Technology and business evolve quickly, and new careers come and go just as fast. Because of this, it’s important to choose a career field that will be in high demand for the foreseeable future and sharpen your skills over time.
Medical Field: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA), Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants.
The medical field is ripe with growth potential. As everyone probably knows, nurses are in high demand. The average nurse practitioner makes $85,200 per year, and the demand is expected to increase 23%. Nurse practitioners can perform many of the same functions as doctors such as prescribing medicine and treating illnesses.
Technology Sector: Software Architects, Systems Engineers, Software Engineers, IT Analysts.
Information technology is the #1 field in terms of expected job growth over the next decade, which makes systems engineers among the most highly sought after professionals today. The average salary for a systems engineer is $87,100, and the career field is expected to grow 45% over the next 10 years.
Financial Services: Accountants, Actuaries, Financial Advisers.
One could find a rewarding career in the financial services industry. Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) make an average of $74,200 and 10-year job growth is expected to be 18%. As more companies are doing away with pension plans, employees will need help with retirement planning. Job growth for financial advisers is expected to be 41% over the next decade. The average financial adviser makes $101,000 per year.
Education Arena: College Professors, Elementary School Teachers, High School Teachers.
A bad economy means increased enrollment in colleges and universities. As students return to school, there is an increased need for college professors. The average salary for a college professor is $70,400 and the 10-year growth rate is projected at 23%. College professors enjoy great flexibility in their work schedules, freeing them to do a variety of other tasks.
Technical Jobs: Physical Therapist Assistants, Dental Hygienists, Veterinary Technicians.
Many technical jobs require certifications but do not require that applicants obtain a college degree. Physical therapist assistants earn approximately $42,000 and the physical therapy field is booming. The 10-year growth rate is 42%. Physical therapist assistants are responsible for developing treatment plans, documenting treatments, and modifying specific treatments to the needs of the patient.
Business Services Jobs: Environment Health Specialist, Construction Estimator.
Service jobs are still the lifeblood of the any economy, accounting for more than 70% of all jobs. Environmental health and safety specialists are expected to be big beneficiaries of this trend with 10-year job growth expected at 28%. Median pay is expected to be a healthy $71,000 per year. Estimators are important to customers because they help to determine whether a project will make money for a firm or become a money loser. A construction estimator position requires lots of experience and accuracy. The average pay is solid at $68,000 per year and job growth is expected at 25% over the next ten years.
Sales Jobs: Sales Director, Sales Executive, Senior Sales Professional.
Sales are incredibly important to any company from software companies to financial service firms. Sales executives are needed to motivate staff and help companies reach their revenue goals. They have to be outstanding at customer relations and place employees in the best position to close deals. Sales may be a high stress, high pressure occupation but it pays very well. Sales directors earn an average annual salary of $142,000, and senior sales executives are not far behind with an average salary of $127,000 per year.
Consulting Jobs: Management Consultants, Healthcare Consultants.
Companies are looking for ways to save money on employee costs and one of the best ways to do this is by outsourcing projects. This is why consultants are expected to be in incredibly high demand. Companies do not have to provide benefits or pay healthcare costs for consultants. The consulting industry is expected to see double digit growth over the next decade. Management and healthcare consultants will see job growth of 24%, making this one of the most lucrative industries for job seekers to get into.
Engineering Jobs: Project Engineer, Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer, Environmental Engineer, Biomedical Engineer.
There is a dearth of math and science majors in universities and the engineering industry is reflecting that. Companies are having an increasingly difficult time finding quality engineers. Structural, civil, project, and environmental engineers will see job growth ranging from 24% to 31% over the next decade. Biomedical engineers will see job growth at a whopping 72%. The minimum salary is expected to be $76,000 with some engineers easily making more than six figures a year. The work is low stress and the job satisfaction is incredibly high.
Middle Management Jobs: Research and Development Manager, Product Manager, Risk Management Manager.
Mid-level management is just as important to a firm as top-level management. They are responsible for supervising many of the day-to-day functions and maintaining smooth interactions with management and staff. Risk management managers help to mitigate risks and keep firms from potential risks that can cripple them. Job growth for this field is expected at 24% with an average salary of $107,000. R&D managers make sure that new projects and products are developed, tested, and properly brought to market. Product managers oversee the launch and implementation of new products and processes. These are all important job functions in which most current employees see continued job growth in their professions.