5 Jobs You Can Do In The Future If You Love Spending Time Online
Meet up with the people powering innovation and changing the game
In 2019, there’s no such thing as “logging off”. We live online, we lol online, we curate our personalities online. We collectively jump when a phone buzzes. Even our mums have succumbed to the siren song of Candy Crush.
It’s no secret that technology has created an entirely different job market. But, while we (“The Youth”) have been training basically all our lives for the jobs of the future, it seems just about all of us aren’t confident that we’re ready for the workforce. A research study conducted by Dell Technologies found that, even though 80 per cent of Gen Zs surveyed are keen to work with cutting-edge tech, 53 per cent aren’t sure they have the non-tech skills their future boss-people are looking for.
And we’re here to tell you that’s crazy talk! Gen Z is more prepared for a tech-heavy workforce than any generation before it, so you just go right ahead and back yourselves. While you do that, here’s a list of exciting, the-future-is-now type jobs you can do if you want to work with tech for a living.
#1 Virtual Reality Developer
In PwC’s 2018 annual report, it was predicted that VR headsets will be a staple in over 55 million homes around the world by 2022. To put it into perspective: that’s on par with the number of homes around the world that currently pay for Netflix.
Major social media and gaming companies have already jumped on board the VR train, with many others expected to follow. And sectors that are fully embracing VR include education, health, entertainment and gaming, to name a few.
Depending on where you work and what you’ll do, working in VR could involve writing code, designing simulated worlds, 3D modelling, and filming content. The job titles themselves sound straight-up cool – the role of Augmented Reality Journey Builder, which involves creating and personalising VR “journeys”, is one expected to grow in the coming years.
To put it succinctly, VR is a growing and exciting industry to hitch your wagon to. And while you’re there, can you figure out a way to make those headsets less dorky? Cheers.
#2 Cyber Security Expert
It’s estimated that Australian businesses lose $1 billion a year as a result of cyber-crime attacks. That’s a stupid amount of money that companies are willing to pay a less stupid, but still substantial, amount of money to fix.
According to the ABC, IT graduates are “gobbled up” by companies looking to strengthen their tech security – and can make a sweet starting salary of $75K doing so.
Companies aren’t just worried about fixing issues, they’re even putting plans in place to forecast their risk. According to IT firm Cognizant, there’s also predicted growth in a role called Cyber Calamity Forecaster, a (frankly apocalyptic-sounding) job that requires employees to “monitor, detect and forecast cyber threats, and predict their impact”.
If you care about data and security (73 per cent of Gen Zs do, according to Dell Technologies), AKA if you like fighting the virtual bad guys, definitely take a look.
#3 User Interface Designer
After spending a disgusting amount of time on your computer or phone, you’d probably have a pretty good understanding of the websites, games, and apps you like. And the reason why you like them probably has something to do with the way they’re designed. In fact, almost half of Gen Zs want to be involved in developing technology.
The UX (User Experience) industry is pretty buzzy at the moment and refers to the process of intuiting a user’s needs in navigating any kind of online portal.
A good UI (User Interface) designer heads up the creative part of UX. They incorporate brand messaging, key graphics, colours and “feel” to make a website both useable and dope to look at.
#4 Social Media Manager
A brand’s social media is a crucial part of its marketing strategy. Working as an assistant to or co-ordinator for the social media manager will get you started. It’s the social media team’s job to get the internet’s attention by delivering the company’s message in a language it understands (memes, mostly).
This means posting announcements or key messaging on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter, as well as moderating comments and keeping an eye on digital ads. With just about all Gen Zs stating they are careful what they post to social media because of the future impact, you already understand the importance of curating a positive brand image.
You only need to look as far as this depression meme Twitter exchange between huge brands like SunnyD, Pop-Tarts, Wikipedia and Uber Eats to know there are no limits to a social media expert’s creativity.
#5 Professional eSports Player
You know it’s officially the future when eSports is making IRL sports levels of money.
Competitive gaming is almost a $1 billion industry overseas and it’s predicted that it’ll only get bigger in Australia – we now have city-specific teams as well as dedicated venues to house competitions.
While the professional players make the big bucks, it’s not the only eSports career out there. Other jobs in the industry include reporting, managing, casting, as well as design, sales or marketing.
Your insane knowledge of games like League of Legends, Overwatch, Street Fighter, and Counter-Strike hasn’t been a waste of time. Despite what your mum may say.
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(Lead image: Samuel Zeller / Unsplash)
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You don’t have to work in IT or a traditional tech job to use technology – 40 per cent of Gen Zs have already stated they want to use their skills and technology to do work that can help others or the environment. Visit the website for more information about Dell Technologies Gen Z survey.