Fastest Growing Careers
Are you just started college and wondering what major to choose? Or maybe you’re ready to start a new career or just want a job change? When deciding what educational path will give you the best prospects for future employment, it’s important to learn which are the fastest growing careers.
Which Are the Fastest Growing Careers?
The best way to determine which top careers have potential, look at projected job increases over the next several years, rather than at what’s “hot” right now. A job that is popular and “in” at the time that you’re looking may not have a lot of growth by the time you are actually qualified for it. An outstanding resource for this information is the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, which provides a current list of jobs expected to have excellent growth potential through the year 2018. Some of the occupations that are expected to have have the fastest growth over the next decade or so include: biomedical engineers, network systems and data communications analysts, home health aides, personal and home care aids, and financial examiners. Getting an education in any of these areas will give you the best chances at finding a job once you graduate.
Another of the fastest growing careers, expected to have a high number of jobs available through the year 2018, is in the field of education, specifically teaching at elementary, middle, high school or college levels. The need for qualified teachers will probably always be among the fastest growing careers. Yet another area that is predicted to have excellent job opportunities is in the field of healthcare, with increases in demand for registered nursing, nursing aides, physicians, surgeons, physical therapists, and other health-related careers.
An obvious area of growth will be in the technology field, with careers such as computer systems analysts and software engineers. This should not be a surprise. As technology improves, businesses will demand the newest networks and applications available. Two more areas that are expected to really take off among the fastest growing careers are financial analysts or personal financial advisors, and substance abuse/mental health counselors. These are just a few of the careers expected to really grow over the next decade.
Why a Good Education is Essential
There are many reasons why getting a good education is important for finding a job among the fastest growing careers. Most of the careers listed require at least a high school diploma and a college degree or special certification. The highest paying careers usually require education beyond just an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. They may require additional specialized training, such as the clinical experience required to become a registered nurse or an student-teaching position to become a teacher. Many of these careers, especially those in the medical field require even more, such as a master’s degree, or even doctorate.
Following the predicted growth of careers is important if you are still in school and not sure what area you should focus on in college. Understanding which are the fastest growing careers will help you choose an appropriate college and major. Graduating from college with a degree you can use is very important. Too many college graduates find that there are no job openings in the area they spent the last four years studying. Seeking education and experience in the field of one of the fastest growing careers will increase your odds of finding a job that is secure and has a high earning potential after graduation.
