Best Careers for the Next Ten Years
The last couple of years have seen several thousands of people losing their jobs, which has brought us to the most important question - which are the best careers for the next ten years that would provide stability and a decent income? Now how would you define the term 'best'? Different people may have varied opinions on this. For some, it may be the money they earn at the end of the month, irrespective of the kind of job, while for others, it may mean flexibility, working for the benefit of others, job growth, quality of life, etc., besides a decent salary.
If you are just about to finish your graduation and are thinking of long-term career goals, then you may like to know about the hot careers for the next 10 years. These days, it has become a challenge to choose a career path that fulfills your personal needs and wants, and at the same time helps you realize your goals and ambitions. So you should try to understand the recent trends of the market which shapes the business requirements of companies, thus creating jobs for you. If your concern is job security, then try focusing on industries which would add several thousand jobs in the next few years. Each career option you choose has its pros and cons, so make sure that whatever you choose, your personal ambitions and goals are kept in mind. It's very important to enjoy your job rather than becoming frustrated at the end of the day, thereby losing interest in your work. The following is a which are the best careers for the next ten years or so; so do consider these options while making your decision.
Systems Engineer A systems engineer job is one of the most exciting jobs, at least for the next ten years. As a systems engineer, you would be responsible for managing complex and large projects in a variety of fields from military defense programs to transportation networks. You would be responsible for finding out the technicalities required for completing a particular project, besides coordinating with lower-level engineers for completing the project. In all, a systems engineer is responsible for defining and maintaining quality and effective systems.
In the past, this career option was a specialized field and job opportunities were available only in the defense and aerospace industries. However, with the kind of expansion multinational corporations are going through, system engineers are in demand in other industries as well. The range of industries vary from automobile companies to medical manufacturers.
To become a systems engineer, you need to get a bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, where formal training would be between 4 to 6 years. There are some colleges which offer a systems engineering course, but it's a new field. It's important that you have a broad background in engineering, as there are several factors which a systems engineer has to take into account. You also need to know the basics of computer programing and other fields of engineering, other than your specialization. Work experience in one particular field of engineering or different fields of engineering is required for applying for this position. You can expect to draw an average salary of around US $85,000, which can go up to as high as US $125,000 a year. For this job, you need to be prepared for long job hours and strict project deadlines.
Physician Assistant Physician assistant is one of the best careers for the next ten years, and is a career option which would be in high demand in the near future. As an assistant of a physician, you will work under a doctor's supervision. They are responsible for carrying out routine medical care, like helping during a surgery or while diagnosing an illness. Moreover, in some states, they are authorized to prescribe medicines too. A job as a physician assistant gives you the satisfaction of treating patients just like a doctor.
An additional advantage of working as a physician assistant is that you don't need to spend the kind of money required to go to a medical school. Moreover, there is no effect of the recession in this field. Since this is a relatively new field, the number of job openings are less, but in the future, the numbers are likely to increase.
You need to have two years of college and experience in healthcare for getting admitted into the training programs of a physician assistant. Several applicants with a bachelor's or master's degree also apply for such training programs. The average salary of an experienced physician assistant is around US $90,000.
College Professor A college professor's career is one of the upcoming hot careers for the next 10 years. They not only teach students and grade papers, but also spend a lot of their time writing books and articles, besides doing research. The main reason for college professors being one of the best careers for the next decade, is that you get enough time for yourself during the holidays. Moreover, compared to other professions, the workload is less.
There is intense competition for college professors in four-year colleges, especially for the tenure-track positions. However, there are a number of positions in institutions which conduct professional courses and community colleges. In these institutions, you may opt for a non-tenure track instructor or adjunct faculty member. With the current economic crisis taking a toll on the economy, several working professionals are heading back to colleges to enhance their skills.
Besides the above mentioned advantages, several institutions offer free or reduced tuition fees for members of the family, besides free access to the library. However, the downside is that the starting salary of a college professor is on the lower side, and there is a gap between the pay package of faculty members of community colleges and those of universities. To become a college professor, especially for tenure-track positions, a Ph.D. is required. You can expect a pay package of around US $75,000, if you are experienced enough. The pay package may go up to US $125,000, depending upon the institution.
