Computer software and hardware evolve at an incredible rate. Just think about the last time you purchased a PC or smart phone only to discover it's obsolete (and half the price) a year later. The same is true for technologies used in the workplace. The information technology job market and the skills necessary to succeed as an IT professional change faster than any other area of employment. For instance, if you look at the ten most sought-after IT skills in 2013, half of these job roles didn't even exist in 2003!
The breakneck speed of technological innovation is a key factor behind the "IT Skills Gap" phenomenon. Simply put, an IT skills gap occurs when the workforce demand for a specific IT job role exceeds the supply of trained and qualified technicians. A large IT skills gap makes it difficult for employers to fill key positions, while presenting buku employment opportunities for aspiring technicians or established IT professionals looking for a career change.
Positions Experiencing an IT Skills Gap
Notable IT job roles experiencing a skills gap right now include mobile application developer, network virtualization specialist (especially those with the skills to convert existing networks to virtual networks), user interface developer, systems analyst and big data scientist. Skills gaps also exist for certain IT security professionals, such as mobile device security, risk management and cloud security specialists.
The list of positions with IT skills gaps will constantly change as workers inevitably flock to where the opportunity is and technology continues to evolve -- this constant state of flux and the opportunities it creates is one of the many factors that make a career in IT so exciting, in my opinion.