The best work from home career paths to pursue

Academy Xi Blog

The best work from home career paths to pursue in 2023

By Academy Xi

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The best work from home career paths to pursue

A little old global pandemic accelerated the popularity of working from home and it appears to be a trend that’s here to stay. Read on to discover which careers suit the hybrid and 100% remote set up.

Current and future trends in remote work

Remote working offers flexibility for individuals and companies alike – whether you’re a contractor, full or part-time permanent employee. We’ve scoped out some of the current trends and forecasts.

Hybrid working

As organisations have begun the process of reopening their office spaces, hybrid models have grown in popularity as a stepping stone to eventually returning full time, or for some, the promise of continued location flexibility, with a split between time working from home and at HQ.

Distributed teams

Remote arrangements enable companies to hire talent from anywhere around the globe and has resulted in distributed teams becoming more commonplace. This setup could include people being based in different states, countries and timezones and can be logistically challenging, but also enable a wider talent pool to be tapped into.

Remote work technologies

Supporting collaboration between workers in remote teams has meant an increase in tech options including video conferencing, project management software and virtual reality tools that enable teams to feel like they’re in the same room together.

Work-life balance

A major benefit of remote working is the ability to achieve a better balance between personal and professional life. We can expect to see more emphasis on flexible working arrangements in the future as more companies embrace the possibility as a permanent fixture.

Cybersecurity

With the increase of remote working also comes the influx of cybersecurity threats. Companies are needing to step up network security and train remote workers to follow best practices when it comes to online security.

Why remote work is gaining popularity

Remote work is gaining popularity for several reasons, including flexibility of being able to work anywhere with a decent internet connection, increased productivity and cost savings for both employees and companies alike. There are also environmental benefits with a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions associated with less commuting.

Popular remote and hybrid career paths that are hiring like crazy

The following careers are seeing an increase in hiring for positions that are hybrid and fully remote, making them attractive options for many.

Developer/Software Engineer

As more companies move their operations online, the demand for developers and software engineers has increased. These professionals are responsible for building and maintaining websites, software applications, and other digital products. Skills in programming languages such as Python, Java, and JavaScript are in high demand.

UI/UX Designer

User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) Designers are responsible for creating digital products that are easy to use and visually appealing. They design everything from websites to mobile apps and software interfaces. In addition to technical skills, UI/UX designers need strong soft skills, such as collaboration and communication.

Graphic Designer

Creating visual designs for logos, marketing materials and websites is amongst the mix of a designer’s remit, with the demand expected to continue to grow as companies increasingly invest in their digital marketing efforts. 

Copywriter/Content Producer

Any written content that features on online platforms (think websites, social media, apps) is created by copy and content writers or content producers. Solid writing and editing skills are needed, along with knowledge of SEO and content marketing. 

Social Media Manager

Responsible for creating and executing social media strategies for businesses, social media managers create content, manage social accounts, and analyse engagement metrics. They need to have strong communication and analytical skills, as well as a deep understanding of social media platforms and their algorithms.

Online Marketer

Driving traffic and leads to websites and other digital platforms is the main goal of the online marketer. Strategies such as SEM, SEO, email marketing and social media marketing can all be used to target the key audiences. 

Virtual Assistant

Remote administrative support is provided by virtual assistants, or VAs, with tasks such as managing emails, data entry and customer service being offered. Some VAs may also manage social media channels and other digital marketing tasks, depending on their skillset. 

Website Content Uploader

Website content uploaders are responsible for publishing and managing website content. They may upload blog posts, images, and videos, and ensure that content is properly formatted and optimised for search engines.

Keen to explore a career you can do from home?

Whether you’re a student, professional or wanting to start a side hustle, Academy Xi offers courses to teach you the skills to thrive in today’s competitive workforce

Better still, we offer training for careers that you can do remotely. Get the skills that employers are searching for with practical and industry-relevant courses in:

If you have any questions, our experienced team is here to discuss your training options. Speak to a course advisor and take the first steps in your remote working career journey.

Web Designer demand and salaries in Australia

Academy Xi Blog

Market Update: Web Designer demand and salaries in Australia, 2023

By Academy Xi

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Web Designer demand and salaries in Australia

Are you eyeing up a career in Web Design? If so, it’s handy to know the latest stats related to Web Designer demand and salaries. To make life easier, we’ve rounded up all that info and much more in our latest Market Update.

What is Web Design?

Web Design refers to the process of planning the appearance, layout, and, in some cases, content of a website. In a nutshell, it’s all about aesthetics and functionality – designing websites that are easy on the eye and easy to use.  

