To stay informed about the latest developments in the IT labor market and keep your skills relevant, watch the full recording of our experts' presentations at the IT Non-Stop conference or read an excerpt of their comments below.
Maryna Melnik, Head of Learning and Development at DataArt
“In May 2023, The World Economic Forum released its traditional The Future of Jobs Report. There were 800 companies surveyed across the globe from dozens of different industries. The top five core skills important for employers were:
- Analytical thinking
- Creative thinking
- Resilience, flexibility, and agility
- Motivation and self-awareness
- Curiosity and lifelong learning
Today, the skill of quick and constant learning is the new black.
Within a five-year timeframe, almost half of employees' core skills will change dramatically. Also, the average lifespan of a skill is three to five years. Just think about yourselves in your current roles and positions, how your required skills looked five years ago, and how they look now. I'm sure the majority will say: “Yes, they are different.” In digital fields, skills change even faster.
According to various research studies, around 50% of surveyed companies predict AI will increase the number of jobs, and only 25% of companies think it will cause job losses. So, the outlook is quite optimistic as we're not talking about replacing but reskilling and enhancing the performance of various specialists.
I always think of the industrial revolution. I'm sure people back then were also stressed and worried when machines appeared and could do more tasks and be quicker than humans. However, we're still here, right? And we will always be at the center of these technological developments.
The solution is not a secret. It's developing and promoting a learning culture in the company, entailing employees who seek to gain new skills, and apply and share them.
Based on everything I've said, my advice for young professionals is quite obvious—never stop learning. Technologies come and go. It's AI today; it'll be something else tomorrow. Your ability to learn quickly, be flexible and proactive, coupled with analytical thinking, is the key to your success, regardless of the technology that's currently in trend.”
Gregg Kravatz, VP, Precision Medicine Solutions at DataArt
“Employers are certainly interested in hiring individuals capable of working with massive data sets. But in general, we're seeing in the market that employers still require in-demand technical skills as a prerequisite. However, soft skills or the ability to interact with colleagues and communicate complex topics are vital to achieving leadership positions.
Domain knowledge has always been important, and for those who desire to rise into leadership, having that area of expertise is becoming increasingly important. AI can summarize massive amounts of data now, but there's still the requirement to lead the teams down the proper paths and move the projects forward efficiently.
We've seen in the IT industry that University degree requirements are not absolute. Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg did not graduate from college. But we're seeing degrees becoming more critical at the start of people's careers. Data scientists are, of course, in demand. Also, if you want to get into leadership, having advanced degrees in scientific or complex endeavors is very important. Another AI-driven change is that it will increasingly handle routine tasks, allowing us to dedicate more time to researching our customers, understanding our colleagues, and comprehending the positions they come from.
Throughout my career, one of the things I've learned is that change has been constant in the IT industry. The best companies out there embrace change as a permanent endeavor. What we're seeing with AI is that the pace of change is becoming more rapid, creating opportunities like never before.
Finally, I have found in my career that young people who are passionate, curious, and excited about what they do are the cream that rises to the top. Find a space you are curious about and that inspires you, then as the saying goes, “You will never work a day in your life!“
Tetiana Hapachylo, Regional Staffing Director, Expert in Staffing and Resource Management at DataArt
“When ChatGPT was launched, we received a lot of requests from our clients from different domains and businesses regarding how generative AI can improve their business and areas to boost the efficiency and creativity of their team. So, AI specialists and developers working with LLMs are in demand.
Domain experts are still very influential as they are the only ones who can understand specific business processes. Integrating expertise in artificial intelligence with domain-specific knowledge opens the door to distinctive possibilities. Recognize the industries witnessing notable advancements in ML and tailor your skill enhancement accordingly. This approach enables you to adeptly employ AI techniques in particular scenarios, effectively addressing challenges specific to each domain. In addition, in the new era, it's crucial to remember soft skills and professional ethics.
While AI excels at tasks demanding technical proficiency, it fails to replicate the indispensable 'human factor.' Soft skills are pivotal in establishing connections, resolving conflicts, and motivating others. These interpersonal abilities distinguish individuals in competitive job markets and propel their career advancement.
Although GenAI can now cover some parts of our work, senior-level engineers or testers cannot be replaced because their work is not only about technical skills but also about decision-making, domain understanding, and leadership. So, I hope we consider GenAI a bridge to the next level of automation, but not a replacement for humans.“
Conclusion
As our experts inspire a positive view of our AI-driven future, with continuous learning and upskilling, there is nothing to fear. Embrace the change and keep innovating!
