Our Guide to the Most Promising Careers - myFootpath

Above all others, there’s one question on the lips of people looking to go back to school: what are the top  career fields over the next decade?   Times are tough, but don’t think the recession is affecting every industry in the same way: make no mistake about it, many areas are holding their ground or even expanding.

However, economic growth prospects are not the only thing job seekers should consider. We also looked at other factors essential to a promising career: income potential, availability of education, and quality of life.

1. Healthcare
As America’s population ages, and as Washington considers some form of nationalized healthcare, this industry is the closest thing there is to a sure bet. The Department of Labor estimates that the healthcare industry, which currently accounts for more than 14 million jobs, will grow by 3 million jobs by 2016. You should remember that healthcare is about so much more than being a doctor. Many hospitals feature hundreds of other kinds of positions, and job growth is expected for everything from medical coding and billing specialists to Registered Nurses.

Furthermore, careers outside of the hospital, in fields as diverse as healthcare management, pharmaceuticals, and the dental industry, are growing in leaps and bounds: the number of jobs in dental hygiene is projected to surge by 30% by 2016, with jobs in pharmacy technology to enjoy 32% growth in the same time frame. Education requirements differ by profession, with some careers requiring certificates, others a graduate degrees. Whatever the particular course, healthcare degrees are widely available and relatively affordable. Finally, due to the lucrative, round-the-clock nature of the medical world, healthcare workers often enjoy flexible hours and strong compensation.

2. Computer/Information Technology
When the Dot-Com bubble burst in 2002, many thought the days of rapid growth in the IT world were at an end. They couldn’t have been more wrong. As long as computer technology continues to evolve at such a rapid pace, there will be hundreds of thousands of new jobs for people to design and maintain computer systems, create software, and service and administer systems and networks. For example, already among the top 10 industries in projected job growth, computer systems design (and related services) is projected to grow at a rate of 38% over the next nine years-and that’s merely one segment of the larger IT industry.

Individual IT fields are growing as well: the number of people employed in software publishing, for example, is projected to grow by 32% by 2016. In the same amount of time, the number of jobs for Network Analysts is expected to swell by 82%! IT workers often have certifications in particular areas such as network administration or repair technology, or Associate’s or Bachelor’s level-degrees in broader subjects like programming or database management.

The former are commonly offered by technical schools, while the latter are widely available at most of the nation’s colleges and universities. However, perhaps the best feature of the burgeoning IT field is the quality of life it affords. If you have any friends who already work in this industry, you know that employees, whether they are database administrators, programmers, or consultants, enjoy excellent compensation and some of the most fun, relaxed office environments on the planet.

3. Criminal Justice
This industry is about more than just your favorite TV show. Fields like Forensic Technology and Crime Scene Investigation make this field exciting both on-screen and off, and jobs in corrections, law enforcement, and paralegal studies help keep the field dynamic and diverse. What’s more, jobs in relatively new fields like transportation security and anti-terrorism have made for a whole lot of potential: with homeland security expected to swell into a 178 billion dollar industry by 2015, the growth outlook for the criminal justice industry is excellent.

Criminal Justice degrees are offered at both the Associate’s and Bachelor’s levels at most colleges and universities, usually in both campus and online formats. More specific certifications and degrees in particular specializations like forensics are widely available as well. In addition to fulfilling a vital need for the good of society, careers in criminal justice often involve the stability and security of state or federal employment: strong benefits, reasonable hours, and relative protection during economic downturns.

4. Education
The phrase “recession-proof” gets bandied about a little too much, but careers in Education are safer than most: there is always going to be a demand for educators. Teaching isn’t the only game in town, either. The educational sector of the economy includes many other professions, including counselors, librarians, special education specialists, administrators, and instructional coordinators. Furthermore, because of the growing number of educational employees over the age of 45, demand is expected to rise in coming years in order to replace retirees.

In particular, increasing enrollments mean that large gains will be made in special education-14 to 20% job growth–and postsecondary (higher education) instruction-more than 21% job growth. Those willing to relocate should also look into the education field, as both urban and rural areas often report difficulties in attracting enough teachers. Although teaching positions at public schools require at least a postgraduate Teaching Certification, many private schools are willing to hire candidates with Master’s degrees in areas other than education, and sometimes those holding just a Bachelor’s degree.

Higher positions in administration and consulting offer a promising-and financially rewarding-ladder for the ambitious to climb. Teachers themselves, however, will tell you that the fulfilling nature of their work is what really separates this from other careers.

5. Accounting and Finance
The recession has certainly thinned the ranks of certain parts of the Finance industry, but that doesn’t mean it’s going away.  Auditors, accountants, and financial consultants should all continue to have strong job prospects in the coming years. Indeed, there is some evidence that the recession has actually helped in certain areas: the average revenue at accounting firms increased by 10.2% over the last year.

The Department of Labor estimates that financial services employment will grow by 46% by 2016. The necessary degrees-usually offered at the Associate’s or Bachelor’s level-are widely available both at campuses and online, and salaries and benefits remain very competitive. Only the long hours required by some financial sector careers keeps Accounting and Finance from a higher spot on our list.

6. Social Assistance
Caring professions other than those traditionally associated with healthcare should also see significant growth. Termed “Social Assistance” careers by the Department of Labor, this field involves non-medical careers which are still related to health and well-being. Social Assistance is therefore a very diverse industry, and careers in this field range from social workers and mental health specialists to psychologists, home health aids and health educators.

Expansion potential is very promising in this field, with a whopping 59% growth expected by 2016. As the “baby boom” generation ages, there will be a large increase in demand in many caring positions. While social assistance spans a wide-range of occupations, professionals in areas as different as substance abuse counseling and occupational psychology are united by the interesting and important nature of their work: the understanding and treatment of the human mind. Education requirements and salary expectations can vary widely by field: as with most industries, social assistance salaries tend to increase with level of degree, which is why mental health specialists, no matter what their field, earn more when they possess graduate degrees.

Nevertheless, income and growth statistics aside, this field makes the list for a more important kind of reason: for the right person, social assistance can be some of the most personally rewarding work available.

What’s Your Footpath
If you think you might be ready to move on to a new career, what are you waiting for? Start looking at colleges and universities! Hit the job listings! What do you have to lose? And remember: if you have questions or need any help with your college search, give our experts a call here at myFootpath. It’s a totally free way to find out about degree programs.

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Sources: US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics; Stoller, Gary. “Homeland Security Generates Multibillion Dollar Business” USA Today, 9/10/2006; “Seven US Industries Thriving.” Portland Business Journal. 5/11/2009;