Unlike Web Development which concentrates on the technical build of a website, Web Design focuses on User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) rather than software development. 

Web Design used to predominantly deal with websites only for desktop browsers. However, since the mid-2010s, design for sites that are mobile and tablet compatible has become an increasingly important part of the industry.

What do Web Designers do?

There’s more to Web Design than you might think. Here are some of the core responsibilities that go into just about every Web Design project:

  • Aesthetics: This relates to strategically choosing all visual elements, including colours, fonts and images. These choices need to add up to a website that is appealing to look at and consistent with the personality a brand wishes to project. 
  • Layout: This refers to how information is structured and categorised within a website. It will be uncluttered, logical and easy to take in, which is easier said than done if you’re briefed with including lots of information on each page!
  •  
  • Navigation; At this stage, you’ll be planning how users move through your website and carry out certain tasks and actions. The aim is to make the flow smooth and intuitive – the last thing you want are users lost in the maze of a website! 
  • UX: Here, you’ll be focused on optimising the experience people have when they visit your website. As well as everything mentioned above, this might include simplifying the design, subtracting any extraneous information, or simply removing any points of potential frustration or confusion. 

Which industries hire Web Designers?

With most businesses and organisations now dependent on having high-functioning websites, the demand for the services of Web Designers is sky-high in most industries, with Indeed currently advertising 604 roles nationally. Some of the industries that most frequently hire Web Designers include:  

  • Tech – 63.9%
  • Information Media & Telecommunications – 5.7%
  • Education & Training – 4.1%
  • Retail – 3.9%
  • Other industries – 16.8%

Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights

How much do Web Designers earn in Australia?

The average annual salary for a Web Designer in Australia is $91,019 (which equates to $46.68 per hour), The average junior Web Designer pay comes in at $72,600, while senior salaries hit $123,846 and up. However, keep in mind that earning capacity varies depending on the organisation and the specific experience of the designer.

Can you freelance as a Web Designer?

Not stoked by the prospect of a permanent contract? Fear not – it’s entirely possible to be a freelance or consultant Web Designer. However, it’s recommended that you take in-house positions early in your career for a few key reasons: 

  • Firstly, gaining a range of industry experiences will not only deepen your skills, but also make you more attractive to prospective clients.
  • Secondly, working in a full-time Web Development role will expand your professional network, which can be vital in securing freelance contracts.

How much do freelance Web Designers earn?

The rates you charge as a freelance Web Designer will likely reflect your level of skill and experience. If you specialise in a particular area of Web Design, that skill could be of extra importance for a particular project and enable you to charge more. 

If you’re unsure what rate to set clients for your services, it’s useful to take a look at what other freelance Web Designers are charging and fix your prices accordingly.

What skills are needed in Web Design?

There are a wide range of skills needed to flourish as a Web Designer. To get you started, here are the top 3 hard and soft skills that will help you climb the industry ladder. 

Hard skills:

  • UX UI – It won’t be you, your seniors, or your clients who decide if your design is a success. Ultimately, it will come down to what your users think. Working as a Web Designer without a theoretical understanding of UX UI Design, as well as the practical skills needed to apply it, is a bit like working as a Taxi driver without a car.  
  • HTML – Though the role isn’t heavily reliant on coding skills, a Web Designer must be proficient with HyperText Markup Language, which is needed to designate page structure. You’ll regularly need to work with headlines, footers, paragraphs and graphics. Therefore, having HTML skills will go a long way in helping you complete your projects.
  • CSS – Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) give browsers instructions on how to style or format HTML. CSS enhances the look and feel of the website, helping you adjust colours, change fonts and alter the background of your pages. From a standpoint of creativity, it might be your most important skill. 

Soft skills:

  • Problem solving – Designing a website is always a complicated process. You might have mountains of content that needs to be consolidated and organised, or perhaps the client has ambitious ideas and large demands. Invariably, you’ll need to come up with creative solutions to problems that crop up throughout your projects.  
  • Collaboration – Web Designers hardly ever work in isolation. You’ll need to be able to effectively collaborate with everyone from Front-End Web Developers and Software Engineers to Project Managers and Digital Marketers. Make sure you’re organised, reliable, and a good communicator – your team will be grateful!   
  • Adaptability – No website build will ever go exactly according to plan. New features might be added, the budget or timeline might be adjusted, or the client might alter the brief. In order to thrive in this industry, it’s vital that you’re able to roll with the changes and respond positively to any shifts in direction.

