ACM CareerNews for Tuesday, July 23, 2024
ACM CareerNews is intended as an objective career news digest for busy IT professionals. Views expressed are not necessarily those of ACM. To send comments, please write to [email protected]
Volume 20, Issue 14, July 23, 2024
Future of IT Jobs: Which Tech Roles Will Be in Demand in 10 Years?
Spiceworks, July 15
As computing technology continues to evolve, it is likely that new computing professions will appear, while others will disappear completely. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of jobs in computer occupations is expected to grow 14% over the next decade. However, specific IT jobs are predicted to be more in demand than others. For example, amid ever-growing cybersecurity threats, the number of U.S.-based information security analyst jobs is expected to grow by 31.5% between 2022 and 2032.
Over the next ten years, senior-level employees are expected to be more in demand than their more junior counterparts in similar roles. For example, the number of jobs for computer programmers is expected to contract by 11.5% by 2032, while demand for software developers (who are more responsible for the overall design of applications) is expected to increase by 26%. Additionally, employment of database architects is expected to grow by 10% compared to 7% growth among database administrators. Other in-demand IT professions expected to see double-digit growth include software quality assurance analysts and testers (20%), web developers (17%), and web and digital interface designers (15%).
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Is AI the Secret Sauce For the Four-Day Workweek?
Computerworld, July 17
Some organizations are finding that automation and new AI tools, particularly those related to generative AI, are a key factor in making their four-day workweek projects a success. As generative AI gains in power, scope, and functionality, it could make the concept of the four-day workweek more popular than ever. Already, companies that have experimented with four-day workweeks have generally obtained positive results, so long as there is systemic support within the organization. They found that their employees actually appreciated it and found themselves to be more productive, while having a better overall work-life balance.
Companies have been experimenting with a four-day workweek even before the emergence of ChatGPT and other generative AI tools. This means there is already prior research into the four-day workweek, and how organizations can adapt. One key finding was that phased transitions, where different parts of the organization are brought onto the new schedule in batches, often did not work well. In fact, this usually ends up with organizations just reversing course. In order for generative AI to pay off, employees need to remember several principles to increase efficiency even as they reduce working hours. They should automate where they can, eliminate where they can, outsource or delegate where they can, and educate if there is a need for some learning to improve efficiency.
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Tech Unemployment Rose to Nearly 4-Year High in June
CIO Dive, July 8
Unemployment among IT professions reached 3.7% in June, up from 2.5% in the previous month. The rate is the highest it has been since August 2020, when it reached 4.6%. Other key indicators in the tech labor market also showed signs of flagging demand. Across the economy, tech occupations fell by 22,000 positions, and job postings decreased slightly month-over-month. By contrast, tech industry companies added 7,540 net new workers last month, marking the largest monthly increase so far this year.
The gap between national and tech unemployment rates has been slowly shrinking for the last four years. A mix of factors, including the widespread rush toward AI, is leading some employers to delay their tech hiring plans. The recent data indicates a degree of downward pressure on tech employment. A similar jolt occurred in February, when IT unemployment rose to 3.5%. At the time, delays in employment data reporting was a contributing factor, especially as the year kicked off with new layoffs in the technology industry.
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Tips and Tricks for Continuous Tech Pro Learning
Dice Insights, July 15
If you already have a 40-hour per week job, it can be tempting to put the acquisition of new skills and knowledge on the back burner. However, tech is a dynamic environment, and those who do not keep learning are doomed to fall behind others. Continuous learning and professional development are essential for staying relevant and competitive for new jobs, promotions, and more. The article outlines some effective strategies for personal development, along with practical learning tips for staying relevant in the age of AI.
Staying relevant in your career matters. New technologies, frameworks, and tools emerge constantly. Continuous learning ensures your skillset remains relevant, keeping you competitive in the job market. By expanding your knowledge base, you gain exposure to diverse approaches and solutions. This broadens your problem-solving toolkit and fosters creative ways to tackle complex challenges. Proactively acquiring skills that complement the needs of your team or align with the goals of your company makes you a more valuable asset. This initiative can lead to exciting projects and leadership opportunities.
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5 Tips For Mentoring a Colleague in the Workplace
Silicon Republic, July 17
Whether you feel you require extra guidance or want to try your hand at mentorship yourself, the art of mentoring is a valuable skill to have, both at work and in your day-to-day life. A healthy working environment is one that fosters the talent and ambitions of its employees, therefore, there is never really a specific end to modern-day workplace mentorship. Rather, employers should encourage their teams to consistently seek out ways to improve themselves and others. With that in mind, the article provides a number of tips can be useful in a range of different scenarios.
There should be a natural flow to mentorship that allows for learning and collaboration across a long period of time, but that does not mean that you do not need a plan to keep things running smoothly. When you agree to mentor a co-worker, it can be helpful to sit down with them and discuss what they hope to achieve from the mentorship, where they feel they could use some guidance and what their long-term career goals are. It is important to remember that mentorship is also an opportunity for the mentor to gain valuable skills and experience, so you should map out what you hope to achieve from being a mentor and how you can apply the new-found skills in the future. It will also help you determine the areas you excel in and the mentorship skills that you need to work on.
