In an era when almost every organization utilizes technology to push business forward, IT professionals with varying specialty skills remain in high demand. As the technological landscape continues to evolve, staying up to date on the types of roles and sectors that are poised for the greatest growth can help you target prospective employers/projects more strategically throughout your job search.

Lisa Samson, a Technical Recruiter within The Execu|Search Group’s Information Technology division, has experienced firsthand the growing needs of employers across multiple sectors. “To help IT professionals make the most informed career decisions, I first make sure they are educated on the latest industry trends as they relate to their overall career goals,” notes Lisa. “Having a better understanding of which employers are investing the most resources into their growth will put you in a better position to find the right opportunity.”

Here are three sectors IT professionals should pay close attention to in 2017:

1. Healthcare/Healthcare IT

It should come as no surprise that healthcare is included on this list since this has been one industry that has evolved drastically as a result of new health mandates and technological advances. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of healthcare occupations (including tech-related roles) is projected to grow 19% from 2014 to 2024, much higher than other occupations. “As the population continues to age and technology continues to play a major role in how health providers administer reliable patient care, the demand for IT professionals with experience in the health domain will continue to increase,” highlights Lisa. For example, in recent years Healthcare IT has emerged to be a thriving segment within healthcare with the advent of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and Personal Health Records (PHR).

While it can be hard to transition into the healthcare industry without prior experience in the field, there are a number of ways to use transferable tech skills to your advantage. For example, IT professionals who have pharmaceutical experience as a Project Manager, typically have skills that could be used in the health domain as an Applications Analyst or Help Desk Support. Those who have experience with implementations can also be excellent candidates for these positions.

2. Digital Ad Agencies

As technology continues to impact the way consumers engage with a company’s products and services, building a strong online presence has become a big focus for many organizations looking to stay ahead of the curve. In today’s competitive job market, companies are investing more time and resources into finding ways to differentiate themselves through various digital initiatives. As a result, an increasing number of them are seeking guidance from digital ad agencies to devise and implement these types of creative solutions. “Putting yourself in a position to work with an employer that regularly implements new and emerging technologies into their solutions, like a digital ad agency, might be the way to go,” suggests Lisa.

If you’re not an expert in specific technologies, the best way to remain competitive in the market is through proactive learning. “Organizing Meetups or participating in Dev bootcamps to learn new technologies is a solution many tech specialists resolve to in order to make themselves a more marketable candidate,” notes Lisa. “If you thrive in a fast-paced environment around creative minds, and you’re willing to put in the time and effort to learn technologies, becoming an Email Developer or Market Campaign Specialist are just two roles you could transition to in this growing sector.

3. Tech Startups

There’s no better place than a tech startup for an ambitious self-starter to be a part of a thriving sector. If you would like to be a part of the “next big thing,” tech startups present you with the perfect opportunity to build something from the ground up. Since startups typically tend to be smaller organizations with a heavy focus on innovation, this is a great work environment for IT professionals looking to take initiative as well as collaborate with others. “If you want to make an early, impactful contribution, tech startups continue to serve as a great option for success,” notes Lisa. As tech startups typically strive to expand their ideas to the masses, if you have the opportunity to break into this sector as a Data Scientist or Business Analyst now, the rewards could be endless.