Nurse Practitioner We all know that a registered nurse performs the task of caretaking, but the role of a nurse practitioner entails not only caretaking but also diagnosing a number of ailments. A registered nurse with some additional training can go on to become a nurse practitioner. In the recent past, numerous registered nurses have opted to become nurse practitioners, indicating that it is a lucrative option and the best career for the next ten years.
Nurse practitioners are the initial point of contact when a patient contacts a doctor. They are highly experienced individuals with a specialized degree, which helps them diagnose and treat some ailments. Though they are not trained to be a doctor, their duties and responsibilities are a step above registered nurses. The job responsibilities of a nurse practitioner includes performing physical exams and diagnosing ailments. Due to the short supply of qualified doctors and increasing number of retail health clinics, nurse practitioners are in high demand. With the growing number of people opting to become nurse practitioners, the education requirements are rising.
The first step of becoming a nurse practitioner is to become a registered nurse. For becoming a registered nurse, you need to have a bachelor's degree, after which you may opt for a master's degree and additional training. Once you complete a master's degree in nursing, you can apply for a license of a nurse practitioner. Even though you don't need to go to a medical school, it still requires you to go for an advanced degree with specialized training, besides passing the licensing exam. You can expect to earn anything around US $75,000, which can go up to around US $110,000 each year, once you gain a few years of experience.
Information Technology Project Manager IT project managers of a company are responsible for creating a business plan, supervising operations, allocating assignments to team members, and providing a direction to the flow of work. IT project managers work in a variety of fields ranging from educational institutions, government institutions to engineering, and manufacturing industries too.
You need to have a bachelor's degree along with the knowledge of programming and systems analysis, to become an information technology project manager. At least 7 years of experience as a programmer or data processor is also required. There are several colleges which offer specialized courses in programming and business, which prepare you for the role of a data processor. In some companies, especially large organizations, an MBA may be required. If you have worked for about 10 years as a programmer, you can expect anything around US $100,000 to US $150,000 a year.
Certified Public Accountant An accountant is an expert in analyzing and preparing financial reports. Reports can include anything to do with the finance of a particular organization, ranging from income, profit and loss statements, balance sheets, to tax returns. With a growing number of people starting up new business ventures, public accountants are in high demand. As companies grow, they would need public accountants, so as to set up an accounting system.
For becoming a public accountant, you need to have a degree in accounting. You need to start as early possibly during your high school and take a keen interest in maths. While in college, try building your basic accounting knowledge, as several companies prefer hiring people with a master's degree. A certification exam is also required with at least 150 hours of accounting and business classes, besides some kind of accounting work experience. On an average, you can expect an annual salary of US $75,000, which may go up to around US $150,000 too, as time goes by.
Geoscientist If you are looking at a career which gives you a lot of money, and is also the best career option for the next ten years, why not choose a geoscientist? As a geoscientist, you will need to study the physical aspects, structure and composition of the Earth. There are some geoscientists who work to find out natural resources like metals and petroleum under the surface of the Earth. You will also study the rock composition of the Earth's surface. Depending on the area of expertise, there are various categories of geoscientists.
For entering the field of geoscience, you need to have a bachelor's degree. If you want to go for research positions in state or federal geological surveys and in private companies, you need to go for a master's degree program. On the other hand, a doctoral degree is a must if you want to go for teaching positions and high-level research. There are several geoscientists who directly offer their services to the public, and for that a license is required. Excellent computer skills are required, besides knowledge of operating sophisticated electronic technology like remote sensing, digital mapping, and geographic information systems.
If you opt for this career, you should prepare to stay away from your near and dear ones for long periods of time. Moreover, you will also have to work in remote locations in varied climatic conditions for explorations and surveys. For all the hard work involved, you can expect to get something around US $75,000 a year to start with, and as you gain more experience, you can earn well over US $100,000 a year.
Physical Therapist As a physical therapist, you would be responsible for serving people who have suffered from an injury, disease or illness, and help the patient restore his or her range of motion, flexibility and strength. Moreover, they help in promoting the overall health of a patient. Physical therapists are employed by hospitals, rehabilitation centers and nursing homes. They are responsible for designing individual treatment programs for patients and teaching specific exercises.
If you opt for this career, you need to have a bachelor's degree, which include specialized programs in physical therapy. For you to get a license, you need to pass the exam set by the state. You also need to update your license after a specified period, for which you need to keep yourself updated. Once you start practicing and gain some experience, you can expect to earn anywhere around US $60,000 a year.
Computer or Network Security Consultant Computer or network security consultant is one of the best careers for the next ten years, where you have the potential of earning a decent amount sitting in your own office. As a computer or network security consultant, you would be responsible for protecting networks and computer systems from viruses, sypware and hackers. With business growth, the use of computers have increased greatly, which in turn has increased the demand of computer consultants. There are several companies which computerize their operations but are not that large enough to employ a computer specialist on a full-time basis. In such cases, these companies hire consultants on contract.
To become a computer security consultant, you don't need to have a formal computer science degree, since most of the skills can be self-taught. However, a degree in computer science is helpful to understand the intricacies of the job involved. In some companies, you may need a certification in information systems security. It is experience that counts in this field, so try gaining some experience as a staff computer specialist. As a computer security consultant, you will be able to earn anything around US $100,000 a year.
Anesthesiologist If a patient is undergoing a surgery, it is the anesthesiologist who administers anesthesia. Anesthetics are nothing but medicines that cause temporary loss of bodily sensation during a surgery. An anesthesiologist is a doctor who monitors patients during the course of surgery, and prescribes medicines and treatment procedures after surgery.
Just like an MD or a surgeon, an anesthesiologist is a highly qualified medical professional. Besides the basic medical qualification, an anesthesiologist has to undergo extensive training. For becoming an anesthesiologist, you must first complete an undergraduate degree of four years and then a medical school program for four years. Once you complete a four-year course in medicine, you need to further undergo special training of another four years. You need to have an excellent background in biology, besides chemistry, maths and physics, for a career as an anesthesiologist. Once you complete your specialized training, you can expect to earn anything around US $300,000 a year.
Gynaecologist A gynecologist is a doctor who specializes in matters relating to the reproductive system, pregnancy, labor and childbirth. They also provide medical care during childbirth, offer family planning advice, and help detect sexually transmitted diseases.
To become a gynecologist, you need to complete a four-year medical degree from a medical school, after which you need to further complete a four-year gynaecology residency program, obstetrics, gynaecologic oncology, ultrasonography, and work in reproductive endocrinology. Moreover, you also need to have a 6-month residency experience in primary and preventive care. Once these steps are complete, you need to be certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, which should be renewed after every 10 years. Once you complete this program, you can expect to earn around US $200,000 a year, which can even go as high as US $325,000.
Psychiatrists Psychiatrists diagnose and treat patients with mental disorders. Even in cases of anxiety, unusual behavior or mental retardation, it is a psychiatrist who helps an individual. Most of the time, psychiatrists work with psychiatric social workers, psychiatric nurses, and psychologists, so as to treat a patient. Depending on your preference, you can either work in your own private office or in clinics and hospitals.
To become a psychiatrist, you need to have specialized training in psychiatry. After your bachelor's degree, you need to take admission into a medical school, after which you have to undergo one year of internship. Once you complete this step, a three-year specialized psychiatric training is mandatory, and you need to get this as a resident in a hospital. Once you complete all these steps, you can apply for a license by appearing for an examination. However, you need to have at least 4 to 5 years of experience to become a certified psychiatrist.
You can also opt to specialize in various fields of psychiatry, like legal, educational or child psychiatry, or may become a researcher or teacher in a hospital or medical college. As a psychiatrist, you can expect to earn anything around US $175,000 a year, which may go up to US $275,000 a year, with experience.
Nurse Anesthetist A nurse anesthetist works as a specialized nurse, and is responsible for working alongside an anesthesiologist. He or she helps an anesthesiologist during the course of surgery to administer anesthesia, and is also responsible for overseeing the post-surgery health of patients. Nurse anesthetists holds a very responsible position; it is they who mix the appropriate concentration of anesthetics, and this requires great focus and skill.
Just like a doctor, you have to pass several steps before qualifying to practice as a nurse anesthetist. You first need to qualify as a registered nurse, for which you need to have a four-year degree in either nursing or science. Once you qualify for practicing as a nurse, you need to work for at least a year, and it's only after that you can apply for a specialized training program to become a nurse anesthetist. This program is usually for 24 to 36 months, and is of a master's degree level, after which you need to apply for a license. Once you have passed all these steps, you can expect to earn anywhere around US $150,000 a year.
Sales Director The responsibilities of a sales director includes setting and meeting the sales goals of an organization. He or she is also responsible for finding out new customers, besides coordinating the day-to-day working of the sales team. He sets quotas, goals and territories of the team, besides mentoring and training the team members. Analysis and review of the market helps him gain a broader perspective of the market, besides giving him an idea of the potential areas where sales volume can increase.
Since it's a managerial position, you need to have years of experience (at least 10) in marketing or sales. There are several sales managers who begin their careers as sales workers, gain experience over the years, and then go on to become a sales manager. You also need to have good knowledge of mathematics and statistics. If you have a master's degree in business, it's an added advantage, as several employers prefer such candidates. The earning potential of a sales manager is high, as it is not only the salary promised which you get, but the amount of commission you can earn is very high too. On an average, you can expect something around US $150,000 a year, without including the commissions, which may go up to US $240,000. Read this article on , to get a better idea about this industry.
Lawyers Law is a career which you may opt for, as it has an excellent earning potential. Yes, it's a career which requires a long time to earn enough money, but if you have that self-belief to excel, you can earn a lot. Today, every field requires a law professional, and with the increasing number of legal complications everyday, lawyers are in high demand.
Lawyers advice as well as present supportive evidence in favor of their clients in court. They also counsel clients on their obligations and legal rights. As a lawyer, you will be required to interpret and apply law to specific situations, for which you need to research precedents and interpret various rules. You may opt to specialize in a particular filed of law, like criminal law, civil law, etc.
To become a lawyer, you need a bachelor's degree from a law school, after which you need to pass the bar exam. Once you have completed this step, and any other steps prescribed by the bar, you can earn anywhere around US $100,000 a year.
Veterinarian A veterinarian studies and examines animals, besides treating them in case of any disease, ailment or injury. They are also responsible for immunizing and prescribing medicines for the well-being of animals. A veterinarian is authorized to perform surgery, besides setting exercises and diet routines. You can opt to become a small-animal veterinarian, wherein you can open your own small clinic or may even opt to work in a zoo, ranch or a farm. Several thousands of veterinarians are employed by the state and federal governments as livestock inspectors.
To become a veterinarian, you need a graduation degree in Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, after which, you need to pass the licensing exam set by the respective state government. Before applying for a graduation program in a veterinary college, you require at least a couple of years of undergraduate training in a college or university. During this period, your focus of study should be on biological and physical science. Once you have completed the veterinary training program, you can expect to earn around US $75,000 a year.
Senior Financial Analyst Also called an investment or securities' analyst, financial analysts are responsible for going through the records of a company and provide suggestions on the ways and means of investing money. The facts and figures gathered by a financial analyst are analyzed using spreadsheets and statistical software. A sound background in statistics is a prerequisite for becoming a financial analyst. As a financial analyst, you can get a job in an insurance company, stock brokerages, corporations or banks.
For you to become a financial analyst, you need to have a degree in business administration. It would benefit you if you opt for courses related to mathematics, accounting, statistics, economics, business or finance, during your undergraduate course. You would be expected to analyze and understand financial statements and corporate accounts. Once you complete this course, you can expect a salary of about US $90,000 a year, which may go up to US $125,000 a year later.
IT Business Analyst The responsibilities of an IT business analyst is very vast. They are responsible for determining the requirements of the company. Typically, they discuss with the top management of the company and go through the documents to ascertain the needs and analyze if there is any anomaly in the working of the company, and suggest changes so as to benefit the organization. They develop strategies, goals and a business plan, to which a company should adhere to in order to achieve these goals. A business analyst should have a good knowledge of accounts, the basics of the working of various software, laws related to labor, and the roles and responsibilities of every managerial position.
