Where are all the jobs? A sector guide for students

It can seem overwhelming to start your career in the workplace. It is difficult to get into the job market because of technological changes. Application processes can seem confusing and it can be hard to build your skills from a basic foundation.

You're not the only one thinking this. However, economics and business demands are your friends. Companies across many industries are seeking talented, enthusiastic people to get involved in fascinating careers.

Sometimes the hardest part is deciding where to start. Young people are encouraged to take their first steps by the abundance of resources available. Careers and Enterprise Company, for example, train career coaches and offer guidance to students. Prospects and other organizations, such as Prospects, also provide career guides. The UK's National Careers Service provides an online platform that allows you to assess your skills and explore career options.

It is important to consider your strengths and interests when deciding which career path to follow. It is important to consider the needs of the job market, especially since many growing industries are experiencing shortages of workers.

Green jobs are booming as businesses and governments wake up to the need to address climate change. This could include the development of technology to reduce carbon emissions such as heat pumps and solar panels.

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Organisations undergoing rapid changes will require skills like project management and communication for those less scientifically inclined.

A report from the Learning and Work Institute last year found that 59% of UK employers needed candidates with green skills. Two-thirds of those surveyed said they had difficulty recruiting staff with these skills. The report also showed that digital jobs are in high demand.

Neil Bentley-Gockmann is the chief executive of World Skills UK. The company helps companies and young people to develop their skills through training. Employers are looking for digital and green skills in all areas.

Stephen Evans, director of the Learning and Work Institute says that government policy can be used to predict growth. A clue could be provided by demographic shifts: As the population ages, more people are looking for roles in social and health care.

Evans says that it is difficult to predict what the future jobs will look like due to the rapidly changing nature of work and the rapid accelerating technology. Communication and adaptability are essential skills that can be used across all industries. He says, "Everyone wants to know the future with great accuracy but the truth is that we don't know." Flexibility is really important.

Bethan Staton is a public policy reporter

Technology

Understanding chatbots: as new AI technologies emerge, such as ChatGPT, engineers with skills in this area are increasingly in demand __LINK__rriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images

After years of optimism, record growth, the tech sector is now in a slump. Big Tech companies like Google and Meta have made drastic job cuts.

There are still many opportunities. Tech roles are among the highest-paying jobs with the most flexibility, according to Sinem Buber, chief economist at US job platform ZipRecruiter. He also said that the industry has one the highest retention rates.

ZipRecruiter's analysis of online job postings for tech jobs for the FT revealed that there were 13,500 positions for software engineers, and 10,300 positions for data analysts. Technical roles are still in high demand. According to data, application development intern was the most popular entry-level position in tech between 2021 and 2022. The second and third fastest-growing positions in tech were the data analysis intern and development intern, respectively.

According to a report from the consultancy Hired, cyber security, natural language processing and blockchain were the most popular growth areas for engineers in the US last year.

These SaaS roles require technical skills, as well as account management and sales.

Gasparro also says that many companies are racing for artificial intelligence. This means that AI programming, research and development, product management, and product management are becoming more popular.

According to Josh Brenner, Chief Executive of Hired, 'Employers tend to prioritize engineers who are well-versed AI/machine learning, natural language processing, and new AI technologies like ChatGPT'. These software engineers are in high demand and see a 10 percent increase in their salaries year over year. He encourages engineers to study Ruby on Rails, a framework for app development.

Buber says applicants should expect to complete a skills assessment and sometimes a presentation or assignment. Candidates must be prepared to learn new skills, such as programming languages, while on the job.

Others recommend old-fashioned networking. Gasparro says, "I would advise that you get out there and meet people." It could be attending a conference, sending an email, or asking questions via LinkedIn. Tech people love to communicate with each other.

Hannah Murphy, tech correspondent

Video games

It's a serious business: Building a career in gaming is more than just playing Halo.

During the pandemic, video games were booming. It takes more than just a passion for games to land a dream job, especially with recent job cuts in the industry and a slow 2022.

Horia Dociu is a studio director at Microsoft, responsible for overseeing multiple projects.

Halo

Games series says that while it can be enjoyable, the work of making games is serious business.

Bain & Company's analysis last year showed that the global game development industry revenue would increase.

By more than 50%

By 2027. Artificial intelligence-powered software such as DALL-E 2 and GitHub Copilot will be able to power this growth by improving the efficiency of game developers.

Joshua Balcaceres is the studio art lead at Ubisoft's San Francisco offices and a former lead artist for Electronic Arts. He says AI isn't the first disruption that he has seen in his 20-year career in the industry.

