The COVID-19 pandemic and the events that ensued afterwards have opened the market and digital era we have ignored for so long. It has led to the creation and acceptance of several remote jobs and new roles due to the high demand for the internet, its product, and the use of data. As a result of this development, several courses benched have come to the forefront of many career-minded individuals. These courses help these individuals skill up and maintain their jobs with added responsibilities due to the evolving digital economy. This article will highlight five trending courses, why they are trending, the career opportunities available, and how to get started. Let’s begin.

Web development

Most businesses see the need to have an online presence hence having a website is the new trend. To this end, web developers have become highly sort after, as they are responsible for creating and maintaining websites, making web development an in-demand skill. Certainly, becoming a web developer is one of the most incredible and beneficial jobs in 2022.

Web development is the practice of creating web pages and applications online. Web developers use a variety of programming languages and web technologies to manage site functionalities, implement application features, and integrate security measures. There are three types of developers: front-end developers, back-end developers, and full-stack developers.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ‘Employment of web developers and digital designers is projected to grow 23 percent from 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. As a result, about 21,800 openings for web developers and digital designers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.’

Careers in web development include front-end, back-end, and full-stack developers. You can work as a full-time developer or a freelance developer.

To get started on this career path, you could do the following.

1. Choose a development specialization that seems interesting. It could be front-end development, user interphase design, or mobile web development.
2. Get educated in the area of interest selected. It can be via certification courses or a boot camp.
3. Develop the technical skills needed. For starters, gain expertise with JavaScript, CSS, and Html, as they are the core languages for beginners.
4. Practice, practice, practice. You attain expertise by doing. Practice your coding skills.
5. Launch an online portfolio.

Data Science

Data science is a 21st-century in-demand career. It cuts across many sectors, including healthcare, marketing, e-commerce, engineering, transportation, banking, finance, logistics, recommendation systems, internet search, and construction. This is why it’s trending.

Data science is the process that uses advanced analytic techniques, scientific methods, processes, algorithms, and systems to analyze data, deriving valuable information for making informed decisions and strategic planning. In simple terms, it is collecting and analyzing digital data to obtain insight and transform it into meaningful and practical information. Data science comprises different disciplines like statistics, computer science, information science, data engineering, data analysis, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and software programming.

According to IDC, global data will grow by 175 zettabytes by 2025. Data runs the world, and the value of data processing and analytics is enormous. As a result, the demand for more data scientists will increase as the field expands.

In addition, it provides research and digital jobs. It is also helpful for gathering customer insights, preventing fraud, creating targeted ads, and finding solutions to problems.

Careers in data science include data scientists, data engineering, data architecture, data analysis, machine learning engineering, and business analyst.

Here is how to get started on this career path:

1.  Do your research to determine your area of interest.
2.  Learn python programming language as it is one of the most common data coding languages.
3.  Learn statistics as it is the grammar of data science. It will help with data interpretation.
4.  Learn data collection, cleaning, manipulation, analysis, and visualization.
5.  Another core skill to learn is machine learning.
6.  Practice and keep learning.

Digital Marketing

The world as we know it has gone digital. Every business needs an online presence. Individuals have become brands and the need to show up every day and reach audiences via media is ever-increasing in relevance. Digital marketing is the bridge to attain publicity goals, as traditional marketing has become outdated and increasingly expensive with little or no investment returns.

Digital marketing is the component of marketing that uses the internet and online-based digital technologies such as desktop computers, mobile phones, and other digital media to promote products and services.

The market demand for digital marketing has skyrocketed due to its affordability and effectiveness over traditional marketing. According to Market Hiring Trends, demand for digital marketing executives exceeds supply, as 44% of enterprises are looking to hire more marketers.

Secondly, digital marketing is a vast industry with opportunities for everyone to explore. According to LinkedIn, the digital marketing specialist role is among the ten most in-demand jobs, with 860,000 job openings, with SEO being the most requested.

Careers in digital marketing include email marketing, SEO management, video marketing, copywriting, content writing, social media management, and branding.

It is easy to get started. All you need is your creative ability, willingness to learn, a mobile phone, an internet connection, and the necessary skills. Decide your area of interest, take courses to build foundational knowledge, and build your portfolio as you practice.

Project Management

In today’s economy, project drives how work gets done, change is achieved, and value is dispensed. Hence having the basic knowledge of managing projects has led to the need for industry professionals seeking the basic knowledge needed.

The Association for Project Management (APM) defines project management as the application of processes, methods, skills, knowledge, and experience to achieve specific objectives according to the project acceptance criteria within agreed parameters. It differs from management because it has a final deliverable and a finite lifespan.

According to the latest PMI-commissioned talent gap analysis by Anderson Economic Group, the demand for project managers over the next ten years is growing faster than the demand for workers. As a result, by 2027, employers will need nearly 88 million individuals in project management-oriented roles.

Every industry needs a project manager to manage its projects from onset to completion; hence it is a relevant skill in all industries, from health care to technology and any other field of expertise you may find suitable.

Take certification courses or enroll for a degree in project management.

Computer security

Computer security experts are on the rise as the world is being run with data. The need to ensure that sensitive information does not fall into the wrong hands and increased demand for technical know-how by industries to ensure brand trust and customer data security.

Computer security is the protection of computer systems, networks, software, hardware, and related data from unauthorized access, theft, or misuse of critical information. This course cuts across cyber, information, application, and system security. Unfortunately, the internet has made life easy, exposing our system security to viruses, malicious activities, and cyber-attacks.

Demand for computer security jobs has risen over the past few years and is projected to grow by 20% in 2025. This industry is ever-increasing. It is vital to keep information protected and access regulated to curb the prevalence of cyber-attacks.

Careers in this field include cyber security engineers, security consultants, information security analysts, information security analysts, ethical hackers, and a list of others.

What’s the best part of all we’ve said?

Digitalization has changed the nature of work, creating a gap that has become more apparent due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Demand for employees with digital skills is rising, with a low supply. Picking up any of the listed skills is advantageous as there is a ready job market for you to explore.

Before you jump to the part where you become sort after for your digital skills, you should explore aptLearn, as we offer all trending courses listed above. You are a click away from becoming a professional.