Cloud computing, Big Data, computer security, ethical hacking. They’re just a few of the IT careers grabbing all the headlines. And anyone with these skill sets can be reasonably sure of a reasonably good career for many years to come. But believe it or not, one of the most sought-after skills for the third year in a row is help desk and IT support.
It is indeed a good time to launch an IT career. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the IT unemployment rate has dipped to 2.7 percent, well below the nationwide average of 6.7 percent for all jobs. And IT workers report that they feel increasingly secure in their jobs and optimistic about their career paths and their potential for salary increases.
But which aspect of IT should you focus on?
According to a Computerworld survey, application development is the most sought-after skill. But surprisingly, help desk and IT support come in a solid second, with 44% of survey respondents saying they expect to fill jobs in those areas this year. That’s up from 37% in 2013, which makes it the biggest increase in the survey.
Business intelligence and database analysis and development tied for third place on the list of the most in-demand skills.
While help desk and IT support positions may not earn you the top salaries of more specialized IT jobs, they are still solid career choices that will remain in demand. Because, let’s face it, we all need a little help from time to time.