Since the coronavirus pandemic struck the United States earlier this year, engineers and technologists have remained in high demand. Dice, a leading technology career hub which connects employers with skilled technology professionals, analyzed the job positions and skills that rose highest in demand between February and March of 2020.
According to the results of the Dice Tech Job Report*, the need for technologists is more critical than ever, as technology plays a key role in making this unexpected transition to a remote workplace a smooth and successful one.
Why techies are critical employees
Source: Labor Insight Jobs (Burning Glass Technologies)
The shift from businesses operating from their headquarters to a remote workplace had employers— almost overnight—examining their remote frameworks. Technologists were needed just as quickly to execute critical components to expedite the widespread conversion.
Here are some examples of how businesses pivoted to maintain communication and operations between employees and clients:
- Meetings became video calls (Zoom being one of the most popular)
- Conferences turned into webinars
- Conversations shifted to instant messaging
To keep business flowing as usual, engineers and tech professionals were needed to work behind the scenes to meet the demands of a changing world and workplace. Here are a few job titles of the tech professionals needed to make all of this happen:
- Engineers
- Cloud architects
- Systems administrators
- Cybersecurity experts
- Application designers/developers
And, here are two critical components that tech professionals addressed to keep the remote workplace running smoothly:
- Ensuring remote frameworks and infrastructure are secure
- Ensuring employees had reliable connectivity to work from outside the office
Where the jobs are 
Source: Labor Insight Jobs (Burning Glass Technologies)
Technology, or tech giants, consulting agencies and government contractors top the list of tech employers who were hiring during the first quarter of 2020, according to the Dice report. This is great news for Vaughn College students who are currently pursuing engineering degrees, as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and the Boeing Company fall among the list of the top 25 tech companies listed in the Dice report.
Read about Vaughn graduate Atif Saeed ’20 who started a job at Lockheed Martin this summer working as a mechanical engineer.
Engineers and tech professionals may be interested to learn that between February and March of this year, online retail giant Amazon increased its technology job postings by 110 percent—looking specifically for software developers and network engineers. This comes as no surprise since consumers used Amazon as an alternative to shopping at grocery stores and other essential retailers during the lockdown. Walmart increased its technology postings by 64 percent in March—in addition to the 150,000 employees they pledged to hire—and specifically sought to hire software developers and project managers.
Source: Labor Insight Jobs (Burning Glass Technologies)
According to the Dice report, different states showed varying growth, depending on how each state reacted to the COVID-19 lockdown. In New York, for example, the state was quick to enforce a stricter “stay at home” order, compared to other states that were slower to require that non-essential employees work remotely.
Shift in job postings due to pandemic
Cybersecurity engineering jobs topped the list of having the most uptick in job postings, according to the Dice report. Cybersecurity engineering job postings surged by 20 percent during February and March of this year, as businesses took a proactive approach to combating pandemic-themed phishing and cyber-attacks. System engineers were also in demand, having placed at 11 percent, and showing a clear indication that companies were concerned with maintaining their network and computer infrastructure.
Discover a futureproof career at Vaughn
The job outlook for the engineering and technology fields remains bright, and will remain so, despite the recent surge in demand during the pandemic. If your passion lies within these futureproof fields, then now is the time to capture this opportunity by earning your engineering and technology degree from Vaughn College.
Discover all that is possible. Apply today.
*Source: Dice Tech Job Report
When Vaughn College alumnus Vladislav Makarov ’16 landed his job at air cargo company Atlas Air in 2015, he never imagined how valuable his dual bachelor’s degrees in airport and airline management from Vaughn would become—especially during an unforeseen pandemic. The air cargo market has seen a recent surge in demand, as airfreight and cargo companies have become an essential part of transporting medical supplies and other life-saving equipment during the coronavirus pandemic.
This month, we caught up with Makarov to hear about his latest position at Atlas Air and to revisit his journey of a successful career in air cargo aviation.
Finding his way to Vaughn
Makarov began his academic journey at Queens College where he studied computer science. After only two semesters, however, he knew he wanted to pursue his biggest passion—aviation. “In the back of my mind I always wanted a career in aviation, but I didn’t know how to go about starting one. One day, I started doing research on potential colleges in the field of Air Traffic Control. As it turned out, Vaughn was in an ideal location for me.” He attended an open house and learned more about the curriculum and how students are specifically trained and educated in their chosen fields of study. He enrolled in the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) where he studied airport management with the hope of becoming an air traffic controller.
Switching Gears
Learning of a change in the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) hiring practices from AT-CTI colleges at the time that lead to career uncertainty, Makarov decided to switch gears and add to his marketability by pursuing a dual bachelor’s degree in airport/airline management at Vaughn. “It was a very valuable experience,” he stated. “I received a well-rounded education.”
