By Julian Steinforth, Expedition PR
The New York tech industry is one of the city’s largest job creators, and not just in tech.
According to a just released study conducted by HR&A Advisors and commissioned by the Association for a Better New York, Citi, Google and NY Tech Meetup, , New York City tech ecosystem generates economic opportunities for all New Yorkers.
From 2003 to 2013, the NYC tech ecosystem added 45,000 jobs. The employment rate in the New York tech industry grew faster than the employment rate in New York City and the Nation.
What is special about this study is that the tech industry is treated as part of a greater ecosystem and not as an independent silo. The report defines three types of jobs: 1. tech jobs in the tech industry, 2. non- tech jobs in the tech industry and 3. tech jobs in non- tech industries.
Here are some key facts from the report:
- 58,000 people work in tech occupations in tech industries (e.g. a computer programmer at Google);
- 83,000 people work in non-tech occupations in tech industries (e.g. a sales representative at Etsy) and
- 150,000 people work in tech occupations in non-tech industries (e.g. a web developer at Citi).
Tech has become a cross-cutting industry that powers a broad range of other vertical industries, such as healthcare, media and education. With “52% of New York tech ecosystem jobs [being] within non-tech industries” this report underlines this trend.
One could argue that every company is a technology company – to some extent. In New York, you will see creative collaborations between the tech, food, retail, manufacturing, and finance. According to the report, the top five fastest growing tech industries (computer systems design & related services, other information service, electronic shopping & mail-order houses, satellite telecommunication and data processing, hosting and related services) added 42,500 jobs to the City’s tech ecosystem over the last decade. ITech companies are changing the way we live and do business.
With pioneer projects such as the Brooklyn Navy Yard , ahome to industrial innovators, green manufacturers and digital media companies, the tech scene is given the ground to flourish and evolve in the greater New York City region.
After all, New York remains to be a magnet for creative talent.
Etsy, an online marketplace that connects people around the world with a platform to buy and sell unique goods, is a perfect example on how tech had a major impact on the retail industry. Through e- commerce Etsy could lower the entry barriers for artisanal manufacturers and create new dimensions for their outreach to costumers. Considering Etsy as a tech firm, it needs to be mentioned that 56% of its employees work in non-tech occupations such as seller education programs or customer service.
Althea Erickson, public policy director at Etsy, which is headquartered in DUMBO recently stated in amNewYork that “the company’s creators have enjoyed growing in New York because its vibe has helped attract smart, creative employees who want to be a part of the Big Apple.”
The borders between tech and non- tech companies have become fluid. Chances are you are already working in the tech industry. If not, give it a chance. It’s an exciting place to be. Find the entire report here