Smart Cities, Smart Careers
Summer 2020
The Digital Economy has created a wealth of new
career opportunities, especially in high-tech hub regions.
The digital revolution transformed communication, then
entertainment, and eventually crept into nearly every aspect
of our daily lives through the Internet of Things. Back in the
early ‘00s, who would've thought a voice-controlled interface
would one day turn our lights on and find our favorite music?
So it was inevitable that technology would eventually disrupt
the entire global marketplace, from everyday business to
commerce and infrastructure – along with the skill sets
required to keep it all humming along. Disruption, of course,
means opportunity for anyone prepared to capitalize.
Welcome to the Digital Economy, a term first coined in the
mid-90s that foreshadowed our interconnected new world.
And we're just now coming to fully understand how to
navigate this transition. In a special report, “The New
Foundational Skills of the Digital Economy: Developing the
Professionals of the Future,” Burning Glass Technologies
pinpointed the skills most needed to succeed in 2020
and beyond.
Burning Glass, a leading job-market analytics firm, was
commissioned by the Business-Higher Education Forum to
identify the most essential and in-demand skills in today's
marketplace by analyzing more than 150 million U.S. job
postings. Think of it as a tip sheet for anyone looking to
retool their resumes.
The study revealed 14 New Foundational Skills – grouped in
three basic categories: Human Skills, Digital Building Blocks
and Business Enablers – that were found to be required in
at least 50% of all total openings. And in eight “Smart Cities”
(L.A., New York, Boston, San Francisco, Washington D.C.,
Chicago, Philadelphia and San Diego) it was 70%.
Let's take a look at key career opportunities in all three
categories, along with DCE certificate programs that can put
you on the fast track to capitalize in the Digital Economy.
Human Skills
It's not all about high-tech training.
Human Skills are vitally important
in Smart Cities – the latter
defined as those that incorporate
digital tech in all operational
aspects and are home to emerging
industries. In fact, the report reflects
a great need for strong communicationand
collaboration-related skills in all
regions. DCE's Organizational Leadership & Communication certificate addresses both needs, offering a foundation in
leadership and interpersonal communication, conflict
management and intercultural communication, as well as
modern business writing. Managing and leading through
organizational change is also addressed, an especially
important issue in these tumultuous times.
A background in Strategic Communication Management is
another path for young professionals seeking success in a
management role. Participants in this six- to 12-month
online program learn to become a change agent, developing,
articulating and executing organization-wide communication
strategies. One of the more popular programs, the Digital
Marketing & Communications certificate, offers expert
instruction in marketing, communications and product
management.
Digital Building Blocks
For obvious reasons, a background in Information Technology – especially data management and software development – is highly valued in today's marketplace. DCE offers a range of leading-edge online tech instruction that's wide and deep, including Data Science, Database Management, Machine and Deep Learning, and Predictive Analytics certificate programs. All four provide a solid background in the basic skill sets that are most requested by employers.
Among the high-demand offerings are Data Science, Web Design, Blockchain Technologies and AWS Cloud Computing courses, providing solid foundations in highly specific fields that can put a candidate ahead of the pack in the technical world. And with online security and privacy more at-risk than ever, the Cyber Security program helps fill the need for skilled professionals in this critical field. It also prepares candidates for the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) exam.
Business Enablers
This category spans a range of essential skills that brings everything together to enable effective day-to-day business processes, most prominently those related to project management and organizational management. DCE's popular Project Management program is based on A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide), the bible for PMs worldwide. Taught by expert instructors, the program takes a deep dive into the principles laid out by the Project Management Institute, providing hands-on training and simulated projects that prepare students to sit for the Project Management Professional exam.
Business Analysis is one of the most versatile and valuable skill sets in today's marketplace, and DCE offers leading-edge course content that's aligned with International Institute of Business Analysis industry standards. This key role can take on different titles, but the responsibilities and core skills are the same – gathering and analyzing data and serving as liaison between multiple departments, clients and stakeholders. Supply Chain Management addresses a role that's indispensable in reducing costs and creating improved operational efficiencies in service and manufacturing industries. A number of other DCE Business Enabler programs are available, including Business Intelligence & Data Warehouse, Human Resources and Business Administration.
For more information on DCE certificate programs that address the skills most requested in the Digital Economy, visit ce.uci.edu/certificates.
PMP®, PMBOK® Guide, Project Management Professional® and PMI® are marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.
Provider is a member of PMI's R.E.P. Program and PMI does not specifically endorse, approve, or warrant R.E.P.'s products, courses, publications, or services.