Looking to start a new career in 2017, but want to get a feel for what different roles actually entail? We've rounded up our Career Roadmap series from 2016 so you can get a behind-the-scenes look at 10 hot IT career options. Credit: Thinkstock IT Career Roadmap Series RoundupIf you’re considering a career in IT — or looking to make a career change — there’s no better time than now. With salaries well above average and companies grappling with a talent shortage, you’ll be well-compensated and your skills will be in high demand for years to come. Over the past year, CIO.com’s Career Roadmap series has taken an in-depth look at some of the hottest IT careers out there so you can get a behind-the-scenes view at careers in this field. Here are our top 10 Career Roadmap stories from 2016. Digital marketingImage by ThinkstockKristine Spence is a digital marketing pioneer whose career has undergone just as much of a digital transformation as the IT industry. Here, she talks about what it takes to be an innovator in the digital marketing arena. Mobile developer Image by ThinkstockChris Turner’s mobile app development skills have taken his career journey in some unexpected places, including a reality TV show, ESPN and now the internet of things. Here, he talks about what it takes to be a mobile developer. Data scientist Image by ThinkstockAs organizations struggle to make sense of increasingly large amounts of customer and industry data, data scientists are becoming a must-have role for any IT department. Two data scientists for Kronos explain what it takes to succeed in one of the sexiest careers in IT today. Technology evangelist Image by ThinkstockTechnology evangelists are increasingly important in today’s digital world, where applications, software and Web platforms all compete for users’ attention. Michael Sage explains what it’s like to be a technology evangelist, and what it takes to make tech evangelism a career. Research scientist Image by ThinkstockAmanda Stent’s degree in music has informed her career as a research scientist as much as her computer science and mathematics education have. In this edition of the Career Roadmap, Stent talks about her journey into the research scientist role. Certified scrum trainer Image by ThinkstockAngela Johnson saw firsthand how agile and Scrum transformed the manufacturing industry. With a technical background and a love of teaching, becoming a Scrum trainer was a perfect fit. Here, Johnson talks about what it takes to attain this specialized career. Head of DevOps Image by ThinkstockDevOps requires not just a solid background in technology, but empathy, communication and stellar interpersonal skills. Eric Sigler, head of DevOps, talks about how to leverage both for a successful career in DevOps. IT project manager Image by ThinkstockBehind every successful IT project are the unsung heroes of the technology industry: project managers. Kristyn Medeiros talks about the ins and outs, ups and downs of being an IT project manager. Systems administrator Image by ThinkstockDespite rumors to the contrary, the systems administrator role is far from obsolete; the role has evolved and changed with the advent of cloud computing and virtualization. Sysadmin Nick Bush offers a glimpse into this critical, continually evolving IT career. Related content opinion The changing face of cybersecurity threats in 2023 Cybersecurity has always been a cat-and-mouse game, but the mice keep getting bigger and are becoming increasingly harder to hunt. By Dipti Parmar Sep 29, 2023 8 mins Cybercrime Security brandpost Should finance organizations bank on Generative AI? Finance and banking organizations are looking at generative AI to support employees and customers across a range of text and numerically-based use cases. By Jay Limbasiya, Global AI, Analytics, & Data Management Business Development, Unstructured Data Solutions, Dell Technologies Sep 29, 2023 5 mins Artificial Intelligence brandpost Embrace the Generative AI revolution: a guide to integrating Generative AI into your operations The CTO of SAP shares his experiences and learnings to provide actionable insights on navigating the GenAI revolution. By Juergen Mueller Sep 29, 2023 4 mins Artificial Intelligence feature 10 most in-demand generative AI skills Gen AI is booming, and companies are scrambling to fill skills gaps by hiring freelancers to make the most of the technology. These are the 10 most sought-after generative AI skills on the market right now. By Sarah K. White Sep 29, 2023 8 mins Hiring Generative AI IT Skills Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe