Five of the fastest-growing tech jobs in 2017

Five of the fastest-growing tech jobs in 2017 by Michael Cheary It’s official: tech roles are on the rise… With more and more employers embracing technology and making it an integral part of their business, there’s never been a better time to work in the IT industry. In fact, there are now 18% more tech jobs on reed.co.uk than in 2016 â€" and it isn’t just the traditional roles that are in-demand.We spoke to Cambridge Assessment, which is recruiting for a large number of IT-related roles this year, to find out what tech careers are on the rise in 2017 â€" and how you can stand out to potential employers:Network EngineersWhat they do: Support, maintain and manage computer networks. Their work is absolutely vital in ensuring the smooth running of an organisation’s IT services as the network is a key piece of the infrastructure. New initiatives such as Public Cloud and Big Data have to be met with new and elaborate network architectures, meaning the demand for quality Network Engineers is greater than ever before. What you need: Excellent problem solving skills and an eye for detail are essential, as much of this role will come down to troubleshooting problems. Some employers may require a degree or Network-specific certifications, but apprenticeships are also available.What you can earn: Network Engineers will usually start on a salary of around £20,000, although this will quickly rise through experience. Senior Engineers can earn in excess of £50,000.Perfect for: People who want to be better connected.Our advice: Network Engineering isn’t just about how to make things work â€" it’s also about why things work the way they do.   Having a firm grasp of core networking concepts is critical to diagnosing and resolving complex problems.   Achieving industry recognised certifications, such as Cisco’s CCNA and CCNP, are excellent ways to learn and demonstrate this knowledge to future employers.   You should also expect to be tested on this during the interview process.SAP Consultants What t hey do: Provide expert advice on SAP (Systems, Applications, and Products) software. By communicating with customers, they can better understand their needs and suggest effective SAP based improvements. They’re employed in a wide range of different industries, and their aim is to help businesses use SAP in an efficient way and ensure they stay ahead of the competition â€" one reason SAP consultants are becoming an increasingly popular job choice throughout 2017.What you need: Aside from a technical mind, great problem solving skills, and an ability to communicate well with others â€" you’ll also need to be SAP qualified, with expert knowledge of all aspects of the software.What you can earn: You’ll usually earn around £50,000, with highly experienced SAP Consultants able to earn in excess of £80,000.Perfect for: People who like imparting wisdom.Our advice: SAP is an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) solution utilised globally across multiple industry sectors by hundreds of thousands of customers to manage business operations. SAP is continually evolving its product portfolio in line with industry trends and, as a result, its support and development spans a wide range of technical and functional areas across business solutions. There’s lots of information on forums and online user groups relating to SAP, which will provide a wealth of information to get started including background, demonstrations, advice and recommendations to anyone looking to fast track understanding.Mobile App DevelopersWhat they do: Work with engineers to develop, build and produce engaging mobile applications.   Whether it’s by writing code, designing interfaces, or troubleshooting problems â€" their role is to use the client requirements to deliver an effective product that results in a great user experience (something which is becoming increasingly important as companies begin to embrace a mobile-first approach). Web Developers who can build responsive sites are also in de mand.What you need: Knowledge of programming languages, alongside excellent analytical and problem solving skills. A degree in computer science is also usually essential â€" and candidates will need to demonstrate good attention to detail combined with a creative approach to work.What you can earn: Salaries start at around £20,000, rising up to £40,000 with experience. Senior Mobile App Developers could earn up to £50,000.Perfect for: People who are always on their phones.Our advice:  Whether you’ve got a great idea for an app already, or you just want to get to grips with the software, don’t wait for the right role to build your skills. There are a number of platforms out there already which will allow you to build your own app from scratch, and most require little or no investment to test out. Not only will you be able to demonstrate your ability to recruiters with a working application, you’ll also ensure you can hit the ground running when you actually get the job.Data ScientistWhat they do: Gather and analyse complex data, using their insights to make recommendations which could help benefit the business. With so much information being gathered by businesses on a daily basis, both online and offline, Data Scientists can use their skills to spot trends and improve everything from UX and UI, through to pricing and marketing.What you need: A highly methodical and analytical approach to your work, as well as excellent attention to detail â€" something which is vital when it comes to working with complex data. A degree will also usually be necessary.What you can earn: Entry level salaries for a Data Scientist could start at as much as £30,000, and double to £60,000 after a few years of working in the field.  Perfect for: People who are data-driven.Our advice:  With more and more companies taking a data-driven approach to their work, data science is becoming an increasingly competitive field. To effectively stand out to recruiters, don’t just talk about the work you’ve done â€" actually demonstrate the impact having that information has had on your current or previous company. By adding real value to your CV (and in your interview), you’ll show what you can bring to the role if you’re hired not just that you can handle lots of different types of information.Application EngineersWhat they do: Supporting a wide range of systems, composed of multiple technologies, to enable the business to build and maintain their market share. This could include working on designing, building, rolling out and supporting software and applications to help improve the organisation’s processes and business needs, as well as fine tuning and upgrading existing systems, in order to improve their functionality and efficiency. With the work application engineers do, the organisation is more productive, and able to perform more effectively.What you need: You will be educated to a degree level, or have equivalent industry experience. The person will need to have the right mindset, proven problem solving skills and up-to-date technical knowledge in order to successfully fulfil the role.What you can earn: Application Engineers will generally earn somewhere between £20,000 and £30,000, although more experienced workers could command salaries up to £50,000.Perfect for: People who like to unravel a mess.Our advice: Keep up-to-date with your technical skills on Windows and Linux administration; Web services such as IIS and Apache Tomcat; Web applications such as .net, Java; database query languages such as SQL query; Automation tools such as Puppet, Chef; Scripting languages such as PowerShell and bash. Above all else, take ownership of issues and have the drive to break through them using initiative and resources.Why work for Cambridge Assessment? Cambridge Assessment is Cambridge University’s international exams group, comprising three exam boards and the largest research capability of its kind.It provides exams and learn ing materials for almost a million students around the globe every year, and a large part of its success comes down to its integration of cutting edge technology â€" not to mention its staff.Benefits of working for Cambridge Assessment include:Generous pension schemePerformance related payEmployee discounts across a range of the UK’s biggest storesDiscounted train travel and cycle to work schemeIntegrated training and development plansChildcare vouchersExcellent access to University facilities, such as the LibraryWant to take your tech career to the next level? Find a job with Cambridge Assessment today.Cambridge Assessment is part of Cambridge University, and is recognised worldwide for maintaining the highest standards in educational assessment and learning.Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our servi ce and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. Features What job suits me?