How to start a career in Web Design

At Academy Xi, we offer flexible training options in UX UI Design that will suit your lifestyle and career ambitions, giving you the perfect foundation for your future in Web Design. 

Whether you’re looking to upskill or entirely transform your career, we have industry-approved training offering you the practical skills and experience needed to get a headstart.

Career change? Take a look at our Transform options. 

UX UI Design: Transform Upskilling? Our Elevate courses are for you.

If you have any questions, our experienced team is here to discuss your training options. Speak to a course advisor and take the first steps in your Web Design journey.

What is a botnet

Academy Xi Blog

Cybercrime Update: What is a Botnet?

By Academy Xi

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What is a botnet

Short answer: something you want to protect all your devices from! Discover how botnets work, what they can control and how to bolster your security to keep the blighters at bay.

What is a botnet and how does it work?

A botnet is a network of internet-connected devices that are infected with malware and controlled by a single entity, known as a botmaster. These bots can be computers, mobile phones, or Internet of Things devices. 

 After the malware has infected a device, the botnet connects with it and receives instructions from the botmaster, which can use it to perform a host of malicious activities. These could include stealing personal data, continuing to spread the malware, mining cryptocurrency or launching a DDoS (distributed denial of service) attack. 

What is botnet controllable?

Literally any device that has been infected with malware can be botnet controlled. Having a device that is botnet controllable is a serious threat to the security of your data and can disrupt any services you provide.

How do hackers control a botnet?

Anyone with the required tech know-how can create and control a botnet. The malware used to infect devices can be distributed through a wide range of approaches, including social media tactics, distribution of infected downloads and those oh-so popular phishing emails. Any devices with weak security measures in place are particularly vulnerable to being infected and used in botnets.

What are botnets used for?

Cybercriminals use botnets to conduct malicious activity such as theft and sales of finances and data, or to run crypto scams and sabotage services. They are a serious threat to online security and can cause endless reputational damage to organisations. Let’s take a closer look.

  • Financial and data theft

Using techniques such as keylogging or phishing, botnets can steal financial information including login and credit card details. Once obtained, this information can be used to make fraudulent transactions or steal funds directly from accounts.

 When it comes to stealing data, approaches such as data exfiltration or spyware can come into play and the information sold on to other cybercriminals.

  • Cryptocurrency scams

Mining of cryptocurrency is often done using botnets, with cybercriminals also using them to launch crypto scams like Ponzi schemes.

  • Service sabotage

DDoS attacks can be launched via botnets, resulting in a specific site or online service being inundated with traffic to the point it is no longer available for users to access. This approach can be taken as a form of protest, extortion or to disable a particular industry or competitor.

  • Selling on to other criminals

Existing botnets have been known to be sold or even rented out  on the dark web to other criminals. The new owner, or leaseholder, uses them to spread more malware or launch new attacks.

Botnet architecture

The architecture of the botnet is how they are structured and managed. The two main varieties of botnet architecture are the client-server model and P2P. Client-server models involve a central command and control server, which manages the bots, while the P2P botnet is decentralised, with no single point of control.

Types of botnet attacks

A range of attack types can be carried out by botnets, including Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, as mentioned earlier with regard to service sabotage. Phishing attacks are also common, when large volumes of phishing emails are distributed with the aim of tricking people into sharing personal data such as passwords or credit card details. 

The most extreme approach is a brute force attack, where every possible combination of username and password is attempted until the botnet finds the right one to gain unauthorised access to a system or network.

How to protect yourself from botnets

The best precautions to take to protect yourself from botnets include regular updates of your software, frequently changing your passwords and ensuring the passwords you create are strong (not predictable or used for any other logins). Implementing security measures such as antivirus software and firewalls can also help prevent your devices from being infected.

How to get into Cyber Security

Completing practical, hands-on training in cyber security is a great way to get a foothold in the industry. Whether you’re already an IT professional seeking to upskill, or keen to launch a tech career from scratch, ensuring you have all the fundamental skills under your belt is a must. 

Our Cyber Security Engineering: Transform course will give you technical skills and strategic mindset that today’s Cyber Security Professional needs, taking you from beginner to job-ready and also offering access to a Career Support Program that helps 97% of graduates straight into the industry. 

If you have any questions, our experienced team is here to discuss your training options. Speak to a course advisor today and take the first steps in your Cyber Security journey.

