As the job market continues to pick up more steam from the 2008 downturn, many savvy job seekers have noted that the tech market has recovered much more quickly than the overall market. This March, NASDAQ reached its highest point in 11 years, while tech companies like Facebook and Twitter are dominating headlines. Across the country, the technical unemployment rate is 50% lower than the overall rate.
The tech market here in New England is even stronger than the nation as a whole. We are once again bringing in talent from far-off-places such as Boston, Texas, Florida, and overseas. Local employers only embark upon these searches after thoroughly scouring the local talent pool. If you’d like to be part of the local Tech Job Gold Rush, here are a handful of jobs going to folks from away.
You’ll strike gold in the New England tech market.
Programmers
Programmers using Java, .NET, and Python are all in high demand. Although most programmers have bachelor degrees, many of these degrees are in unrelated majors. The only requirement for this path is a strong analytical mind. Many common tools are freely downloadable, so one can gain experience without being on-the-job. In fact, employers love the chutzpah demonstrated in tackling a large project ‘just for fun.’
Quality Assurance
While software is being created, QA Analysts test it in order to locate defects (bugs) before the software is released to users. Testing a large piece of software requires a structured and disciplined approach to leave as few stones unturned as possible. A strong attention to detail is required, along with strong analytical skills. QA Analysts work deep inside of an application, so foundational knowledge of programming, networks and databases will be well utilized.
A job searching for these program bugs is in high demand in New England.
User Experience/UI Developer
These jobs revolved around controlling the overall interaction a user has with a computer application. In recent years, a tremendous amount of effort has been put into ensuring a pleasurable and productive user experience. These roles require both an analytical mind and an aesthetic eye. Learning HTML/CSS and the ability to write it from scratch is a common entry point into this field.
If you’re interested in any of these roles, pursue them. The market for Programmers, User Experience/UI Developers, and Quality Assurance Analysts will only continue to grow. Retraining now will pay off for years to come.
Thanks to Marcin Chady and Nerdcoresteve for the use of their images.
