The tech industry is growing rapidly at an unusual rate. As per a CompTIA report, over 75,000 tech jobs were added in the US in 2021 alone. And the demand is only expected to grow in 2024 and beyond.
So, if you want to launch or boost your tech or IT career, now is the time. Equipping yourself with in-demand IT skills will not only make you a high target for employers but will give you the advantage of leveraging these skills as a freelancer.
But what exactly are these highly sought-after IT skills for 2024? Well, keep scrolling as we go over them.
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing has been on the rise for years now. But its adoption is expected to skyrocket further in 2024. According to Gartner forecasts, end-user spending on public cloud services will grow by over 20.4% in 2023–2024.
So skills in cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud will be highly sought after by IT pros in 2024. You don’t want to miss out on this, and that’s why you should consider learning and equipping yourself with the latest cloud computing skills.
Having expertise in cloud migration, infrastructure management, architecture design, and DevOps will make you a competitive job candidate.
In fact, I’d personally recommend getting certified in a major cloud platform like AWS Solutions Architect or Microsoft Certified Azure Administrator. This will demonstrate your cloud skills and commitment and give you an advantage when applying for a job with other experienced candidates.
Artificial Intelligence
AI is transforming businesses in every area you can think of. In fact, the International Data Corporation (IDC) predicts that by 2024, over 75% of enterprises will be leveraging AI to enhance productivity and growth.
This is a massive transformation in how businesses plan to operate and why you should consider equipping yourself with AI-related skills.
As a professional with AI skills, you’ll be a massive target for IT firms looking for professionals in fields like software engineering, application development, data science, and more.
Imagine having hands-on experience with AI development platforms like TensorFlow, PyTorch, OpenCV, etc.; it will instantly give you a significant edge in the employment market. And the best part is that you can even offer your services as a freelancer or contract-based staff.
Becoming an AI professional is not hard, as you can easily learn this skill from online video platforms like YouTube (for free) or paid platforms like Coursera and Udemy. You can also get certified in AI disciplines like machine learning engineering or deep learning with these platforms. All you need is determination!
Cybersecurity
With the way technology is evolving and new software-based solutions are being created, cyber threats are becoming more advanced than ever. Thus, more businesses are looking for cybersecurity professionals that can help protect their systems.
This increasing demand has created a skill shortage in cybersecurity, with over 570,000 open positions in the US alone, according to a report by CyberSeek. Qualified cybersecurity talent will be in extreme demand in 2024.
And just so you know, cybersecurity is not like other IT skills in terms of earning potential; it provides one of the highest compensation packages and comes with a lot of benefits because not so many people have this skill, which gives you a huge advantage when applying for roles.
If you’re a bit confused about where to focus, I’d recommend that you develop expertise in sub-domains like
- Network security
- Ethical hacking
- Threat analysis
- Vulnerability assessment
- Risk management, etc.
Getting certified in any of these subdomains will improve your chances of landing a lucrative cybersecurity job that will change your life.
Data Analytics
All the skills I’ve mentioned above all require data. But data in itself holds little value unless analyzed for strategic insights. This is where you come in as a data analyst.
According to LinkedIn’s 2023 emerging jobs report, data analytics skills dominated the top 10 hard skills for the hottest jobs. And this will remain so in 2024 and even years to come because more and more software will be developed, and your skills will always be in demand.
In 2024, having data analytics skills like SQL, Tableau, Power BI, and Python for data analysis will make you a precious catch for analytics and BI teams.
For now, you can focus on honing your skills in statistical modeling, data mining, visualization, and predictive analytics to compete for the best data analytics jobs while you sharpen and improve your skills over time.
Digital Marketing
Ending this list without including digital marketing will be a massive oversight because this skill is one of the most crucial you should have in 2024.
With increasing numbers of businesses establishing an online presence, having the ability to drive targeted traffic, engagement, and leads to these businesses digitally will make you extremely valuable.
In fact, according to Digital PR, a renowned PR and digital marketing agency, more businesses will require digital marketing services in 2024 and years to come to stay relevant and ahead of their competitors.
This means you will always be sought after as a digital marketer, and having expertise in areas like pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, content marketing, and marketing analytics will land you high-paying jobs in large corporations.
And just like the other skills I’ve mentioned, you can learn digital marketing on YouTube for free. However, I recommend you use online learning platforms like Udemy to be certified and considered a professional.
Wrapping Up
Choosing any of these skills will help you attain your dream of becoming an IT professional. And you don’t have to worry about spending so much on this new venture because you can always learn them for free and get certified. So, get started now!