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Gen Z Pivots to Gig Jobs Instead of Full-Time Work
Technical.ly, July 21
There is a major cultural shift underway in how members of Gen Z approach work. There is now more overlapping than ever before between the worlds of entrepreneurship, self-employment, freelancing, and gig work. More than half (52%) of all Gen Z professionals freelanced in 2023, compared to 44% of millennials, 30% of Gen X and 26% of Boomers. Nearly 40% of Americans performed freelance work in 2023, up nearly 10% from 2021.
There is a growing boom in the $1.3 trillion freelancer economy. Some have predicted that a majority of the workforce in the United States will be freelancing by 2027. Gen Z is absolutely at the forefront of this massive shift of choosing freelancing, or a different type of independent entrepreneurial approach to work, compared to traditional 9-to-5 employment. There is still some debate, though, whether this is a positive development. The topic can be a complex one to analyze. Having a portfolio of work you like and a schedule that you prefer sounds like good news, but there are downsides to not having a consistent flow of new income.
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The Resume Mistake That Will Land It in the No Pile
CNBC, July 1
While it is easy to mass apply to job openings online, too many candidates make the mistake of applying with generic resumes. Failing to customize and tailor your resume for the specific opening could lead to your job application being rejected outright. And there are other, more glaring, mistakes that can make your resume feel out of touch, such as including a headshot on the resume. Recruiters are critical of anything that feels out of date, and some details could add bias to the hiring process.
There are several details that should always be scrubbed from your resume. For example, including an objective at the top of a resume is a waste of space when recruiters are looking at your document for only a few seconds, The purpose of your resume should be to provide your qualifications for a stated job, so you can save this point for a cover letter. Adding a home address might also be a liability. If you do not live where the business is based, a hiring manager could de-prioritize you as a candidate knowing you would require relocation. If you are open to remote roles, you can note that at the top of your resume.
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What Is the ISTJ Personality Type and Why Do They Favor IT Careers?
Hackernoon, July 19
If you are a tech worker, it is quite likely that you have the ISTJ personality type. This is one of the 16 personality types according to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. It is one of the most common personality types, comprising nearly 14% of the world’s population, and is about 1.5 to 2 times more prevalent in men than women. The Myers-Briggs framework distinguishes personality traits based on how a person perceives the world, performs in certain activities, and manages their life decisions. Generally, people with the ISTJ personality type have a rational outlook, are practical, organized, and methodically purposeful in all life spheres, and lean toward reservation, quietness, and mindfulness.
Generally, the best fits for ISTJ personality types are careers aligned with a logical approach and connected to facts and figures, extensive data analysis, planning, and reporting. It makes the IT sector a favorable sphere for their successful professional application. The roles can vary from data and information security analysis and computer network administration to engineering and software and web development. They also feel comfortable and confident in the fields that operate strictly by facts, rules, and norms and require a high level of responsibility, such as banking and accountancy, law, and medicine. Professionals in these domains are expected to be able to navigate through large volumes of data and interpret information accurately and reasonably.
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A Four-Stage Approach for Hiring Women on Your Engineering Team
Blog@CACM, July 3
Using a four-stage approach, it could be possible to boost the gender diversity of your software engineering team. There are proven strategies for attracting more women as candidates, as well as helping you hire and retain them. For organizations, a new emphasis on diversity means being flexible, learning from mistakes, and moving forward. The process of hiring more women can be broken into the following stages: evaluate, attract, hire, and retain.
Many companies start by looking to improve the hiring stage, but they have not put in the work to evaluate their current state of gender diversity or to make the company attractive to women. For this reason, they have limited or no success. The initial evaluation stage involves an honest assessment of where your company is at with regard to gender diversity, as well as gathering more knowledge so your leadership is ready to support women. A good starting point is understanding why your company wants diversity. For example, a more diverse team will more closely match your customer base, helping ensure your product fits the market. Diverse teams have a proven track record of better innovation and ideas. Diversity leads to fairer treatment, so everyone can succeed regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, or economic background.
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Computing Everywhere For Everyone At Any Level
Communications of the ACM, July 18
Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have highlighted the profound impact computing has on our lives. Therefore, it is desirable that students of all levels have age-appropriate familiarity with computing and the newest advances in AI. Several international efforts, including well-known frameworks, have emerged to address the development of early computational skills. These frameworks can be invaluable resources, guiding educational institutions in integrating computing concepts into their curriculum and empowering students to develop essential computational skills throughout their academic journey.
These frameworks have evolved significantly due to the challenge of precisely defining which computing abilities should be introduced at the school level. This complexity arises because computing is still a relatively new area and must be better understood by many. As a result, the initial step in defining any computing standard is to provide a clear and accessible definition of what computing is. Such a definition should enable anyone to comprehend not only the essence of computing but also its relevance in the world, particularly in shaping the citizens of the 21st century and beyond. Without this understanding, it becomes challenging for teachers, professors, or legislators to endorse any proposal related to computing education.
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