From enthusiastic start-ups to Fortune 500 titans and beyond, cloud computing has made it possible for businesses to push the boundaries of their respective industries and reach unprecedented new heights.
Major providers like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure are constantly developing and releasing new products, services and updates to help customers make their operations ever more efficient and effective, and their product or service more finely-tuned to suit the needs of their target market.
Over the last five years, developments in the realm of cloud computing have made it possible for organizations of any size to innovate, disrupt, and grow beyond the logistical and financial limitations associated with more traditional technologies. The majority of the world’s businesses are either already operating in the cloud or migrating to it, with employers around the globe clamoring to attract and hire the best cloud talent in the market to help them realize their digital goals.
Using cloud technology is no longer a simple matter of cost reduction and convenience. It stands as a powerful resource which, used correctly and by experienced cloud professionals, could give companies access to untapped potential and drive their respective industries forward with every new project that arises, broadening creative and technological horizons across the board.
Any business worth its salt knows that the best way to unlock the massive potential promised by cloud computing is to attract—and more importantly retain—the best talent. The key to success isn ‘t simply migrating to the cloud, but investing in and sourcing the right people to ensure long-term success. The shear rate at which cloud technology develops has created a massive boom in demand for experienced cloud professionals, making the hiring market more competitive than ever before.
That ‘s good news for anyone looking to build a fruitful career in cloud computing. Whether you ‘re just getting started in your cloud career or are a seasoned tech professional with decades of experience under your belt, there is a wealth of opportunities for you to thrive across a wide range of industries. Here are just five of the most exciting high-growth industries you should look into to take your cloud career to the next level.
1) Manufacturing
From plants to factories and mills, the emergence and proliferation of cloud computing in the world of manufacturing has cemented the sector ‘s position as one of the biggest and most profitable on the planet. According to a 2016 report by the House of Commons, the manufacturing industry accounted for at least 8% of jobs in the UK, contributing the equivalent of an impressive $226 billion to its economy. US manufacturers produce just over 18% of the entire world ‘s goods, with its overall economic output beating that of countries like Canada, Korea, and Mexico and grossing $2.33 trillion in 2018 alone.
Cloud computing has transformed modern manufacturers into more than just producers. Riding the wave of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, companies across the sector are more empowered to innovate like never before, allowing them to maximize efficiency, foster greater creativity and act as the connecting thread between each point in a product ‘s lifecycle.
When it comes to choosing an industry leading the way toward working smarter, you ‘ll be hard-pressed to find one as fast-paced and engaging as manufacturing is today. It ‘s no surprise that manufacturing is often hailed as the leading force driving economic growth, particularly due to the sheer size of the industry, with one in eight workers globally working in the sector.
2) Retail
Cloud penetration across the retail sector promises to accelerate over the next few years as both online and brick-and-mortar businesses continue to benefit from the rapid deployment, increased point of sale (POS) interconnectivity, and highly personalized customer experience that cloud technology facilitates.
Moving to the cloud has allowed retailers to become more consumer-friendly, with technology being used to increase accessibility, lower prices and minimize costs for the customer without compromising on quality or experience. Cloud computing in retail has given rise to the creation and growth of new products and facilitated the launch of new, smaller businesses through more accessible and scalable e-commerce offerings.
3) Banking and Finance
Money may make the world go round, but cloud computing has proven itself vital in driving one of civilization ‘s oldest industries forward into the 21st century. The sector has experienced rapid transformation over the last 5 years, seeing Fintech companies and financial service apps take off, disrupt the market, and put ever-increasing pressure on more traditional banks to invest in the future and expand their in-house offerings.
Banks are responding to these demands by embracing cloud tech and using it to streamline processes, improve their products, and engage and serve customers more effectively in the digital age.
A combination of traditional banking and cloud computing makes it possible for banks to achieve digital transformation faster and more efficiently, optimizing day-to-day operations and boosting agility and security across products and services. No other industry places as high a premium on security as this one, so high-caliber cloud professionals can truly excel in this market.
4) Healthcare
Cloud technology has revolutionized healthcare, changing the relationship between healthcare providers and patients while creating a shift in the way personal healthcare is approached.
When it comes to healthcare providers, cloud-based apps make it possible to aggregate data dispersed across various systems and locations, organizing it into a usable format quickly and effectively. Security and ease of data analysis are two key benefits of cloud computing in healthcare, and with the global healthcare cloud computing market set to increase by more than 20% by 2022, demand for cloud professionals will only skyrocket as migration spreads across every area of healthcare in the very near future.
5) Biotechnology and pharmaceuticals
When it comes to biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, the real draw of cloud computing lies in its power to push past the boundaries of its on-premises counterparts to solve complex problems and improve quality of life for generations to come.
Industries such as these are under constant public and governmental scrutiny, and must follow strict regulations in order to ensure all operations are above board, and products and clinical trials meet safety standards. An estimated 81% of biotech and pharma companies in the US use cloud mail and core compute apps, with approximately 60% of those businesses also using cloud-based sales and marketing, storage and HR apps.
Cloud professionals looking to work in biotech or pharma will find that their skills are highly sought-after, particularly due to the sensitivity of data involved and strictness of established procedures.