Information technology has now taken center stage, and almost every sector depends on it. To this effect, individuals and students must move in this direction. If you’ve been thinking of the area to venture into, this article is about in-demand IT skills to learn before you travel abroad.
The world of I.T. is thriving; hence, learning any of the in-demand IT courses is a necessity. When choosing an IT course to learn, it is worth noting that some IT courses are somewhat higher than others. This is because of the demand for experts in that field.
The Need to Learn an IT Skill
Even though many young people are embracing IT these days, there’s a huge skills shortage in IT. The industry needs new entrants to curb the deficits, especially in the areas of cybersecurity and cloud computing.
Not all I.T. courses are of the same relevance; some will make a real difference to your employability and career. This is why they are called in-demand IT courses and skills. Learning any of these courses that will be revealed here will certainly secure you a job.
In case you’re wondering which one will help you progress in your career and have a means of livelihood too, here are high-flying IT skills that will boost your resume, whether you choose to come from Nigeria or not.
5 In-demand IT Skills to Learn Now
1. Cloud computing
Cloud computing is an IT discipline that is growing rapidly, and Nigeria is not an exception in need of skilled professionals in this field. Since more and more cloud services are being used today for storing data, data management, and the deployment of applications, there is an increased need for people who have good knowledge about cloud computing technologies.
One of the places that could provide you with the opportunity to learn cloud computing in Nigeria is through popular online platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Pluralsight, which teach the skills right from the basics to the advanced level.
In addition to Nigeria, countries with sophisticated IT infrastructures, such as the United States, UK, Canada, Australia, and countries in the EU, have a high demand for cloud computing experts. These countries are tech magnets for tech giants and startups going in for cloud solutions.
Cloud computing knowledge is highly valued worldwide; it involves the ability to work on platforms such as:
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Microsoft Azure
Oracle
Google Cloud Platform.
With the global trend of more businesses choosing the cloud migration of their operations, there is a high demand for cloud professionals, which makes a career in cloud computing a high-paying option for individuals in Nigeria and beyond.
2. Programming
This is one of the most sought-after and popular IT skills. There is higher demand, and programmers are often sought-after. Programming is the process of providing the computer with a set of instructions that are produced in a language that the computer understands.
A programming language is the means of expression between a programmer and a machine so that an action can be perceived and executed by the computer. Some of the very common programming languages include:
Python
C
C++
Java
Ruby
Java
PowerShell
BASIC, etc.
In Nigeria, there are quite a lot of means to learn programming. One of the ways to obtain this skill is through coding bootcamps or online courses supported by Udemy, Coursera, or Codecademy. There are also coding schools and institutions in major cities like Lagos and Abuja that offer programming courses.
Making Money as a Programmer:
Self-Employment:
1. Freelancing: You can offer gig (service) using platforms such as: Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr.
2. Software Development: Create software applications to businesses or developing custom solutions for clients can be a very profitable area for experienced programmers.
3. Consulting: Experienced programmers can offer a variety of consulting services to businesses, such optimizing their existing systems, or solving technical problems.
Employment:
1. Tech Companies: For an individual looking to enter this industry, getting into well-established technology companies or startups as a software developer could be profitable, that is if you choose to work for an organization.
2. Remote Work: Due to the rise of remote work, programmers can work from anywhere. The benefit of this is, you can multitask; meaning, you can have several job opportunities at the same time.
3. Contract Work: Some companies hire developers on a contract basis whenever they need them for one-time projects.
High-demand destinations for web programmers
1. United States: Silicon Valley and other technology centers in the US have a lot of job vacancies for programmers in many fields.
2. Canada: Cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal are well known for their dynamic tech sectors and immigration-friendly policies.
3. Australia: With a growing demand for tech people, Sydney and Melbourne offer exciting jobs for experienced programmers.
4. United Kingdom: London, Manchester, and Edinburgh are the places for active tech hubs that are regularly in need of web programmers.
3. Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is one of the most in-demand IT skills to learn before leaving Nigeria. With the rise of cyber threats and attacks, individuals and organizations are constantly seeking skilled professionals to protect their data and systems.
Primarily, cyber security focuses on the practice of protecting computers, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems, networks, and data from being vulnerable to the claws of internet fraudsters.
To learn cybersecurity in Nigeria, you can try out various possibilities, such as specialized training institutes, online courses, and certifications from organizations like CompTIA, EC-Council, and Cisco. Agencies like NITDA (National Information Technology Development Agency) also offer cybersecurity training programs.
The United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, still have a shortage of cybersecurity professionals, which means that a Nigerian who has the required skills will find it easier to find a well-paying job in these countries.
On the other hand, this can be an opportunity for freelance cybersecurity consultants to offer their expertise to companies that desire to secure their digital assets.
Once you move to their destination country, as a cybersecurity expert, you will find some high-paying jobs. You can provide services of all kinds, like:
Penetration testing
Vulnerability assessment
Security audits
Incident response.
4. Data Science
Recently, many leading universities added data science or big data to the courses they offer, mostly at the graduate level. Data science is one of the most sought-after and high-flying IT courses to study now.
Along with the growing trend to make decisions based on data in all business fields, data scientists are in high demand worldwide.
This type of IT area integrates many areas, such as statistics, scientific methods, and data analysis, to create data that can be used for whatever purpose. Specialists in this discipline are called data scientists. Data specialists utilize a variety of skills for assessing data gathered from the web, mobile phones, and the internet.
Beginners need to start from the basics, which involves coursework in programming languages such as Python and R, statistics, and techniques of data visualization and machine learning algorithms. It is a set of foundational skills that form a very solid base for further specialization in areas such as data engineering, business intelligence, and data analytics.
Sites such as Coursera, Udemy, and DataCamp have fantastic beginning classes. You will be able to compete in the job market much more effectively by mastering data science or big data.
Regarding making money, data scientists can be employed by a company or opt to be self-employed. You can be a freelancer and work for different clients. With the right set of skills coupled with experience, data scientists can make a fortune, whether as freelancers or as full-time staff.
5. Web development
This seems to be the most popular IT skill among Nigerians. E-commerce, automation, and artificial intelligence have become more important than ever, making web development a highly demanding skill to have before leaving Nigeria.
To become a web developer, you won’t need a lot of time, not as much compared to other IT courses listed here. Web development is the activity of designing websites and applications for personal and commercial use.
As a webmaster, you are either a website builder or manage client’s website (doing SEO for clients). You will have several offers as a webmaster/developer, more especially, now that many brick-and-mortar stores are looking for online visibility.
For a beginner, some courses are available to start your web development career. One of the most prominent courses for newbies includes HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Bootstrap. Online platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Codecademy extensively provide courses on web development.
In addition, tech centers and academies such as Andela and CcHUB, usually organize workshops and training programs. As a web developer, you may opt to work as a freelance developer or get employed by one of the companies in the country.
Freelancing, on the other hand, is a profitable option for web developers as it allows them to work on various projects for international clients and also fix their rates. Moreover, the majority of companies are comfortable hiring remote web developers, which means you can work from anywhere.
Investing time and energy into mastering these competencies may increase the chances for career promotion, job advancement, and enhanced remuneration. As technology continues to shape the future of work, staying ahead of the curve with relevant and in-demand IT skills is crucial for staying competitive and relevant.
When it comes to choosing an IT course to learn, you should also consider your learning ability and passion. The good thing about having an IT background is that, whether you choose to be independent or work temporarily for an IT company, the pay is very good.
A Japa Community for Nigerians by Nigerians HOME & ABROAD
We're here to celebrate the accomplishments of Nigerians worldwide. Tell us about your journey - from landing abroad, to learning new things, to building your life there. Share your Japahood story!
Pingback:
Pingback: