Future Proof Careers: 9 Jobs in High Demand
Most career advice revolves around the idea that you should do what you love, but that’s not always practical. Your chosen profession also has to be in demand — and not just today, but in the coming years too. The economy is always in flux and some jobs that are commonplace today may be obsolete tomorrow. On the other hand, there are plenty of careers that are anticipated to experience significant growth in the coming decade.
In this blog, we’re going to run through some jobs to consider if you’re looking for a future-proof career.
Nursing
Now, if you were thinking that nursing was in demand right now, you’d be correct. But it’s expected to be even more in demand in the next few years. That’s in large part due to the changing demographics of society — for the first time in history, there are more people over the age of 65 than there are young children, and that’s led to increased demand for healthcare professionals.
Nursing is expected to have a 46% growth rate in the next ten years. Start your training today, and you’ll be well-positioned to take advantage of that new environment in the coming years.
Counsellor
There’s a growing mental health crisis, and society needs well-trained individuals to help people overcome their difficulties. Counselling is just one of the many psychology degree jobs that are anticipated to grow in demand in the next few years. According to one study, demand for counsellors is expected to grow by more than 14% in the next couple of years. That means that people who undertake the training requirements today should find plenty of roles available by the time they graduate. Aside from job security, becoming a counsellor also offers a wide variety of other benefits, including high starting salaries and high job satisfaction.
Data Scientist
You’ll have noticed that everyone seems to be talking about data these days. However, while there’s a lot of data in the world, there’s a shortage of people who know how to use that data. Organisations are increasingly looking to hire professionals who can translate data into actionable points. With demand growing by 36% in the next five years, this is one role that should be on the radar of anyone looking for long-term job security. Having the ability to understand large volumes of data and communicate findings is key.
Solar Panel Workers
There’s no denying that the world has to transition to more environmentally friendly practices. While solar panels have been around for a long time, it’s only in recent years that they’ve entered the mainstream. Governments around the world are allocating significant sums of money for the installation of solar panels in homes and worksites, making this an excellent time to look at training to become a solar panels expert. Installation of solar panels does not require a degree, but workers must be comfortable using power tools. Aside from a good starting wage, solar panel installers also get the benefit of knowing that they’re helping the world move in the right direction.
Construction Specialists
The construction industry is always up and down, but in the coming years, it’s expected to be more up than down. The post-COVID era saw a pause in construction growth, but we’ve seen significant growth in the past year or so. In the UK, there’s been more than 130% growth in demand for construction roles. It’s a diverse industry that doesn’t necessarily involve being on-site. Those in the industry can work as part of a larger company or be self-employed contractors, though it’s recommended to get a Master’s degree if you’re planning on the latter.
Life and Business Coaching
Navigating the modern world can be difficult from both a personal and professional perspective, and more and more people are looking for outside help. This has led to a significant increase in demand for life and business coaching. According to one report, demand for such professionals has increased by more than 100% in the post-Covid environment. The majority of people who work as life or business coaches do so after transitioning from another role that requires specialist skills, such as owning a business or working as an executive. Life experience often counts for more than formal qualifications in these roles.
Education Roles
Dedicated educational professions are always in demand, but never more so than now. The traditional teaching roles are still in high demand, and in recent years we’ve seen the development of entirely new roles in response to the emergency of e-learning. Education roles have grown by more than 50% in the past couple of years, and that’s a trend expected to continue in the coming years, especially in corporate training roles. There’s also been a growing demand for personal tutors, both online and in person.
Machine Learning Engineer
Artificial intelligence is expected to dominate over the next few years. Every leading organisation in the world is looking for ways to integrate AI into its operations, and there are an endless number of AI companies looking to fill the gap. If you already work within the tech industry, now could be the time to begin training to work with the AI sector. It’s a large field that encompasses a wide variety of roles, with machine learning engineers particularly in demand. Starting salaries and overall earning potential are high.
Information Security Expert
Data security has been increasingly important for a number of years now, and that won’t change anytime soon. The industry is constantly in a game of cat and mouse with would-be cybercriminals, making this one of the most secure industries to work on the planet. With growing concerns about data processing and online safety, there’s a lot of potential for professionals, especially tech professionals, to work in this field.
Conclusion
And there we have it. If you’re thinking of making a career change, then keep the above roles in mind. With high starting salaries, high job security, and plenty of potential for growth, they present some of the smartest career choices in 2024 and beyond.