4 Most Sought After Technology Professions

Information Technology has proven to become the oxygen that every profession in the world relies upon, in one way or the other. Over the past decade, IT personnel are in a high demand, however, the difference between people other professions and IT is the fact that there are several sub professions or focus groups that one can specialize in.

At the end of the day, the goal is to land a job right after being done with college and for this reason; we are going to go through a list of professions that are being sought for the most in the professional environment.

1. Cloud Architect
Data storage and access is one of the hottest trends in the world of IT mainly because it is a faster way of accessing data without implying any maintenance of hardware cost. Companies are continuously transitioning their way into cloud based technology in order to take advantage of these benefits. For example, a cloud based call center combines the power of an on premise dialer with the versatility of the cloud. Cloud storage is intangible, however, it still needs to be properly designed and organized for it to work efficiently and effectively. A cloud architect ensures that everything is organized and in place when it comes to the cloud platform for better usage and implementation within a company.
2. IT Consultant
This profession is as vague as the word consultant may sound, but the basic idea of being a consultant is to have the knowledge that others lack. Research and evaluation of systems defines this profession most closely. An IT Consultant is the requirement of each and every company that deals in IT, ranging from multinational companies to startups that have just set foot in the arena. Therefore, being an IT Consultant can compensate an individual on the hard work that he/she invests in a particular field. I must add that an IT Consultant basically needs a Computer Science degree, but also needs to specialize in a certain niche.
3. Web Developer
If you are a part of the IT world, you must be well aware of this profession. Web Development is one of the oldest professions of Information Technology and it is here to stay based on the continuous advancements in this particular field. Web Development has grown to become one of the most sought after professions due to the fact that besides developing websites, they are capable enough to develop mobile applications that are hybrid meaning, these applications can run on iOS from Apple, Android from Google, Blackberry, and Windows Platforms. Thanks to web technologies and frameworks.
4. Data Scientist
Data is contributing to IT in ways that none had ever imagined. It is safe to say that the one thing that will never go out of demand is the handling of data and making meaningful predictions from it. As the name suggests, a data scientist’s job is to make predictions from unstructured data that can contribute towards the advancement and development of a company. Basically, the existence of a Data Scientist in a company helps the company by letting it take smart decision for the growth of the company and to mitigate the risk factor.

10 Quick Tips for Growing Development Teams

Choosing the right set of people to operate in order to achieve something under a single roof is the goal of every startup or growing business. Half of your success is determined by the technical know-how of your team. However, how the team works together also matters to a large extent.

Following are the 10 quick tips for keeping a cohesive team, which is essential for the growth of a developing team.

1. No hesitation in asking for help
Every day at a developing project is a steep learning process and the process is strengthened by circulation of knowledge across the team. If a team member is hesitant in asking for help from a colleague, there is a huge hindrance in the learning process. Good team members are open to help from each other.
2. Communication – key factor
Being there for each other at all times is a crucial factor towards the success of a team. For instance, If there is an advancement in a project and it is not properly communicated, chances are someone might make a change that would override that, which would result in further work and thus a waste of vital time.
3. Individual Research
Every member of a team has to have the commitment to find the answers to questions that they may come across. Communicating individual findings will broaden the horizon of the whole team.
4. Efficient Hiring Process
Technical know-how is the way to go when talking about effective hiring. If you hire a person is technically sane but not a team worker, it is a gamble which will heavily cost the team eventually.
5. Fire the Trouble Maker(s)
Startups normally have no space for an error. Make sure the person that is causing a problem is kicked out of the team immediately. The longer the person stays, the greater the damage.
6. Use the right tools
Implement the tools that can bring the team together without making them waste further energy or time. Tools such as Slack and Trello can bring the team together and ensure communication with the whole team. Google Drive or Dropbox can ensure that everyone is up to date on the advancements at the same time. The list keeps on going, finding the right tools is priority one.
7. Proper Compensation
Being underpaid in a startup is nothing new. The source for commitment towards a cause can be made sure of if a person is paid properly. Make sure the team is paid in a similar amount and that the amount is sufficient enough.
8. Set goals
Setting goals for the team in the form of a group is an outstanding way of doing things effectively. Set goals on a 2 months basis and let the team know what they are lacking or excelling at.
9. Appreciate regularly
Appreciation acts like an energy bar. Make sure the appreciation is delivered religiously is the team achieves a milestone. Couple it up with a bonus or an outing and you are the top of the game.
10. Bond the team strategically
Hard work followed by a relaxation picnic trip or a trip to the mountains can do wonders. Encourage the team to involve in activities together, that helps with the bonding of the team and also serves as a source of relaxation, resulting in a healthy environment.

