This isn't your father's technology job market, or even your older sister's. With technological advances moving at lightning speed and permeating almost every field imaginable these days, techie skills are proving vital to more than just software development, IT consulting, or computer science. Surgeons now use mechanical arms designed by roboticists to perform precision procedures. Iris and fingerprint scanning are starting to replace passwords and PIN numbers.
Only a decade after "Toy Story," the 1995 animation sensation that made headlines as the world's first entirely computer-animated feature film, full-length computer-animated children's movies seem to pop up at the box office every other week. Point is: high-tech careers have reached an all-time high for coolness and flexibility. With the right degree and education, today's technologically-minded students can aim to work in almost any field desired. So what are some of these hot careers, and what education and training are necessary to succeed?
Remember Minority Report?
In the sci-fi future-scape thriller Minority Report, Tom Cruise's character replaces his own eyeball to escape iris scanners bent on revealing his identity. We're not quite there, but thanks to new technology and advances in security software, biometrics, or the science of analyzing physical characteristics to identify a person, is currently expanding to areas like passenger identification in airport passport control, ATM security, and more. People with technology degrees in autonomous robotics, artificial intelligence, software engineering, IT consulting, and computer programming have transferable skills that work for biometrics. A multidisciplinary education, like one including electrical engineering, computer engineering, and computer science, works even better.
The range of hi-tech online degree programs in computer and engineering sciences allows you to craft an educational background well-suited to biometrics. In most cases, entry-level jobs for IT and computer programmers require a bachelor's degree while engineer positions need a master's degree. But keep in mind: as the industry is fairly new, lacking previous experience or training doesn't leave you far behind in job competition. Now's the time to jump in, while biometrics is hot and there are more open positions than people with the right skill set.
Novel Graphics
What do 3D renderers do? Closely related to graphic designers and animators, these computer-savvy artists are responsible for everything from magazine cover illustrations to movie animations to Web site design to architectural renderings to interior design to the visual effects of opening movie credits... and the list goes on. Perhaps the question should be what don't they do?! One of the benefits of having the technical skills of a 3D renderer is the freedom to choose a career in different mediums and different industries. The average annual earning of 3D renderers is $38,030 in most fields.
Designers who work as visual renderers have a sizzling career outlook:---experts predict these jobs to increase steadily through 2014, as demands for more realistic special effects in film, video games, and Web design increase. In addition to an enjoyment of art and visuals, being a 3D renderer requires a bachelor's degree and higher education in design. Either a series of online design courses or a full-blown master's degree in graphic arts and design could boost your credentials enough to advance your career.
Life's a Game: Play It!
It's an exciting time for those who love video games. The latest development tool, LiveMove, enables video game programmers and digital media artists to create games more easily for the hugely popular Nintendo Wii system. These games are characterized by the use of handheld remotes that capture the players' movements and replicate them on the video screen. Players can realistically race cars, fight battles, play tennis, and bowl in their living rooms.
Demand for video games is increasing, and some companies are growing at a clip approaching 20% annually. Creating a video game involves a team of designers, programmers, artists, and testers. The field is growing but is highly competitive. Education, skills, and familiarity with the latest development tools is essential for programmers who want to land jobs with the best creative teams in the business.
Maximize Your Value in the Technology Job Market
As technology continues to advance and pervade business, commerce, and everyday life even more, a career in technology is a smart move. An educational background that opens up opportunities across industries is a clever way to ensure your career adaptability as technological advances open up new career paths. It doesn't take a robot to recognize that taking courses and classes or completing an online degree in technology subjects could give you the extra education you need to keep your technology career options flexible.
