Gear up to stay in the race : The Tribune India

Join Whatsapp Channel

Changing face of it jobs

Gear up to stay in the race

"The traditional IT careers are long dead, long live IT" — This statement fits the IT sector quite snugly now.

Gear up to stay in the race


Gauri Chhabra

"The traditional IT careers are long dead, long live IT" — This statement fits the IT sector quite snugly now. The IT engineering jobs that revolve around programming languages like VB.NET, C++ etc have given way to careers in niche areas like artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and business intelligence (BI). This is due to the popularity of platforms like IBM Watson that is already complementing human decision-making in fields such as cancer diagnostics through artificial intelligence.

The numbers say it all

A National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) report has predicted that the IT industry will generate $350 billion revenue by 2025, but because of automation, the total number of jobs generated will be 50 per cent less than predicted. At the same time, new type of jobs will be created: While today, the IT-sector has routine-jobs, the sector will see a 56 per cent increase in high-skilled jobs that require analytical and problem-solving skills bringing about a dynamic shift in the next five to seven years creating a higher demand for up-skilled engineers in niche areas.

The report also mentions that top level management at IT companies in India feel that by 2020, “skills held by 50-70 per cent of their current staff would not be relevant to their business.” Therefore, if you are thinking of pursuing a degree in Computer Science Engineering or are already in career in the IT sector, you need to pause and ponder about the career options that offer more latitude. Following are some areas in which you can jump start your career:

Big Data

A grasp of languages like Java/C/C++ is no more the only pathway to success in the IT sector. To get into big data, you may need to master languages like Scala and Hive that are less mainstream.

Business Intelligence(BI)

In this category, you would be playing the role of a Business Analyst. From developing software to planning the projects, BI spans across a broad array of job roles which require diverse skills, including proficiency in relational database management, SQL, basic programming, analytical abilities, etc. However, merely having the theoretical knowledge will not work, which is why it is very important to have a hands-on experience in related technologies. Hence, if you are looking for a BI job then it is better to have a certification that is going to give you a privilege over other candidates. This would be related to the analysis and presentation of data in the form of reports and dashboards etc. The role often requires interaction with (or querying of) databases, both relational and non-relational, as well as with Big Data frameworks. The related tools that would help you are Power BI (Microsoft)

Artificial Intelligence(AI)

AI (or AGI) is a field that is based on machine learning, natural language processing and pattern recognition. At its core, AI is built upon the knowledge of advanced mathematics, physics and chemistry combined in various ways to create a means to detect, assess and act on information. There are opportunities at all levels. Sensors for data capture can range widely in form; web spiders and API software apply in some areas while CCDs and laser scanners are needed in others.

Basic computer technology and maths backgrounds form the backbone of most artificial intelligence programmes. Entry level positions require at least a bachelor’s degree, while positions entailing supervision, leadership or administrative roles frequently require master’s or doctoral degrees.

Machine learning research

Machine learning is the practical face of AI. It’s about identifying sources of data, then creating systems that analyze that data and make decisions based upon it.

Machine Learning researchers are those crafting and using the predictive and correlative tools used to leverage data. Machine learning algorithms allow for the application of statistical analysis at high speeds, and those who wield these algorithms are not content with letting the data speak for itself in its current form. Interrogation of the data is the modus operandi of the machine learning aficionado, but with enough of a statistical understanding to know when one has pushed far enough, and when the answers provided are not to be trusted. You would need to have knowledge of statistics, algebra and calculus and programming skills like Python, C++, or some other general-purpose language. Besides, you also need to have an understanding of the inner workings of an arsenal of machine learning algorithms.

Data scientist

A data scientist is concerned primarily with the data, and the stories it can tell, regardless of what technologies or tools are needed to carry out that task.

The data management professional and data engineer are concerned with the infrastructure that houses data. The business analytics professional is concerned with pulling facts from the existing data, while the machine learning researcher is concerned with advancing and employing the tools available to leverage data for predictive and correlative capabilities.

You may use any of the technologies knowing how to get a Hadoop eco-system up and running; how to execute queries against the data stored within; how to extract data and house in a non-relational database; how to take that non-relational data and extract it to a flat file; how to wrangle that data in R or Python; how to engineer features after some initial exploratory descriptive analysis; how to select an appropriate machine learning algorithm to perform some predictive analytics on the data; how to statistically analyse the results of said predictive task; how to visualize the results for easy consumption by non-technical folks. Key technologies and skills to focus on are statistics, and programming languages like Python, R, SQL and also data visualization.

Quality assurance — From manual to automation

QA processes have become more automated. IT-giant Infosys has already made an announcement of reducing jobs through automation. Now the question is Would it decimate middle class manual testing jobs? Well, yes and no. While it may rob the engineers of their jobs involving manual testing that involves rote procedures and manual inputs, it also paves the way for next generation Intelligent Process Automation technology to drive greater savings and efficiency.

Those of you who wish to upgrade their skills from manual to automation testing, should choose either Selenium or QTP. QTP is a paid tool while Selenium is an open source tool. QTP supports the VB Scripts while Selenium supports all the major programming languages like Java, C#, Ruby, Perl, PHP etc.

Cyber Security Testing

Demonetisation and the cashless economy initiative has led to a spurt of jobs in the Cyber Security testing. For instance, in the launch of the Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM), many people at a New Delhi company slogged it out, spending sleepless nights to ensure that the app was safe and that the security loopholes were plugged before it went live. There is no one true path to working in cyber security. People come at it from all angles – maths, computer science, even history or philosophy. As an ideal cyber security candidate, you need to have a mixture of technical and soft skills. On the technical side, you should be grounded in IT fundamentals: e.g. networking, systems administration, data base management, web applications, etc. and also versed in day-to-day operations: e.g. physical security, networks, server equipment, enterprise storage, users, applications, etc.

What employers look for?

“The IT field offers more latitude than longitude. A Computer Science degree with focus on programming language is not enough anymore. What is required is the knowledge of basic programming like C++ but also an up-skilling of latitudinal platforms like AI, Big Data and Automation. Today, while hiring, we look for candidates not only with a computer science degree but also, with a degree in maths or statistics”

— Harjot Singh, cto, tec mutants, ludhiana

Top News

Arvind Kejriwal to be produced before Delhi court today as 6-day ED custody ends

Excise policy case: Delhi court extends ED custody of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal till April 1

In his submissions, Kejriwal said, ‘I am named by 4 witnesse...

Delhi High Court dismisses PIL to remove Arvind Kejriwal from CM post after arrest

Delhi High Court dismisses PIL to remove Arvind Kejriwal from CM post after arrest

The bench refuses to comment on merits of the issue, saying ...

‘Unwarranted, unacceptable’: India on US remarks on Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest

‘Unwarranted, unacceptable’: India on US remarks on Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest

MEA spokesperson says India is proud of its independent and ...

Bullying Congress culture, no wonder being rejected: PM Modi, backs senior lawyers who flagged attempts to undermine public trust in judiciary

Bullying Congress culture, no wonder being rejected: PM Modi

Backs senior lawyers who flagged attempts to undermine publi...

Gujarat court sentences former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt to 20 years in jail in 1996 drug case

Gujarat court sentences former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt to 20 years in jail in 1996 drug case

Bhatt, who was sacked from the force in 2015, is already beh...


Cities

View All