Do you want to learn more about your options when it comes to forging a career in automation?
Automation is an incredibly exciting, evolving and dynamic industry for STEM professionals looking to have a real world impact, amid the technological transformations of the workplace.
Requiring a wealth of hard and soft skills, there are numerous opportunities for people skilled in automation and here are five of the many interesting options open to qualified professionals.
Automation engineering
Automation engineering is becoming a staple in several industries, for example in business, finance and healthcare. People skilled in this area are responsible for designing, building and maintaining the various automated machines and processes required by organisations and institutions.
This particular path is suited to people who enjoy the dual complexity and simplicity of automation, with strong mechanical expertise and a keen mind when it comes to problem solving. While every organisation will differ and have their own requirements, typically an education in a STEM subject will be necessary, as well as specific skills in areas such as AI, data and programming.
Automation consulting
Automation consulting is an excellent career path for professionals eager to blend their hard and soft skills. Typically people in this sector advise other organisations on how they can expertly leverage automation tools and develop automated work processes.
Anyone looking to forge a career in this space should ensure they have foundational knowledge of process mining, intelligent document processing, low-code platforms, AI and machine learning. It is also important that experts in this field have skills that can enable them to build and maintain a strong network of peers, as visibility and reputation are key to a long and successful career.
Automation architecture
The main role of the automation architect is to design and develop the strategies that empower organisations to automate their processes. They work with workplace leadership, stakeholders and IT departments to spot issues in automation before it becomes a larger problem.
Professionals will need a degree in a STEM field, with research suggesting that a bachelor’s degree in data analytics is an ideal place to start. Useful skills include creative thinking, strong people skills, AWS, cloud, software programming, system-related frameworks and a commitment to obtaining industry knowledge, among others.
Robotics automation specialist
Robotic process automation (RPA) is a fun and rapidly advancing aspect of the automation industry, with plenty of opportunities for STEM professionals looking to break into the sector. While robotics is not a new concept, many of the technologies advancing the world of work require an up-to-date education which means that there are opportunities not only for seasoned professionals but also graduates and early-career starters.
People skilled in RPA can segue into roles such as development, project management, solution architect, business analytics, consulting and technical writing. Skills to master include decision making, problem solving, programming, strategic planning, AI, machine learning and SQL.
QA automation engineer
QA automation or QA testing is the process of developing automation scripts to run tests on the software programmes that use automation tools. People in this field design and execute automated tests using engineering principles, for the purpose of identifying bugs and issues in software.
Typically applicants looking for a position as a QA automation engineer should have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, engineering or a STEM-related field, proficiency in at least one programming language, continuous integration processes, test management tools and SQL.
Careers in automation offer professionals a broad range of opportunities to learn, upskill and progress in an environment that is upwardly mobile, a little bit hectic and never boring. So, even if your particular area of expertise didn’t make it onto the list this time, it is very likely that you will find your niche along what is an exciting and advantageous path towards a successful career in automation.
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