Ah, the 2020s. A decade of technological innovation, soaring economic growth, and a plethora of new job opportunities for millennials. It’s estimated that in this decade, there will be 1 billion unfilled jobs worldwide due to a lack of skilled workers who want them.
If you’re worried about the future of your career or want to get ahead, you may want to start thinking about these five fields:
Cybersecurity
If you’re looking for a career that will be in high demand in the next decade, cybersecurity might be the right field for you. With cyberattacks and data breaches on the rise, there will be an ever-growing need for professionals who can protect companies from these threats.
As per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, cybersecurity jobs will see a growth rate of 31% over the next decade compared to the 4% average growth for all occupations.
But this growth doesn’t mean that all cybersecurity jobs are equal. While cybersecurity specialists do earn quite well, entry-level positions like penetration testers tend to pay much less.
If you choose this path rather than pursuing a cybersecurity masters first, it may take you long before you find meaningful employment opportunities that match your skill set and salary expectations.
Joining a cybersecurity master’s program is the right move if you want to boost your career in this field. If you already have a job, you can even look for an online master’s program in cybersecurity.
Construction and Extraction
Construction and extraction jobs are expected to grow by 11% in the coming years, creating about 747,600 new jobs, which is again faster than the average for all occupations. This is largely due to our need for infrastructure and more efficient energy sources, but other factors have an impact as well. For example, there’s a growing demand for skilled labor to help build our roads, bridges, and buildings.
This will likely require more electricians and plumbers as well, who can help us implement new technologies such as smart meters and solar panels. In addition to this increased need for construction workers, there has also been a rapid rise in automation technology which has made manufacturing processes more efficient than ever before.
Education and Training
If you have a background in education, or if you’re looking to work in this field, then look no further. The demand for educators is growing rapidly.
As per the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, there will be a demand for 69 million new teachers by 2030 to meet global education goals. And these numbers don’t even account for other roles like social workers and psychologists.
If teaching isn’t your thing, but you’re still interested in working with kids or adults who need help strengthening their skills, consider pursuing an advanced degree in psychology or social work instead.
These fields require enormous amounts of training and education. So much so that many people can’t afford it without financial aid from our government programs, such as TEACH grants, which cover tuition fees plus living expenses during graduate school years (up until age 26).
Architecture and Engineering
Architecture and engineering are closely related, but to put it simply: architects design buildings, and engineers make them work. There’s a ton of overlap between the two professions. The best buildings in the world are designed by architects who have also studied engineering principles or have a background in them.
One thing that distinguishes these two jobs from many others is that they require high levels of skill and education before you can start working as either an architect or engineer. You’ll need to attend years of schooling at an accredited university before even getting your foot in the door at a firm as an intern or apprentice.
But once you’re hired into one of these roles, there will be excellent job opportunities for decades to come because both fields are growing rapidly due to population increases worldwide (especially in Asia) and technological advancements like 3D printing that allow people everywhere access to better housing options than ever before.
Healthcare
Healthcare is the fastest-growing industry in the US and worldwide, with a projected job growth rate of 16% between now and 2030. The skills needed to work in healthcare are varied. They include critical thinking and problem solving, communication and interpersonal skills, as well as computer literacy.
This can be a great opportunity for those who want to work in the medical field but do not want to go into nursing or another related field. Healthcare jobs range from doctors (surgeons) at one end of the spectrum down to receptionists at hospitals on the other end.
Some careers need specialized training, while others don’t. It depends on what type of position you’re looking for. It’s important for anyone considering entering this field to do their research first to know what kind of education or training may be necessary before applying for any position within it.
Conclusion
The future of jobs is bright. There will be plenty of opportunities in all sectors, but especially in technology, healthcare, education, architecture, and construction. As the world continues to become more connected through technology, there will be new ways that we can use it to make our lives easier and more efficient.
But what does this mean for employment? We’ve explored some of the biggest trends that could affect job opportunities over the next decade so you can prepare yourself for what lies ahead.
