The emergence of multiple vaccines in recent months has given us cause for hope; a ray of sunshine in an otherwise gloomy world. Due to COVID-19, many businesses have struggled this past year to adapt to unfamiliar and extraordinary circumstances, but the recent turn of events provides new opportunity for growth. As Plato once said: “necessity is indeed the mother of invention”.

The COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be a catalyst for change; small, medium and large enterprises alike have accelerated digitisation across a number of industries, and professionals in technology have been able to take full advantage of such opportunities. This article explores four areas where an increase of digitalization is seen, suggesting insights for those seeking new opportunities.

Healthcare:

Adoption of technology in life sciences has transformed the industry and allowed high-quality, positive outcomes for health and wellbeing globally. The pandemic showcased just how vital this can be, by sequencing the COVID-19 virus and synthesising multiple vaccines in new, novel ways, and also enabling experts to review processes to ensure production in record time. Coronavirus also acted as a catalyst to accelerate technology in drug development, moving the entire industry towards contactless care and online appointments, as well as collating more information on the wellbeing of their employees, now required to work remotely.

Some practical examples are related to telehealth, created to increase contactless care and make sure hospitals were reserved only for patients with more-serious conditions. This reduced the risk of infection and time spent by patients travelling to hospitals. A McKinsey Report illustrates the success of contactless care appointments, suggesting substantial changes with telehealth and biopharma coming into their own. In Japan, for example, fewer than 1,000 institutions offered remote care in 2018, yet by July 2020, more than 16,000 offered the service, with figures still rising. Across the globe, Healthcare-related employment has become an integral target for those seeking a new opportunity.

Machine Learning:

Machine Learning (ML) has also been heavily developed and adopted to combat the global pandemic, and professionals working in this field have benefited from increased career opportunities. Popular developments include chatbots, most frequently used by the auto insurance industry. Here, computer programmes are designed and developed to continually review data to develop an ever-evolving view of the companies risk portfolio, and applies policy decisions to customer applications in-line with predetermined risk metrics and pricing policies without requiring the interaction of a human agent. ML has also been paramount for the analysis of data from patients, supporting doctors and patients to receive results much faster and more efficiently.

Artificial Intelligence (AI):

Advances in the application of AI have meant that basic, menial and often time-consuming tasks can be completed much more quickly by a computer, freeing-up staff to undertake more value-added activities. The use of AI in location-based messaging in South Korea has been a vital tool for reducing the spread of the disease, as well as for the UK NHS app, where individuals could be sent notifications of places with high prevalence and reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. The WEF has highlighted AI as a factor for long-term growth, encouraging professionals to dig in and look for new opportunities.

Online Shopping:

Professionals in eCommerce and Digital Marketing markets have also witnessed a considerable increase in the amount of job opportunities available in those areas due to an significant increase in online shopping. Whilst official reports from UNCTAD demonstrated that consumer spending fell drastically, the overall amount of online purchases increased, encouraging shops that were closed due to the lockdown restrictions, to migrate to online platforms. This growth in eCommerce is also very relevant to other industries, as the amount of online purchases largely impacts supply chain and manufacturing industries, where the goods being purchased are made. For those looking for opportunities in this area, some good news: reports suggest that changes in online activities and increased eCommerce activity are likely to outlast the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whether some markets have struggled more than others during 2020 and beyond, the recent vaccines have renewed our hopes for the new year ahead and have encouraged the belief that the economy will respond more positively than previous market fluctuations. For IT jobseekers, roles in this industry are more accessible than ever and great companies are looking for the right talent to join their growth. If you’re looking for a career change or simply want to check new opportunities, just keep an eye on our website, where we have several opportunities available with some of the largest IT Partners and End Users in the US and Europe.

 About Oliver Parks

Oliver Parks offers search-based recruitment solutions to the technology sector, specialising in ERP, CRM, e-commerce, Business Intelligence, Mobile Development. Data Science & Engineering, Cloud Computing, Web Development, Content Management and Cyber Security. The firm’s multilingual consultants operate in narrowly-defined niche market segments, enabling them to gain extensive knowledge of the people and companies operating in each technology.  Oliver Parks has a proven track-record with more than 100,000 candidates worldwide and more than 300 clients globally.