1. Cyber Security
Cyber Security is one of the most marketable courses in Kenya today, as cyber criminals get more sophisticated with each passing day.
Kenyans with the right combination of abilities, ability, and experience in this fast-growing area have excellent career possibilities.
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You’ll usually start off in a junior cyber security position, but if you’re skilled, you can swiftly advance.
2. Data Science
We are in the era of big data, and companies of all kinds rely on structured data to make vital choices, from financial institutions to health care facilities and everything in between.
If you’re good with numbers and want a job that combines ICT and numbers, data science is the course for you. It combines statistics, analytical systems, machine learning, and a variety of other methods for gathering and analyzing data.
3. Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence(AI)
While machine learning occupations are still in their infancy, those who possess these abilities may have a bright future.
If you’re not familiar, machine learning is a field of artificial intelligence (AI) that focuses on developing programs that learn from collected data and improve accuracy over time without needing to be programmed.
AI is all about giving technology, such as robots, the ability to reason and act like humans.
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- Programming /coding
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Computers and devices, such as smartphones, rely on instructions regarding specific activities that have been provided to them—in other words, they must be pre-programmed to function.
Programmers and developers write the code (or instructions) that teach gadgets and computers how to perform tasks.
If you’re interested in programming, you should master some of the most in-demand programming languages, such as:
- PHP/Laravel
- Python
- JavaScript
- Java
Also in high-demand is knowledge of Node.js, React, and .NET Core.
And oh, ensure you can build Android and IoS apps.
- Cloud Computing
The majority of businesses no longer invest in their own servers or data centers. Instead, they rent processing power and data storage from companies that have invested in large server computers and data centers elsewhere; these computing services are offered over the internet, hence the term cloud computing.
Simply put, businesses may now access greater computer capacity at a lower cost. Google, Gmail, DropBox, YouTube, and SalesForce are just a handful of the many cloud-based services we use.
Your job now is to design and/or maintain the physical and virtual infrastructure that keeps cloud computing centers up and running so that their clients may continue to function without interruption.
If you want to take this direction, it’s best to a Diploma/Degree first then take up marketable cloud computing certifications such as:
- Google Certified Professional_Cloud Architect.
- Google Certified Professional_Data Engineer.
- W.S Certified Solutions Architect – Associate.
- W.S Certified SysOps Administrator.
- W.S Certified Developer– Associate.
- Microsoft Certified- Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
These certifications can be taken online or you can choose to attend sessions in institutions offering cloud computing courses in Kenya such as AFRALTI.
- Games development
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With the necessary talents, you can also pursue a career in games development, where you will simply be creating games.
Because today’s age prefers virtual games to traditional physical games, it could be a lucrative career path.
Courses like:
- Unity Game Development course/Certification
- 3D Artist Specialization course
- Python
If you’re good, you can easily work for some of the biggest gaming companies in the world (remotely).
7. Digital marketing
In today’s internet-crazed environment, almost every organization requires digital marketers; there is no other way to stay relevant.
Consider pursuing a digital marketing course if you enjoy marketing and find working from behind a computer screen to be a far more pleasant prospect than meeting clients door-to-door.
I should point out that no specific qualifications are required for the course, though having a degree/diploma in marketing/any other business discipline can be advantageous.
· IoT (Internet of Things) course
In the next several years, it is expected that over 50 billion devices (or things) will be connected to the internet, making IoT (Internet of Things) a mainstream technology.
IoT applications include self-driving cars, smart cities, smart grids, industrial internet of things (IIoT), smart homes/buildings, smart agriculture, smart infrastructure, and smart health.
In a nutshell, businesses will utilize IoT for many of their activities in the near future, therefore having strong IoT skills and understanding could put you ahead of the competition.
- 3D Animation
Take a 3D animation course at an institution like Shang Tao Media Arts College if you’re creative and want to work in media, advertising, or cinema.
In 3D Animation & Film, you can study up to a higher national diploma (HND).
- Graphic Design
A graphic design course develops creative and other technical skills suitable primarily for digital marketing careers.
Remember that many ICT colleges offer a graphic design course (at least up to the diploma level).
You can also open your graphic designs firm with the course.
- Digital Video Production
A digital video production graduate has excellent prospects too both in self-employment and in formal employment – from YouTube, Adverting agencies, media houses, to small businesses offering video production services, you have loads of opportunities.
Again you need to be creative to thrive here.
To study this course, locally, check out colleges such as Africa digital media institute(ADMI) in Nairobi.
General ICT course requirements
As mentioned, having a Diploma or a Degree in ICT/computer science/ or any ICT-related area gives you a head start when it comes to ICT jobs and it’s crucial to get any of these papers before enrolling in any of the marketable ICT specialization courses.
Of course, you can pursue your specialization simultaneously with your Diploma/Degree to save time – you may attend online classes after lessons or go for the ICT courses in Kenya you have chosen during holidays.
Now, the requirements for ICT Diploma and Degree are as follows:
- Diploma in ICT- KCSE C minus mean grade (or a recognized certificate in Information Technology in Kenya)
- Degree in ICT- KCSE C+ mean grade
Note: To take certificate in information technology in Kenya (KNEC), you only need to have scored a D plain mean grade (minimum) – there are no cluster requirements.
Universities offering ICT courses in Kenya
Nearly all universities in Kenya offer ICT courses- not all offer the specializations but nearly all offer at least one Diploma and Degree in ICT (or a related area – Computer Science, Information Systems, etc.)
Here are some of the leading ones in ICT:
- JKUAT
- Dedan Kimathi University of Technology
- Multimedia University
- Strathmore University (they even offer a Masters Degree in Cyber Security)
- USIU
- Masinde Muliro
- Mt Kenya University
