Introducing the Niche Career Series
If you’re a young adult in pandemic times, you may have been forced to restructure your career path. The world may be going back to work, but where are you headed?
In the past two years, the nature of job hunting and the scope of what jobs are in demand has changed drastically.
To help you understand which way the tide has shifted, check out this list of some surprising and in demand jobs for 2021. And stay tuned for our upcoming series, Niche Careers, where we highlight different, unique, and rewarding career paths you may not have been aware of before.
Top Jobs in the US (2021)
The following employment options are just A FEW jobs hiring at a higher than average volume in the US. This does not mean other areas are not looking for new hires. This list is just to give you an idea of where you may want to get your foot in the door this calendar year.
1. Wind Turbine Technicians
With renewable energy becoming more of a priority, jobs in this industry are projected to increase by over 60%. If you’re a little adventurous, outdoorsy, and prefer a hands-on working environment, you may enjoy the complexity of installing and repairing wind turbines.
Most individuals in this occupation attend technical schools or community colleges to complete certifications in wind energy technology. You can also go on to earn an associate’s degree to further your employability in this field. Depending on where you’re located and your level of expertise, you could earn upwards $52,000 a year as a wind turbine technician.
2. Nurse Practitioner
If we’ve learned anything in the past two years, it’s the value of our healthcare workers. Jobs as a nurse practitioner are set to continue to increase by 52%. Due to the nature of the work, jobs in this field require greater training and education. Nurse Practitioner’s hold a Bachelor of Science and Graduate Master’s or Doctoral Nursing program degree. You must also successfully pass a board certification exam, and first become a registered nurse, before continuing on to nurse practitioner.
Once you start practicing, a nurse practitioner can make over $100,000 per year.
If you’re interested in the healthcare field, but not quite sure about being a nurse practitioner, keep searching!
There are currently numerous positions in the healthcare field that may be right for you.
Other in demand healthcare positions include: Occupational Therapists, Medical and Health Service Managers, Orthodontists, Physical Therapists, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, and numerous others.
3. Substance Abuse and Behavioural Disorder Counselor
The coronavirus pandemic and all the chaos that subsequently followed has taken a grand toll on our population’s mental health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 13% of Americans reported starting or increasing substance use to cope with their pandemic reality. Additionally, in 2019, the pandemic brought an 18% increase nationwide in overdoses.
Substance Abuse and Behavioural Disorder Counselors provide support and treatment plans for those struggling with their addictions. Just like doctors, Substance Abuse Counselors help save and rebuild lives everyday. Today, there is a 24.7% increase in employment growth for those in this field. Earning a median salary of $46,240 per year, counselors are a vital part of protecting the health and safety of our population.
Generally, those pursuing a career as a Substance Abuse and Behavioural Disorder Counselor earn a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree. There are also certification and license requirements to follow based on where you are located. If this is a career path that interests you, it is important to continually educate yourself on changing methods of counseling.
4. Information Security Analyst
With remote learning and work becoming more popular, there is a greater need to monitor and prevent cyberattacks and data breaches. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 31.2% employment increase for individuals in this field between 2019 and 2029. This means over 40,000 jobs will open up to the public. The median salary for this position is around $99,730, with higher level employees making well over $100,000 per year.
It’s safe to say computers are here to stay, and cybersecurity is more important than ever. Most jobs in this field require a Bachelor’s degree in computer science, programming, or a similar faculty. If you’re tech savvy and interested in developing security measures, information security can be a fascinating place to start.
5. Financial Advisor
Leave it to us at Stock-Trak to stress the importance of financial advising. Money management is a key pillar of success today, and individuals need more help than ever. With the rollercoaster ride the economy has taken in the last few years, The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4.4% employment growth for financial advisors between 2019 and 2029. While this may not seem like much, that is an estimated 11,600 jobs that will be available. The median salary for a financial advisor is around $87,850.
Financial advisors typically have at least a Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, or a related field. If you’re interested in problem solving and helping individuals grow their wealth, financial advising can be just as rewarding as it sounds.
Conclusion
While any of these fields would make for a unique and fulfilling employment experience, make sure to research what interests you and choose accordingly. Within each field, there are hundreds of employees, all doing different and exciting work. Make sure to look beyond the popular job titles and seek out the hidden gems waiting for you.
If you’re looking for some extra inspiration, make sure to check out our Niche Careers series!
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