2017 wasn’t a rewarding year for those working in the IT sector. (Also read: More layoffs in IT industry, is H-1B visa the only reason?) From a downtick in the total number of new jobs created to forced exodus of mid to senior level managers, almost everything sparked a re-think of engineering as a study discipline and as a career choice for Indian youths. Furthermore, artificial intelligence and automation will not only lessen the dependence on humans in traditional enterprises but will also severely impact the tech world.
But what does 2018 hold? Can it be a better year for techies, let us find out.
In the very beginning, let’s humbly accept that in this fast-evolving technology setup, no one can accurately forecast how the future will unfold; for example, based on Blockchain technology, the cryptocurrency, bitcoin, has always kept experts guessing on its future.
What made news in 2017 can, however, throw some light on what awaits for techies in the near future.
- Wider acceptance of Blockchain – opening up new domain for techies in 2018
The most significant disruption in coming days will be on how records are maintained, and this sets the tone for increasingly wider acceptance of Blockchain tech. Since records kept in Blockchain are virtually immutable and invulnerable to unlawful alterations, many governments and banking and financial services companies are mulling shifting record-keeping to Blockchain, in fact, a few have already invited bids from tech companies.
(Also read: Quietly Seeping Into Financial Infrastructure – The Blockchain)
Now since the task of assisting enterprises interested in moving their businesses to Blockchain will be undertaken by techies, this single prospect holds big promise for the sector in 2018.
- Startups will have an edge over established IT brands
With operating costs on account of maintaining high-tech infrastructure (recall the milk-dispensing machine placed in cafeterias) becoming increasingly unfeasible, the giants are proving to be costlier for clients when compared to their rivals, the IT startups that operate out of tiny setups and work on thin margins.
Hence 2018 can be the defining year for how the war, waged by these startups on established IT brands such as Infosys and TCS, tilts toward one of the belligerents.
- An era of freelancers and uberisation of workforce
Another aspect to take note of is how tech companies are employing the services of freelancers and contract workers to minimise costs. Slowly but surely, brick and mortar structures to deliver work are becoming obsolete, and this is more with IT companies since they are in dire need to cut any unwanted costs. It may then be expected that although formal recruitments and promotions in IT companies will be lacklustre, informal jobs will be enough to keep every techie busy.
(Also read: Is Uberisation of Workforce Fast Becoming a Reality)
- Upskilling – the buzzword in 2018
The last is the recurrent call for skill enhancement for workers in IT industry. The technology of today can become obsolete the very next day; hence techies cannot expect to work and progress like those in traditional sectors like finance and marketing. Make re-skilling your resolution for 2018, and you can be sure of winning the game.
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