As the world emerges from Covid-19, some career trends are continuing, while others are shifting. IT talent continues to be in demand in 2022. From specialist areas such as AI and data science to analysts and architects, the need for skilled tech experts never abates. Other sectors, such as healthcare, are experiencing an unprecedented demand for physicians, nurses, and other roles because of the pandemic. Here are some of the careers which offer great potential in 2022.
Artificial intelligence
The field of artificial intelligence is expanding rapidly. According to a report by LinkedIn, the number of jobs in this sector has grown by nearly 75% in the last four years, and growth is present across all industries. New applications for this innovative technology are continually being identified, with its great potential to improve efficiency and productivity.
Roles in this sector involve working to improve Artificial Intelligence (AI) products and developing new ones. A machine learning engineer will research, design, and build AI systems, which enable machines to “learn” from carrying out tasks, mimicking human cognitive function. AI specialists will be expected to have a strong programming background and be fluent in several computer languages.
Salary expectations: approx. $130,000 median base salary
Data science
Data science is another sector that is experiencing rapid growth and where future growth is anticipated. Organizations are collecting and using more and more data. This data needs to be managed and made accessible so that information can be extracted into useful reports. A data scientist will be responsible for the collection, storage, and organization of large quantities of data from a wide range of sources. Many industries make use of data science, such as finance, health, scientific research, retail, IT, and government.
- science roles involve transforming raw data into information that organizations can use to manage business performance and improve how they operate. The data can be used by directors and managers to inform business decisions. Reports can be tailored to the needs of your organization, departments and individuals. For optimal clarity and usefulness of data, systems need to be developed to host the data securely and in a format that is easy to interrogate.
The skills relevant to data science roles include analytical, technical, statistical and communication skills. A data scientist will be expected to extract reports from a system and interpret the data. It is important to be able to organize the data clearly in an easy-to-understand format and present it to management or stakeholders.
Jobs available in data science include
- Data Scientist
- Data Engineer
Salary expectations: median base salary is $120,000
Undertaking a degree in data science is the best route for anyone who wants to pursue a career in this field. An Online Master's in Data Science, such as the postgraduate degree course from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), will allow you to develop the skills and experience needed for a career in data science. This is conducted through experiential theory learning and opportunities for practical applications of database management and analytical techniques. The WPI master’s in data science also gives you the choice of specializations in Big Data Analytics or AI and Machine Learning, further developing your skillset and opening up more career opportunities.
IT Specialists
Other IT specialists, from developers to architects are always in great demand and 2022 is no exception. Many jobs have seen growing demand for several consecutive years. For example, the number of Full Stack Engineer roles has grown by over 35% since 2015. JavaScript is among the top five most in-demand software skills in 2022, so JavaScript developers are some of the most sought-after professionals in the country. Another role in high demand is Information Security Analyst. Enterprise privacy and security are extremely important to businesses, with legal as well as operational and PR implications associated with security breaches.
Roles include:
- Cloud engineer
- DevOps engineer
- Full stack engineer
- Software engineer
- Enterprise architect
- Web developer
Salary expectations vary across the roles:
Web developer: $111,000
Cloud engineer: median salary: $130,000
Enterprise architect: median salary $144,000
Supply chain management
There are many career options in supply chain management in 2022. . The pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in the just-in-time delivery mechanisms which have been relied on for many years. Lockdowns and staff absences due to illness meant that supply chains suddenly failed, for example, with containers were not shipped promptly to their destination Supply problems were compounded by panic buying of some goods. Now organizations are looking to enhance their supply chains to make them more resilient and better able to cope with any major logistical disruptions which might happen in the future.
Roles in the field of supply chain management include:
- Distribution Manager
- Logistics Analyst
- Purchasing Agent
Salary expectations: supply chain manager median salary: $90,000
Healthcare
The health care sector offers many career options in 2022, with plenty of scope for career progression. This is due, in part, to the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw some people leaving due to ill health, and in other cases due to burnout from the intense workload during the pandemic. Morning Consult reported in 2021 that nearly 20% of the health care workforce had left the profession since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, and more are considering leaving. This has resulted in a significant demand for new health care professionals.
There is currently a shortage of Registered Nurses (RNs) in the US, with an estimated demand for 500,000 more RNs by 2027.
A bachelor’s degree in nursing is required to become an RN, while a master’s degree in nursing would be an enabler for further career progression, such as becoming a Nurse Practitioner.
Health care careers listed in the Top 20 of US News’ Best Jobs for 2022 include:
- Nurse Practitioner
- Registered Nurse
- Physician
- Physician Assistant
- Medical and Health Services Manager
- Respiratory Therapist
- Nurse Anesthetist
- Oral surgeon
Salary expectations vary considerably depending on the role.
Nurse practitioner median salary: $113,000
Primary care physician: $260,000
