Economy Has Made Finding Jobs Particularly Hard for Young People
Many of the most promising careers are centered in a few growing industries. "In order to find a good job today, it's important to look at the landscape of demand," says Fred Amrein, principal and founder of Amrein Financial. "This means looking at trends such as the aging U.S. population and seeing where you could fit in to capitalize on the services these people need."
• Health care -- Doctors, nurses, dental hygienists, pharmacists, physical therapists, health-care computing specialists, counselors, and social workers are among the top projected professions in the industry and overall.
With the aging population in mind, the health-care industry looks to be a pretty good bet for a while to come, according to a recent College Board article. Even if you don't want to be a doctor or nurse, you can still benefit from the growth and stability that healthcare promises. For instance, hospitals, clinics, and all other businesses in this industry need support staff. So, human resource managers and truck drivers can also enjoy the benefits of the industry's prosperity.
• Computer science -- Software engineers, computer systems analysts, application specialists, and information technology managers are in demand.
If computers are more your style, you're in luck -- workers in this field are in demand. In fact, software engineer was ranked the Number 1 job for 2011 by The Wall Street Journal based on income, working environment, stress, physical demands, and job outlook. "Computer- and high-technology-related careers will continue to grow, but keep in mind, you need to constantly continue to update your knowledge to stay viable," says Cheri Butler, president of the Career Development Association.
• New media -- Internet-based marketing and public relations jobs -- such as social-media public relations manager, online-community manager, search engine optimization specialist, online-advertising manager, and user-experience manager -- show great promise.
The world has gotten smaller over the past few decades; the Internet has made transferring information long distances much more efficient. According to a recent Kiplinger article, many promising Internet-based marketing and public relations jobs now exist that didn't exist in the past.
• Teaching -- While recent state budget cuts have made teaching primary school less attractive, post-secondary teachers and administrators are likely to find career opportunities; people tend to go to college even in the face of rising costs.
• Financial services -- Market-research analysts, accountants, auditors, actuaries*, and financial examiners are promising positions in this field.
The financial services industry is another promising field and projected growth area, according to a recent U.S. News and World Report article outlining the 50 best careers of 2011.
For more on Earning, Spending, Borrowing, Investing, Driving, Housing and Insuring, visit MoneyMix: Launch Your Life, the online financial forum for young adults brought to you by Coosa Pines FCU.
*Actuaries are statisticians who calculate insurance premiums, risks, dividends, and annuity rates.
