1. Data Science
All the organizations daily generate huge volume of new data in the form of digits, texts, audio, video, images etc., that we call Big Data that traditional processing software cannot manage.
Such constantly growing big data needs thorough, critical as also timely analysis to create actionable insights for solving company or customer problems and also to generate ideas for the future growth of the company. Data Science has therefore become one such industry that is growing by leaps and bounds.
This requires skills drawn from various fields such as computer science, statistics, mathematics, graphic design, information visualization, domain knowledge etc.
Therefore every major company with large scale operations would require people with data science skills to manage their big data in order to have a competitive advantage in the growing markets and hence such people will always be in high demand by various industries that are growing in the near future.
Industry Uses
Finance/Banking: data science helps in risk assessment and monitoring, avoiding fraudulent behavior, tracking all payments, claims, customer analysis, customer experience, among many other such business operations.
Manufacturing: data science helps manufacturing process in a big way to streamline the whole manufacturing process implementing artificial intelligence and predictive analytics etc. and for avoiding any major equipment failure.
Healthcare: with the help of pattern recognition, analytics, statistics, and deep learning algorithms, data science makes healthcare more efficient.
Travel Industry: creating customer profiles based on segmentation, offering personalized experiences to the customers according to their needs and preferences has been made possible by using data science.
Energy: since this industry is prone to major fluctuations in project cost and prices in the market, data science is employed to minimize such risks by using various predictive models.
Pharmaceuticals: data science is used extensively for all clinical trials and choosing people for such trials other than using it in the process of developing new drugs.
Gaming: data science is used to figure out customer reaction to various games and accordingly making improvements in gaming models.
It finds its application also in various other fields, including consumer goods and retailing, construction, communication and media, education, government etc.
Top Companies
According to Builtin (builtin.com), following are the top Data Science companies:
- Numerator
- Cloudera
- Splunk
- SPINS
- Alteryx
- Civis Analytics
- Sisense
- Oracle
- Looker
- Teradata
Market Size
As per grandviewresearch.com, the global data science platform market size was valued at USD 3.93 billion in 2019 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26.9% from 2020 to 2027.
Learning Resources
Data Science uses the knowledge of Probability, Statistics, Excel, Business Analytics and software languages such as Python and R.
- LinkedIn Learning: Foundation Course in Data Science (linkedin.com/learning).
- edX (edx.org): Basic and Advanced Courses from Harvard, MIT, UC SanDiego and other universities.
- Coursera (coursera.org): Basic and Advanced Courses from IBM, Google and some reputed universities.
- Udemy (udemy.com): Basic and Advanced Courses.
- Udacity (udacity.com): Basic and Advanced Courses.
- Purdue University: Post Graduate Program in Data Science.
- University of Michigan: Applied Data Science with Python Certification.
- Berkeley Executive Education: Data Science Online
2. Cloud Computing
This is a very smart way to utilise vast computing resources, like Applications, Servers, Data Storage, Developmental Tools etc. hosted on a Remote Data Centre managed by a Cloud Service Provider.
Industry Uses
It has got great advantages like lowering IT costs, start using required applications in minutes, easily scale capacity, instead of going in for costly hardware upgradations etc.
Even at home, we regularly use some kind of cloud computing services such as applications like Gmail, subscription services like Netflix, or cloud storage like Dropbox.
Most of the large organizations use Cloud Services and the demand for Cloud Computing is increasing day by day.
Top Companies
There are only a few large major players as employers in this field, namely:
1.Microsoft Azure,
2.Amazon Web Services (AWS)
3.Oracle Cloud
4.Google Cloud Platform
But in the near future, there is room for more players as this field has enormous potential to grow.
AWS is leading in the race although Microsoft Azure is neck-to-neck with AWS in competition. Therefore, for a good career in this field, it is necessary to start learning AWS or Azure to start with.
