Between 2014 and 2019, IoT technologies increased from 13% to 25%. A report from McKinsey says that by 2023, there will be 43 billion IoT-enabled devices in use. The growing field of IoT has opened up a whole new world for skilled engineers and professionals. Because there is more demand, the gap between supply and demand has grown bigger. The research found that as many as 47% of the businesses surveyed by Immersat Research had to outsource IoT projects because they didn’t have the right people to do them. According to (ISC)2, 75% of all IoT projects fail due to technical and business challenges.
Is IoT the right career option?
With time, the world changes in every way, particularly in technology. A single decision you make today can significantly impact your whole future. So it is essential to think about the challenges and benefits of a career before deciding. The Internet of Things (IoT) has made it easier for businesses to get data, make smarter decisions, and offer the best services and products to customers. Most people now work online and rely on IoT devices’ data for businesses and organizations. Internet of Things data is analyzed very carefully to make sure it is used to help the clients in the best way possible. IoT professionals and experts are in high demand, which is why they start out getting good jobs right away. There are career options in IoT for people who want to show off their skills and help companies serve their customers better. So, how to start a career in IoT? Let’s see in detail.
Skills for IoT developer
IoT jobs are suitable for people who are good at coming up with new ideas and want to work in an exciting place, and learn new internet of things skills. IoT is an excellent field for scholars who wish to help make technology better. However, becoming a “deep” IoT technologist is not easy because learning one platform or skill set isn’t enough.
Consider learning to code in various languages, such as Python and embedded-C/C++. You can also look at online IoT courses, free IoT courses with certificates offered for different software programming languages.Knowledge of the Linux operating system and how it works can help.People who want to learn about Linux can start by taking courses from the Linux Foundation Udemy and Coursera.Working with stacks like Thread, BLE-Mesh, or Zigbee would be best.You should also be very good at writing logic for embedded systems using a test-driven method on RTOS or non-RTOS basics.You should be good at communication protocols like SPI, I2C, 1-wire, MODBUS, UART, and DALI.You should also have good problem-solving, communication, and strong analytical skills.
IoT training and certification
Suppose you want to learn how to be a master of IoT. There are a lot of government and private training providers to give IoT certification courses. Certifications make it more likely to get hired by the best organizations and businesses. You can learn about IoT’s building blocks from platforms like Coursera.
Opting for a career in IoT
There are no set rules for getting into this field. It’s possible to get an undergraduate degree in IoT from a few colleges, or you can specialize in computer science with IoT as a major. However, if you’re an engineer specializing in IT, computer science, electronics, and electrical, you’re better off. To start a career in IoT, people who want to work in the field need to know the following things:
Data analytics
This is an essential skill because you need to be very good at statistics, find correlations, and present your findings in a good way. You also need to know how to work with statistics-oriented languages and Python libraries, and so on. It’s good for a company to have someone with these skills.
Networking systems
It can be hard to set up hardware for IoT projects because there are a lot of wires and sensors connected to different ports and peripherals. It will not work if even one wire or connection is broken for some reason. Network architects are needed because of this, so they need to be hired. Professionals who work with Network Setups and Network management would ensure that all connections worked well. They must know how to build a strong network architecture safe from many wiring issues and works well with all communication protocols.
Security
Keeping people from being hacked and having their data stolen is one of the most critical issues with the Internet. As time goes on, your IoT solution will not be as safe as it used to be, and your data will be at risk. So one of the jobs in the Internet of Things is to make sure your devices are safe. People who work in this field do regular testing and challenge the system’s integrity with different methods. They also look for and fix security flaws where the system doesn’t work and ensure that IoT devices are smooth and secure. To get a job in this field, you need to know about Security vulnerabilities Evaluation, Public Key Encryption, and how to keep wireless networks safe. This is an excellent place to start if you want to learn more about cybersecurity.
User interface
IoT jobs like this one seem simple to design, but they require a lot of creativity because the UI sells your product in the market. This job is more accessible to design than the jobs above. As long as it’s easy to use, an average customer doesn’t care about the device’s features. A user would choose based on how comfy it is to use. One thing that makes your IoT product stand out is that it has an engaging and eye-catching UI that customers can use and understand. Previously, computers worked on black screens and were only used by special training people. With the rise of the Internet, these devices have become more accessible to the general public. Their appearance has changed more to be more user-friendly than in the past. As a UI developer, your job would be to ensure that users have the best experience possible with your creativity and design skills. You should put yourself in your customers’ shoes and understand and meet their needs.
Hardware and devices
Many things make a device “smart.” Do you connect any device to a network to make it work? It’s not just that. Organizations need to change their devices to work with the networks and fit in. Though it’s mostly a mix of sensors and transmitters, it’s one of the essential jobs in the IoT industry right now. To be good at this job, people need to work with various sensor modules, protocols, transmitters, and integrators. They also need to stay up to date on working with new devices and technologies that have become popular.
Sensors and actuator
This job will require you to know a lot about hardware and devices. You’ll need to know how to set up suitable sensors or actuators for the job and make sure they meet your system’s design specifications and power needs. If you were hired, you would also have to try out different tools and keep finding the best one for each job. You would also have to keep up with the industry and research a lot of other technologies. If you want to be a hobbyist, you could buy a set of sensors and start with small projects before moving up to a professional level.
Artificial intelligence
AI and Machine Learning skills become essential when the job is to analyze a lot of data and come up with conclusions. AI and ML technologies can help in the long run if you want to make applications that work well with many data. Job seekers need to know how algorithms in AI, ML, and other fields work and plot libraries to show data quickly and efficiently.
IoT career opportunities
We’ve discussed the different niches you could do if you think the Internet of Things will be a big thing in the future. If you work in IoT, you could have a lot of roles. Let’s talk about them now.
IoT Developer
They create software for specific IoT applications. One of the other things an IoT developer does is write algorithms that help people analyze and manage data.
IoT Embedded Program Engineer
An IoT embedded designer’s job is to help IoT-connected systems communicate through IoT networks. Sensors, microprocessors, and applications are all part of these systems. Embedded system designers also use Python and C++ to make device-specific software. They work closely with the hardware to make sure the software works properly.
IoT Architect
Creating an IoT strategy and architecture from start to finish is what this job is all about. An IoT architect’s job is to figure out and document the IoT state of a company. They create an architecture that meets the needs of the present and the needs of the future. To build an end-to-end IoT solution, you need to learn about many different technologies. These include sensors that collect data and assimilation with enterprise systems.
IoT Safety Engineering
You would be in charge of ensuring that the IoT technologies made are safe from hackers who might try to take control of them. You must know how to do penetration tests, and you should keep an eye out for any loopholes you can find.
IoT Solution Engineer
They work with the customers to determine what they need and then make IoT networks and solutions that meet their sensors, wireless technologies, and other parts.
Conclusion
The IoT job opportunities now available were never even thought of before. There are many fields to choose from right now. You can go into security, design the UI, or design the sensors. And the opportunities are growing! You may also look at some more exciting careers in software engineering.
