8 Unusual IT Jobs and the Qualifications You Need to Get Them
The field of information technology has become large and diverse, with many unusual and challenging positions in a variety of areas that have not been seen before. Here are some of the most unusual jobs in the IT field today, the certifications and requirements you need to get them, and the salary range you can expect for each position.
If you have a specific job title in mind our salary tool will give you an expected salary range for the job in different geographic locations, a description of the job, current demand, and some career advancement recommendations. Give it a try!
1. Geospatial Technology Professional
A geospatial technology professional uses geographic data to evaluate and communicate about trends and patterns. They create data layers, maps, tables, or reports for clients using spatial analysis procedures and specialized equipment with a particular focus on geographic data.
Requirements: An IT degree with specialized certifications such as Geo Information Systems or Geospatial Intelligence Analytics, which can be procured online through the GIS Certification Institute or Penn State World Campus, among others.
Salary: $62-99K (Glassdoor)
2. Data Modeler
A data modeler designs data models and creates databases to make complex raw data into usable systems, ensuring that a company’s data systems work as efficiently as possible. They may also present and teach systems to end users.
Requirements: A degree in computer science, mathematics or IT, Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) offered by the Institute for the Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP), or other Data Analytics certifications (there are several).
Salary: $95-145K (Glassdoor)
3. Computer Forensics Analyst or Investigator
This job involves determining how computers and other electronic devices (phones, tablets) were used- usually to commit crimes. Tasks include recovering deleted information, breaking encryption, and analyzing digital evidence.
Requirements: IT degree or Computer Forensics degree, certifications like Forensic Computer Examiner from the International Society of Computer Examiners or Ethical Hacking and others from CompTIA.
Salary: $80-129K (Glassdoor)
4. Ethical Hacker
These cybersecurity experts work to keep government or private computer systems secure and prevent them from being hacked, as well as detecting intrusions and dealing with them when they do occur.
Requirements: IT degree with an Ethical Hacker or Cybersecurity Certification from CompTIA is usually required.
Salary: $101-184K (Glassdoor)
5. Chief Innovation Officer
A chief innovation officer typically works for a city or other municipality, or more recently a large school system. This executive level job involves coming up with efficient systems or apps that help people navigate the city, such as finding parking or figuring out which bus to take, or how to get more kids to go to college after high school.
While this position is not limited to IT in the skills required, having IT expertise is needed for the planning and logistics of the position.
Requirements: May require an advanced IT degree or Chief Innovation Officer Certification available through the Global Innovation Institute.
Salary: $256-477K (Glassdoor)
6. User Experience Designer
A user experience designer focuses on making the user experience of large websites smoother and more intuitive for those trying to use it. In this role you would use data about user behavior to encourage preferred behavior, such as making a purchase, and discourage unwanted behavior, such as leaving the site.
Requirements: A degree and/or experience in web design. Also helpful is one of the following certifications: Usability Analyst through HFI Training, UX Design through Google, and/or User-Centered Design Certification from University of Washington online.
Salary: $83-126K (Glassdoor)
7. Digital Content Producer
Fortunes are made and lost based on having the right digital content to get page views and conversions online. Being able to produce this content, understand SEO, and track results are skills in high demand right now. This position is part writing, part marketing and, part tracking data, but it requires a high level of IT expertise to be successful. It also requires keeping up with constant algorithm changes to stay relevant.
Requirements: There are many certifications for this position, including Content Marketing with Hubspot, Digital Marketing (Google), and Storytelling & Content Strategy from the University of Washington online.
Salary: $48-84K (Glassdoor)
8. Video Game Combat Designer
Video game makers like PlayStation hire Combat Designers to create combat scenarios, characters, and special effects for the ever-popular combat-style video games so many love to play. Specific skills needed include coding, design, and user experience to make the games more realistic and exciting.
Requirements: Degree in computer science or video game design, Master RPG Core Combat Creator Certificate with Koenig Solutions, and experience in the field.
Salary: $65-109K (Glassdoor)
New IT positions are being created every day as the industry continues to grow and change. If you have IT expertise, you may just need to add a certification to qualify for a challenging and interesting position in this high-paying field.
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