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Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.
Yes, we have all heard of this quote and there is something that one can learn from it. Yet, not everyone gets the chance to find that “perfect” job for which they won’t have to work a day in their life.
The sad truth is that repetition has a single characteristic that surfaces in every activity that we do; whether it’s work, sports, gaming, writing, and ______ (insert your activity, anything works). This characteristic is boredom, and it is one of the most unpleasant emotional states for any ambitious human being.
This takes us back to the quote which we can translate to the following:
If you love what you do then you won’t get bored doing it.
Finding the ideal career path to take can be stressful. But there are a few steps that one can take to ensure that that career path won’t put them on the streets; not now and not in the next 20 years.
So where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 20 years?
Let’s help you answer these questions by understanding trends, qualifications and necessary steps that one has to take to blend in with others following that path.
The ever-changing job market
This decade has shown how fast the job market can change. A single technological advancement carries the potential to break a certain career path and leave those walking it astray.
For example, mail carriers and clerks have experienced a major decline (26.5%) in employment starting from 2010 to 2020. Ten years ago there were 523,300 employed as carriers, a figure which has dropped to 385,500. According to Lifehack, other jobs that are gradually disappearing are flight attendants, lumberjacks, all newspaper positions, fast-food cooks and more.
Understanding the impact of technological advancements in the job market is the first step towards finding the ideal career path.
Bear in mind that due to varying preferences, the ideal career path - in this blog - is defined as one which fulfills the following criteria:
- Financial security
- Long-term stability
- Placement availability
- Dynamic work environment
- Career advancement
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has already provided projections for professions that are expected to grow rapidly over the decade. These occupations have been filtered in accordance with the criteria above, and we hope that they will guide your career goals thinking to the future.
Information security analysts
Median Pay: $98,350 per year
Entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
Work experience: Less than 5 years
Expected employment change 2018-28: 35,500
The fastest-growing jobs in the market are those that require data analytics expertise. Today, data drives businesses to success. However, in its initial state, data can only be understood by individuals who are trained to understand them. Similarly, security data is regularly outputted in meaningless forms and shapes that are difficult to understand; however, information security analysts are trained to help decision-makers weave through the clutter and use that data to drive informed decisions.
An information security analyst uses data to draft systems that protect a company against cyber attacks. This is especially true across large multinational corporations that are always subject to attacks. A few notable case studies are those of Adobe, Sony, Facebook, HBO and many more. The continuous advancements in technology have increased the demand for information security analysts beyond the average growth rate. The BLS expects upwards 35,500 new jobs to be available in the next decade.
Statisticians
Median Pay: $88,190 per year
Entry-level education: Master’s degree
Work experience: None
Expected employment change 2018-28: 14,400
Another profession that is driven by data is that of the statistician. The responsibilities of a statistician can span across industries. If interested in finance, statisticians can use their knowledge and expertise to draft financial models that can help businesses make profitable investments. If interested in biotechnology, Biostatisticians can use statistical analysis and research to change the lives of millions through drug inventions.
Accordingly, statistical analyses' data through mathematical models to help solve local, regional, or even global problems. The BLS has foreseen an average of 14,400 new employment opportunities to rise over the next 10 years.
Nurse practitioners
Median Pay: $113,930 per year
Entry-level education: Master’s degree
Work experience: None
Expected employment change 2018-28: 62,000
In a 2020 analysis of the global health care market, Deloitte has stated the following:
“A widening demand-supply gap of skilled professionals is creating immediate challenges for public and private health systems, which may also have long-term, detrimental consequences in 2020 and beyond.”
The demand for nurse practitioners has stemmed from the aging US population. As the Baby Boomers age, the need for chronic condition management will rise; As such, in the absence of primary caregivers, problems might escalate. The median annual pay of $113,930 represents one of the initiatives that organizations are willing to give in order to attract young talent. Yet, incentives are not limited to pay, many - if not all - have developed internal training programs that fit almost anyone with the interest of following the career path of a nurse practitioner.
If you are ready to work as a nurse practitioner than the BLS predicts 62,000 openings over the next few years.
Genetic counselors
Median Pay: $80,370 per year
Entry-level education: Master’s degree
Work experience: None
Expected employment change 2018-28: 800
Only 800 new positions will open in the next 8 years, yet this occupation is considered to be growing at a faster pace than graphic designers, physicians, doctors, and other well-known professions. A genetic counselor? What exactly is this occupation and what are its responsibilities?
The role of a genetic counselor is to determine the risk of inherited conditions across individuals or families. To become a genetic counselor, an individual must first finish a Master’s degree in genetics or other similar fields. These studies will have to be followed by broad certifications that qualify one as a counselor. The numerous barriers that stand in front of this particular occupation are the reason why the supply of skill is limited with median pay above average.
Software developers
Median pay: $105,590 per year
Entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
Work experience: None
Expected employment change 2018-28: 284,100
In the era of innovation, the role of a software developer is paramount. The BLS expects almost 300,000 new positions to be available for people who have theoretical knowledge of coding. The demand for software developers is infinite, as major companies continue to disrupt markets through innovative technology. With a solid income, software developers work for firms that design computer systems, software, and various other products.
Market research analysts and marketing specialists
Median pay: $63,120 per year
Entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
Work experience: None
Expected employment change 2018-28: 139,200
For every new product that enters the market, a minimum of one market research analyst or market specialist is needed to push that product forward. In the age of digital technology, new products are developed every day, in fact, 83 new products are introduced in the market every day.
People within this occupation work across industries examining products and determining their potential in the market. Market analysts often work overtime because of the nature of their job. As such, if working under pressure is your thing than pursuing the path of a market analysts will be stressful and rewarding at the same time.
Finding the ideal career goal is a matter of trial and error. But, not just any trial and error. It is important to initially understand the basics of the market in which you’re running the trial. Going out and getting a PhD in Philosophy is - in relative terms - not that difficult, but getting into a prestigious university is because of the low demand for academics in Philosophy. The demand and supply, median pay, and level of education are a few factors that should influence your trial and error going forward.
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