We don’t have to tell you that it’s a tough job market right now. Many industries have been hit hard in the last month, and it’s unclear how quickly they’ll rebound.
But the recent, drastic changes to the way we live, work, and learn means that some organizations are thriving. The tech companies that support remote work, provide virtual healthcare, and help individuals learn from home are in high demand. And they’re building up their workforce.
If you’ve ever thought about transitioning into a tech career, now is the time to do it. There are quite a few industries that will remain stable throughout the COVID-19 crises, and that offer up plenty of exciting career opportunities.
Healthcare
For obvious reasons, organizations in the healthcare space typically make it out of an economic downturn unscathed. During the 2008 recession, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Amgen and Edwards Lifesciences Corp. were all among the few companies whose stocks actually improved. The need for biotech solutions, medical devices and pharmaceuticals will all stay the same or grow even more, regardless of how long the current economic dip lasts.
In the case of COVID-19, there’s a huge need for healthcare apps and online solutions. People across the world are making a concerted effort to stay home, and keep their distance from busy hospitals. That means they’re looking for virtual tools that meet their physical and mental health needs, from the safety of their own home. Apps like Headspace will grow in popularity, and continue hiring top talent.
Finance
During an economic downturn, everyone will keep an even closer eye on their savings. That’s probably why in 2008, H&R Block saw their stock improve even as nearly every other company in the S&P 500 took a hit.
The financial effects of COVID-19 were sudden, and in some cases, have been changing by the hour. More people than ever are turning to their phones and laptops to get immediate insight into their retirement accounts, savings plans, spending and investments. So it’s no surprise that tech companies in the finance sector, like Ally and Intuit, are looking to bolster their workforce.
Business Tools
Now that department meetings are held via video chat from everyone’s kitchen tables, there’s a new need for virtual project management and organizational tools. Brands that specialize in online solutions for scheduling, communication and collaboration are seeing a landslide of new customers.
So it makes perfect sense that tech companies like Asana, Miro, and Monday.com are all actively hiring right now in offices across the country. Each of these project management tools has become even more crucial now that most of America’s office staff are working from home.
The same goes for communication tools like Slack, an internal messaging software, and Zoom, one of the most popular platforms for video calls. Both companies are hiring positions in almost every department, from sales and business operations to engineering and IT. And in case you’ve got your heart set on landing a work from home gig, both of these major tech brands are hiring remote positions.
Education
Even as the world is changing dramatically, education must go on. 1st grade classes and PHD candidates alike are connecting with teachers and classmates remotely. That means that for these ed tech companies, business will continue (and even increase) throughout 2020.
Chegg offers online learning support that’s become invaluable for students who are feeling disconnected from on-campus resources. And self-learning tools like Duolingo will almost certainly grow in popularity over the coming months as people seek out ways to develop their skills at home.
Ecommerce
Historically, discount retailers have performed well and even grown their business during recessions. For example, Walmart’s business actually improved during the 2008 recession, along with Ross Stores and Dollar Tree. We expect to see online orders increase over the next year, which means retailers will need a larger workforce to manage their websites, apps, and ecommerce systems.
Across the U.S., families are looking for ways to pass the time while confined to their living rooms. That means online shopping and food delivery services will experience higher volumes than ever, and they need to be fully staffed to meet demand. Amazon and Uber Eats are both hiring, and their user base will soar over the next year.
How to Break Into Tech
There’s a growing need for tech skills. The fact that there are so many tech companies hiring in the midst of an economic recession proves the value of learning solid web development, UX design or data analytics skills (to name just a few high-demand career tracks).
For those looking to transition from another industry, there are plenty of self-learning tools available. You can start with free webinars and YouTube tutorials to decide which path is right for you. But those tools won’t get you a job, or lay the foundation for a long-term career.
That’s why we support all of our students with career coaches, an active online community, and a personal mentor. We offer a range of online courses in both full-time and part-time formats that are geared to help you build a portfolio, get hired, and make an impact.
If you’re committed to starting your career in tech, book some time on our calendar and get ready to join the world’s next workforce.