By Nisha P Shetty, Assistant Professor – Senior Scale, I and CT Department, MIT Manipal
Many futuristic movies like “Blade Runner,” “The Matrix,” “Minority Report,” “Ex Machina,” “Her,” and “Interstellar” have captivated audiences all over the globe. Movies like “The Matrix” and “Minority Report” have portrayed a world where digital technologies are seamlessly incorporated into the real world, producing a new reality that was once the stuff of science fiction.
The ongoing development of technology has pushed us closer to this dystopian future and sparked a youth technology craze. With the help of gadgets like the Microsoft Kinect and Leap Motion, the concept of engaging with the virtual world through gesture-based interfaces, like those seen in “Minority Report”, has become a reality.
Engineering has long been one of the most well-liked academic fields in India. Industry 4.0 is the current century’s revolution, characterised by advances in emerging technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, 3D printing, autonomous vehicles, and quantum computing.
With a talent gap in fields like data science, the employment market for skilled professionals in India is becoming more specialised. To solve this problem, educational schools must match their programs with industry demands. Success in this cutthroat market will depend on adaptability and ongoing learning.
The advancement in technology has led to the availability of many courses that can enhance the growth of individuals and professionals. Below are some of the most innovative tech courses and careers that are reshaping the job market.
· Artificial Intelligence: In all technical disciplines, AI is becoming more and more important. AI can help civil engineers make better choices when evaluating landscapes for projects, forecasting maintenance needs, and spotting property harm. Chemical engineers can shorten the time it takes to develop new chemicals, forecast and test the quality of new formulations, and put robotics technology to use for combining potentially hazardous chemicals. Oceanographers can analyze geospatial data to better understand sea beds and model the characteristics of seas, while metallurgists can run models to comprehend the properties of different metals and create stronger alloys. The assembly of components, failure prediction, and maintenance schedules for aerospace equipment can all be done more efficiently by aerospace experts using AI and robotics. While electrical and electronic engineers can automate, monitor, and enhance the performance of their various systems using AI, mechanical engineers can create and manage autonomous robots.
· Data Analysis/ Machine Learning/ Deep Learning: Data analysis and machine learning are essential in various fields of engineering because they enable the extraction of insights and predictions from large amounts of complex data. Engineers can use these techniques to make informed choices and optimise designs, resulting in more efficient and effective systems. Deep learning in particular has transformed speech and image recognition, natural language processing, and other engineering fields, making it an increasingly useful instrument for addressing practical issues.
· Blockchain: Blockchain is a ground-breaking technology that makes peer-to-peer transactions transparent and safe without the use of middlemen. It has the potential to revolutionise a number of industries by lowering costs, boosting productivity, and fostering greater participant confidence. The booming cryptocurrency industry is closely related to the expanding Blockchain market. Corporations are having trouble locating experts in the field because the blockchain concept is both popular and challenging to comprehend.
· Salesforce Developers: Salesforce is a popular customer relationship management (CRM) platform used by businesses of all sizes, which has created a high demand for experienced Salesforce developers who can customise and expand the platform to meet specific business requirements. The market for Salesforce developers is expanding quickly as more businesses around the globe adopt Salesforce, making it a lucrative career choice with plenty of job opportunities.
· Cyber Security: Cybersecurity experts are in high demand due to the increasing frequency and severity of cyber-attacks across all sectors. With the growing reliance on technology and the Internet, businesses and individuals require highly skilled professionals to protect their digital assets and ensure their online safety.
· Embedded Systems and Robotics: In light of the “make-in-India” campaign’s projections such courses are gaining paramount importance. Modern technology relies heavily on embedded systems and robotics, which have uses in everything from consumer devices to industrial automation to space exploration. This course teaches students how to build and develop software and hardware systems that are integrated into physical devices such as robots. Given the growing demand for intelligent machines, this industry presents countless possibilities for innovation and professional advancement.
· Quantum Computing: With the help of quantum mechanics, which is a young and quickly developing field, complex problems that are presently beyond the capabilities of classical computers can be solved. Quantum computing is a fascinating and promising topic of study for the upcoming generation of computer scientists and engineers due to its potential to revolutionise industries like cryptography, drug discovery, and materials science. The main driver of quantum computers’ potential to revolutionise many industries is their capacity to carry out specific computations exponentially faster than conventional computers.
· Networking, IoT, and IIoT: There is a rising demand for experts who can design, create, and manage these intricate networks as devices and systems become more interconnected. A course in these areas can provide students with the knowledge and abilities necessary to succeed in a world driven by technology, as well as exciting job possibilities in a variety of industries. A variety of sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, and energy, are being transformed by the cutting-edge technologies taught in these courses.
· Green Technologies: There is a rising need for experts in renewable energy sources due to rising environmental awareness and a change towards sustainable practices. A useful skill set for the future, the course gives students a thorough grasp of various renewable energy technologies and how they are applied in the real world.
Many Online educational platforms like Coursera are offering new-age courses to upskill the workforce. The existing education system needs to focus on practical learning experiences and collaboration with industry partners to address the skills gap in the job market. The adoption of new technologies and teaching methods can transform the education system to produce a skilled workforce.