Originally posted on the Independent Data Center Alliance

The Independent Data Center Alliance celebrates International Data Center Day on March 23rd, 2022. International Data Center Day is designed to create awareness around the flourishing data center industry and to inspire the next generation of talent to begin a career in the industry. Today, the technology sector is one of the most rewarding industries to work in. Although demanding, there are various opportunities to expand upon an individual’s skill set and excel in their career. The breadth of skills that can be taught within the data center can be acquired quickly for an individual choosing this career path. Despite the many misconceptions, the data center industry does not run solely on the work of engineers and other technical professionals. Successful data center companies work as a team, with skilled professionals from all sectors. Data center industry jobs range from engineers, IT specialists, project managers, finance professionals while working alongside public relations, marketing, compliance, legal, human resources, sales, and security teams. 

When it comes to the technology sector, those looking to kick start their career do not have to be technical to work in tech. Studies have shown that approximately 43% of roles advertised by companies were non-technical and did not require technical certifications or experience to apply. The data center industry is among one of the fastest growing industries in the world and will continue to flourish throughout the years. With new emerging technologies, increased focus on underserved markets, migration to the cloud, 5G and more, the data center industry will continue to grow ultimately providing more jobs.  No matter the level of experience, the data center industry welcomes individuals with opportunities to grow and prosper within the sector. Data centers offer a range of services and solutions that demand an array of skills to manage. 

Data centers make a difference in everyone’s daily lives and focusing on the next generation of talent is crucial in ensuring the future of the industry. As a whole, the industry has dedicated more time and resources to foster STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education through different initiatives. From grades K-12 and through college, the next generation is provided with information and awareness into the data center world. Data center companies around the world have developed training programs, apprenticeships and scholarship opportunities to help the younger generation take a closer look into the many opportunities that the data center industry has to offer. The Digital Futures program sponsored by multiple data center companies, provides students with essential skills and knowledge to prepare for technical careers in the data center industry. This curriculum, sponsored by companies including Amazon Web Services, CNet, CyrusOne, and CBRE, created a curriculum to prepare students ages 14-19 with science, technology, engineering and math skills. 

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