From Data crunching, Scientific research, Computer engineering, Counseling and therapy, Environmental and
conservation science, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Veterinarians,
Management, and all the way down to Some healthcare fields, these are some 10 of the most wanted positions for the coming years.
Could you find out which description corresponds
to each of the labels, jobs, I mentioned?
1.
The era of big data is just getting started, with many firms eager to tap vast
new databases to gather more info on their customers, their competitors, and
even themselves. The challenge isn't just crunching numbers; it's making sense
of them, and gaining useful insights that can be translated into a business
edge. Marketing and market research are two growing fields where the use of
data is exploding.
2.
There's now widespread recognition that mental health is as important as
physical health, which is likely to increase demand for professionals in this
field. The BLS expects the need for marriage and family therapists, as one
example, to grow 41 percent by 2020.
3.
New technology will continue to generate breakthroughs in medicine,
manufacturing, transportation, and many other fields, which means there will be
strong demand for workers schooled in biology, chemistry,
math, and engineering. Some areas that show particular promise: biotechnology
and biomedicine, nanotechnology, robotics, and 3D printing, which allows the
manufacture of physical products from a digital data file.
4.
A lot of software development is done overseas these days, but the need for
high-level computer experts able to tie systems together is still strong. In
finance and investing, for instance, high-speed computing is increasingly a
prime competitive advantage. And most big companies will need networks that are
faster, more seamless, and more secure.
5.
Pets are more popular than ever, and some of them get medical care that's
practically fit for a human. The BLS expects the need for vets to rise 36
percent by 2020.
6.
Making better use of the planet's resources will be essential as population
growth strains existing infrastructure. Green energy, despite some political
controversy, still seems likely to boom. Developers need more efficient ways to
heat and cool buildings. And dealing with global warming may require new
technology not even on the drawing board yet.
7.
It's well-known that the aging of the baby boomers will require more caregivers
in many specialties. Some healthcare jobs tend to be
low-paying, with a lot of workers flocking to what are supposed to be
"recession-proof" fields. And the need to lower overall healthcare
costs could pinch some doctors, hospital workers, and diagnosticians. But
demand should be strong for nurses, optometrists, audiologists, dentists,
physical therapists, and some doctor specialists.
8.
The boss earns a lot for good reason: His job isn't as easy as it might seem.
Effective management in the future will require basic business knowledge plus
the ability to oversee operations in many locations and countries, and some
technical know-how. Anybody who can improve a unit's performance while lowering
costs should rise quickly. The BLS and IBISWorld also expect growing demand for
some support fields such as human relations, benefits administration, and event
planning.
9.
The movement and management of money is technically complex, and integral to
most companies. Plus, nontraditional investing firms such as hedge funds and
private-equity firms are likely to grow as the traditional banking sector
complies with new regulations and reins in risk-taking. That means there will
be more need for finance experts. There may even be a shortage as students once
interested in finance veer into other fields, turned off by the 2008 financial
crisis and the vilification of banks.
10.
It's often overlooked, but the need for innovators running their own businesses
could be more important than ever in 2020. Forecasters expect strong growth in
traditional businesses such as used-car dealers, hair and nail salons, pet
grooming, and office services, which means anybody able to come up with better,
cheaper ways to serve customers will reap a windfall. Technology startups will
no doubt keep changing the way consumers work and live. And nobody really knows
what the next iPad, Twitter, or Pinterest will be except, perhaps, some
entrepreneur who's dreaming about it right now. He or she may have a bigger
impact on life in 2020 than anything the forecasters see coming.
