Career Paths

07/03/2022

No matter where your career takes you, you will be surrounded by technology of one kind or another. It's up to you to find the best path to take advantage of this new world—but we’d like to highlight some possible destinations.

4 min read

Technological innovation has led to increased efficiency and accuracy in many industries, which means we can expect explosive growth in companies that effectively utilize these tools. But how do we distinguish which roles or skill sets will take us where we want to go? What are the kinds of jobs you can take on as a specialist in each of the distinct tech areas?

Tech companies have dominated the list of the best companies to work for in 2022, according to Glassdoor’s annual employer rankings. Still, whether you aim to work in traditional tech giants or in other sectors like retail, real estate, tourism, consulting, finance or public services, up-and-coming disruptive technologies are going to be critical for the success of any business or initiative.

If you believe you are destined to lead and influence, keep in mind that you must also find a way to stay ahead of digital transformation, especially as many companies these days are shifting with the times. In order to navigate this digital world, you need to know The biggest barriers to digital transformation—and how to overcome them. For traditional brick-and-mortar companies or organizations reliant on paper-based internal practices, this kind of change is never easy. The key to success lies in high-quality, up-to-date leadership training.

Deep dive into the different tracks available for tech and data professionals

As a specialist in digital transformation, your job will be to motivate your team and guide them through the complex, multifaceted processes known as “going digital.”

Not everyone is up to the task. But for many mid- to senior-level business professionals looking to up-skill, now’s the perfect time to tackle digital transformation and learn how to fight resistance to change, let go of legacy debt, and find creative solutions to budget restraints.

Or, if you have a more technical profile, you could look into computer science. Computer science isn’t just about programming anymore. In fact, it’s a key aspect of everyday business and it’s important to learn exactly How computer scientists are mastering the world of biztech. Computer science has a role in every sector, which makes it a fantastic career to pursue. This could mean building artificial intelligence systems that can help diagnose diseases, apps for mobile devices, or algorithms to make processes more efficient.

Overall, it’s about designing disruptive tech relevant to today’s marketplace. For those with ample experience in the nitty-gritty side of tech, this track offers a clear connection with strategy and business goals. Companies and organizations want bright individuals who are equally comfortable both in front of a computer and in a business meeting, so it’s a good idea to make sure you’re ready for both worlds.

Similarly, a vast array of opportunities are available for those ready to take on digital business:  The digital business professional: a career in innovation awaits. It’s not the next frontier—it’s the here and now. Whether we like it or not, almost all modern businesses need to be digital in one way or another. This is the track for professionals ready to hit the ground running and take on challenges that will test not only their tech and business savvy, but also their creativity and open-mindedness.

Becoming a digital business analyst isn’t the only option for those that choose this path. They can also aim for careers as international business development managers, e-commerce managers, customer success engagement managers and more. Professionals in this area must be ready to harness technology in order to adopt new business models, respond agilely to customer needs, and identify opportunities to fearlessly transform and restructure businesses as old products and processes become obsolete.

The foundation of all of this development in tech is the raw material: data. Nowadays we have something at our disposal that is more valuable than gold—big data. And in today’s world of work, big data requires a certain professional: The big data professional: a perfect blend of tech and business. With big data, the goal is to tackle complex problems and make better business decisions. Because it’s not about how much data you have—it’s what you do with it.

Businesses and organizations utilize data to gain an edge over competitors and to better understand their customers.

Deep dive into the different tracks available for tech and data professionals

Big data experts can find work in virtually any sector. For example, media and entertainment organizations analyze customer data to create content for different audiences and give them personalized recommendations. Big data is also essential in the retail industry. From traditional stores to e-commerce sites, many retailers compile big data from customer loyalty programs or local demographics to strategize stock and staffing.

Strong business know-how is essential for understanding business analytics. In order to thrive in this specialization, you need to learn not only how to analyze data, but also how to channel it to create value for a business. This is why data-savvy pros are in such huge demand: big data analytics are critical to inform key business decisions and drive growth.

Finally, if you are a mid-level professional really aiming to take both your business and tech knowledge to the next level, dive into the world of tech. Innovation and technological know-how will be key to success in any sector, so don’t miss the opportunity to sharpen your skills now. At IE University, there’s a program for all types of digital gurus ready for the next step in their careers.