Experiencing the value of Vaughn
Looking back, Makarov recalls several experiences that he considers invaluable in his pursuit of a career in aviation. He describes working on the capstone degree project with associate management professor, Dr. Peter Canellis, as one of his favorite and most relevant classes. The project covered taking over a fictional company and analyzing how someone would manage and finance all the aspects of a company. Makarov also speaks highly of the air traffic control courses taught by Professor George Tracy as well as an interesting course he took with management chair, Dr. Maxine Lubner. “Vaughn’s curriculum prepares you for the field you’ll be working in by providing real world, practical examples that you can use right away,” Makarov said. “Unlike my experiences at other colleges, at Vaughn, you jump right into the core of what you will be doing in your field after graduation.” One of the most valuable attributes of the College Makarov describes is the small class size. He said the small, non-traditional college experience is what he believes gives students the tools and knowledge they need to achieve their dreams.
Landing the job at Atlas Air—The Vaughn/Atlas Air Connection
Vaughn’s long-term relationship with Atlas Air has proven to be truly valuable, as several alumni like Makarov have landed internships and ultimately full-time positions with this renowned aviation cargo company. Karen Batson ’04, Vaughn alumna and adjunct faculty member, has an impeccable record when it comes to hiring Vaughn graduates to work at Atlas Air. The reason: Batson knows how Vaughn prepares graduates for the aviation field and successful careers.
As part of the more than 30 of the College’s graduates, Batson hired Makarov after obtaining his résumé from career services. “Karen is always interested in training new employees and growing them to reach their potential,” said Makarov. “She pushes you to improve yourself and to always learn something new.” Makarov would know—Batson has been his manager for the past five years.
Climbing the aviation ladder
During his time at Atlas Air, Makarov has worked on a variety of projects in the data science field. He uses data visualization software to provide reports to various groups and also reviews aircraft reliability statistics to find trending issues. Both of these are specific-system and fleet-wide issues that need addressing. More specifically, his job is to narrow down specific reasons for why something is happening and provide solutions in an effort to reduce aircraft maintenance costs and disruptions. “The Continuing Analysis and Surveillance System (CASS) program is designed to track and find potential safety risks and is one way airlines like Atlas Air keep their operations as safe as possible.”
Makarov was recently promoted to senior analyst. His current responsibilities include developing new reports, as well as training his colleagues. He said that at one point, he even had to train himself on new concepts. He developed new reports from scratch, which included the coding and IT of the programs. “Oversight and technical systems are daily parts of the job. Every day brings something different and challenging.”
Fueling his passion for aviation, Makarov is a certified private pilot and he is currently working on his instrument rating. “I love the career I’ve chosen. The training never ends.”
In these times of uncertainty, one thing is certain. Now is the time to set yourself on a path to a futureproof career. See how a degree from Vaughn College can get you there. Apply today.
Preparing for life after college can be an exciting time for students. With nearly four million students receiving their diplomas this past spring—and several more over the coming months—having a clear game plan is key to planning a successful future. We can’t ignore the fact we are in the middle of a pandemic; however, with some clear guidance and determination, you can be well prepared to land a job and begin your career.
This month, Vaughn College has outlined five tips to help you prepare for life after college graduation.
- Stay connected
Social distancing limits face-to-face interaction, but thanks to modern technology, staying connected is easier than ever. Reaching out to mentors, former classmates and your alumni association network are great ways to strengthen your relationships. Just like the expression, “It’s not what you know, but who you know,” keeping connected can make all the difference.
- Learn to budget
Living within your means is an important way to be fiscally responsible. Even if you have not yet landed your dream job, learning to budget your money now will likely keep you ahead of your finances down the road. And don’t forget to keep an eye on your credit score. Knowing your score is essential when you’re ready to lease an apartment, a vehicle or apply for a credit card. Tools like Annual Credit Report are a great way to keep track of your scores.
- Perfect your interviewing skills
Now is the time to practice your interviewing skills. In light of social distancing due to the coronavirus pandemic, employers are opting to use video conferencing software, such as Zoom, to connect with job candidates instead of holding traditional in-person meetings. Take the time to record yourself and remember to dress professionally. And don’t forget to update your resume! You can read more in our blog, “Tips for a Successful Zoom Interview.”
- Improve your social media pages and email
This one is important and could potentially make or break you when it comes to getting the job. Be sure to:
- Remove any inappropriate photos and posts on your social media pages. Employers may check your profile and could eliminate you from their potential list of candidates based on your content.
- Create or improve your LinkedIn profile.
- Create a professional email address
- Customize your email signature to include your name and/or professional brand. Be sure to add your LinkedIn address and any other contact information.
- Know your value
You may not have a world of experience in your field just yet, but what you do have is a body of knowledge and skills that you’ve learned throughout your college career. Internships, college work study programs and other field experience adds to your value. It’s important to stay calm, confident, and focused. And as challenging as it may be during these uncertain times, try not to let the news or headlines affect your outlook on starting your career.
We hope these tips were helpful in preparing you for life after college. Vaughn’s dedication to its students’ success begins with a futureproof education and the support you need to succeed every step of the way.
Are you looking for a futureproof career? Discover all that’s possible with a degree from Vaughn College. Apply today.
