Job reports have been bleak for the last few years, but it seems like that has been turning around more recently.
Various news organizations have put together lists of what they consider to be the top jobs from now until 2013, looking at demand for new positions and what is projected.
The lists do not match, no big surprise there – everyone reads all that data differently.
My favorite source was a list of 100 top jobs that was compiled by U.S. News and World Report – you can check it out here.
The other sources I found listed 7 to 10 different jobs – there were some overlaps from one to another, but these basic types of jobs are what stood out:
1. Computer-related jobs. Programming, Database Administrator, Systems Analyst, Network Engineer, Web Design, Data communications analyst. Many times these were lumped together as “Software Development” but they do come under many different labels.
2. Dentistry – both Dentist and Dental Hygienist were rated highly, both in demand and salary. A lot of training is needed to qualify to be a dentist – years and years of school. However, to be a hygienist, most have an associate’s degree in dental hygiene (although there is a movement in the direction of more education.
3. Physicians assistant – as health care costs rise, and the number of doctors available goes down, there is more and more of a demand for these professionals. Prospective students will need training in biology, chemistry and statistics, and patient care. Graduates get a master’s in health sciences, then sit for boards that license them as P.A.’s. Still, the training demands are far fewer than Physicians.
4. Financial Planners – with all the shifts in the economy and uncertainty ahead, many more people are seeking the help of financial planners to help them plan ahead.
5. Veterinarian and their technicians – the love of pets is not getting any smaller, and there is particularly a demand for rural practitioners that work on larger animals.
6. Home health aide, or personal aide – as the number of older people grow, their need of medical and personal assistance grows. Some medical training is often required, but also the ability to listen.
7. Biomedical Engineer – this field includes work such as rehabilitation engineering; cellular, tissue, and genetic engineering; or medical imagery – new technologies to help people live longer and better lives.
Images from Bigstockphoto.com.