In the Cloud Computing job market there are ample job opportunities to work as Full stack Developer, Java Developer, Cloud Engineer, Software Architect, Data Scientist, .NET Developer etc.
Market Size
Global Cloud Computing market size & share will reach USD 1025.9 billion by 2026: Facts & Factors (fnfresearch.com).
Learning Resources
According to ubuntupit.com , the best Cloud Computing Courses available are as follows:
- Google Cloud Fundamentals (cloud.google.com/training/courses)
- Cloud Computing by IBM (ibm.com/cloud/learn/cloud)
- Cloud Computing Concepts, Coursera (coursera.org)
- Introduction to Cloud Foundry and Cloud Native Software Architecture, edX (edx.org)
- Cloud Computing by UMUC, edX (edx.org)
- AWS Certification by Amazon (aws.amazon.com/training)
- Azure Introduction to Cloud Services, Udemy (udemy.com)
- Cloud Skills by Cloud Academy, Cloud Academy (cloudacademy.com)
- Learn Cloud Computing from Scratch, Udemy (udemy.com)
3. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Google studies our behaviour all the time. Facebook and Amazon observe our preferences and accordingly provide us with the right kind of messages. With constant feeding of the customer data and a whole range of other information, the machines have started learning and acquiring knowledge of their own. Alexa is a glaring example.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are bringing in the next phase of computing revolution when majority of our intelligent decisions can be automated. Eventually, when most of the machines or utility appliances will be interconnected through Internet of Things (IOT), they will gather more data to process and gather more intelligence to serve us better.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is therefore going to be a high growth industry in the next decade.
Industry Uses
Thus AI has a huge potential in many business applications such as in e-commerce where it will assist us making intelligent choices based on our past purchasing history, as in Amazon online shopping, as also through virtual shopping assistants or chatbots in online retail shopping.
AI can also help us in preventing credit card frauds and to identify fake online reviews.
AI is also heavily used by Uber and logistics companies to find out easy routes and avoiding heavy traffic and improving operational efficiency.
These days, AI is also extensively used to analyse vast amount of historical data to generate solutions for early detection of diseases and also to discover new drugs.
AI finds extensive use in various other fields such as automobiles, marketing, agriculture, gaming, social media, legal profession, robotics etc.
Top Companies
Many companies are providing their Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning through their popular cloud platforms. According to Datamation (datamation.com), the leaders among them are:
- Amazon Web Service (AWS)
- Google Cloud platform
- IBM Cloud
- Microsoft Azure
- Alibaba Cloud
While there are large number of prominent AI vendors, there are some companies in this field who are known for their innovativeness, such as:
- OpenAI
- Vicarious
- Ubiquity6
- AIBrain
- CloudMinds
- DataRobot
- Affectiva
- UiPath
- Algorithmia
- Deepmind
- Domino Data Lab
- Narrative Science
- Sherpa.Ai
- Xanadu
- Butterfly Network
Market Size
According to Tractica, a part of market research firm Omdia (omdia.tech.informa.com), the global AI market is expected to reach a revenue of 118 billion dollars by 2025.
Learning Resources
According to e-student.org, in addition to the course by LinkedIn Learning, following are the 10 best courses on Artificial Intelligence:
- Artificial Intelligence Tools and Concepts by LinkedIn Learning (linkedin.com/learning)
- AI Programming with Python Nanodegree (Udacity)
- AI For Everyone by Andrew Ng (Coursera)
- AI & Machine Learning Engineering Career Track (Springboard)
- Artificial Intelligence for Trading Nanodegree (Udacity)
- Artificial Intelligence A-Z: Learn How to Build an AI (Udemy)
- ColumbiaX’s Artificial Intelligence MicroMasters Program (edX)
- Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (edX)
- Google AI Education
- Artificial Intelligence: Reinforcement Learning in Python (Udemy)
- The Beginner’s Guide to Artificial Intelligence in Unity (Udemy)
4. Internet of Things (IoT)
The Internet of things (IoT) describes the network of physical objects or ‘things’ that are embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies for the purpose of connecting and exchanging data with other devices and systems over the internet. Therefore, it is a convergence of various technologies to give us unified solution for a better and satisfactory customer experience.
