While having a job isn’t the only prerequisite to happiness, it does tend to be an essential factor for many people who want to lead a normal and fulfilling life. Finding your purpose in life is directly tied to discovering what area of employment best gives you the opportunity to provide some value back to society in a mutually beneficial manner. Which is why it’s important to identify your strengths early on and then try to match them with what’s currently available on the marketplace. Luckily, with the financial crisis in hindsight, the employment sector has showed signs of recovery and is currently on the rebound. This means that there will be plenty of jobs that will experience exponential growth in the years to follow. Here are a few of the most popular ones:
- Dentist
As modern dentistry continues to evolve in the direction of preventing teeth problems as well as curing them, more and more people are expected to seek out professional help. A good dentist can make upwards of $140,000, with considerable job security to boot and more positions opening up by 2022. Also of note is the growing prevalence of dental hygienists, who focus especially on the prevention side of things by educating people on proper oral hygiene and healthy habits. These positions don’t require going to med school, and, while the base salary might be about half of what a regular dentist makes, being a dental hygienist offers maximum time flexibility and even allows for the option of working part time.
- Nurse
Whether it’s being a registered nurse who works in a hospital setting or a nurse practitioner who can work independently of physicians, care-taking jobs are expected to grow exponentially as the “Baby Boomer” generation creeps steadily towards retirement. It’s a position with plenty of rewards. Aside from the relatively high wages, a nurse is expected to know many of the same things that doctors do, and they can have a huge impact on the well-being of their patients. Estimations for growth hover around 20% between 2012 and 2022. Their wage rates depend on the type of nursing job
- Physician
If almost a decade of heavy-duty studying doesn’t scare you off, becoming a doctor is still as rewarding and profitable as ever. Even factoring in the significant costs associated with going to med school, good wages coupled with high job security help make the idea of becoming a physician seem all the more enticing. Plus, as the entire medical industry expands to meet the demand of the future, numerous jobs are bound to keep opening up. Even Physician Assistants, those who interpret X-rays and blood tests and keep patient records, are looking at a barely-there 1.4 unemployment rate in the years to follow.
- Software Developer
Finally, if you want to avoid dealing with the human body, there is an unprecedented growth happening in the IT sector. With coding classes being offered as early as Kindergarten and companies still being short-staffed, it’s no wonder that many people are considering switching to a career in information technology. Some of the most popular positions include being a Software Developer, Computer Systems Analyst, Web Developer or an Information Security Analyst. From developing catchy apps to ensuring the security of data, the people in this industry are at the forefront of the digital revolution and are compensated accordingly. Salaries can vary wildly depending on specialisation and level of experience, but with growth levels predicted to hover around 30-40% you can expect generous paydays and great job security. The best part about this industry is that it isn’t as prohibitive as it might seem at first. In fact, with courses available at the ready online, even newbies can start getting dipping their toes instantly. More experienced developers, on the other hand, can benefit greatly from some training on the management side of things in order to boost their chances of being promoted.
5. Freelance Writers
Becoming a freelance writer can be a very productive career if you have the needed talent, commitment and time-management skills. The best thing about being a freelance writer is that you don’t have to work within a particular time-frame, you will learn new things every day and gain valuable experience for your resume. You can work with other writing professionals and grow your skills by learning things from more experienced writers. You get to decide how much money you make and there will always be some students who need help with writing their papers. It is a completely legit business (if you don’t plagiarize other writers work).
All in all, the future looks bright for people with logical skill sets, as both the medical and IT industries are expected to grow spectacularly within the next decade or so. That being said, a general trend of economic development will also hopefully bring with it a steady increase in other sectors as well. In this day and age, finding your own path has never been easier.