Who to go to school for? IT professions 2023

The situation in the world is changing rapidly, which is also reflected in the IT industry. Who to study for? What IT professions are in demand today? We have compiled the top 10 most popular specialties in this field.

Content:

1. Top 10 popular specialties in IT

• Frontend developer
• Python developer
  
• Automation tester
  
• Mobile developer
  
• Game Developer
  
• DevOps engineer
  
• Cybersecurity Specialist
  
• Data Science
  
• ML engineer
  
• Sales Manager
  

2. Trends in IT profession

Conclusion

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Frontend developer

A frontend developer is a specialist who is responsible for the appearance and design of the website, making it attractive and user-friendly. The representative of this in-demand IT profession uses different programming languages such as, HTML¹, CSS² and JavaScript³. These tools allow him to create the structure of a web page, set its appearance, and realize interactivity on the site.

To better understand the essence of the work, let's imagine an online store, where a frontend developer is responsible for creating the visual component of the site. He writes the HTML code that will define the structure of the page. Next, create sections for the site's header, main content, sidebar, and footer.

________________________
¹This is the code you need to place elements on a web page: texts, videos, pictures, tables.
²Translated, it means "cascading style sheets". A markup language that is used for visual design of websites.
³A programming language that helps improve user interaction with a website, from updating the newsfeed to displaying animations

With CSS, a specialist sets the style for a web page.It defines colors, fonts, sizes, and positioning of elements to create the desired design. The developer can set a background image for the site's header, customize button styles and choose a suitable font for headers.

Using JavaScript a developer can add interactivity to a website. And also, it can create animations, drop-down menus, sliders or feedback forms that will allow users to interact with the site and use it more easily.

Frontend developers must have both technical skills and an understanding of user experience and design, being able to create an interface that is not only functional but also attractive to users.

How much does he make?

Frontend developers are among the highly paid professionals, as their abilities and skills are valued in the labor market. The average salary can vary in a wide range, starting from $40,000 per year for beginners and up to $100,000 and more for experienced and in-demand developers.

Materials on the topic:
Programming languages you should start learning first

Python developer

Today, it is one of the most in-demand IT professions. A Python developer is a specialist who uses the Python programming language to create and develop different software solutions. Python is now one of the most popular programming languages. Python is one of the most popular programming languages nowadays.

The tasks of a Python developer are related to the creation of software. It can develop web applications, games, mobile applications, analytics tools, bots and more.

For example, in the same online store, a Python developer would create a web application. He can use Python to write the server side of the application, handle requests from clients, work with the database, and secure data.

Python developer is a sought-after IT profession. Specialists can constantly grow and improve their knowledge. Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities for this. New tools and libraries based on Python are constantly appearing. The CODDY Programming School's courses will help you master them.

How much does he make?

The salary of a Python developer can vary depending on the experience of the specialist, the level of his knowledge, the organization itself. But, in general, Python developers get paid a lot. In the US, for example, the average salary of a Python developer is about 100,000 dollars a year. In Russia, the monthly salary is about 150,000 rubles.

Automation tester

One of the most in-demand IT professions is test automation engineer.

Using special tools and programs, he creates scripts (a set of commands that together perform a specific task) and tests how applications and systems work, whether all their functions are available. The test results are analyzed by the specialist and feedback is provided by the developer.

For example, an automation tester can create scripts to automatically test an application's user interface, test a database. A specialist is important for software development because it ensures the quality and reliability of the software. This in-demand IT profession is suitable for those who love to analyze and look for new solutions to improve software performance.

How much does he make?

On average, a specialist receives about 100,000-150,000 roubles. Earnings are influenced by: skills, length of service in the profession and the employing company.

Mobile Developer

The professional is involved in creating mobile apps and games for different platforms like IOS and Android. In simple words, it creates the apps that we install on our smartphones and tablets.

A specialist in one of the most in-demand IT professions in Russia develops the functionality and design of applications, writes and debugs code, tests their performance and ensures compatibility with various devices and operating systems.

For example, a mobile developer can create an online banking application. Thanks to this, users will be able to check account balances, make payments, and manage financial transactions right from their phones. Or, the developer can create a game in which the player needs to solve puzzles, fight enemies.

How much does he make?

In the US, the average annual salary for a mobile developer is around $100,000 - $120,000 per year. Specialists of the in-demand IT profession in Russia receive from 150,000 to 200,00 rubles per month.

Game Developer

A representative of this in-demand IT profession creates and develops video games. He is responsible for all aspects of the gaming process, from idea and design to programming and testing the game.

The developer comes up with the idea, the plot, the worlds, the characters, and is responsible for the design. To make the game work, he uses a programming language. The specialist creates algorithms that determine how objects in the game will interact. For example, a developer might write code that allows the player to control a character using arrows on the keyboard.

The game developer is responsible for creating the visual effects and sounds in the game. He creates textures, character models, backgrounds and animations to make the game world realistic and colorful. It also selects or creates sound effects and music to enhance the atmosphere of the game. He also checks his product for bugs. A specialist works on the game, even after its release, he needs to follow updates, look for and eliminate defects.

How much does he make?