A good example is ‘smart home’, where all the appliances including air conditioning and security systems can be interconnected and operated remotely or on automated mode for certain functions.
Industry Uses
Increasingly, IoT is finding its application in various other fields such as Healthcare, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Construction, Energy Management, Vehicular Communication System (self driven cars), Maritime, Military Applications etc.
Since it involves a whole range of technologies, there are immense opportunities for people with specific technical backgrounds for positions like, IoT/Cloud Software Developers, IoT Infrastructure Architect, IoT Systems Administrator, Cyber Security Experts, Test Engineers etc.
Top Companies
As per Zion Market Research Report (zionmarketresearch.com), the major players in this field, as mentioned by them, are:
- Hewlett Packard Enterprise
- Intel Corporation
- Hitachi Ltd.
- Amazon Web Services
- Fujitsu Ltd.
- Cisco Systems
- Huawei Technologies
- Micro Soft Corporation
- Beyond Verbal
- Affectiva
- Noldus Information Technology
- Lexalytics
- Adoreboard
- Cogito
- Siemens AG
- iMotions
- NVISO
- Gorilla Technology
- Sensum
- Oracle Corporation
- AT&T
- Bosch Software Innovations GmbH
- Kairos
- Sentiance
- IBM
- Tobii
Market Size
As per Mordor Intelligence (mordorintelligence.com), the global IoT market is expected to reach a value of USD 1,386.06 billion by 2026 from USD 761.4 billion in 2020, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.53%, during the forecast period (2021-2026).
Learning Resources
- IoT Foundations: Fundamentals, by LinkedIn Learning (linkedin.com)
- Introduction to Internet of Things by Stanford Online Free Course (https://online.stanford.edu/courses)
- Internet of Things – The Mega Course, Udemy (udemy.com)
- Internet of Things by New Horizons (https://clc.newhorizons.com/training-and-certifications/technical-courses/internet-of-things)
- Introduction to the Internet of Things, edX (edx.org)
- Internet of Things 101 Training, online and classroom based by Zeolearn (zeolearn.com)
- Internet of Things Courses, Coursera (coursera.org) and more.
5. Cyber Security
With extensive use of the internet for large range of business operations that involves collecting, generating and preserving sensitive information related to the business, it has become imperative to protect such information from unauthorised access through hacking or through computer virus that may create havoc to the computer system, by way of stealing sensitive information for malicious purposes or often erasing entire data from the system. Therefore, Cyber Security has become one of the fastest growing industries.
Industry Uses
Cybersecurity experts work in every kind of companies in various industries to protect companies from data breaches and attacks. They come with various job roles and designations such as, Security Software Developer, Security Consultant, Information Security Analyst, Ethical Hacker, Computer Forensics Analyst, Chief Information Security Officer, Penetration Testers to identify system flaws, IT Security Consultant, Security System Administrator etc.
Top Companies
A few leading companies in this field are:
- Cisco
- Symantec
- Palo Alto
- Check Point Software
- FireEye etc.
Market Size
As per Grand View Research (grandviewresearch.com), the global cyber security market size was valued at USD 167.13 billion in 2020 and is expected to register compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.9% from 2021 to 2028.
Learning Resources
- Transitioning to a Career in Cyber Security, by LinkedIn Learning (linkedin.com)
- Cyber Security Courses, Udemy (udemy.com)
- BSc (Honours) Cyber Security by The Open University, UK (openuniversity.edu)
- Various Cyber Security Courses, techradar.pro (tech radar.com)
- The 10 Best Cyber Security Courses, digitaldefynd (digitaldefynd.com)
6. Blockchain Technology
As per Investopedia (investopedia.com), a blockchain collects information together in groups, also known as blocks, that hold sets of information. Blocks have certain storage capacities and, when filled, are chained onto the previously filled block, forming a chain of data known as the “blockchain.” All new information that follows that freshly added block is compiled into a newly formed block that will then also be added to the chain once filled.
