Best Careers in 2010
96Assuming you’re looking to find a new career, there are two directions you might want to consider: computers and health care.
Why health care?
As baby boomers age, the health care system is facing greater demands, creating better career opportunities. Health care careers are varied, offering lots of options. Within this category, you’ll want to take a close look at fields that cater towards geriatrics.
A lot of careers in medical fields require a little more education than other positions. But it’s worth it when you look at the long-term benefits. There are also often possibilities for part-time employment, especially when considering in-home care and medical transcription.
Pharmacist: To become a pharmacist, you need a Pharm.D. degree which takes about four years of study after you finish college, officially. Unofficially, I have two friends that took their PCATS (the test which most pharmacy schools use to determine admissions) after their sophomore year of undergraduate study and did just fine. (There are positions, such as pharmacy technicians, which require less education.) Employment growth for pharmacist positions is expected to be higher than the average of all occupations past 2010.
Why computers?
Every few months, it seems like there is a brand new career path having to do with computers. Software engineering, website design, IT analysis, new media consultants – they are all lucrative career paths, and are all relatively new. In 2010, there will be jobs we are only dreaming of today.
The key to any computer-related profession is flexibility. You have to be able to cope with rapid changes, learn new technologies and often have a willingness to either travel or telecommute. Outsourcing is a major concern for people looking for technical support positions, etc. Flexibility can deal with these concerns: there is still a need for on-site technicians, and you can take the opportunity to travel to a new country to work there, if you choose. Computers also offer lots of opportunities for entrepreneurship.
Software engineer: Most companies want software engineers with a bachelor’s degree in computer science or engineering, or practical experience. It’s also expected to be one of the fastest growing careers through 2014.
Just one last thing for you to think about: take a look at this list of the fastest growing occupations, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Almost all of these careers are in computers or healthcare.
- Computer software engineers, applications
- Computer support specialists
- Computer software engineers, systems software
- Network and computer systems administrators
- Network systems and data communications analysts
- Desktop publishers
- Database administrators
- Personal and home care aides
- Computer systems analysts
- Medical assistants
- Social and human service assistants
- Physician assistants
- Medical records and health information technicians
- Computer and information systems managers
- Home health aides
- Physical therapist aides
- Occupational therapist aides
- Physical therapist assistants
- Audiologists
- Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors
- Computer and information scientists, research
- Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
- Occupational therapist assistants
- Veterinary technologists and technicians
- Speech-language pathologists
- Mental health and substance abuse social workers
- Dental assistants
- Dental hygienists
- Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school
- Pharmacy technicians
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Why did you not include "Physicians" in your list?
Dilip,
I chose not to include "Physicians" because if you are not already working as one, generally, you wouldn't complete your schooling by 2010.
Is this US specific?
If our economy keeps growing in Holland we'll probably have a lot of job opportunities in many different areas by 2010. Including health care and computers.
Why didn't you include Nursing?
what about business or international or language
I can tell you, as a 25 year member of IT, if you have a job that isolates you on a bad career path, you'd better jump...quickly. IT is no party. I've worked more 24 and even some 36 hour days than I care to admit. Many were "just had to be there" days, but... I had to be there...
Outsourcing has me befuddled. there is absolutely no way to know whether to stay or go. I know a guy that was offered a job at a local utility not long ago. Four power plants and several offices. The company got a new CEO and suddenly the whole thing has been outsourced to Oracle.
It's insane. Do something else first, IT second. The skills are valuable, but not enough to found a stable life on.
If physician isn't mentioned then Engineer shouldn't be either. It's not like you can reasonably bust out an engineering degree in two years. Especially the way Universities structure their courses and prerequisites, it almost requires you to go 5 years.
Hey great job with this hub, You gave a lot of good careers.
I hope you can read my hubs.
Well IT is my top pick. It is over 1 trillion dollar market place. Not sure why people ignore it.
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Hi, goo info - nursing is a wonderfaully rewarding field... as well nurses are in high demand in Canada. I say leave the colonies and go north.
Thursday good info. People need to realize that even with things the way they are there are opportunities. Thanks for the info.
I disagree with home health being the best job for 2010. My co-workers work alot of hours, no insurance, make 7.30 an hour and no overtime pay. This is not the kind of work you need unless you are willing to work around the clock and don't have a family to provide for.
This gave me hope about becoming a veterinary assistant!
Thanx
Not all pharmacy schools require the PCAT! There are actually 14 schools (8 of them are in california) that I know of that doesn't require taking the PCAT
Here's a list of schools that do require the pcat / don't require the pcat
http://pharmapplicants.com/schools_that_require_pc
forgot to post it in my earlier comment
no mention of cosmotology, esthetics, nail tech...what about the beauty industry?
there was no mention of cosmetology because the beauty industry is not expected to grow significantly before 2010.
I'm a pharmacy technician and its very hard to get a job. Even if u do get a job its even harder to get the hours. The pay is not that great for what you have to do and put up with. Customers are very disrespectful and vicious. I personally been a technician for 5 years and i don't recommend it. Your job is constantly on the line. You can be fired on the spot for any little thing. It seems that they will drop you for breathing wrong.
Working in healthcare is not for anyone with thin skin. I worked in healthcare for sixteen years and everyone with whom I interacted from the physicians to pharmacists, x-ray technicians, nurses, patient care assistants, social workers, researchers, and regulatory compliance people work hard. Patients and family members are generally in a stressful situation and they have little self control. I worked as a Unit Secretary and in Regulatory Compliance and there is no position that is easy. You earn your money. I loved it and the people are the most caring of any profession but you will work for it!
i will not recommand any one computer engeneering i have seen for last 5 yr for my brother luck of job he is working grocery store as acashier while the university loan is waiting him provided that interest is going on top every month. you have to watch your steps.
this is really a wonderful hub....
very informative .... very nicely explained ....
keep the good work up .... god bless you .....
What about CPA?
Those are all nice jobs, but best of all is to follow your heart and do what you love. You wont have to work a day in your life!
Optometry was not mentioned. I am going back to school (I've been out of school for 4 years), I have a year left to complete my bachelors and then Optometry School. Will this career be thriving? I'm so confused, I really want to make the right decision. These times are just sooooo tough!
Hi there :)
im wondering if there's a future in cosmetic science?
coz ppl are beginning to get more beauty concious. so yeah pls comment. thanks!
I am a 16 year social work veteran who is struggling due to the current trends. Any suggestions related to career change?
hey can u please elucidate more on simulation engineering??
thanku!!!
Well if its health care that the go for 2010 don't do acupuncture as there is very little cash to be made and the health care politics stop integrating into other areas.
Results are fantastic paying the bills not so good.
thanks for information.....i am a B'Tech holder student...and i will finde a job but thanke for you to give me a full information.
I am a certified teacher and having trouble finding work. I currently work in a different field I am not interested in. I was thinking about going back to school for a 2nd masters in either Computer Information Science or a health care field; ex. social work. I am getting up there in age and not sure which road I would be able to benefit from. I don't mind returning to school if I will be able to get employment out of it. Please tell me which field you think would be better to switch to? Thank you!
Great article on Top Careers in 2010.
Any Speech language pathalogist there? plz let me know what your life is like in a school based environment...and what are latest IT job experience with ppl.
Michelle Whalen says:
3 years ago
Hi Thursday,
The list of jobs in this article really helped me look into the medical field.
Thanks, Michelle