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 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.
Some of the key responsibilities of cybersecurity analysts include:
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 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.
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.
The average salary for machine learning engineers in 2023 was $145,080, and the industry is projected to grow 26% by 2033.
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:
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.
Business intelligence analysts make an average of $99,410; the field is projected to grow 11% by 2033.
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.
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.
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 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.
Professionals in data engineering spend their days doing the following:
Data engineers make around $108,020, and the BLS estimates that the whole field of data science will grow 36% by 2033.
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:
If you would like to learn more about the career outcomes of the MPS in Information Science program, reach out to us below: