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the power of upskilling: top skills for female professionals in 2024 and beyond

Are you ready for a career that offers boundless possibilities and exciting avenues for advancement? And you’re not sure where to begin? With the job market constantly changing and the economy on a rollercoaster ride, it's the best time to invest in yourself and your professional skillset.

Ever heard of upskilling? Your chance to stand out from others and open up new career opportunities.


Upskilling is the key to unlocking your potential and taking control of your career. It's the process of acquiring new skills or knowledge to improve your current job performance or prepare for new opportunities. Whether it's taking a course, or workshop, learning a new software program, or earning a certification, the possibilities are endless.


Now, imagine you being the go-to person in your company for the latest and greatest tech skills. Picture yourself getting that promotion you've been dreaming of or landing that job you've always wanted. With the right tools and knowledge, you can make it happen.


one scholarship to get them all


According to Forbes, the most in-demand tech skills for 2024 include Data Analytics, UX Design and Digital Marketing.


As the female factor, we’re proud to announce that we joined forces with Google to sponsor 150 professional development scholarships for female professionals in our network across Austria and Europe.


“At Google, we truly believe that investing in women's growth is a win-win for everyone. We're continuing to drive women's careers forward with the female factor by offering even more upskilling scholarships. By the end of the year, we're aiming to support 400 incredible women, helping them gain the skills they need to thrive in today's competitive job market and take us closer to a more inclusive future of work.”

- Christine Antlanger-Winter, Country Director Switzerland and Regional Director Austria & Switzerland at Google


“In the last two years, we supported the careers of more than 200 women with digital upskilling scholarships and we're now gearing up to double that number by the end of the year. We have seen remarkable success stories from participants and we're looking forward to create even more!”

- Mahdis Gharaei, co-founder & co-ceo at the female factor


Get ready to see more women conquering their dreams, breaking glass ceilings, and rewriting their career stories.

- Tanja Sternbauer, co-founder & co-ceo at the female factor


Yes, that means 150 ambitious women will be able to upgrade their professional skills free of charge! Read on to learn how you can be one of the lucky scholarship winners!


introducing the top skills to learn this year


  1. UX Design, or user experience design, is the process of designing products and services to improve the user experience. With the rise of digital products and the increasing importance of user experience, the value of this skill is growing. Companies are looking for professionals who can create products and services that are easy to use and meet the needs of their customers. Glassdoor and LinkedIn have recently listed UX design as one of the top 50 jobs. professionals who have experience in UX design can find opportunities in fields such as product design, web design, and digital marketing.

  2. Project Management is another skill that is in high demand. Companies are constantly looking for professionals who can manage projects effectively, stay on budget and on schedule, and deliver results. Project managers are responsible for coordinating and overseeing a project from start to finish. This skill can be applied to a wide range of industries and can open up opportunities in fields such as construction, IT, and marketing. Project Management Institute estimates that by 2027, nearly 88 million professionals with project management skills will be needed by employers.

  3. Digital Marketing is another skill that is becoming increasingly important in today’s digital age. Having basic digital marketing skills are crucial for success in a variety of jobs now and can give a competitive advantage over other talents. This domain often includes skills like telling stories with data and making powerful visual assets that can communicate an idea well. Professionals who can create and implement effective digital marketing campaigns, set up search engine optimization (SEO), create content and be nifty with social media are in constant demand - LinkedIn reports that the position of "Digital Marketing Specialist" is in the top 10 most sought-after jobs, with 860,000 open positions.

  4. Lastly, Data Analysis is a highly sought-after skill in today's job market as companies rely more and more on data to inform their decision-making. There is a high demand for data professionals across various industries looking to become more data-oriented and make smarter and more informed decisions. Requirements for the roles are also branching off into a variety of different niches, and there is a massive shortage of data talent as reported by Forbes late in 2022.


In conclusion, upskilling is a great strategy for professionals looking to advance in their careers. By acquiring new skills or knowledge, you can stand out from the competition and open up new opportunities.


➡️ Apply for a scholarship for a Google Professional Certificate here.

Please note that you have to be a member of the female factor to be considered for the scholarship.


ℹ️ Google offers several other skill development opportunities for women and other underrepresented groups in the workplace. Feel free to check out their free Zukunftwerkstatt courses free of charge if you’re based around the DACH region. Join our community to find out more.


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