If you want to become an IT business analyst, you need to have a business or accounting bachelor's degree. You need to possess excellent communication skills to become a successful business analyst. He or she should be able to communicate with the middle management of the company about the need to change. Moreover, he should also be able to motivate employees to adapt to new policies and implement strategies that will benefit the company. A business analyst career option is lucrative, and would fetch you anything around US $100,000 a year.
Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Technicians Software developers are responsible for writing coded instructions (called software programs), using a variety of computer applications. They create websites, data processing systems, games, etc. Once a software is developed, a software quality assurance technician tests these programs to ensure that the program's performance adheres to the design and specifications.
To become a software developer, you need to have a college degree in software engineering or computer science. In some companies, a graduate degree is required. You need to have an excellent knowledge of various computer programs like Java, C and C++. There are national certification courses available which you can also opt for along with your formal education in college. You need to be proficient in mathematics, physics and computer science, if you want to excel in this field. Try and learn some basic computer programming while in school, so that it becomes easier while you study those programs in detail. You need to have some experience to work with top-notch companies, but there are companies that hire inexperienced graduates and train them at the expense of the company. You need to continually upgrade your skills and knowledge about various new software that come up in the market. Once you gain some experience in this field, you can expect to earn around US $75,000. After a few years of working as a software developer, you can also opt to become a .
For a software quality assurance technician, you don't necessarily need to have formal education in computer engineering or computer science, but there are companies that require a background in network administration and software programing. Some companies prefer hiring candidates who can just understand computers and have some experience of working on a computer. They don't really need to be experts, because these companies feel that since the end users are not experts, a person with working knowledge of computers would do the job just fine. The salary range of a software quality assurance technician varies depending on the company and the amount of work.
Technical Writer The job of a technical writer entails explaining complex technical ideas in simple language, so that it is easy for the average reader to understand them. As a technical writer, you would be supposed to write reports and articles on the recent trends in the fields like engineering and science. Some technical writers are technicians and scientists who are experts in their chosen field, but it is not mandatory for a person to have a technical background. There are writers with a non-technical background as well.
Today, every field of business requires technical writers, be it insurance companies, banks, shipping companies, publishing houses, newspaper publishers, and even federal government offices. To become a technical writer, you don't need to acquire any specialized field of study, but a college degree in engineering, science, English or journalism will stand you in good stead. There are employers who need their employees to have a science background. Excellent researching skills is an important prerequisite to become a technical writer.
If you want to become a technical writer, try gaining some experience by writing for school newspapers. You need to have a keen interest in English, besides science, so that you can understand technical terms and jargon. A technical writer can draw a salary of anywhere around US $70,000 a year, which may go up to around US $100,000 a year too as you gain experience.
Occupational Therapist As an occupational therapist, you would be responsible for preparing rehabilitation programs for people who are emotionally, mentally or physically impaired. The program should be such that the patients are able to perform day-to-day tasks without depending on anyone. An occupational therapist aims to help an individual live independently. Exercises to increase physical strength and teaching basic functions like dressing, using a computer, eating and cooking, are some areas in which an occupational therapist has to work upon.
In the past, a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy was enough to enter this field. But today, a master's degree from a recognized college is required. Moreover, you also need to acquire a license to practice as an occupational therapist, and for that you need to pass a certification program.
Here is a list of some more jobs that will be hot for the next decade at least: Pharmacist Farmer Customer Service Executive Event Specialists Makeup Artist Childcare Worker Solar Power Installer Dental Hygienist Construction Estimator Risk Management Manager Hope this gives you a range of options to choose from one of these best careers for the next ten years. The professions mentioned above are such that they would always be in demand, and will always make it to any list of top 10 careers in the next 10 years, so you only need to worry about how to excel in your chosen field, and need not worry about the competition which lies ahead. Make sure that you get your basics right at a very early stage, so that you can get the kind of money and life you always longed for. Explore the various career options wisely and choose the right career for yourself. Good luck!
