Emerging Job Opportunities in Specific Fields
In a shifting job market, many people are prioritizing high-growth career paths with stability and long-term potential. Here are some of the top emerging job opportunities:
1. Operations Research Analysts- help companies find cost-effective solutions for their most challenging problems, such as determining how many cars to produce or organizing store shelves. This role requires analytical skills and mathematics.
New Collar Careers
Despite fears of AI upending their industries, about two-thirds of New Collars who have changed jobs are shifting into fields they believe will be stable. Of those, a majority are looking to shift into software, IT/data processing or electronics manufacturing.
A number of tech companies are focusing on jobs news that require specialized skills, but not four-year degrees. IBM CEO Ginni Rometty coined the term “New Collar” to describe these positions that use the technology Gen Z-ers more readily possess.
Manufacturers expect New Collar workers to have the digital skills to run automation and software, work with CAD files and programs, program sensors, maintain robots and operate 3D printers. They’re also likely to be able to show their competencies via digital badges, which are verifiable by employers.
Cybersecurity
With cyber attacks on the rise, companies and individuals are in desperate need of cybersecurity professionals. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the country.
The field is also a great option for those who want to change careers as it typically doesn’t require a four-year degree. Instead, many workers can gain the skills necessary through bootcamps and professional certifications.
Other career options include information security analysts, who monitor internal data for breaches and investigate them when they occur; digital forensic investigators, who examine digital evidence for criminal investigations; penetration testers, who simulate cyberattacks to test defenses; and cybersecurity compliance officers, who ensure an organization is following governmental regulations. The job market is competitive, but with unemployment rates at a record low, it’s an excellent time to consider a new career in cybersecurity.
Renewable Energy
Renewable energy is a growing industry that offers opportunities for those who are interested in sustainable work and want to help protect the planet. It is a dynamic field that constantly changes as researchers and developers create and improve new systems and technology.
The industry needs a variety of skillsets to succeed. For instance, technical-leaning positions often require an engineering degree such as mechanical, environmental, chemical or electrical. However, many companies now focus on hiring based on skillsets and experience rather than formal education requirements.
Farmers are also in high demand to cultivate the biofuels and other materials used for green energy production. The jobs can be lucrative and rewarding, offering competitive pay and benefits. These include health insurance coverage, matched 401ks and other employee incentives.
Healthcare
If you enjoy working directly with people, healthcare might be a career for you. From doctors and nurses to therapists and pharmacists, the field offers a wide variety of careers that provide high salaries, in-demand work, and job security.
Moreover, technological innovations allow clinicians to move into new areas of practice. For example, telemedicine offers patients convenient 24 hour access to their medical records via web browser-based gateways. This opens up new job roles for telemedicine specialists, nurses, or physicians.
Another area that’s rapidly expanding is data management for healthcare professionals. Nursing informatics specialists are now required to handle and manage all digital medical records. This behind-the-scenes position can yield a 6-figure salary and job satisfaction.
Finance
When you think of finance, you probably imagine people wearing suits on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange shouting numbers and directing others to buy or sell stocks. That may still be true for some parts of the industry, but many other finance jobs are seeing growth in the era of automation and shifting values and priorities.
These emerging finance careers include financial forensics, quants, green and impact investing and ESG accounting. They range from helping companies meet regulatory requirements to reporting accurate numbers for projects that help a company’s bottom line.
These roles are less likely to be affected by automation because they involve skills that are difficult for machines to replicate. They also require a deep understanding of business operations.