Editor LauraEver since I was a kid, I’ve been interested in technology and the latest gadgets—and now, as an adult, I’m thrilled to be able to work in a field that’s constantly changing. At the same time, though, it can be difficult to know which jobs are going to stick around and which ones are already on their way out. Luckily for you (and me), this is a list of the best careers for 2020 and beyond!
Best Careers For The Future In South Africa
The following careers are likely to be around for a long time, and it’s not just because they’re in demand. They also offer a lot of job security, room for growth and opportunity to build your own business. Many of these careers are growing in popularity, so they’re worth considering if you want to work in an exciting industry that will keep you busy during the next few decades.
1. Network Administrator
A network administrator is a person who configures and maintains the network infrastructure of an organization. The job of a network administrator is to install, configure and maintain computer networks. They also keep them secure by setting up firewalls, monitoring usage statistics and preventing unauthorized access to the systems.
There are two main types of networking: local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs). A LAN allows computers within a small area, such as one building or campus to communicate with each other through cables or wireless connections. A WAN allows computers spread across large areas to communicate with each other through telephone lines or satellite links using communication protocols like TCP/IP.
The field is expected to grow at 9% annually between 2016 & 2026 according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The average salary for this position varies depending on experience level but falls somewhere between R100k-R200K per year depending on where you live in South Africa
2. Web Developer
A web developer is responsible for building websites and web applications. They work with a team of designers, marketers, content writers and other developers to create the technical aspects of a website. Web developers are responsible for the front end and back end of the website. The front end refers to the user interface, user experience and user interaction while the back end refers to databases, servers and other processes that happen behind-the-scenes when you’re browsing online.
If you want a career as a web developer there will be no shortage of opportunities during your lifetime! With an expected surge in demand over the next decade this may just be one of our top career picks for 2018!
3. Medical Coder
A career as a medical coder is growing in demand and not likely to disappear anytime soon, which makes it a good option for any job seeker who wants to find a long-term career opportunity. Coding is also an excellent way for people who are interested in working with technology and healthcare to get into these industries.
Medical coding involves entering information about patients’ diagnoses into their medical records. This includes identifying the documentation that belongs with each patient’s problem, recording the appropriate codes for each problem and ensuring that everything is properly documented so that any care provided by other health professionals can be accessed quickly and easily once they need it.
Because this skill set is so useful, medical coders will always have an important role within the healthcare industry; however, they can also use their knowledge of coding as an entry point into other fields such as data analysis or computer science if they want more options after gaining experience working as a coder at first!
4. Machine Learning Engineer
You will be responsible for the development and maintenance of advanced software systems that utilize machine learning algorithms to provide better services for your company’s customers. You’ll need an excellent understanding of mathematics, statistics, computer science, and engineering as well as knowledge in languages such as Python or R.
Machine learning is one of the most exciting fields today and there are a huge number of jobs available in this area! As more companies begin to adopt new technology like cloud computing and mobile apps—and the amount of data being generated increases exponentially—companies need employees who can help them understand how to use this information effectively. This means demand for machine learning engineers will continue increasing over time!
If you want to work as a Machine Learning Engineer then you’ll need a Bachelor’s degree at minimum (Master’s preferred). The best universities include University Of Cape Town; University Of Witwatersrand; University Of Johannesburg; Tshwane University Of Technology And Cape Peninsula University Of Technology (CPUT).
5. Web Designer
Web designers are in high demand. As more and more businesses move from brick-and-mortar to online, there’s a need for talented people who can create websites that are easy to use, visually appealing and easy to navigate. But what exactly does web design entail?
“Web designers create the site structure and design,” says SowetanLIVE editor-at-large Simnikiwe Hlatshwayo. “They also ensure that the website is SEO [search engine optimisation] friendly.”
6. Chief Information Security Officer
The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is responsible for the security of an organization’s information assets.
The CISO is responsible for the security of an organization’s information assets, which means they’re tasked with protecting it against internal and external threats. The role entails managing a team of IT personnel and working closely with other CXOs to ensure that all data is protected from malicious activity such as malware or phishing attacks. A CISO may also be in charge of developing new technologies that keep data secure while allowing employees to work efficiently.
It might seem like a stressful position, but the demand for cyber security professionals is on the rise right now! If you’re interested in taking on this specialized role, here are some key points you should know about what it involves:
7. Data Scientist
Data scientists are in high demand right now. It’s a job that requires analytical thinking, programming skills and the ability to interpret data. The responsibilities of a data scientist include:
- Analyzing data and extracting insights from it
- Building predictive models, such as those that predict customer behavior
- Building machine learning models to help businesses make better decisions based on the information they have at hand (for example, building a model to predict whether customers will buy something)
- Building business intelligence models that allow companies to make smarter decisions about things like product pricing or where their next marketing campaign should take place
Closing
As you’ve read, there are many careers that have been listed as being good for the future. Some of them are more technical while others involve more human interaction. Whatever your interests may be, it’s important to be prepared for whatever comes your way.