He says that 3D was his AI back in those days, and that I had to learn a lot to use it. AI now is another tool in the Batman Belt, he adds.

Potential mergers include

Microsoft's push to acquire game maker Activision Blizzard

The entry of tech companies such a

Netflix

It may be harder for newcomers in the space to get in. Dociu says that factors such as company size, software limitations, budget, and project status all have an impact on staffing.

Ninel Anderson, the chief executive of Devoted Studios, an American-based game production management firm, said that a strong portfolio is essential when applying for jobs.

Anderson suggests that game developers not include a wide range of work. Instead, Anderson recommends that they identify the skills and art styles required for a company and then create a portfolio.

She warns applicants not to underestimate the importance and value of team collaboration. She says, "I recommend taking courses in agile development and project management skills."

Students can gain industry-standard software experience through online resources such as YouTube and LinkedIn Learning.

A few industry professionals suggest that formal education is not necessary for a career as a game developer.

Dociu said, "I know many successful people from colleges as opposed to folks who have never set foot inside a classroom."

The industry offers many jobs in design, animation, publishing, and engineering. Morgan Ling is senior product manager at Amazon Games. She says that applicants should assess their abilities to find the right fit.

"Do your research: What are the things that excite you in the gaming industry?" She says. "Maybe that's part of game development. Perhaps it's the research side, understanding the behaviours of players and then bringing this knowledge to the game development team.

Charlotte Tarlitz is the lead 2D game artist for Floor 84 Studio. She says that industry research and discussions with game developers will help reveal the wide range of job opportunities.

She says that most people will answer the question in college about what they want to do in gaming. "Most people want to be characters designers." It's worth exploring areas like user interface (UI), world building, and creating weapons or trees in games.

"The bulk of art will come from all the worlds that you traverse."

Avalon Pernell is a journalism student and a participant in the FT News School program

Law

Varied career path: a job in legal could range from working at a commercial firm, in-house at a company or joining a legal tech start-up __LINK__mages/iStockphoto

You're a big fan of the TV series

Suits

The idea of a career in law might appeal to you. Unfortunately, most lawyers lead a less glamorous lifestyle than Harvey Specter. The good news is that the profession offers a rewarding and lucrative career path and many different roles.

Many lawyers work in law firms. They spend their days advising clients on corporate deals and preparing for court battles. Some lawyers work in-house in their own legal department. A growing number of legal tech startups are looking for people with project management, data and technology skills.

Most countries require that prospective lawyers have completed their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. After this, they must then do some work experience or apprenticeships. This is the UK's legal practice course (LPC). Those without a law degree must also complete the graduate diploma (GDL) in law. There are other options, such as the Solicitors Qualifying Exam which will eventually replace the LPC.

The process is slightly different elsewhere. For example, applicants to law school in the US must have a bachelor's degree and pass the Law School Admission Test. You will need a Juris Doctor to practice law in the US.

Many law firms offer apprenticeships. Ashurst's global chair Karen Davies says that this offers a new route for people who don't want to go to university or are scared by student debt.

She says, "We've had an excellent uptake on our scheme, and the quality people we have hired are fantastic." "It won’t take long before the first apprentices begin to make partners at some of the UK’s most prestigious law firms.

Law is highly competitive. Candidates will need to demonstrate their strong communication and intellectual skills. Strong academic records are important for many universities and law firms. However, other metrics can also be used. Davies says that Ashurst has created online tests for cognitive ability, problem solving, and emotional intelligence in order to predict 'on the job performance'.

It is also important to have a sense of business awareness. Nathan Peart, a legal recruitment specialist at Major, Lindsey & Africa, says that businesses are not only looking for bright minds but also people with business development skills. He recommends

Everything You Need to Know about the City

Christopher Stoakes gives insight into life at a commercial law office.

One option is to work for one of the larger firms that take on trainees every year. They can handle anything from property deals and mergers and acquisitions. Some firms specialize in one area, such as criminal or family law.

Lawyers who are interested in working in the legal department of a company or in a legal technology business where data and coding skills are highly sought-after, will find a variety of job opportunities. Traditional law firms also hire people for roles other than legal, such as project managers and technology experts.

Davies says that the most important thing is to not be afraid to reach out. "We can only succeed if we find the brightest, best people, no matter who they may be."

Kate Beioley, legal reporter

Climate and sustainability

Sustainability ambitions: Companies are putting pressure on their employees to reduce emissions. __LINK__chulze/Getty Photos

Young people who want to help protect the plane