General Assembly, Author at General Assembly Blog

The Tech Talent Shortage Rages On: Here are 3 Reasons Why (and What You Should Do)

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If you’re tired of hearing about the tech talent shortage: buckle up. Tech layoffs may be making headlines, but the reality on the ground looks different for tech leaders. Tech talent continues to be in high demand, and short supply. According to Gartner, this will continue until at least 2026 based on forecast IT spend. 

The threat of a potential recession has put significant pressure on CIOs, CDOs, CTOs and other technology leaders, who feel crunched to deliver returns on technology and data investments, streamline costs, and modernize business systems. Organizations that are ahead of the curve on digital transformation are more flexible and resilient, meaning they are better positioned to come out of an economic slowdown stronger. 

Every industry today is a tech-driven industry, and without the right talent, it’s impossible to keep up. This widening gap between demand for tech talent and supply of tech talent is costing employers significantly as they compete for a small pool of candidates. 

So what’s behind the persistent tech talent shortage? Three things that are within a company’s control: 

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Meet Your Match: Break Into the Finance Industry in a Tech Role 

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Move over, Silicon Valley tech giants. Finance is drifting away from its “Wolf of Wall Street” reputation to become the next happy haven for tech talent. 

In fact, software engineers are one of the most in-demand roles in all of finance, and 96% of financial institutions say software engineering is “critical” or “very important” to their company’s future, as these skilled professionals help enhance security, build consumer-friendly apps, and drive back-end process efficiencies.

Similarly, the financial sector employs 9% of all data analysts and data scientists—experts that specialize in financial risk modeling, financial product design, customer analytics, and fraud protection across banks, lending institutions, insurance companies, investment advisories, and credit bureaus.

Given that 78% of people prefer to bank online or in-app these days, UX designer has emerged as a fast-growing role within finance as companies expand their service to include more account features like budgeting tools, calculators, and financial literacy resources.

At the best finance companies, you’ll find all the resources you need to perform your job effectively, a welcoming environment of like-minded people who are willing to give a bit extra to get the job done, a healthy work/life balance, and a greater sense of purpose. 

As someone once said, “Money makes the world go round but people make the world go forward.” Young people looking for a way to make a difference in global economies and improve standards of living at scale will find a sense of purpose in the finance sector.    

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Computer Science vs. Data Science: What is the Difference?

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Trying to wrap your head around the difference between data science vs. computer science? 

Many of the luxuries that we have today — a favorite streaming service that recommends new movies, the ability to unlock our phones with facial recognition technology, or virtual home assistants that let us play our favorite music just by speaking — are made possible by computer science and made better by data science.

Today, these two fields complement each other to further applications of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and business forecasting. Read on to learn a definition of each, their histories and applications, and career paths in both computer science and data science. 

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How to Shift Your Talent Strategy During Economic Volatility

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Today’s talent market is undergoing a major shift, and organizations are rethinking their talent strategies. After a period of massive hiring and growth, some companies are taking a step back and reducing their workforce, such as through layoffs or hiring freezes. Many organizations are taking a more thoughtful approach to hiring, selectively filling only key roles. Other companies still in growth mode see this as an opportunity to recruit top talent in a tight job market. Yet all businesses have one thing in common during times of economic volatility: a desire to shore up and future-proof their workforce against whatever comes next. 

While investments in employer branding and talent development efforts can easily fall to the wayside during economic slowdowns, companies that are in it for the long haul can’t afford to press pause. Here are three things to consider as you evolve your organization’s talent strategy in the face of uncertainty. 

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The Ultimate Checklist for Aspiring Career-Switchers

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We invited Nabil Farrag, Country Director of Spring Professional LHH (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. (license number: 09C5803), to share his best tips for individuals who want to switch into a career in tech.

Nabil has over a decade of recruitment experience working in various markets, including Australia, Asia, and Europe. His expertise in technology recruitment and coaching and consulting is sure to help anyone trying to figure out how to find a new career.

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Teching Care of The Planet: How Tech Skills Can Promote a Greener Earth

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Technology plays a crucial role in cultivating a greener earth by enabling the development of innovative solutions for environmental challenges. Some of these technological advancements include renewable energy sources, energy-efficient devices, green transportation, and sustainable agriculture practices. 

Over the last few years, we’ve seen how the demand for green or sustainable tech jobs has increased. According to a report by LinkedIn, there has been a 191% increase in the number of sustainability jobs posted on the platform since 2016. Additionally, the report found that sustainability jobs are not limited to specific industries and are found across a range of sectors, including technology, finance, and energy.

In this blog, we will look at how technology is leading innovation for a better and greener environment, identify some of the most popular tech jobs in sustainability, and what digital skills you need to acquire to combat environmental challenges in your career. 

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General Assembly and LHH Partner to Launch a Recruit-Train-Deploy Solution, Further Expanding Access to Diverse Junior Tech Talent for Employers

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In a world where technology is advancing faster than ever before, the demand for skilled tech workers has reached an all-time high. To help businesses keep pace, General Assembly and global talent solutions provider LHH have launched Recruit-Train-Deploy (RTD), a unique solution to close persistent skills gaps, build diverse and resilient tech talent pipelines, and provide exceptional onboarding experiences that support junior tech workers. 

According to our 2023 “State of Talent Acquisition” report, 91% of tech hiring managers are at least somewhat concerned that their recruitment and hiring methods won’t be enough to fill their open tech roles in software engineering, analytics, data science, and UX design. Even if a company has every role filled today, Hired found 57% of first-year tech talent are looking to change jobs within six months.

In times of economic uncertainty, new hiring methods are required to build a more resilient workforce—whether that’s by providing the proper training to retain new workers and shore up productivity or deepening the pool of diverse, skilled talent that’s ready to shine and scale. 

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5 Steps for Overcoming Career Change Imposter Syndrome

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As you approach your dream job or prepare to start a new business, it’s common to experience a sense of unworthiness and self-doubt that can hold you back. Imposter syndrome can prevent you from fully embracing your accomplishments and reaching your full potential. 

In this blog post, we aim to provide guidance on overcoming imposter syndrome for individuals who are considering a career change and are struggling with self-confidence about their ability to succeed in a new field. Additionally, we will explore actionable steps to help career changers like you overcome imposter syndrome and realize your aspirations.

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The Future of Work: Exploring the Jobs and Workplaces of Tomorrow

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During Tech Week 2023, Kate Neilson interviewed panelists Betul Genc, Dr. John Fong, and Tashi Dorjee about the future of work in tech. Understanding how tech jobs may evolve over the coming years is not only important for working professionals looking to advance their career, but also for companies who want to upskill their workforce and attract the best talent.

Tech Week is a FREE week-long virtual series hosted by General Assembly that features sessions around trending tech topics. It is a great opportunity for people to participate in discussions with industry experts, ask questions, and learn about the latest trends that will shape the year ahead.

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How Technology Powers Today’s Largest Global Events

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Technology is having a significant impact on music festivals, award shows, and sports games, both in terms of enhancing the experience for attendees and making these events more accessible to a wider audience.

In music festivals, technology has enabled organizers to create more immersive and interactive experiences for attendees. Similarly, technology has transformed award shows by allowing audiences to interact with the event in real time. Technology has also significantly impacted sports games, both on and off the field. 

Tech such as AI (artificial intelligence) and VR (virtual reality), amongst many others, is dramatically shaping the world of entertainment, transforming the way we consume and create content, as well as changing the nature of the entertainment industry itself. 

This blog will look at specific examples of how technology has transformed some of the entertainment industry’s biggest events, how this growing industry is increasing the demand for new tech-savvy creatives, and the best job opportunities in 2023. 

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