March 2020—the alarm bell suddenly rang and businesses across the world were forced to shut down. Employees were asked to stay at home with an uncertain future staring down at them. The world was suddenly in a panic as one of the most devastating pandemics in the history of mankind gripped the world.
It’s been eighteen long months since then, and we are still in the middle of the pandemic but wiser than before. We tumbled, we fell, and we got hurt, but we’ve learned from our mistakes. We have adapted and we look better prepared if another similar event hits us.
In the words of Charles Darwin, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one more responsive to change.”
Going by the theory, there are going to be some interesting changes in the world. In fact, we are already witnessing major shifts in front of our very own eyes. Many skills and job profiles will become redundant, while others will adapt and evolve. Well, you will still need a hammer and chisel for certain tasks though!
Here is a list of 10 skills that will be in demand in the post-pandemic world. While these skills are relevant today, they will become priceless in the near future.
1. Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is the future of business! But what really is cloud computing? According to Amazon: “Cloud computing is the on-demand delivery of IT resources over the internet with pay-as-you-go pricing. Instead of buying, owning, and maintaining physical data centers and servers, you can access technology services, such as computing power, storage, and databases, on and as needed basis from a cloud provider like Amazon Web Services(AWS)”
In simple words, you can save and access data, servers, software and networking from a remote server through the internet.
Cloud technology has become an integral part of platforms such as Netflix, Facebook and Dropbox. The reason for cloud technology’s popularity lies in the fact that it is cost-effective, agile, reliable and efficient.
By 2028, global cloud computing is expected to reach a staggering $791.48 billion, according to several reports.
Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform and Alibaba Cloud are among top cloud service providers. As a cloud expert you could choose the following profiles:
- Cloud Software Engineer
- Cloud Consultant
- Cloud Architect
- Cloud Security Manager
- Cloud Network Engineer
- And many more!
2. Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is really the future of this planet. AI has been the most in-demand skill in recent years and it will remain that way for a long time in the future.
AI is intelligence displayed by machines. AI can also be described as the ability of machines to simulate human intelligence. Machines use algorithms and available data to calculate the best possible solution to any given problem.
With the AI sector growing exponentially, the industry may hit the $299 billion mark by 2026. The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the speed by which AI is growing. Companies, more than ever before, are realizing the importance of AI. From the healthcare industry to finance, AI is fast becoming an irreplaceable part of organizations that want to grow in the future.
The following job profiles are best suited for an AI pundit:
- AI Researcher
- AI Engineer
- Machine Learning Engineer
3. Data Science
An article by Harvard Business Review titled “Data Scientist: The Sexiest Job Of The 21st Century, mentions: “It’s a high-ranking professional with the training and curiosity to make discoveries in the world of big data…But thousands of data scientists are already working at both start-ups and well-established companies. Their sudden appearance on the business scene reflects the fact that companies are now wrestling with information that comes in varieties and volumes never encountered before.”
The highest-paid job in the IT industry is all about extracting insights from data using mathematics, programming skills, algorithms and other scientific methods.
A data scientist has a good command over Statistics, Machine Learning, Software Engineering, Programming Skills, Data Management and other interconnected disciplines.
The following job roles are fit for a person with expertise in Data Science:
- Data Scientist
- Data Architect/Engineer
- Statistician
- Data Analyst
- Machine learning Engineer
- Big Data Engineer
4. SEO/SEM Marketing
This tech skill is in high demand today and will be so in the post-pandemic world. The SEO service market is expected to touch the $40.92 billion mark by the end of the current fiscal year.
SEO or Search Engine Optimization is the process of increasing the quantity and quality of traffic to a website. SEO relies on organic or unpaid search results to optimize a website. SEM or Search Engine Marketing combines both organic and paid searches to get the desired results.
SEO/SEM marketing is increasingly becoming the center point of digital marketing because it increases the visibility of a company. With increased visibility, companies can turn prospects into loyal customers, increasing the revenue of a company.
5. Graphic Designing & Animation
Graphic designing and animation will be high in demand in the post-pandemic world. The pandemic has seen an increase https://www.uscreen.tv/blog/ott-platforms/in the number of OTT platforms along with various small online businesses. Online businesses will require several creative works such as logos, packaging designs, brand identity designs and website designs. Various creative platforms such as DesignBro are known for providing professional designs at a low price.
DesignBro, for example, is known for providing agency-quality design at freelance rates. You can either work directly with a designer or start a design project to get the design of your dreams.
There is a growing need for good visual effects in movies, video games and TV. The need for animators will be as much in demand in the future as it is today.
6. Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity, from its very onset, has been one of the most in-demand IT skills. And from how things appear at this point, it is not going to lose its popularity in the post-pandemic world.
Cisco explains cybersecurity in the following way: “Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. These cyberattacks are usually aimed at accessing, changing or destroying sensitive information; extorting money from users; or interrupting normal business processes.”
The pandemic has seen a rise in data breaching and phishing— different forms of cyberattack—increasing the demand for cybersecurity experts. As a cybersecurity expert, you could apply for job profiles such as Security Consultant, Security Engineer and Ethical Hacker.
7. Video Production
Video production will be among the top in-demand skills in the post-pandemic world. From corporate films to vlogs, video production will be the primary form of marketing just like it is today.
A successful video producer has several technical and creative skills such as video editing, graphic designing, operating a camera, lighting positions, cinematic compositions, the ability to understand music and transforming stories into screenplays.
If you are a beginner, you can start by learning video production techniques online. With the help of a low-cost camera, a good microphone and video editing software, you can begin your successful career as a video producer.
While it is true that major film industries across the world have been hit by the pandemic, the rise in online platforms such as Netflix will be the future of entertainment.
8. Audio Production
Just like video production, audio production will be highly in demand in the future. Audio production, today, is not limited to radio, entertainment or the music industries; companies that produce their own advertisements also have a dedicated video and audio department.
A skilled audio producer can also start his podcast. The podcast industry is rapidly growing and will hit the $1 billion mark this fiscal year.
To begin your own audio production, you will need the following:
- A good microphone
- Audio recording and editing software.
- Computer
- A good ear for music
- In-depth knowledge of how sounds are created through different techniques such as foley
9. Digital Journalism
Simply put, the contemporary style of journalism that uses the internet to distribute its editorial contents is digital journalism or online journalism.
As opposed to traditional journalism, where news is distributed through print or broadcast, digital journalism relies solely on the internet. A journalist gathers information through reliable sources online; verifies and filters them; ties them together through the use of video, audio, and text, before finally publishing the content online.
Digital journalism will play an important role in the post-Covid world.
10. Blockchain
According to Euromoney, “Blockchain is a system of recording information in a way that makes it difficult or impossible to change, hack, or cheat the system. A blockchain is essentially a digital ledger of transactions that is duplicated and distributed across the entire network of computer systems on the blockchain.”
If you have been following the emergence of cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, you are already familiar with how blockchain technology works. Apart from cryptocurrencies, finance, healthcare and retail sectors have integrated blockchain technology into their businesses.
As a blockchain technology expert, you could choose the following job profiles:
- Core Blockchain Developer
- Blockchain Software Developer
- Blockchain Solution Architect
- Blockchain Quality Engineer
In Conclusion
Some old skills will fade and die a natural death, while others will adapt and evolve. We will also witness the birth of new skills as we move ahead in the future. The pandemic has served us as a reminder that adaptability is the key to a brighter future.
PJ has a background in management consulting and software development. At DesignBro, he combines both. Personal favorite brand of PJ is Jeep.
