Everything we see on our screens on the internet also has to be physically somewhere. Every text and image, every line of code and database. The places where the internet lives, so to speak, are data centers, and despite the large amount of smart technology, people are needed for them to function successfully.
Triin Kurves. Photo: Jake Farra.
Unlike quite a few other fields, there is an acute and growing shortage of data center staff worldwide. According to a recent Uptime Institute study, about 300,000 more specialists are needed by 2025 to run the world's data centers. It is clearly a job of the future that cannot yet be studied at school. Experts are needed right now, though.
Triin Kurves, head of HR at Estonia's largest data center, talks about what working in a data center actually means, what it gives a person and how to cope with the shortage of specialists.
What is the shortage caused by? The field has a decent history, and the need for hands should not be a surprise?
It is best explained by the explosive growth of the internet-based economy and leisure. The last twenty years have been full of rapid development, hundreds of new data centers and ever-growing demand. That trend continues. Data centers, as the foundation of our digital society, have as a rule not been in the public spotlight, and many people with an interest in technology have not so far thought about the career and self-development opportunities the field offers. Fortunately that has now started to change.
What jobs does a data center offer, who is needed there?
Broadly, the staff of a data center is divided between two areas: technology and administration. On the technology side, experts in electrical and cooling systems are needed who want to keep up with developments in automation and machine learning. Operations center staff who can cope with operating complex buildings and organising day-to-day work. Also IT, cyber and physical security specialists who can protect the buildings and systems. On the administration side, demand is for experts in the law affecting the data center business, sales and marketing experts who understand the value proposition and, of course, managers and their support staff who can navigate the world of data management smoothly and steer data centers to results. Ultimately these institutions have to be economically stable and sustainable.
Probably the quickest way into this world is as an operations center engineer. What does their work look like?
As I mentioned, a data center is the foundation of the digital society. So the uninterrupted operation of the IT equipment in the building has to be ensured. Above all that means flawless functioning of power and cooling. The operations center engineer's job is monitoring the operation of the equipment, preventing faults and dealing with them when needed. There are usually set procedures for handling different situations, so the engineer does not have to be able to solve every technical question themselves, but must know whom to turn to. The operations center engineer also handles technical customer enquiries, receives shipments and, when needed, carries out simpler work on the equipment on the customer's behalf. In a proper data center the operations center is staffed 24/7, because work goes on around the clock. There is a nice saying in English that the sun never sets in cyberspace. It describes the field well.
The technology field has historically tended to be quite a masculine area. How many women work in data centers and what are the trends here?
While according to a global study up to 10 percent of the technicians hired in data centers are women, in our team 26 percent are women and they work in administration. We are open to balancing that ratio further. There is a long way to go, though. For example, in the last recruitment round for an operations center engineer there were only three women among 20 candidates, and previously the share of women has been even smaller. But I believe that will change over time.
Can data center work be studied anywhere?
Data center work is not taught in Estonia, and elsewhere the options are few. Consequently the direction is workplace-based learning, and the necessary staff are largely trained on site. A certain professional background or work experience does help, for example studying or working in information technology and telecommunications, as well as mechanics, energy and automation.
Working in a data center helps broaden that knowledge, make new connections and apply what has been learned straight away. An open-minded person grows quickly here.
Professional knowledge is one side, but which personal qualities help? Whom does this work suit best?
Since data centers are complex, problems arise whose solution requires a quick and systematic approach and often strong teamwork. So readiness for teamwork is important. Second, diligence and precision. Since a wrong move can carry a very high price, attentiveness and a sense of responsibility help. A regulated work arrangement should also suit you, because on the technology side we have limited room for creative solutions.
How long does it take to settle into data center work and achieve proficiency?
It depends on previous experience, the complexity of the position and the person's adaptability. If the technology is familiar from a previous career, settling in is easier. The more specific and technically complex the position, the longer achieving independence may take. The team you work with is a great help in the onboarding process. Good team support always speeds up integration.
What does working in a data center give the employee? What doors does it open, what skills does it develop?
Data center work experience can open many doors and certainly broadens career opportunities in IT and technology. We have had the experience, for example, of a young, enterprising person joining us as a blank slate, learning the trade and the specifics of data centers on site. After two years in our operations center they moved on to cybersecurity at a software development company. We also have to accept that, given the size of our team, we cannot offer everyone a career in exactly the area most exciting for them. But we can give a very good understanding of how systems work, what possibilities automation offers, how to achieve high energy efficiency, how to get networks and other IT equipment running and so on.
In addition, work in a data center often means rapid response and acting under pressure, which develops stress tolerance and productivity. Our field develops quickly, so data center work requires continuous learning and adaptability.
What qualities should a data center employee have?
We value courage, openness, good communication skills, problem-solving skills, teamwork and a wish to develop oneself. Often a technical background is not as decisive as character traits: if the interest in the field is there, a person learns faster and picks up the store of knowledge needed to work with us more easily.
Do employees also have to pass a strict security check?
The smooth operation of many organisations depends on our building, and one of the main values offered to the customer is security. That is why we also run a background check on candidates in the final round.
What is the feedback from employees, how is work in a data center perceived and rated?
Work in a data center develops you. Every day you learn something new; you cannot get that experience anywhere else. Here you pick up the basics of several fields and gain an understanding of how mechanics, automation and energy, for example, are connected.
In summary, the data center sector is in a clear growth phase, offering employees an exciting and stable future. The career opportunities this field offers in our region are only beginning to open up.