Five career paths in quantum computing

Quantum computing is one of the most talked about areas of technology today. As a result, many universities, research labs and companies around the world are investing time, money and effort to develop quantum hardware and software. As quantum computing develops, the demand for talent is growing.

Although a lot of money and time is invested in the quantum field, people may be hesitant to join the field. This is often due to a misunderstanding of the word "quantum". Because as soon as someone hears about quantum theory, they think it's only for geniuses. This article is advice from a PhD in quantum computing that will detail the main categories of career options and what skills you need to jump start your career.

01Research

For quantum computing professionals, the most immediate career choice is research. While quantum computing is moving out of the lab and into the marketplace, the field is still being researched. As a result, the opportunities for quantum research are enormous. If you are a student or you are already in the technical research field, it is probably the easiest way to get involved in quantum research. Then, all you need to do is learn the basics of quantum computing and turn your attention to quanta. For example, the author of this article has a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and a master's degree in information engineering; then a Ph.D. decided to move to quantum computing. As long as you are curious and willing to learn new things, it is possible to move to the quantum side.

What if you are already working or not working in a technical field? Can you still join quantum research? The answer is yes, but it will require more effort on your part. Get involved in quantum projects, conferences or hackathon events, network and start from there.

Doing quantum research requires learning or already having expertise in a specific field. For example, if you join quantum hardware research, you must have some knowledge of materials science and chip manufacturing. If you study algorithms, then knowledge of mathematics and physics will help you succeed.

02Software Development

Currently, we are starting to build the infrastructure for quantum software, but it all starts with existing software. If you are already a software developer or programmer, you can easily enter the quantum domain. Today, one of the main ways to implement quantum algorithms and execute them on quantum computers is through Python, C++, Java or any other classical programming language.

The challenge now is to build suites and packages that make these programming languages support quantum intuition and make the implementation of quantum algorithms better. In addition, we are actively working to design new programming languages with similar syntax to existing languages (making them easy to learn and use), while supporting what makes quantum unique.

Programming for quantum computers is an important skill that will only become more important once companies develop fully functional quantum hardware. This means that now is the time (from debugging, testing, packaging and maintenance) to design and build software tools that support quantum software.

03Engineers

Quantum computing is very much in need of engineering expertise. Whether or not you have experience in the quantum industry, you can enter the quantum computing field as an engineer. For example, some of the engineering roles needed in quantum that do not require any quantum knowledge include device and materials engineers, test engineers, DevOps engineers, and database engineers.

There are also certain engineering roles that require some degree of quantum knowledge, such as optics engineers, control systems engineers, or cryogenic engineers. In addition, expertise in other branches of engineering can be helpful in developing hardware for quantum computing, while some basic knowledge of quantum mechanics and physics is required, including electrical, electrical engineering, and computer engineering.

04Marketing

Since quantum computing (especially in terms of practical applications) is a relatively new field, marketing also plays a crucial role. If you want to get involved in the quantum field but don't want to work in anything technical, then marketing may be an excellent choice for you.

Marketing in the quantum industry is really about spreading the knowledge of quantum computing: where it is now, how we hope it will evolve in the future, and the potential and promise that it must create better technology to improve our lives.

Typically, a marketing role for quantum computing requires you to understand the basics of quantum in order to promote quantum computing accurately and with confidence. You will also be required to organize events and seek funding and support for various projects organized by the organizations you belong to.

05Education

Another important career option in the quantum field is education. Making others aware of quantum computing is critical to the development of the field. It's not just about awareness; it's important to note that there are many people in the quantum field who are passionate about introducing others to the value of quantum and teaching the core concepts of the field in a way that is easy to understand. companies such as IBM and Google are investing resources in developing courses that teach basic and advanced concepts of quantum computing to people of all ages. IBM has also put a lot of effort into making this knowledge freely available to IBM has also put a lot of effort into making this knowledge freely available to anyone who wants to access it anytime, anywhere.

Quantum computing is always evolving, and more talent is needed every day to advance the field. Because quantum computing is still a relatively new field, there are many opportunities for growth and engagement.

The good news is that almost everyone in the industry welcomes and supports those who want to enter the field of quantum computing. Most of them are new to the field at first, so companies understand that these new hires will need to learn most of the skills needed to do their jobs.