The average salary in Russia is about 180,000 rubles per month.

Materials on the topic:
How to become a game developer
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DevOps engineer

A DevOps engineer deals with the management and development of software products. Its mission: to make the process of software development and operation efficient and automated. This allows the organization to reduce costs and improve the quality of their products.

For example, a representative of this in-demand IT profession creates scripts and tools to automate different stages of software development, testing, deployment. A DevOps engineer manages and configures version control systems such as Git. It provides secure storage and access to code, and controls code changes and merges from different developers. The specialist is involved in version control, cloud integration, monitoring and debugging.

How much does he make?

On average, a specialist in this field receives in the neighborhood of 200 00 rubles per month.

Cybersecurity specialist

A cybersecurity specialist ensures that information in computer systems is protected so that no one can gain unauthorized access to sensitive data.

It is involved in monitoring and analyzing the activities happening on the network to detect attacks on the system or anything suspicious. A representative of this in-demand IT profession then develops and implements a plan to protect the computer system.

For example, a cybersecurity professional can analyze the network's network vulnerabilities to identify poorly protected areas that could be that could be the target of a cyberattack. They can also develop and train and educate employees on information security to prevent sensitive data from being leaked or errors in the use of computer systems.

How much does he make?

On average, professionals in this field can earn between $60,000 and $150,000 per year. Depending on the level of the organization, the salary may be higher. In Russia, salaries range from 100,000 to 300,000 roubles per month.

Data Scientist

Using a variety of methods and tools, the Data Scientist collects, analyzes, and interprets large amounts of data. The main task of this in-demand IT specialist is to identify patterns and trends that can be useful in making important decisions and optimizing business processes.

For example, a Data Scientist's job is to develop and apply machine learning to predict demand for goods and services. The specialist is engaged in building models to predict customer behavior, economic indicators, analyzes social network data to determine trends in society and this is not all of his work. The goal of research: to improve business efficiency and make the right decision based on analytics.

How much does he make?

Data Scientists are among the most in-demand IT specialists in 2023. Their average salary is 150,000 roubles a month.

ML engineer

ML (machine learning) engineer is a specialist who works with algorithms and models to create and customize systems and applications that can learn themselves. An engineer of this specialization is a demanded IT profession in Russia. He develops and applies machine learning algorithms, selects and prepares data, conducts experiments and analyzes the result.

Imagine you work for a weather prediction company. Your job as an ML engineer is to develop a model that will forecast weather based on available data: humidity, wind speed. You will train the model on historical data so that it can make predictions for the future.

How much does he make?

An aspiring specialist can receive from 80,000 to 100,000 roubles a month. The average salary of an ML engineer in Russia is 259,306 rubles per month, in Moscow - 301,000 rubles.

Materials on the topic:
Not man, but machine. Machine learning: algorithms, tasks, functions
Robots are working. What is a neural network and how does it work

Product Manager

Product managers are responsible for developing and managing the company's product or service. They manage the entire lifecycle from idea and concept to development, launch and support.

Representatives of the in-demand IT profession analyze the market, manage teams of developers and marketers, define the strategy and functionality of the product and implement it in the market.

Let's say you work for a company developing a mobile app for ordering cabs. As a product manager, your job is to identify customer requirements, design the functionality and interface of the application, manage a team of developers and testers, and conduct market research to determine the enterprise's advantage in the marketplace.

How much does he make?

The salary of a sales manager is about 200,000 roubles a month.

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Trends in the IT profession

• Significant trends in 2023 include an increase in relocation vacancies. Russian IT companies are moving their employees to Georgia, Israel, Kazakhstan, Montenegro, Thailand, and Belarus to take advantage of the local IT market and more favorable working conditions. This creates new opportunities for aspiring professionals who may be interested in working abroad.
  
  The Russian Association of Electronic Communications reports that about 60 thousand IT workers left the Russian Federation in March 2022 alone, and about the same number in April⁴.
  
  
• The shortage of IT personnel in the Russian market remains a pressing problem. And although, according to "RBC" in 2022 the number of employees of IT companies increased by 13 percent, the need for specialists remains. According to statistics as of August 2023, the industry employed almost 740 thousand people, and the shortage of developers alone amounted to 500-700 thousand people.
  
  Alena Dyadchenko, the publication's expert, head of development and product owner of the Granatum platform for effective online interaction, assessed the demands of the modern market. She categorized by block what IT professions are in demand. These are programming and classic development; DevOps; testing, analytics and design; and classic development.
  
  
• Since the spring of 2023, there has been an increase in the number of people wanting to learn IT careers. This means that in the near future, novice specialists will start working. They are usually called juna (junior). As a rule, they know the basics of the profession, but they have less than a year of practical experience.

Co-founder of the Facancy service and Alena Vladimirskaya Career Lab Alena Vladimirskaya:
"Seeking internships and any job, even unpaid, for the sake of gaining experience is a good strategy, for IT graduates now."

Conclusion

Today's technology and software are constantly becoming more complex. Professionals face new challenges almost every day. Representatives of IT professions are required to constantly improve their knowledge, expand their competencies. Practice shows that to be in demand on the labor market you need to study and study again!