Women in IT and Telco: 5 Careers You Should Consider Now

As Link Consulting Services recently reported in our article, “The Business Case for Improving Employee Diversity in the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” just one in ten American senior leaders (and only one in five C-suite executives) is female… yet nearly half of all male professionals surveyed claimed that women are well represented in their companies, according to LeanIn.org and McKinsey’s Women in the Workplace 2017 study. This doesn’t bode well for IT and telecommunications organizations. 

Why Women in the Workforce is Better For All 

Workforces that are highly diverse in terms of gender are 35% more likely to experience financial returns above the industry mean. Additionally, more diverse workplaces can result in greater innovation, which CIOs say is one of their top priorities for this year in order to stay competitive within their industries.  

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, more diverse workforces mean much-deserved opportunities for women in the technology industry—the same number and quality available to their male counterparts, and the ability to fulfill executive management roles for great career success. 

Ranking Methodology  

If you’re a female professional looking for a new career within IT and telecommunications, consider the following careers that can be particularly rewarding, and are projected to significantly grow in the near future. This list is based on industry research as well as more than 10 years of experience as the staffing services and recruitment consulting specialist of choice for global Fortune 500 companies.

In addition to job titles, we have included: 
• Median salary for these careers
• Current unemployment rates
• Predicted growth rate 

(Please note that these figures refer to IT and telecommunications professionals in the United States alone; data may vary worldwide.) After reading, visit www.link-cs.com/talent to search available job opportunities and upload your CV. 

Rapidly Growing IT and Telecommunications Jobs That Female Professionals Should Consider

1. Information Security Analyst 
Cyberattacks are on the rise, meaning that there’s an increasing need for skilled technology professionals who know how to combat hackers. If safekeeping sensitive information for a slew of clients—from global financial institutions to retailers—sounds interesting, consider becoming an Information Security Analyst. Typically, specialists within this field need a professional degree in a computer-related program such as programming or computer science. You can also earn a number of certifications such as those that bestow the title of chief information security officer. 

Median Salary: $92,600  
Unemployment Rate: 3.2% 
Predicted Growth Rate: 28% between 2016 and 2026 

2. Software Developer 
The career of a software developer is varied. In general, they deal with the research, design, programming, and testing of computer software such as applications or foundational computer systems. While these professionals work in the technology and telecommunications sectors in addition to emerging niches such as virtual reality, they are also needed across a range of industries including manufacturing, finance, healthcare, and government and defense.  

Median Salary: $100,080  
Unemployment Rate: 1.6%
Predicted Growth Rate: 30.7% (for software developers that focus on applications, between 2016 and 2026) 

3. IT Managers 
If leadership is your goal, information technology management may be the ideal route for you. On an average day, IT managers may oversee team sprints and set technology objectives, coordinate these objectives with executives, and install and upgrade computer systems in order to protect against cyberattacks and ensure optimal performance. The most proficient IT managers have a thorough technological background that enables them to supervise their coordinates and lead their company’s IT objectives, and also possess strong communication skills to collaborate with other departments.  

Median Salary: $135,800  
Unemployment Rate: 2.7%
Predicted Growth Rate: 12% from 2016 to 2026

4. Computer Systems Analyst 
Like IT managers have to combine technical expertise with communication know-how, computer systems analysts utilize their backgrounds in both IT and business to efficient computer systems and processes. This could include assessing which kinds of hardware and software are best for their organization, testing and troubleshooting these systems, and analyzing cost-benefit scenarios to determine whether their company should invest in new technology upgrades. Computer systems analysts work for systems design firms as well as a range of organizations within health care, finance, and more. 

Median Salary: $87,220
Unemployment Rate: 2.6%
Predicted Growth Rate: 21% between 2014 and 2024 

5. Data Scientists 
A relatively new career field, data science is a combination of statistics and analytics. Data scientists utilize technology in order to garner insights from large amounts of information, such as guiding new product lines. The majority of data scientists are employees are employed within a handful of industries: finance, insurance, IT, and professional services.

How can you explore this career? Unlike some of the others mentioned on this list, this profession can be entered with a variety of educational backgrounds, such as engineering, business, or math.

Median Salary: $113,000
Unemployment Rate: 4.7% (as of 2017) 
Predicted Growth Rate: 28% between 2017 and 2020

Do You Want a Fast-Growing Career?

If you have a background in IT and telecommunications and would like to move into a profession within these rapidly-growing industries, consider reaching out to us at Link Consulting Services. We work with Fortune 500 companies around the world, and specialize in placing skilled IT and telecommunications specialists in cutting-edge projects and roles designed to leverage their particular skill set.

Search open positions and upload your CV now!