Pentasia has released its results on what the future of technology careers may hold, with results showing a focus on developing skills and working with new tools such as artificial intelligence and blockchain.
The Tech Ambitions Survey 2018, based on the responses of over 850 professionals, considers workers’ career development ambitions and what they feel is necessary to improve job satisfaction.
The biggest motivator for tech professionals is learning new skills, with 68% of respondents listing this as their goal for the coming year. Skills in software and coding are of particular interest, as well as leadership skills to remain competitive in their careers.
When asked about which technology trends would be most appealing in terms of career development, 31.9% of respondents said artificial intelligence, followed by 21.2% for blockchain, and 15.3% for design and UX.
“The survey reflects our ability to provide employers with valuable insight to adjust their recruitment and employment practices to suit the changing candidate landscape,” said Pentasia marketing director John Doyle.
The majority (60%) said teaching and learning would be most helpful for them to achieve their ambitions in the coming years. Other factors important for professional ambitions include a strong sense of team spirit, new tools and software, impactful projects, and supportive leadership and management for junior to mid-level professionals.
The survey showed that 29% of respondents prioritize cutting edge technology in career choices. Interestingly, the desire to learn and adapt to new technologies is a greater motivation than salary. The majority (51%) prioritize interesting work in their job search, compared to 48% who prioritize a higher salary.
Pentasia digital brand manager Will Sawney expressed satisfaction that salary was not the most important factor for technology professionals, with “interesting work” as the top priority. This serves as a lesson for employers to better motivate staff and utilize individual ambitions.
44% of those surveyed expressed interest in changing employers within the next year. The motivators for potential movement include salary and benefits, company culture, and the opportunity to work with specific technologies.
Developers and designers have the highest level of job satisfaction compared to other departments in iGaming, citing constantly evolving work and high demand for their services. Marketers, on the other hand, have the lowest satisfaction due to limited promotion prospects and training opportunities.
43% of respondents prefer home-based roles, higher than the 35% willing to relocate internationally. These results indicate a high level of satisfaction and motivation among industry workers, who are open to new opportunities, overseas work, or side-gigs to remain competitive in the face of job-security threats.
