The Top 5 career areas & Top 10 jobs within the next 5 years |
In the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, the global market from 2021 onwards will be driven by three primary long-term factors:
- The rapid emergence of AI-driven technologies driving a new era of automation
- The growing need for technological acumen to compete in a changing commercial landscape, and
- The drop-off in employer-based training investments over the past two decades.
It is important to note that whilst many workers will remain in a hybrid economy during 2021, others will continue to work from home. The shorter-term hybrid economy is a more digital economy. With continued consumer and employee reliance on almost “remote everything,” we can expect digitization of the economy to continue to advance at an accelerated speed.
Automation will also affect the new world of work. Make no mistake of its impact.
Over the next five years, Microsoft estimates 149 million new technology-oriented jobs in 5 key career areas.
Software development accounts for the largest single share of this forecast, but roles in related fields like data analysis, cyber security, and privacy protection are also poised to grow substantially.
The 5 areas are shown in the graph below.
Microsoft further identified 10 jobs that are in-demand in today’s economy and are well positioned to continue to grow in the future. These 10 jobs were identified as having the greatest number of job openings, have had steady growth over the past four years, pay decently, and require skills that can be learned online. The 10 jobs are:
- Software Developer
- Sales Representative
- Project Manager
- IT Administrator (prepared for the CompTIA Network+ Certification)
- Customer Service Specialist
- Digital Marketing Specialist
- IT Support / Help Desk (Prepare for the CompTIA A+ Certification)
- Data Analyst
- Financial Analyst
- Graphic Designer
Read the full report here: