Data centers are essential to life as we know it. Without the servers these buildings contain, it would not be possible to leverage Big Data or the Internet of Things, let alone stream videos or store photos in the cloud. As the demand for data storage and processing grows, so does the need for more data centers — and the people to design, build and operate them.

Even today, data centers must compete for qualified workers. This reality has driven salaries higher, yet many young people don’t know these jobs exist. To spotlight career opportunities in the data center industry and recruit the next generation of talent, the nonprofit group 7×24 Exchange International created International Data Center Day, which takes place this year on March 22.

The International Data Center Daywebsite provides a host of resources, including educational materials about data centers, a listing of data center training programs and internship opportunities and ways to participate in the annual event.

A wide range of job roles

Opportunities in the data center industry run the gamut from sales and communications jobs to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) jobs. In-demand roles include technician, architect, engineer (electrical, mechanical, network systems), operations manager and IT manager. Workers in the construction field, from construction managers to crane operators, are needed to build these highly specialized facilities.

Equipment rental companies such as United Rentals play a role in helping companies construct data centers faster and more safely and maintain them once they’re built. In addition to providing the heavy equipment needed to dig foundations and erect buildings, United Rentals is an integral project partner with expertise in areas such as trench safety, reliable onsite services, storage & office solutions, and customized tool trailers. These specialty groups compliment United Rentals’ extensive Power & HVAC solutions. 

Unique data center needs: Power and cooling

Data centers are complex facilities. Two of their most critical needs are massive amounts of reliable, 24/7 power and continuous, finely tuned climate control to offset the heat generated by rows upon rows of servers.

Building these facilities often includes installing chilled water pipes for cooling towers, which are commonly used for data center cooling. Flushing these pipes of welding debris prior to data center commissioning is one of the specialty solutions offered by United Rentals. Once a data center is operational, regular flushes keep the pipes clean.

If backup cooling is needed during cooling system maintenance, United Rentals can supply temporary cooling equipment such as computer room air conditioners (CRACs), spot coolers and air handlers to keep the environment below set temperature thresholds.

Unplanned power outages can cost data centers thousands of dollars per minute, so a backup power system that can take over if the power from the utility goes down is a must. United Rentals is often hired to perform a stress test of backup power systems before a data center opens. It accomplishes this by bringing in load banks to simulate the heat of the servers. A stress test ensures the data center’s uninterruptible power supply system and backup generators, as well as the power distribution infrastructure, are up to the task. Load bank testing can even help optimize the design of a data center, including the server rack configuration.

Joining a growth industry

Uptime Institute predicts that globally, data centers will need the equivalent of 2.3 million fulltime workers by 2025, including construction workers.

Women, whoare significantly underrepresented in the industry, are among the groups being encouraged to pursue data center jobs. Helping to recruit and support them is WiMCO (Women in Mission Critical Operations), which is part of 7x24 Exchange. WiMCO provides networking opportunities and develops STEM education initiatives that prepare women and girls for technology and operations roles. Explore WiMCO’s upcoming events.

People interested in learning more about data center career opportunities can explore Uptime Institute’s Data Center Career Pathfinder, which provides snapshots of hundreds of job roles.

Whether you’re interested in helping to design, build, operate or maintain data centers, the opportunities are there for the taking.

Visit our careers page to explore open jobs and internships at United Rentals.

Marianne Wait is an editor and writer who creates content for Fortune 500 brands.