What are tech skills?
Tech skills are essential abilities that enable individuals to carry out job-specific tasks effectively. These skills encompass specialized knowledge and expertise in various domains such as information technology, computers, engineering, research, analytics, programming, marketing, design, security, and computer science. Possessing these practical skills not only contributes to success in technology-related careers but also in occupations that highly regard technological knowledge. Moreover, acquiring technical skills often involves training in areas like mechanics, mathematics, science, and information technology.

Here’s a list of 26 tech skills that are valuable in many different technology-based positions:

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
   Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the capacity of computers or machines to imitate human intelligence. This includes abilities like learning from experience or repetition, problem-solving, comprehending and responding to language, making decisions, and recognizing specific objects. Occupations in the field of AI encompass roles such as machine learning engineers, data scientists, business intelligence developers, research scientists, and big data engineers or architects.

2. Cybersecurity
   Cybersecurity involves the actions taken to safeguard computer systems and networks against cyber attacks or digital disruptions that aim to gain unauthorized access, manipulate or destroy sensitive information, or disrupt regular operations. Job roles that center around cybersecurity encompass positions such as systems engineers, network engineers or architects, software developers or engineers, and cybersecurity analysts.
3. Cloud Computing
   Cloud computing refers to the provision of computing services, including data storage, networking, web servers, database management systems, marketing automation, and business analytics, via the Internet or “cloud.” Proficiency in cloud computing is valuable in various career paths, such as full stack developer, senior software engineer, cloud engineer, Java developer, and software architect.

4. Software Engineering
   Software engineering is an application of engineering principles to the field of computer science, specifically focusing on the development of software. Software engineers have opportunities for employment in various roles, including IT consultants, game developers, multimedia programmers, and web developers.
5. Software Development
   Software development encompasses the utilization of computer science principles and programming languages to design, test, troubleshoot, and implement software and computer programs for client applications. Acquiring software development skills can greatly benefit your professional journey as a web developer, database administrator, software developer, or computer programmer.
6. Project Management
   Project management involves guiding a team to accomplish objectives and meet deadlines throughout the entire lifecycle of a project. Proficiency in project management is advantageous in various career paths, including roles such as a consultant, software developer, computer engineer, and information technologist. Furthermore, project management skills are highly sought-after in industries such as construction, energy, healthcare, marketing, and consulting.
7. UI/UX Design
   UI stands for user interface design, while UX stands for user experience design. Both design roles collaborate closely to craft a seamless and visually pleasing experience for users or target customers. Possessing these specialized skills can significantly contribute to your professional journey as a UI or UX designer, design lead, or creative director.
8. Data Analytics
   Data analytics encompasses the procedures of storing, managing, and utilizing data to extract valuable information and insights. Occupations that make use of data analytics skills include business intelligence analysts, data analysts, data engineers, data analytics consultants, and IT systems analysts.
9. Data Science
   Data science is a multidimensional field that integrates multiple academic disciplines, including mathematics, statistics, visualization, advanced computing, domain expertise, scientific methodology, and data engineering. It encompasses practices like data mining, machine learning, and big data analysis, employing scientific methods, processes, and algorithms to uncover meaningful patterns and leverage both structured and unstructured data. Possessing data science skills can pave the way for a career as a data scientist, machine learning engineer, enterprise architect, or statistician.
10. Programming
    Programming involves utilizing a formal language to effectively instruct a computer on what actions to take or how to solve problems. Without programming, computers are incapable of performing any tasks. Proficiency in computer programming is essential in various job roles, including computer systems engineers, business intelligence analysts, software application developers, database administrators, and software quality assurance (QA) engineers.
11. Computer Graphics
    Computer graphics refers to the creation or manipulation of digital images represented as pixels on a computer. Proficiency in computer graphics skills proves valuable in a range of fields including UI design, animation, web design, video editing, and graphic design.
12. Digital Marketing
    Digital marketing involves promoting products, services, and brands through the use of digital technologies, including desktop computers, laptops, tablets, mobile phones, and various other digital platforms. It encompasses leveraging digital media channels such as search engines, websites, email, social media, and applications to disseminate information and drive marketing campaigns. Job roles that make use of digital marketing skills encompass content managers and strategists, specialists in SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and SEM (Search Engine Marketing), virtual reality developers, digital marketing managers, and email marketing specialists.
13. Translation
    Translation skills are instrumental in comprehending programming languages and facilitating the conversion of code from one computer language to another. Occupations that demand proficiency in computer translation skills encompass language engineers, intelligence analysts, data science consultants, geospatial analysts, IAM modelers, machine learning engineers, and web content editors.
14. Mobile Development
    Mobile development pertains to the creation of applications for mobile devices, focusing on building mobile applications. A crucial aspect of being a mobile developer is having an understanding of programming languages, including HTML and CSS. Additionally, professions that utilize mobile development skills encompass mobile software project coordinators and iOS developers.
15. Virtualization
    Virtualization involves the creation of simulated versions of computer resources, rather than relying on physical or tangible counterparts. Computer hardware, operating systems, servers, network resources, and storage devices can all be virtualized. Professions within the realm of virtualization include virtualization engineers, support engineers, cloud engineers, instructional designers, and system engineers.
16. Network Maintenance
    Network maintenance encompasses the necessary activities to ensure the smooth operation of a network. It involves troubleshooting issues, offering solutions, expertise in hardware and software installation and configuration, monitoring and enhancing network performance, implementing network security measures, and planning for network expansion. Professions in the technology field that demand network maintenance skills include network and computer systems administrators, IT networking instructors, integration developers, software and application engineers, and computer maintenance technicians.
17. Business Analysis
    Business analysis plays a vital role in identifying and implementing necessary changes within organizations to enhance processes. It involves assessing current practices, proposing improvements, and devising plans to facilitate and oversee the implementation of changes. Proficiency in business analysis skills is beneficial for various job roles, including test analysts, project coordinators, subject matter experts, systems analysts, quality assurance engineers, technical writers, and software developers.
18. People Management
    People management skills are essential soft skills required for effective communication and leadership with individuals. These skills encompass qualities like excellent communication, trust-building, and patience. People management skills hold significant importance in technology management roles and positions that involve close collaboration with others, such as information technology project managers, computer systems analysts, UX designers, software sales professionals, and help desk technicians. Furthermore, other professions that highly value people management skills include public relations, human resources, administration, and roles within community service or government sectors.

