skills, the newest skill on the list reflects one of the most disruptive technologies ever to hit businesses. Modern artificial intelligence (AI), especially the most recent addition of generative AI, is poised to change the way work is done. All technology professionals will have to understand the way AI works, from the data used for input to the probability-based output. Read more about AI.
There is a reason many IT pros begin their careers in technical support. The troubleshooting and problem-solving skills honed at the help desk give you a solid foundation that you’ll use again and again throughout your career, no matter what specialty you go into. Read more about technical support.
All the digital data that organizations use runs through networks, so a well-rounded IT pro knows that it is important to understand the technology behind computing networking. In addition to the physical hardware that provides the foundation, modern networks rely heavily on software to segment and control traffic flow. Read more about networking.
As remote work has increased, so has the demand for cloud computing. Cloud computing skills – such as configuration, deployment, security, management and troubleshooting – are essential for IT pros. This includes everything from end user support for software as a service (SaaS) solutions to analyzing, managing, maintaining and deploying cloud platforms like Microsoft Azure or Amazon Web Services (AWS). Read more about cloud computing.
This year, organizations are relying on IT pros to know how to operate Linux successfully. Basic maintenance, installing and configuring workstations, networking and understanding the Linux command line are skills that tech workers should start mastering now. Read more about Linux.
To say that understanding programming languages – such as Java, JavaScript, C++ and Python – is an IT skill currently in demand is an understatement. Programming languages touch nearly every IT job role, so IT pros would benefit from strengthening these skills.
Most software developers are working on web applications. This means that on top of the specific programming language they are using, they need to understand how software works on the internet, including the front end in the browser, the back end on the server, and the optimization needed for mobile devices. Read more about web development.
Someone who does quality assurance uses data analytics to identify issues and opportunities in products that are created by a factory or business process. They make sure things are done right, minimizing errors and vulnerabilities.
Proper UX design is valuable because it can help to increase productivity, decrease support costs and boost customer retention and acquisition. Each of these benefits is attractive to organizations navigating another challenging year and striving to create a healthier bottom line. IT pros can learn UX design – such as knowledge of researching target markets, visual design skills, coding and project management skills – to establish themselves as experts in the tech industry.
Not every software developer will be directly coding foundational AI algorithms, but more and more software applications will feature machine learning (ML) to some degree. Developers should be aware of different ML techniques and libraries such as TensorFlow, PyTorch and Pandas.
When it comes to configuring and maintaining the database management system or updating database code for upcoming new technology, a database administrator is there to manage all aspects of an organized database environment. Within data administration is a highly used programming language, Structured Query Language (SQL). SQL is the standard programming language for relational databases, and it is important that IT pros know how to structure and manage these databases. Those wanting to move into a database administrator role should make it their mission to learn SQL inside and out.
An IT pro that is well-versed in data analytics has the ability to examine data sets and reach conclusions to help their organization get better results. As a top IT skill in demand this year, it is vital that tech specialists learn the art of data analytics. Gaining some of the skills listed earlier – such as machine learning and programming languages – will strengthen your data analytics skill set. Read more about data and analytics.
Data sets can be complex and hard to understand. Organizations need people who are able to analyze it and create data visualizations to tell the story of what the data means and why stakeholders should care. Data visualization helps guide decision-making across the organization.
Organizations need employees who can interpret raw data and transform it into usable feedback that data analysts can use to guide decision-making. Learning to work with a variety of programming languages (SAS, R and Python, for example) and learning to build models using historical data can help IT pros take data operations to the next level. Read more about data science.
Big data refers to the use of new technology tools to handle data that previously could not be handled with existing tools. IT skills in demand in 2022 that are related to big data include effective problem solving skills, data handling skills and understanding programming languages. By pursuing these competencies and utilizing these tools, you can advance your career.
Nearly every IT pro (and many business professionals) needs to understand the basics of information security. All technical work needs to be done with security in mind, and many IT pros will choose a career in cybersecurity by starting with fundamental knowledge. Learn more about information security.
Risk analysis is the assessment of risks and vulnerabilities that could negatively impact an organization. With more cybercrime than ever before, cybersecurity skills like risk identification, analysis and management help IT pros keep organizations’ sensitive data safe.
At the intersection of cybersecurity and data analytics is cybersecurity analytics. In a cloudy world that doesn’t have secure perimeters, there is a critical need to secure data. This includes threat intelligence, intrusion detection and response, risk analysis and data modeling.
Penetration testing is a way of finding vulnerabilities in your systems before a cybercriminal does. While cybersecurity analysis is considered a defensive strategy, penetration testing would be an offensive strategy. Both sides work together to protect the organization in different ways.
As the technology industry has become a massive economic force, it is drawing more attention from government regulators. More and more, organizations will need to maintain compliance with regulations covering digital operations, and IT pros with this knowledge can help guide this process. Learn more about compliance.
In addition to technical skills, IT pros should bring a variety of professional skills to the table this year. Adaptability, empathy, teamwork, communication and active listening are just as important to employers as technical skills are. With that in mind, building and strengthening your professional skills should be a top priority for IT specialists. Learn more about professional skills.
Project management skills can be applied across the board and make you better at your job regardless of the size of projects you’re managing. Understanding project management methodologies (such as Agile) as well as learning how to manage the project lifecycle and communicate with stakeholders will add efficiency and effectiveness to your work. Learn more about project management.
While professional skills refer to how you behave, business skills are more about what you know. As an IT pro, the more you understand about how your organization functions, what the business priorities and goals are, and what challenges employees and end users are facing, the better you’re able to recommend solutions.
Automation boosts efficiency, which is exactly what many companies need. IT pros can implement it at every level, from the help desk to cybersecurity. Scripting and tools like Ansible can help IT pros turn routine tasks into automated processes that free up resources for more innovative work.
Looking at all the IT skills needed for this year may feel overwhelming. Creating a plan to obtain the technical skills you need will help.
Global IT offers a wide array of IT certifications that validate many of the in-demand skills from this list. Prove your knowledge to employers by getting certified.
Earning one of the following IT certifications can help validate your new skills to employers:
By earning one or more of these IT certifications or starting on a new career path, you can develop the top IT skills in demand for 2024. As a result, you’ll gain ground in your career during what is sure to be a year of rapid transition in the IT industry.
Contact Global Information Technology today at (248) 557-2480 or visit our website at www.gogitgo.com for more information. Let us help you level up your IT Career!
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