10 Emerging Job Roles That Will Surge in Singapore

The new normal disrupted the job market and accelerated the advent of digital and automated professions. According to the World Economic Forum, by 2025, increasingly redundant roles will decrease from 15.4% to 9%, while emerging job roles will grow from 7.8% to 13.5%.

This workforce trend is palpable in Singapore, whose status as a global technology hub in Southeast Asia has risen as various industry sectors ramp up hiring for tech roles.

According to Ravi Menon, managing director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, 1,700 newly created jobs are in tech roles, with software engineers comprising 30%. Going beyond that average, the fintech industry, which has only grown since the pandemic, creates about 2,500 to 3,500 jobs each year. Moreover, traditionally "offline" businesses such as food and retail and SMEs are seeking out tech experts to assist them in digitalisation efforts.

Whether you are a fresh graduate or an experienced talent looking for greener pastures, consider moving towards emerging job roles to help future-proof your career. Don't worry if you've missed our recent JobStreet's Virtual Career Fair (13-22 September 2021). Here are 10 emerging job roles that we can foresee a spike in sector demand for the next five years, which you can apply for them here. 

Emerging Job Roles in Singapore

Artificial intelligence specialist

The advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution has seen the rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning in creating smarter, more innovative processes. This specialisation encompasses many job titles with their own set of skills, depending on the industry. An artificial intelligence specialist programs computers to analyse data, make intuitive decisions, and recommend actions based on data-driven research and evidence.

Robotics software engineer

With a serious lack of software engineers in Singapore, this is a role with plenty of prospects for professional development. Robotics is a crucial field in developing cutting-edge technology and bot programs that automate tasks. As a software engineer, you will be in charge of developing proprietary software and working on algorithms for robot control and automation.

Data scientist

With the need for data to gather insights and derive trends, data science has become essential in the modern workforce. It strengthens traditional roles across different sectors while mining big and meaningful insights that analysts use to shape well-informed strategies.

Full-stack engineer

A full-stack engineer works on the entire life cycle of software development, developing and implementing the front and back ends of a website or app. Taking a user-centric approach, a full-stack engineer can multitask and develop an entire website or application, while catering to user experience and functionality.

UI/UX designer

Behind your favourite app or website is the work of a UI/UX designer. A UI/UX designer is in charge of shaping and optimising a user's overall experience with an application, from its layout and graphics to how one interacts with the product. The UI/UX designer understands user needs and translates them into eye-catching and intuitive interfaces.

Cybersecurity specialist

Security is imperative at this age when your life is pretty much online and businesses depend heavily on data to make critical decisions. Enterprises rely on information systems to manage their operations -- and they risk losing significant investment and effort when they face a data security breach. A cybersecurity specialist prevents these incidents and ensures that both businesses and customers are protected.

Customer success specialist

Job titles such as customer success specialist demonstrate the kind of emerging job roles that have been redefined by technology. A customer success specialist is in charge of onboarding and training new clients with their program, while managing their account throughout their relationship with your company.

Mobile game artist

Southeast Asia emerged as a mobile-first consumer economy after the COVID-19 pandemic ramped up mobile usage, particularly gaming. Mobile use accounts for 69.4% of gaming revenue in the region. Unsurprisingly, roles for mobile game artists are on the rise. They help create sketches of characters, settings, and interfaces that make games attractive to gamers.

Creative strategist

Creative strategists are crucial in the media and advertising sectors -- and the rapid digitisation of the industry means that today's strategists must have an affinity for tech, big data, and social media to shape truly compelling and potent digital content.

E-commerce specialist

E-commerce has risen in Southeast Asia in the past years, and some of the most prominent websites are based in Singapore such as Shopee and Lazada. Staying at home has caused e-commerce activity to surge, increasing the need for e-commerce specialists across various kinds of businesses.

Secure your future and discover a new passion from any of these emerging job roles. Update your profile on JobStreet for relevant skills and knowledge -- you can also use the hashtag #WorkNow so employers know that you're immediately available for work.

Looking for in-demand roles of the future? Sign up for JobStreet's Virtual Career Fair (13-26 September 2021) to hear from industry experts and explore exciting career opportunities from top brands including Lazada, Carousell, Shopee, A*STAR, NinjaVan, Marina Bay Sands, HSBC, OCBC, ST Engineering, Siemens, Mediacorp and more. Share the event with your friends and see you at the fair next week!