Looking to Freelance in the Tech Industry? Here are Some In-Demand Jobs
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Whether you’re a full-time professional looking for a side-gig or leaving your 9-to-5 job for more control over your time, it’s important to understand that 2021 is a great time to go freelance in the tech industry. Indeed, according to a job report featured by the World Economic Forum, there will be 150 million new tech jobs globally by 2026. It certainly helps that a separate report from the organization also notes how 84% of employees are overseeing “a significant expansion of remote work,” which means lots of great opportunities for freelancers to apply for openings. These types of jobs are also growing increasingly more popular since they let workers cut down on costs and increase income by letting them work remotely, as we previously mentioned in our ‘Task-Management Skills: Tips for Business and Life’ post.
But even though nearly all tech jobs are open to freelancing, some fields are looking for more talent than others. And here's a list:
Mobile app developer
The growth of mobile apps is nothing short of phenomenal, primarily because of the equally growing number of users on the platform. In fact, over half of the global population is on mobile. But mobile app development is a big field, and there are multiple platforms you can specialize in — each needing a different skill set.
For instance, working on iOS apps means learning how to use Swift. This was the case since 2015 when Apple decided to forgo Objective-C as the go-to language for iOS devices. But if you’re looking to make Android apps, then your knowledge should revolve around Java. Of course, it’s possible to develop Android apps using C and C++, but Google will make it very difficult.
Just remember to use well-supported and secure development tools, like Microsoft’s Xamarin and Sencha, to develop your apps.
Electronics engineer
The demand for consumer electronics, like smartphones and laptops, will always be there, with or without the pandemic looming over the market. If this is a field that you want to freelance for, then you need to be proficient in tools like 3D modelling software and electronic CAD platforms.
For example, SketchUp’s intuitive 3D modelling software grants users an overview of their design, letting them know what components go together to achieve the best hardware configuration possible. Meanwhile, Altium 365 is an electronic CAD platform with native integrations like PTC Creo and other tools that let engineers produce more accurate designs. Creo, for instance, allows users to simulate projects early into their development. After all, unlike software developers, electronics engineers can’t afford to make mistakes due to the hard-to-patch nature of hardware.
This job requires meticulous attention to detail. Fortunately, by choosing and training yourself on the right platforms, you can become proficient at your work.
Cybersecurity specialist
With more people relying on technology for work, entertainment, and everything in between, cybersecurity professionals are needed more than ever. If you’re planning to freelance in this field, there are many jobs for you to choose from, such as encryption and forensics.
However, the tools and skills you need to familiarize yourself with each one are all different. For example, network forensics professionals need a network traffic analysis tool like Paessler PRTG. On the other hand, mobile forensics would need software like Cellebrite UFED. If you’re tasked to develop an encryption algorithm for hardware, you’d need a Python tool to help. Meanwhile, vulnerability testers need to be proficient in scanner tools and embedded scripts.
Think about what type of cybersecurity field you want to enter before looking at the resources that can help you.
Whether you want to work on software or hardware, code or design, there’s sure to be an opening waiting for you in the tech industry. Whatever job you choose, make sure that you familiarize yourself with the required tools and environment to help ensure your success in the years to come.
