Career Fields on the Rise: Should I Pursue a Master’s Degree in Tech?

In today’s rapidly evolving job market, no force is more powerful than technology. Broadening digital access and technological advances are changing how enterprises do business, and who they do it with. 

And this growth isn’t limited to the United States. According to the World Economic Forum, of the fastest growing jobs predicted globally over the next five years, the majority of top-growth roles center on technology, including big data specialists (#1), fintech engineers (#2) and artificial intelligence and machine learning specialists (#3)².

Lead the Way With AI

It’s not only tech giants who are embracing artificial intelligence: companies across every sector are realizing the revolutionary potential of AI.

Penn’s MSE-AI Online degree program is designed to help students ‘cross-train’ or up-skill, equipping them to make valuable contributions to the new AI-driven economy and help lead the AI revolution. The curriculum is shaped by the demands of the real world: students build a strong foundation in the mathematical and algorithmic underpinnings of artificial intelligence, harnessing knowledge of subjects like machine learning, natural language processing, generative retrained transformer models, and GPU computing. 

With this comprehensive skillset, MSE-AI graduates will be prepared for roles in Machine Learning Operations, AI Operations, Large Language Model Operations, and more. They’ll be able to help organizations integrate AI into their tech stack or even launch new AI-based ventures of their own.

Dive Into Data Science

Data science is one of the fastest-growing fields.

These jobs aren’t only confined to the tech field. As Dr. James Gee, Program Director of Penn’s MSE-DS Online program says, “Data science is integral to practically every disciplinary and professional pursuit.” To that end, the MSE-DS degree provides students with an education in not only the fundamentals of data science, but also in how to apply their expertise in a variety of industries.

Online students in the MSE-DS program will learn to perform statistical modeling, analyze and integrate data, write data analysis code, and more. Electives exploring subjects like big data analytics or database and information systems allow quantitatively and algorithmically-minded students to specialize in their areas of interest. With this diversified knowledge and skills, MSE-DS Online graduates will be prepared to secure in-demand tech jobs in the engineering field — such as data architect, data engineer, or business intelligence developer —or apply their data science toolset in fields such as marketing, social sciences, biomedical sciences, communication, and the arts and humanities. 

Begin Your Computer Science Journey

Interested in enriching your technological know-how, but not sure where to start without an undergraduate background in computer science? Penn’s MCIT Online program was designed especially for students just like you. This first-of-its-kind degree is specifically designed for students without formal computer science training. The program’s six core courses take students through the essentials of computer science, from software development to computer systems programming. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can go on to explore elective courses to deepen your skills and explore interdisciplinary applications of computer science, diving into subjects such as math for machine learning, artificial intelligence, or cloud technology. 

Whether you’re looking to pivot your career and launch a new profession in computer programming or software engineering or you’re aiming to enhance your current role with new tech knowledge and CS skills – if you have quantitative ability and a desire to pursue a rigorous education, the MCIT Online program will empower you with the ability to take your career to the next level. An MCIT degree can prepare you for technical roles in software engineering and development, data and analytics or information technology. The degree can also set you up to success in non-technical roles like project management, consulting, product management, business development – and much more. In addition to landing jobs with major tech organizations, MCIT Online graduates have also secured employment in a wide range of industries including finance, government, aerospace and biotechnology.

Is a Master’s in Tech Worth It? 

As technology continues to rapidly evolve at an exponential rate, employers who are on the cutting-edge of innovation may struggle to find highly-qualified candidates who bring the credentials and experience that can help them continue to advance and innovate. The 2024 McKinsey Technology Trends Outlook reports that less than half of potential candidates have the high-demand tech skills specified in job postings⁴. This skills gap is a large concern for employers, who are seeking talented, trained candidates who can help them forge ahead in the tech revolution. 

This demand for highly-skilled tech employees has served as motivation for many students who choose to pursue graduate education in the fields of computer science, data science and artificial intelligence. Earning an Ivy League engineering degree from Penn Engineering Online provides a pathway for many students who are hoping to advance their careers and find job security in high-paying tech sector roles.

If you are wondering whether the cost of pursuing a master’s degree in tech will be worth the potential benefits and rewards, it is important to consider the tuition and expenses you can expect to encounter. Penn Engineering Online provides a pathway to world-class education at a much lower cost than on-campus alternatives. You don’t have to worry about proximity to a campus so you won’t incur the costs of relocating to a new city. You also won’t have to leave your job or sacrifice income, as the flexible format of our online degree programs allow students to complete coursework asynchronously and customize a part-time or full-time schedule that works around their other commitments. Earn an Ivy League degree that can open doors to a lucrative career – without the constraints of a large financial burden. Learn more about Penn Engineering Online’s affordable tuition.

You should also look at the professional outcomes that you can expect to achieve on the other side of your hard work and dedication. According to the World Economic Forum‘s observation that “technology-related roles are the fastest-growing jobs in percentage terms”, students pursuing a master’s degree in tech fields can feel confident that what they spend on their credential is quite likely to be worth the rewards that will be available to them after graduation.

The jobs in tech will be waiting – will you be ready? Find out more about how Penn Engineering Online degrees can give you the tools you need to join the tech revolution!

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1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, September 6). Computer and information technology occupations. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm
2. Future of Jobs Report 2025. (2025). In World Economic Forum. World Economic Forum. https://reports.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Future_of_Jobs_Report_2025.pdf
3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022, September 8). Data Scientists. Www.bls.gov; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/data-scientists.htm
4. Yee, L., Chui, M., Roberts, R., & Issler, M. (2024). McKinsey Technology Trends Outlook 2024. In McKinsey Digital. McKinsey Global Publishing . https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/mckinsey-digital/our-insights/the-top-trends-in-tech