7 Earth-Sized Planets Discovered Orbiting Star

Recently the media has been filled with the news about the discovery of seven earth-sized planets revolving round a star that is considered to be 39 light years away from earth. The seven planets that were discovered are also said to be virtually same size as our planet earth. Astronomers are also considering the possibility of some of the planets having same types of atmospheres as earth. Using more sophisticated and advanced telescopes; scientists are now more optimistic that searching for alien life might yield promising results sooner than later. Although this is something that has been speculated to take place several decades from now, with discoveries like this, the chances are even much higher.

It is important to note that the discovery of the earth-sized planets orbiting a single star is the first of its kind. The planets that were discovered were seen to be in close proximity to the Trappist-1 star. When compared to Jupiter, this star is only slightly bigger. According to a University of Liege astrophysicist, Micheal Gillon, The temperature of the star is relatively cold, which makes the seven planets to be temperate – this basically means there is a possibility of these planets having life or some form of liquid water.

Due to the discovery of the seven earth-sized planets, astronomers at NASA prompted a more detailed monitoring from space and the ground. Keep in mind that the peering of NASA’s Spitzer space telescope for about 21 days at the star, in addition to more data received made it possible to discover the seven planets that are orbiting Trappist-1. Just like our planet earth, the astronomers were able to get the size of the planets based on the space of starlight it covered during the observation. To deduce the mass of each of the planets, astronomers considered how the planets were pulled and pushed by each other in the solar system. When it comes to how long it takes the planets to move around the solar system, it basically takes around 20 days to evolve around the star.

What does the discovery mean?

Astronomers are now focusing on whether the planets have atmospheres, which is going to give a deep insight into the possibility of having a habitable environment. Using the Hubble telescope, it is possible to detect water and methane in the alien air – it is, however, important to keep in mind that these can be produced without life. To further explore the possibility of any life form, astronomers are putting resources such as the James Webb Space Telescope, due to be in use by next year. Another instrument, which is a ground-based observatory, is the Giant Magellan Telescope, which will be launched in 2023. Finding out what the planets comprise of can only be done after astronomers finally go to the planets to collect data. There is no doubt that astronomers at NASA will continue working on the mission to discover more features of the newly discovered planets and more.

Microsoft Surface Studio

For several years’ tech giants including Dell, Lenovo, and HP have far surpassed Microsoft when it comes to building outclassed hardware that runs the Windows Operating System. Microsoft has recently joined the arena and is already leading the path for innovation and cool ideas. The company launched the Surface Pro tablet and then with their first laptop known as the Surface, which debuted back in 2015.

The story doesn’t end there, though. Microsoft recently came along with the introduction of their desktop or all-in-one PC, the Microsoft Surface Studio. The best thing about Microsoft is their naming convention. The Microsoft Surface Studio actually serves as a Studio, believe me!

Display

The Microsoft Surface Studio packs a 28-inch super sharp display panel which offers a better resolution than 4K. The actual resolution of the screen is 4500x3000 pixels, with an aspect ratio of 3:2 and has the ability to exhibit a wide color range. By this point you might consider comparing it with the iMac from Apple, but let me stop you right there. Unlike the iMac, the Microsoft Surface Studio offer a 10 point multi-touch display, which means that you can make the most of the Windows 10 operating system that runs on top of the hardware. Users also have the option to use to the Surface Pen, so that the all the artists can have the taste of powerful computing and ergonomics.

The most innovative thing that Microsoft has added into the Microsoft Surface Studio is the surface dial. The surface dial is a cylindrical knob input device that connects to the Studio wirelessly. The dial inputs different commands based on the rotation and pressure sensitivity. The downside, however, is that it is not compatible with several applications including the Adobe Suite, which is likely the biggest use of the gadget.

Design

Design is the most unique factor in the existence of Microsoft Surface Studio. The 28 inch screen has a zero gravity hinge that moves the display from an upright position all the way down into Studio Mode with one hand. It offers as low as 20 degrees of resting stance that actually feels like the display is hugging the desk, making it extremely comfortable for users and more specifically designers and artists.

Specifications

Microsoft Surface Studio consists of two CPU configurations. The high-end Core i7-6820HQ processor spins at 2.7 GHz. It offers 32GB of memory which can provide flawless multi-tasking capabilities, coupled with the Microsoft Windows 10 64-bit operating system. The maximum storage space of the Studio is 2TB of HDD and a 128GB SSD.

As far as the display is concerned, the studio comes integrated with 4 GB Nvidia GeForce GTX 980M, which according to many should have been more. Instead of the mobility graphic card, some say it should have included a more powerful desktop graphic card.

Pricing

Pricing is one of the downsides here, as the Surface Studio retails for $4,199. Moreover, this price doesn’t include the Surface Pen or the Surface Dial. The dial alone costs $99 which is a serious turn off for most of the users. All in all, the Surface Studio is amazing for people who want to get the best experience and don’t mind paying more in order to achieve that.