10 skills in-demand in 2017, and where to learn them

In Malaysia

When fresh graduates look for a job, many of them often make this mistake "my degree should be enough to get me this job." However, when the applicant isn't contacted or doesn't get the job, the person starts to wonder: Why didn't I get hired? Isn't a degree enough?

According to a JobStreet.com survey fresh graduates don’t get hired because 68% of them ask for unrealistic salaries. Other reasons include: 64% have poor command of English, 60% are choosy about the job offer or the company, another 60% have poor communication skills, and 59% have poor character and personality attributes.

English is absolutely important to career development and the learning process. For instance, a skilled individual needs English to access educational material that will directly impact his/her skills and progress. Majority of the material that exists out there are in English whether the skills in question are related to IT, engineering, marketing, media and communication, accounting, banking, finance, healthcare, science, education and/or other sectors.

Top  hiring industries in Malaysia, according to JobStreet.com, are Accounting and Finance, Sales & Marketing, Engineering, Admin & HR, Computer & IT, Services industry, Manufacturing, Arts, Media & Communications, and Building & Construction. However, Malaysia seems to have a shortage of graduates in these fields. Number of graduates ranges between 8% - 16% of the number of vacancies across these different industries and fields.

Skills needed in 2017

With more evidence suggesting that a degree does not fulfil the demand of the employment market, skill based qualifications are becoming increasingly desirable.

LinkedIn published an interpretation of data they have collected from 14 countries that point out to top skills in 2016. These skills are also forming a trend that suggests these skills will be in-demand in 2017 and possibly beyond that. The following is a summary of these skills:

 1. Cloud and Distributed Computing

In a nutshell, distributed computing deals with software containing components shared among computers within a particular geographic area. Cloud computing, on the other hand, is the practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server or a personal computer.

The real world applications of this highly demanded technical skill spreads across almost all industries from engineering, to human resources. From small businesses to multinational corporations, more operations are moving to the cloud.

For instance, invoices can be generated and tracked with cloud services. Not only that, these invoices are connected to financial and banking services that would automatically deduct taxes, record payments, and ensure secure transactions.

2. Statistical Analysis and Data Mining

This skill is very visible when speaking about business intelligence. It involves collecting, analysing and producing intelligible reports that would support decision making process and allow evidence-based decisions. In other words, making business smarter.

3. Web Architecture and Development Framework

When designing a website, the programmer is expected to approach the design and planning of the website with focus on the user experience and requirement backed by data and logical interpretation of the operation of the site. The developer must have a broader knowledge that involves technical, aesthetic and functional criteria.

4. Middleware and Integration Software

Technopedia defines these skills as software systems that offer runtime services for communications, integration application execution, monitoring and operations.

5. User Interface Design

When navigating through a website, an application or any other form of software, the user is dealing with the concept and application of User Interface (UI). It extends to machines as well. The layout of a website, the arrangement of navigation menu, electronic forms, the placement of buttons, colours and many other aspects that will and should maximise usability and user experience are at the heart of user interface.

6. Network and Information Security

Network and information security has become an ever-changing industry by itself. There are many companies that are specialised in security and protection of information against cyber threats and vulnerabilities. The banking and financial services industry is among the biggest buyers of services of skilled individuals in this field.

 7. Mobile Development

The world is changing towards consuming information and conducting various transactions via mobile devices. Individuals who are able to develop mobile applications, or develop websites for mobile browsers are highly demanded.

8. Data Presentation

Reference.com explains that Data Presentation is the method by which professionals summarise, organise and communicate information using a variety of tools, such as diagrammes, distribution charts, histograms and graphs. This deals with numbers and the translation of the data to a comprehensible language.

 9. SEO/SEM Marketing

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM) are essential to the distribution and reach of online content. SEO directly impact the visibility of web pages in search engines without resorting to paid ads. This requires a rigid understanding of the mechanisms/tools and techniques associated with a website or a webpage. SEM is a form of Internet marketing that is often paid and follows a strategy that requires a great understanding of search terms and user behaviour.

10. Storage Systems and Management

The best possible definition comes from Webopedia: Storage Resource Management (SRM) often refers particularly to software used to manage storage networks and devices. By contrast, the term "storage management" can refer to devices and processes, as well as actual software.

What does this mean for students?

In schools

Students in schools stand to earn the most if they immerse themselves in any of these fields before even getting to college. While college education is still needed, skills are the biggest contributing factor to securing a job. The Internet is the greatest resource for young learners to self-education and skill development. YouTube offers massive educational material for free. Other organisations and websites offer a verity of courses for free or as cheap as RM30 per course.

In college

Students in college with any interest in IT/Internet Marketing/Web design and other fields should extend their skill set beyond the classroom regardless of their course of study. For instance, a business student can learn graphic design, web development, blogging, social media marketing, search engine marketing and more skills that would secure a job for the student in a record time. An IT student can extend his/her skills to address matters like analytics, data representation, networking and even ethical hacking, to name a few.

What does this mean to working adults?

There is so much competition among working adults because of the shared experiences. But skills may vary and different set of skills offer different opportunities. Chasing highly demanded skills like analytics, Internet marketing, mobile development, cloud computing, and other skills will make self-marketing effort more appealing and will entice employers. These skills may even allow the individual to become an entrepreneur and be the employer.

Where to learn new skills?

Top 5 Malaysian Universities offering IT programmes

1. SEGi University
2. Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur (IUKL)
3. International University of Malaya-Wales (IUMW)
4. Asia Pacific University (APU)
5. Multimedia University (MMU)

Distance, online learning and self-education:

• W3Schools.com
• Futurelearn.com
• Lynda.com
• Udemy.com
• Coursera.org
• Openlearning.com
• edx.org