Not All Tech Gold Glitters
In tech, some job titles shine so bright they draw everyone in—boot camps, LinkedIn posts, and all. But what happens after the buzz quickly turns to oversaturation? Meanwhile, the real gems often get overlooked. This piece spotlights both the undervalued power roles and the overrated ones, starting with the hidden gems.
1. AI Prompt Engineer
At the intersection of language and logic, prompt engineers shape how large language models behave. These professionals craft creative, precise inputs that guide tools like GPT to deliver specific outputs. Abstract thinking and linguistic intuition are often more valuable here than traditional programming chops.
2. Developer Advocate
In the role of developer advocate, the community meets code. These individuals act as a conduit between developers and product teams, speaking at conferences, creating tutorials, and gathering feedback. Their ability to humanize complex tools turns users into loyal adopters.
3. Cybersecurity Compliance Analyst
With rising data privacy laws, cybersecurity compliance analysts have become essential. Their role ensures organizational security policies align with legal frameworks like GDPR and SOC 2. Precision and legal awareness define success in this fast-growing niche.
4. Technical Writer (API/Docs Focused)
Far beyond grammar and formatting, API-focused technical writers are essential translators between engineering and users. They simplify complex systems into clear, usable documentation. Their output directly affects product adoption and developer satisfaction.
5. AI Model Trainer / Data Annotator
Beneath every smart model is a mountain of labeled data, and annotators build that foundation. Whether working with text, images, or audio, their job is to help algorithms learn by example. Despite its repetitive nature, this role is the quiet force behind machine intelligence.
6. Cloud FinOps Analyst
Cost efficiency in the cloud doesn't happen by accident—it’s driven by cloud FinOps analysts. These professionals audit usage, predict future costs, and work with teams to trim waste without disrupting the performance. As cloud complexity grows, this finance-tech hybrid becomes more vital by the day.
7. Product Operations Manager
Strategic glue across departments is the best way to describe a product operations manager. From aligning goals to unblocking teams, this role transforms potential chaos into coordinated execution. It’s a high-leverage position for those who think in systems and thrive under pressure.
8. Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)
When systems crash, site reliability engineers step in with both prevention and recovery plans. Their toolkit includes automation and performance monitoring, in addition to incident management. The work can be intense, but it's foundational to trust in every digital product.
Firosnv. Photography on Unsplash
9. ML Ops Engineer
No machine learning model succeeds without reliable operations—and that’s where ML ops engineers shine. These professionals oversee deployment and maintenance, so models function long after training ends. It’s one of the most essential roles for production-grade AI.
10. Open Source Maintainer (Funded)
Support for open-source infrastructure depends on maintainers who manage issues, merge contributions, and plan updates. In funded roles, they do this at scale, often behind popular frameworks or libraries. Their influence is massive, even if the credit isn’t always front and center.
Alright, now that you’ve seen where the real potential is hiding, it’s time to discuss the roles that are practically swamped. Sure, they are still lucrative careers, but only if you are unique. Let’s take a look at those next.
1. Front-end Developer
Visual appeal and approachable syntax make front-end development an attractive path for beginners. However, high competition and low differentiation have made it harder to stand out. Developers without specialization in performance or design systems often get lost in the crowd.
2. Data Scientist
Early excitement around data science gave rise to a flood of aspirants and degrees. Today, automation and prebuilt models have reduced the demand for generalists. Without deep domain expertise or storytelling skills, many end up running reports instead of driving strategy.
Desola Lanre-Ologun on Unsplash
3. Full Stack Developer
Balancing front-end and back-end sounds impressive, but the expectations can be crushing. Full-stack developers often face workloads that outweigh their compensation. Burnout is common, and the job can feel like two roles squeezed into one.
4. Blockchain Developer
The hype around crypto surged demand for blockchain developers until the market corrected. Regulatory uncertainty and slow adoption outside Web3 have cooled opportunities. Developers in this space often pivot toward more stable back-end or fintech roles.
5. UX Designer
A polished portfolio is no longer enough for UX designers trying to stand out on Behance or Dribbble. The field now requires storytelling, product thinking, and light coding fluency. Without those layers, many designs blur into aesthetic sameness.
Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash
6. Game Developer
Dream jobs in game development come with a steep price: crunch culture and job instability. Studios demand long hours and passion-fueled sacrifices. Only a few positions offer lasting security, and entry remains highly competitive.
7. Web Developer
What was once an accessible entry into tech has become a crowded and undervalued space. General web developers face pricing pressure, especially with DIY tools and offshore competition. Standing out now requires niche CMS mastery or deep performance expertise.
8. IOS/Android App Developer
Mobile app development once promised lucrative returns, but that has shifted. Tools like Flutter allow companies to build once and deploy everywhere. Platform-specific developers often struggle to stay relevant without flagship project experience.
9. Software Engineer (Generic Role)
A generic software engineer title lacks the punch it once carried. Recruiters now prioritize specificity—frameworks used, problems solved, and results delivered. Without a clear focus, even strong engineers risk blending into the stack of resumes.
10. Tech Influencer / Content Creator
Chasing clout in the tech creator space comes with glamor and grind. First, algorithms change, and then audiences shift. What worked last month might flop today. Without consistency in this role, along with niche authority and strategy, the path becomes a treadmill that rarely pays off long-term.
