Four Hot Careers and How to Start Preparing for Them

From a list of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ fastest-growing jobs for the decade leading up to 2024, we have selected four truly interesting career paths to highlight. These fields cross the boundaries of business, medicine, language, and science to create unique opportunities for today’s students, who will soon become tomorrow’s workforce:

Interpreter/Translator: Continued globalization has done wonderful things for this career. From knowing sign language to understanding the growing international language of business and commerce, a translator has so many opportunities in today’s world. While being bi or multi-lingual is a plus, it is important to understand that this does not necessarily mean you are qualified to translate, warn experts in the field. Attending a college with a strong language program is key, as is understanding the certifications and other requirements that are necessary. In the meantime, you can continue immersing yourself in other languages, taking classes that center around communication and interpersonal skills, and understanding the many different modes of communication and language that we use today in our global community. This field also has great usefulness in business, medicine, education, and many other areas. Here is a list of the top translation certification and graduate schools:

https://www.altalang.com/beyond-words/2009/09/23/top-10-us-translation-schools/

Personal Financial Advisor: Consider the title of this article: “Why You Should Study Personal Finance, Not Shakespeare.”** While I won’t go so far as to say that you shouldn’t study the great literature of the world, I will admit that having knowledge of personal finance, the economy, business, and how all of that stuff works is a huge benefit. I say this as an English major and psychology grad student who struggles to “balance the checkbook.” There are a lot of people like me out there, and they will probably need coaching when it comes to their finances at some point. This field will have a continued place in American life as mortgages, investments, credit debt, and loans continue to dominate the layperson’s financial life. Find an article about top schools for studying this field here.

Physician Assistant: I encounter many students who volunteer on their local EMT squads and fire departments or at hospitals and health clinics. This early interest in helping others can lead into a career in medicine, which, contrary to popular belief, does not always mean a decade of higher education. A physician’s assistant is a great field for a student interested in sciences such as biology, chemistry, anatomy, and physiology, as well as for one who is interested in working on treatment teams with physicians and other healthcare professionals for the betterment of others’ lives. While this field does require higher education beyond an undergraduate degree, it is a field which you can begin preparing for through the high school classes you take, the activities you participate in, as well as what you study in college. Click here for a list of some of PA programs and their specific requirements.

Cartographer/Photogrammetrist: While the name of this field may bring to mind images of Lewis and Clark or Magellan, it is actually much more than mapmaking; it is about collecting, measuring and interpreting geographic information in order to create and update maps and charts for regional planning, education, emergency response, and other purposes. In a time when our nations’ infrastructure is at a crucial breaking point, we need people who have expertise in areas like city planning, crisis response, and other urgent infrastructural issues. If you are interested in this field, a major in physical science or geography can set you on the right path. For more information about the field as well as some popular programs, click here.

Physical Therapist: With an aging population and people living longer lives, the need for physical therapists continues to increase. With an eye toward improving patients’ movement and managing pain, these professionals are vital to helping people maintain wellness and assist those suffering from chronic physical ailments or injuries. A perfect field for those interested in athletics, fitness, health, and the science of the human body, PT is a vital field and a viable one as well, with job opportunities predicted to grow by 35% over the next decade. For more information about the field and its educational requirements, click here.

Statistician: If you’re a math person, this could be the field for you. Further, if applying statistical theories and methods to collect, analyze, and interpret quantitative data sounds interesting, then you should definitely think about statistics as a career. Statisticians often find themselves employed in academia, business, government, technology, product development, and even sports. If you need to know what player will give you the best chance to score runs in baseball, for instance, who do you think you should ask? You may have already started preparing for this field through you high-level math classes and clubs, and this can lead to many opportunities in a growing field. Click her for a list of top college programs.

Being creative in your choice of field of study can help you to find a career that is unique and rewarding. Consider your interests, what subjects excite you, and your long-term goals in order to find an interesting and personally rewarding career path. It may end up being something you never expected!

*http://www.cnbc.com/2016/03/16/10-fastest-growing-jobs-for-college-grads.html

**http://business.financialpost.com/personal-finance/why-you-should-study-personal-finance-not-shakespeare

Written by Phil Lane

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