While Other Markets Decline, IT Talent Remains in High Demand » MnTech

Minnesota Technology Association CEO Jeff Tollefson recently spoke with Phillip Arellano of RealTime Talent related to Phil’s blog post on IT hiring trends in the Twin Cities and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Despite significant lay-offs and downsizing in many sectors of our economy, organizations continue to invest in talent to power their technology-enabled business models,” Tollefson said.

What tech role is most in demand? Software developers, with 7,608 job postings in the Twin Cities from the 3rd week of March through May 11th. These positions are not only in-demand, they’re also high-paying, offering a median salary of $132,600 annually.

“The world runs on software,” Tollefson said. “From the large enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems that help manage business operations and automate many back-office functions to the apps and websites that allow people and businesses to connect, software is the enabler. This is why talented software developers that can help write code and support software-enabled digital transformations are in such high demand.”

Those interested in launching their tech careers should check out one of the many Minnesota organizations dedicated to meeting our state’s talent demand. Recommended programs include:

Learn more about COVID-19’s impact on the IT industry and read Phillip Arellano’s article, COVID-19 INDUSTRY IMPACT REPORT: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TALENT NEEDS at RealTime Talent.org.

Jayshree Seth
Corporate Scientist, 3M

Jayshree Seth is a Corporate Scientist at 3M and currently holds 77 patents for a variety of innovations, with several additional pending. She joined 3M in 1993 after an MS and PhD in Chemical Engineering from Clarkson University, New York. She is a Distinguished Alumni Award recipient from her alma mater REC Trichy India, now NIIT Trichy, where she earned a B. Tech. in Chemical Engineering.

Jayshree was appointed 3M’s first ever Chief Science Advocate in 2018 and is using her scientific knowledge, technical expertise and professional experience to advance science and communicate the benefits of science and the importance of diversity in STEM fields. She is also a member of Carlton Society which is the 3M Science and Engineering “Hall of Fame.” Jayshree is the fourth woman and first female engineer to be inducted. In 2020, she was awarded Society of Women Engineers (SWE) highest Achievement Award. She is also the first-ever winner of a Gold Stevie® Award in the new Female Thought Leaders of the Year – category in the 18th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business in 2021. Jayshree was featured in a docuseries titled Not the Science Type that premiered during the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival and accepted for Brand Storytelling Showcase, a sanctioned event at Sundance Film Festival. She is the author of the books, The Heart of Science – Engineering Footprints, Fingerprints, & Imprints, and The Heart of Science – Engineering Fine Print published by the Society of Women Engineers, and all sales proceeds go to a scholarship for underrepresented minority women in STEM. She is a sought-after speaker, globally, on a multitude of topics such as innovation, leadership and STEM advocacy and has featured in local, national and international media.

Jayshree has served on the CEOs Inclusion Council, chaired the 3M Asian Employee Resource Group A3CTION and serves on the Steering Committee for 3M Technical Women’s Leadership Forum (WLF). She also serves on the Board of the Science Museum of Minnesota, Engineering Advisory Council for Clarkson University, AAAS Committee on Science, Engineering and Public Policy (COSEPP), Advisory Board for Innovation – The Conference Board, and Advisory Group of Aspen Institute Our Future is Science program.

Jayshree has two adult kids, and her husband also works at 3M.