Market Update Industrial Designer demand and salaries Australia 2022

Academy Xi Blog

Market Update: Industrial Designer demand and salaries Australia 2022

By Academy Xi

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Market Update Industrial Designer demand and salaries Australia 2022

Designing anything and everything from cars and devices to services is all in a day’s work for Industrial Designers. Let’s take a peek at the industry and demand in Australia and discover which training will set you on the right path.

What is industrial design?

As defined by the dictionary:

noun 

The art or process of designing manufactured products. “The scale is a beautiful work of industrial design”.

The World Design Organisation, based out of Canada, has created what they refer to as a ‘renewed’ definition of industrial design, as follows:

Industrial Design is a strategic problem-solving process that drives innovation, builds business success, and leads to a better quality of life through innovative products, systems, services, and experiences.

What do Industrial Designers do?

In a regular working day an Industrial Designer could be involved in several tasks and duties, including but not limited to:

  • Interpreting design briefs and providing production resource estimates
  • Researching and analysing potential product ideas, functions and marketplace requirements
  • Creating prototypes, sketches or samples to present to stakeholders
  • Developing design concepts using CAD (computer aided design) software
  • Working with manufacturers, engineers and product teams to refine designs
  • Presenting designs to clients, taking feedback and integrating modifications

Which industries hire Industrial Designers?

A diverse range of sectors require Industrial Designers in Australia, with the main industries being:

Main Industrial Design industries Source: Labour Market Insights Australia

How much do industrial designers earn in Australia?

The average annual salary for Industrial Designer jobs in Australia is $71,380, with the average for junior designers coming in at $61,250. Senior Industrial Designer salaries hit $114,000 and up, with earning capacity varying depending on the organisation and the specific experience of the designer.

Can you start a freelance industrial design business?

It is entirely possible to be a freelance or consultant Industrial Designer, however, it is recommended that you take in-house positions early on in your career for several reasons. Firstly, industry experience is paramount as it will expose you to the myriad of situations you can encounter as an Industrial Designer. It is this experience that will strengthen your freelance career later on and also expand your professional network, which can be vital in securing contracts. 

How much can a freelance Industrial Designer make in Australia?

The rates you charge as a freelance Industrial Designer will ideally reflect your level of skill and experience. If you specialise in any particular area of design, this could enable you to charge more if that skill is of extra importance on a project. Equally, the industry you niche in can influence the rate you set. Have a look at what freelance industrial designers are charging to get a guideline.

What skills are needed for industrial design?

A diverse range of skills is required for any designer to succeed, with industrial design being no different. Ideally, Industrial Designers are capable of balancing logical thinking and creative output. We’ve rounded up the top three for both soft and hard skills needed by Industrial Designers.

Top 3 soft skills for industrial designers

#1 Collaboration 

Teamwork makes the dream work and is vital for any Industrial Designer wanting to be successful in their role and long term career. As a designer you will be required to liaise with, work beside and present to stakeholders from various departments and external organisations. Effective communication and collaboration is incredibly important. 

#2 Problem solving

While this skill can be helpful in any job and in life generally, Industrial Designers can greatly benefit from being top shelf problem solvers, as their work regularly includes complexity and technical aspects which require analysis and resolution.

#3 Time management 

Industrial Designers will often work across several tasks and projects concurrently, often with competing deadlines. Being able to manage your time effectively is paramount.

Top 3 hard skills for industrial designers

#1 Prototyping 

Being able to take an idea from the page to a digital format to capture a ‘draft’ of the final product is known as prototyping. It’s an integral skill to possess as an Industrial Designer as it can enable user testing and further refinement of a design.

#2 Computer aided design (CAD)

CAD skills enable designers to create a 3D version of their idea from a 2D drawing, which increases their productivity and improves the quality of the design. Used by everyone from architects to engineers, this approach to digital modelling can truly bring an idea to life, which can assist in getting buy-in from stakeholders in early stages of a project.

#3 Adobe Photoshop

Knowing your way around the Adobe suite is generally a must have for your tool kit, particularly Photoshop. Initial sketches can be done in Photoshop, so you can then present your design proposals in a digitised format.

How to start a career in industrial design

At Academy Xi, we offer flexible study options in Graphic Design that will suit your lifestyle and training needs, giving you the perfect foundation for your future in industrial design. 

Whether you’re looking to upskill or entirely transform your career path, we have industry designed training to provide you with the practical skills and experience needed.

Career change? Take a look at our Transform options. 

Upskilling? Elevate courses are for you.

If you have any questions, our experienced team is here to discuss your training options. Speak to a course advisor and take the first steps in your industrial design journey.

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