Talking Tech Industry Trends with U of M

Colin Miller

faculty director for Information Technology Infrastructure programs in the College of Continuing and Professional Studies.

【写在前面】

Information technology is a rapidly changing field that impacts every industry in Minnesota. Colin Miller, faculty director forinformation technology infrastructure programsin the College of Continuing and Professional Studies, answers questions about the changes and trends Minnesotans can expect to see in the tech industry.

主要探讨了明尼苏达州信息技术（IT）行业的现状、未来趋势以及如何应对快速变化的技术环境。明尼苏达大学持续与专业研究学院信息技术基础设施项目主任Colin Miller回答了相关问题。。

Q1:What is the state of the tech industry in Minnesota?

Miller: The IT field in Minnesota is thriving, with strong demand across various sectors, including healthcare, finance, manufacturing and retail. Home to at least 16 Fortune 500 companies, Minnesota offers numerous opportunities for IT professionals across a range of roles, from software development to cybersecurity and data science. The competitive pay scale and opportunities for specialization make it an attractive field. Additionally, the rise of remote work has broadened access to tech jobs statewide. However, there is a need for greater diversity within the industry to foster innovation and address complex tech challenges with a wider range of perspectives.

明尼苏达州的科技行业现状：

明尼苏达州的IT行业蓬勃发展，需求强劲，涵盖医疗、金融、制造业和零售等多个领域。作为拥有至少16家财富500强公司的州，明尼苏达为IT专业人士提供了从软件开发到网络安全和数据科学等多领域的丰富机会。远程工作的兴起也扩大了全州范围内的技术就业机会。然而，行业仍需增加多样性，以促进创新并应对复杂的技术挑战。

Q2:What tech skills are the most valuable today?

Miller:As technology evolves rapidly, there’s a growing demand for expertise in cloud computing, data analytics, cybersecurity and AI. Additionally, professionals need to understand how to manage and integrate these technologies into existing systems. Beyond technical skills, there is a need for knowledge in areas like data privacy, ethical AI and digital transformation strategies. In addition, soft skills have become indispensable in IT— the era of working in isolation and simply handing off code is long gone. Skills like communication, teamwork, problem-solving and adaptability are now critical to success. Addressing these gaps requires a commitment to lifelong learning, interdisciplinary knowledge and adaptability to keep pace with the constantly shifting technological landscape.

当前最有价值的技术技能：

随着技术的快速发展，云计算、数据分析、网络安全和人工智能等领域的专业知识需求不断增加。除了技术技能外，数据隐私、伦理AI和数字化转型战略等领域的知识也变得重要。此外，沟通、团队合作、解决问题和适应能力等软技能已成为IT行业成功的关键。持续学习、跨学科知识和适应能力对于跟上技术变革至关重要。

Q3:How can rural communities remain competitive in the tech industry?

Miller:Investing in robust digital infrastructure, such as high-speed internet, is critical for rural communities — from supporting remote work and digital education to telehealth services. For example, initiatives like Minnesota'sBorder-to-Border Broadband Development Grant Programare actively working to close the digital divide by expanding internet access in underserved rural areas. Additionally, rural communities can foster local talent by partnering with educational institutions and tech companies to provide training in emerging technologies like AI, cybersecurity and cloud computing. Encouraging a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship can attract tech firms and remote workers, enhancing the community’s economic resilience and global competitiveness.

农村社区如何在科技行业保持竞争力：

农村社区需要投资建设强大的数字基础设施，如高速互联网，以支持远程工作、数字教育和远程医疗服务。明尼苏达州的“边境到边境宽带发展基金计划”正在努力通过扩大互联网接入来缩小数字鸿沟。此外，农村社区可以通过与教育机构和科技公司合作，提供人工智能、网络安全和云计算等新兴技术的培训，培养本地人才。鼓励创新和创业文化可以吸引科技公司和远程工作者，增强社区的经济韧性和全球竞争力。

Q4:What safety measures can I take to keep up with the changing tech industry?

Miller:We can all adopt new safety practices to stay secure in today’s rapidly evolving tech landscape. With the rise of AI-generated content and sophisticated scams, individuals need to develop digital literacy skills to identify phishing attempts, deep fakes and other deceptive tactics. Best practices in cybersecurity, such as using strong, unique passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, and staying vigilant about suspicious links, are essential. Additionally, understanding privacy settings on apps and social media platforms helps prevent unauthorized data collection. As technology continues to integrate into daily life, consistent learning and adopting proactive measures will be key to maintaining personal security.

如何应对快速变化的科技行业的安全挑战：

随着AI生成内容和复杂诈骗手段的增加，个人需要培养数字素养，识别网络钓鱼、深度伪造等欺骗手段。网络安全的最佳实践，如使用强密码、启用多因素认证和警惕可疑链接，至关重要。此外，了解应用程序和社交媒体平台的隐私设置有助于防止未经授权的数据收集。持续学习和采取主动措施是保持个人安全的关键。

Q5:How does the University of Minnesota prepare students for a rapidly changing technology landscape?

Miller:The University of Minnesota information technology infrastructure program equips students with a comprehensive understanding of current and emerging technologies. The program’s specialized plans allow students to tailor their education to industry needs, including data science, data management, development operations, networking, security, and systems. New courses in cloud data engineering and artificial intelligence are being introduced to stay in line with industry trends. Through hands-on projects, industry partnerships and a focus on both technical and business skills, students are prepared to adapt and excel in Minnesota’s dynamic tech landscape.

Colin Milleris the faculty director for Information Technology Infrastructure programs in the College of Continuing and Professional Studies. His areas of expertise include business intelligence and data analytics.

明尼苏达大学如何为快速变化的技术环境做准备：

明尼苏达大学的信息技术基础设施项目为学生提供了对当前和新兴技术的全面理解。课程设置灵活，涵盖数据科学、数据管理、开发运维、网络、安全和系统等领域。新课程如云数据工程和人工智能正在引入，以紧跟行业趋势。通过实践项目、行业合作以及对技术和商业技能的双重关注，学生能够适应并卓越于明尼苏达州动态的科技环境。

College of Continuing and Professional Studies

Established in 1913, the College of Continuing and Professional Studies empowers lifelong learners to achieve their educational goals through professional courses, applied and individualized degrees and other academic pathways. With values that include access, learning, inclusivity, collaboration and excellence, the College pursues a learner-centric environment where diverse ideas, backgrounds, and identities are embraced. Learn more at ccaps.umn.edu.

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