19. Technical Writing
    Technical writing is a specialized form of written communication that aims to elucidate complex concepts using simplified language. Within the technology field, it involves creating instructional materials, such as computer hardware and software manuals. UX writers are also categorized as technical writers. Moreover, technical writing finds utility in a range of disciplines, including engineering, chemistry, business, academia, robotics, finance, medical, biotechnology, marketing, and consumer electronics. Technical writers across various fields draft diverse documents such as white papers, case studies, how-to guides, research articles, and employee handbooks.
20. Blockchain
    Blockchain technology ensures the immutability and security of recorded information, making it challenging to alter or compromise. Initially developed as a digital ledger for Bitcoin, blockchain has expanded its applications to encompass crowdfunding, identity management, file storage, person-to-person payments, and digital voting. Blockchain developers leverage their expertise in cryptography, data structures, algorithms, and computer networking to build and maintain blockchain systems.
21. Quantum Computing
    Quantum computing necessitates proficiency in algebraic skills for the creation of algorithms that harness the principles of quantum theory for computational tasks. Quantum theory is a branch of modern physics that centers around atomic particles. The concept of a quantum computer lies in its ability to store information as qubits, which are quantum bits smaller than traditional bits. Conventional computers can solely encode information as bits with a value of either 1 or 0. While quantum computers remain a theoretical concept, experts in quantum technologies with quantum computing skills play a crucial role in advancing research and modeling in this field.
22. Robotics
    Robotics merges research from the fields of computer science and engineering to create, build, and operate robots. These robots play a significant role in various technological advancements, such as applications in medicine or the execution of repetitive or hazardous tasks traditionally performed by humans. Careers in robotics encompass roles like robotics engineers, technicians, operators, sales engineers, and robotics account managers.

23. Video Production
    Video production involves the process of creating video content using digitally recorded images. Occupations that require video production skills include production assistants, camera operators, videographers, video editors, video production specialists, multimedia producers, studio technicians, and video project managers.
24. Game Development
    Game development encompasses the process of utilizing code to create games. Developers begin with a concept and proceed to design, construct, test, and release games. Professions within game development consist of game designers, software developers, computer programmers, animators, audio engineers, translators, video game testers, and technical support specialists.
25. Industrial Design
    Industrial design involves the creation of large quantities of products used in daily life. The manufacturing techniques employed must consider aspects such as technical performance, environmental impact, human comfort and convenience, as well as aesthetics for appealing appearance and usability. Proficiency in industrial design skills proves valuable in various career paths, including architects, art directors, desktop publishers, fashion designers, graphic designers, software developers, and industrial engineers.
26. Audio Production
    Audio production encompasses the process of capturing and manipulating recorded audio to achieve specific sounds or effects. It is frequently employed in music, film, and television productions as background or overlay audio. Occupations that require audio production skills include production directors, audio/visual technicians, technology coordinators, acoustics engineers, systems administrators, video/audio webcast production technicians, sound designers, sound engineers, radio network operations managers, video editors, and technical directors.