Technological developments; digitization and automation in the recent past, have revolutionized economies. The diverse areas that technology encompasses, make it one of the most sought-after courses in higher education. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) during the 2020-2021 school year, US institutions awarded 104,874 bachelor’s degrees in computer science. Last year (2023) UCAS chief executive Clare Marchant said that there had been a rise in applications to study computing by almost 10% in 2023 as compared to 2022.
Being a part of higher education, we have observed the application process very closely. We have also witnessed a steady rise in applications for Computer Engineering in the past few years. The trend is no different this year (2024-25). These computing courses are becoming favorites due to the ongoing conversation around technology and artificial intelligence.
Jobs redefined
Some traditional jobs such as programming are undoubtedly becoming obsolete. However, as technology replaces old jobs, it creates new opportunities. Our future workspace is bound to get redefined. Students should keep their pulse on the market before choosing their specialization due to the speed with which technology is transitioning.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics, Computer Science is the most popular degree with an IT Concentration followed by computer and information systems, Information sciences, Computer administration management and security, and Computer networking and telecommunications. These concentrations make up 98% of all computer and IT degrees. Industries such as the Automotive and Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing industries are set to accelerate the pace of automation.
Specific IT jobs are predicted to see an increase in demand than others. With an increase in cybersecurity threats, Information Security Analyst jobs are set to rise whereas computer programmers are expected to contract by -11.5% by 2032 The good news is that the demand for software developers is expected to increase by 26%. Additionally, job roles such as Data Architects are expected to rise. Some other jobs are expected to witness a double-digit surge, namely, software quality assurance analysts and testers (20%), web developers (17%), and web and digital interface designers (15%).(The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Acceleration of Technology
According to the Future of Jobs Report 2023, 85 % of companies surveyed are accelerating the adoption of technology by expanding their digital access, causing a paradigm shift in the way these companies will operate in the future. Big Data, Cloud computing, and AI features are set to be intrinsic parts of these companies’ growth strategy. Digital platforms and Apps will be integrated by these companies to increase accessibility to their consumers. Climate change and environmental management technologies, data analytics, encryption, and cybersecurity are expected to drive growth in the job market.
Apart from the traditional technology companies employing tech graduates, a lot of finance and management organizations are also employing tech majors. These brick-and-mortar companies have also recognized the need to embrace technology for their survival and growth. More than 75% of companies are looking to adopt these AI technologies in the next five years.
Conclusion
The surge in technology has opened various career opportunities. A career in tech offers incredible opportunities for younger workers, particularly the Gen-Z who are considered digital natives since technology is a part of their daily lives. If you are at the crossroads of deciding whether or not you should pursue a career in IT, you should rest assured that the job market is bright for the techies.