In short, the information stored in blockchains cannot be tampered with and the entire data base is decentralised and is faster and more efficient to operate. The goal of blockchain is to allow digital information to be recorded and distributed, but not edited.
Industry Uses
Blockchain technology is being used or has the immense potential of being used in various industries such as Banking, Cryptocurrencies, Healthcare, Legal profession or in business operations where fool proof contracts can be made using this technology, in supply chain operations, or even for voting purpose.
Top Companies
As per builtin.com, US based top Blockchain Technology Companies are as follows:
- BRD
- BitMEX
- Netki
- Spring Labs
- SALT Lending
- Mythical Games
- Gemini
- Circle
- Coinbase
- Chronicled
- IBM
- Voatz
- Steem
- Shipchain
Market Size
According to Grand View Research (grandviewresearch.com), the global blockchain technology market size was valued at USD 3.67 billion in 2020. It is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 82.4% from 2021 to 2028. It is one of the fastest developing industries.
Learning Resources
- Blockchain: Beyond the Basics, by LinkedIn Learning (linkedin.com)
- The Complete Course on Understanding Blockchain Technology, Udemy (udemy.com)
- Blockchain Technology by edx (edx.org), from Berkeley University of California (https://blockchain.berkeley.edu/courses/
- Blockchain Courses, edX (edx.org)
- Courses on Blockchain Technology, Blockchain Institute of Technology (https://blockchaininstituteoftechnology.com/)
- Online Blockchain Technology Courses, TechBullion (https://techbullion.com/10-places-study-blockchain-technology-courses-online/).
7. E-Learning
Online learning has really democratised the whole process of gathering useful information and knowledge by making it accessible by anyone from any corner of the globe at a much lesser cost as compared to that of traditional mode. It is also self paced learning at one’s own place, without having to reach anywhere to access it.
The major factors leading to this massive growth in e-learning market are primarily lower cost of investment in e-learning courses, more credibility of the e-learning course providers established over the past few years, including some of the major universities offering such courses who are behind the growth of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC’s).
Now, anybody at any age, can access online courses suitable for their purpose from the comfort of their homes.
Large number of corporates have also embraced e-learning for their employees to boost productivity of their workforce.
Top Companies
There are innumerable number of e-learning companies who provide e-learning content products and e-learning software solutions. Following are the top 16 such companies that enjoy excellent customer ratings, sorted by most reviews, as per TrustRadius (https://www.trustradius.com/).
- Articulate Storyline
- Articulate 360
- Adobe Captivate
- Brightspace
- PiiQ by Cornerstone
- LinkedIn Learning (lynda.com)
- Infosec Skills
- BizLibrary
- ITProTV
- Pluralsight Skills
- A Cloud Guru (Linux Academy)
- Coursera
- Skillsoft Leadership Development Program
- Udacity
- Udemy for Business (udemy.com)
- Docebo Learning Suite
Following are the 7 universities in USA, offering Free Online College Courses, according to Ladders (the ladders.com):
- Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
- Duke University, Durhan, North Carolina.
- Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts.
- Stanford University, Bay Area in California.
- University of California, Berkeley.
- Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.
Market Size
As per Global Market Insights (gminsights.com) the total e-learning market size was over $250 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at CAGR of over 21% during 2021-27.
E-Learning is by far, the fastest growing industry of the future.
Learning Resources
According to ispring (ispringsolutions.com), these are the top 9 Free e-learning authoring tools:
- iSpring Free
- Udutu
- IsEazy
- Adapt
- CourseLab
- GLOMaker
- H5P
- AdaptiveU
- Moovly
