Technology advances daily, and one field continues to keep pace with and develop new advancements: information science. There are vast job opportunities in computer science and information science, from positions rooted in AI to those improving the average consumer’s experience.
This growing field of information science needs experts to lead the way for the future of computers and technology. While more well-known positions, like data scientists, are in demand, plenty of lesser-known positions are available to creative tech geniuses.
Let’s unpack five of the most in-demand careers in information science and where they’re expected to grow over the next decade.
Cybersecurity Analyst Jobs
Cybersecurity protects sensitive information and systems, from national security to personal banking information. Cybersecurity professionals must have a robust knowledge of network security, understand threat detection, and have competent strategies for incident responses. Their investment in risk mitigation and building strong systems reduces the risk of security concerns and helps people feel safer in a world ruled by data.
What Does a Cybersecurity Analyst Do?
Some of the key responsibilities of cybersecurity analysts include:
- Protecting sensitive data: Analysts in this field prevent sensitive data from falling into the wrong hands and combat cyber threats like malware, ransomware, and hacking.
- Implementing security measures: Cybersecurity professionals help implement firewalls and encryption, keeping data safe.
- Monitoring networks: Cybersecurity analysts help monitor networks for vulnerabilities and breaches, increasing software security and reliability.
- Ensuring law compliance: Cybersecurity has unique laws and regulations, so analysts in this field must ensure their work complies with broader cybersecurity laws (GDPR) and regulations for specific fields like healthcare (HIPAA).
How Much Does a Cybersecurity Analyst Make?
The median salary for cybersecurity analysts was about $120,360 in 2023, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that the field will grow 33% by 2023.
Machine Learning Engineer Jobs
Machine learning engineers design, build, and deploy machine learning models, which are trained to recognize patterns in data, and bring new technology and tools into the global marketplace. Their skills include expertise in machine learning algorithms, data modeling, and programming languages like Python. Their work helps to bring safe, competent machine-learning tools into the world, and they help people understand how to interact with these tools effectively.
What Does a Machine Learning Engineer Do?
Machine learning engineers design, develop, and fine-tune AI models and algorithms. They then train these systems for automation, prediction, and decision-making to help users in diverse fields and industries, including healthcare, medical diagnostics and data collection, finance, fraud detection, and robotics.
How Much Do Machine Learning Engineers Make?
The average salary for machine learning engineers in 2023 was $145,080, and the industry is projected to grow 26% by 2033.
Business Intelligence Analyst Jobs
Professionals in business intelligence analyst roles transform data sheets into actionable insights for business decision-making. Their work requires several highly developed skills and qualifications:
- Data analysis: taking raw data and turning it into actionable steps and understandable insights
- Visualization tools: helping others see and understand data in different visual representations
- Understanding of business processes: implementing and innovating best business practices for their industry and beyond
What Does a Business Intelligence Analyst Do?
Business intelligence analysts use data analytics tools and techniques to recognize trends and patterns within data and translate them into results. They then create visualizations, dashboards, and reports to help inform business actions and future strategies.
How Much Does a Business Intelligence Analyst Make?
Business intelligence analysts make an average of $99,410; the field is projected to grow 11% by 2033.
UI/UX Designer Jobs
A user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) professional works to design seamless user experiences and intuitive interfaces for digital products. Their work makes a website, app, or platform shine through ease of use while meeting accessibility standards.
To be successful, UI and UX professionals must be proficient in design tools and understand user behavior. They should also have a strong grasp of usability principles and stay current with the latest accessibility guidelines.
What Does a UX Designer Do?
The primary responsibility of UX and UI designers is to develop user-friendly and visually appealing designs for digital products, from websites to applications. They craft the visual elements of a product, contribute to the layout, choose the color schemes, map out the interactive elements, and more.
How Much Does a UX Designer Make?
The average annual salary for UX designers is $92,750, and the BLS predicts that the web development field will grow 8% by 2023.
Data Engineer Jobs
Data engineers are crucial in designing, constructing, and maintaining data pipelines and infrastructure across many industries. They must have a thorough understanding of database management, extract, transform, load (ETL) processes, and data warehousing. With these skills, successful data engineers help keep data organized and manageable and can communicate that data to others.
What Do Data Engineers Do?
Professionals in data engineering spend their days doing the following:
- Designing, building, and maintaining scalable data pipelines and architectures
- Ensuring the availability, reliability, and security of data systems
- Working with big data technologies like Hadoop, Apache Spark, and cloud platforms like AWS and Google Cloud
- Collaborating with data scientists and analysts to ensure high-quality data for analysis
How Much Does a Data Engineer Make?
Data engineers make around $108,020, and the BLS estimates that the whole field of data science will grow 36% by 2033.
Consider an MPS from Cornell Bowers CIS to Prepare for Job Opportunities in Information Science
How do you break into the information science industry? By having the right degree. While having a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is needed for any job in information science, a master’s degree is recommended for advancing your career and improving your specialized knowledge areas.
Cornell Bowers CIS’ MPS in Information Science program offers an excellent pathway if you're looking to build a career in information science. Whether you want to focus on data science, machine learning, cybersecurity, or data engineering, an MPS degree will prepare you with the technical expertise, professional skills, and industry connections needed to succeed in the rapidly evolving field of information science.
Students who choose Cornell Bowers CIS benefit from:
- A rigorous curriculum based on real-world applications, preparing you for a future in information science
- Access to leading faculty in AI, data science, and cybersecurity
- Strong industry partnerships for internships and job placements
- Experience working with actual clients throughout the MPS Project
If you would like to learn more about the career outcomes of the MPS in Information Science program, reach out to us below: