The demand for IT specialists is growing rapidly, but there are not enough professionals. Time to gain new knowledge

By Yana Pozharskaya On Ноя 13, 2023

CrimeaPRESS reports:

The demand from companies for IT specialists in Russia (as well as in the world as a whole) is growing progressively, experts say. Every month, about 100 thousand vacancies of this kind appear on various Russian employee search sites. At the same time, the number of resumes from representatives of information industry professions is significantly lower. Moreover, there is a clear shortage of truly qualified personnel. This is due to the fact that the rapid development of technology and the emergence of new IT areas, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain and others, require very specific knowledge and skills. Therefore, companies often face difficulties in finding suitable candidates who can practically demonstrate their worth in the profession.

But, as you know, demand creates supply: with the growing demand for IT specialties, the number of people wishing to improve in such skills also grows. The good news here is that the number of offers related to education in the field of information technology is growing proportionally. Moreover, we are talking about both fundamental education (universities, institutes) and online schools focused on providing knowledge in more or less narrow IT areas. Yes, only on the online course aggregator CourseHub More than 5,000 paid and free training courses are presented, including those with educational licenses, which means that they certify their graduates.

What IT professions are most in demand today?

The list of the most in-demand IT professions includes:

Software Developers:

Full-stack developers: specialists with skills on both the front-end and back-end sides of applications.
Front-end developers: specializing in creating user interface and user interaction.
Back-end developers: engaged in creating the server side of web applications and ensuring their functionality.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Specialists:

Data Scientists: data analysis, building machine learning models.
Machine Learning Engineers: development and implementation of machine learning algorithms.

Cyber Security Specialists:

Cybersecurity Analysts and Engineers: ensuring the security of information systems and data.

Cloud Specialists:

Cloud Architects: development and implementation of cloud solutions architecture.

Data Scientists:

Data Analysts: processing and analyzing data to identify trends and patterns.

DevOps engineers:

DevOps Engineers: Integrating development and operations processes to accelerate software delivery.

Internet of Things (IoT) specialists:

IoT Developers: development of applications and devices that interact with smart devices.

Blockchain technology specialists:

Blockchain Developers: creation of decentralized applications and smart contracts.

The list is not complete. The IT sector consists of hundreds of different specializations, varying in scope and complexity.

A profession in the IT field — is it necessary?

The specializations outlined above reflect current trends in the industry. But! Every day “gives birth” to new requirements for the implementation of IT projects. And this “flywheel” will actively spin up over the next few years, or rather decades. Therefore, experts note, professions in the field of information technology can currently be considered among the most promising. Moreover, the number of reasons that allow one to think so is extensive. Among the main ones:

As mentioned earlier, there is a high demand for qualified specialists in the IT field. This means that if you have the right skills, your chances of finding a job are high.
The IT field includes many different professions, ranging from software developers to cybersecurity specialists, data analysts, cloud solution architects, and even artificial intelligence specialists. This makes it possible to choose an area that corresponds to specific interests.
The IT industry is dynamic, and there is an opportunity to constantly develop and improve your skills. AND! Career growth can be rapid, especially for those who actively develop professional skills.
Many IT companies provide flexible work hours and the ability to telecommute, which can be an important aspect for many people.
Working in the IT field allows you to be at the forefront of technological progress and participate in the creation of innovative solutions.

However, it is also worth noting that the IT industry can be competitive, and it is necessary to constantly “refresh” your skills. Here, experts emphasize, it is extremely important to choose a professional area that is most interesting and invest efforts in training and professional development.

A specialist in the IT field — let them teach me!

There are many learning resources and institutions where you can gain IT education and skills. Here are a few paths to consider:

Universities and technical institutes:

many universities offer programs in computer science, programming, computer systems engineering, and other related fields. You can choose a bachelor’s, master’s, or even postgraduate degree in a relevant field.

Online learning platforms:

Many online platforms provide courses and programs in IT specialties. For example, Coursera, edX, Udacity, Codecademy, Khan Academy and others offer courses in programming, data analytics, machine learning and many other areas.

Professional courses and trainings:

There are specialized training centers and companies that provide intensive courses on specific IT skills. Examples include General Assembly, Le Wagon, Ironhack, etc.

Self-education:

many successful IT specialists started with self-education. There are many free and accessible resources on the Internet, such as Codecademy, freeCodeCamp, GitHub (for practice), Stack Overflow (for communicating with the community), etc.

Certification programs:

For some specialties, professional certifications are important. For example, Cisco, Microsoft, AWS provide certifications in networking technologies, cloud computing, etc.

The choice depends on preferences, educational background and how it is more convenient to study. It is also important to practice and participate in real-life projects to apply what you have learned.

Working in the IT sector in Russia — the price of the issue

Salaries for IT specialists in Russia vary significantly depending on a number of factors, such as level of experience, qualifications, region of work, company size and specialization. Estimated average salaries for some IT specialties in Moscow:

Software developer:

Junior (entry level): from 60,000 to 100,000 rubles per month.
Middle (middle level): from 100,000 to 150,000 rubles per month.
Senior (high level): from 150,000 rubles and above per month.

System administrators:

Junior: from 60,000 to 90,000 rubles per month.
Middle: from 90,000 to 130,000 rubles per month.
Senior: from 130,000 rubles and above per month.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Specialists:

Junior/Middle: from 80,000 to 120,000 rubles per month.
Senior: from 120,000 rubles and above per month.

Cyber Security Specialists:

Junior/Middle: from 90,000 to 130,000 rubles per month.
Senior: from 130,000 rubles and above per month.

However, experts say these are just approximate figures. Experts emphasize that the “cooler” a specialist is, the higher his “price tag” and demand in the market. By and large, there is no “ceiling” in earnings in this regard. Moreover, taking into account the fact that the field is developing by leaps and bounds, and the tasks are becoming more and more complex — geniuses in IT are definitely needed and employers are willing to pay really a lot for their heads. Agree that this is a very serious reason to get a profession… literally… of the future. Moreover, there are a great number of directions, and you can study online.

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