subject: In-demand Fields In The Current Economy [print this page] At a time when the economy is slow and unemployment rates high, students find themselves questioning the need to go to college altogether. The key is to making well-researched decisions about college rather than shying away from college altogether.
Here are the most in-demand fields in the current economy. Earning a degree in one of these fields could significantly increase your chances of finding a job upon graduation.
This ones a no-brainer. The healthcare industry is one of the largest and fastest-growing industries not just in the U.S., but the rest of the world. It is constantly evolving as technology advances. In 2010, the healthcare industry accounted for approximately $1.75 trillion in U.S. revenues and employed over 14 million people, which is about 9 percent of the U.S. workforce.1
People working in the healthcare industry enjoy job security, attractive wages, and employee benefits such as a pension and 401k plan, medical and dental insurance, paid vacation and sick leave, etc.
Career options for those interested in direct patient care include: nursing, occupational and physical therapy, respiratory therapy, radiation therapy, nuclear medicine therapy, etc.
Career options for those interested in administrative or management jobs include: health information management/healthcare informatics, healthcare administration, medical and healthcare management, health education, etc.
A branch of engineering, information technology deals with the use of computers to create and transmit information. The term information technology (IT) is broad, and includes computer software and hardware, information systems, networking, programming, databases, systems design, server management, etc.
The IT industry in the United States accounts for more than 70 percent of global software research and development, making it a hot choice among students in the current economy.2
The Engineering Industry
By definition, engineering is a branch of science and technology that is concerned with the design, building, and use of engines and machines. Since engineering is a broad subject with many disciplines, students have the option of exploring their options in:
Computer science
Chemical
Petroleum
Aerospace
Automotive
Mechanical engineering
Electrical engineering
Civil engineering
Environmental engineering
The Business and Finance Industry
Business is the backbone of the U.S. economy. The success of a business, organization, or company depends on an individuals knowledge of finance, accounting, management, marketing, statistics, etc. Students can work in just about any industry with a formal education in business, be it healthcare, IT, finance, or accounting.
Some interesting business-related fields to consider include: accounting, finance, business administration, forensic accounting, human resources, marketing, etc.
The College Dilemma
When it comes to choosing a college, students often find themselves debating over the Ivy League vs. other colleges. The question really isnt about which school to go to (although getting accepted to an Ivy League would be great!) as much as it is about finding a college that fits YOUR needs. Always do your research well before applying to a collegeread as much information as you can find about a colleges accreditation, student services, career services, and any help it offers with financial aid (if at all).
To get a students perspective, try getting your hands on student reviews, testimonials, and complaints that mightve been filed against the college. For instance, if you took a look at a student review of Stevens Henager College, youll gain insight into what, according to students, works for the college. In general, if you read the student reviews of Stevens Henager College, youd find out more about the programs, student-career services, assistance with financial aid, and other student benefits the college offers.
Now is the time to invest in an education that will take you places! Invest in technical, in-demand field and boost your career in the right direction.
