Have you updated your ideas about your kid’s careers? A lot has changed. Your child may not be old enough to be looking into colleges or jobs, but you need to know that the future is not necessarily like the past, and that includes the job market. Careers that were booming when you first started out are not the same careers your kids will choose. Some job opportunities have only recently been created. And the top majors at many universities and colleges are different than before.
College Statistics
For example, CNN partnered with CareerBuilder and recently listed the top 10 college majors of 2019 (found at onlinecourses.net ):
- Biology
- Business Administration
- Communications
- Computer Science
- Criminal Justice
- Elementary Education
- Marketing
- Nursing
- Psychology
- Political Science
New Jobs
Other websites say healthcare and technology/business occupations are in high demand and that STEM careers are also booming. “STEM” means Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, by the way.
Another source listed 15 jobs that did not exist 30 years ago https://www.coloniallife.com/ .
You’ll find the list a bit amusing, probably. Zuma instructor? But the graph does provide their average salary.
https://www.coloniallife.com/employer-resource-center/2016/july/15-jobs-that-didnt-exist-30-years-ago-infographic
- Zumba Instructor
- Virtual Assistant
- SEO Specialist
- Nutritionist
- Offshore Wind Farm Engineer
- App Developer
- Web Analyst
- Blogger
- Genetic Counselor
- Social Media Manager
- Chief Listening Officer
- Information Security Analyst
- User Experience Designer
- Sustainability Director
- Drone Operator
The Best Jobs for the Next Decade
According to thebestschools.org/ the following careers are expected to grow significantly in the next decade, perhaps when your child will be searching for a job.
- Solar Photovoltaic Installers
- Projected Growth, 2016-2026: 105.30%
- 2026 Projected Total Employment: 23,200
- Median Annual Wage 2016: $39,240
- Wind Turbine Service Technicians
- Projected Growth, 2016-2026: 96.10%
- 2026 Projected Total Employment: 11,300
- Median Annual Wage 2016: $52,260
- Home Health Aides
- Projected Growth, 2016-2026: 46.7%
- 2026 Projected Total Employment: 1,337,000
- Median Annual Wage 2016: $22,600
- Personal Care Aides
- Projected Growth, 2016-2026: 37.4%
- 2026 Projected Total Employment: 2,770,100
- Median Annual Wage 2016: $21,920
- Physician Assistants
- Projected Growth, 2016-2026: 37.4%
- 2026 Projected Total Employment: 145,900
- Median Annual Wage 2016: $101,480
They have 20 other future careers listed, check out their website for more. M
What You Can Do
As you look at these lists, don’t get alarmed. Simply do some research. Maybe put your earlier expectations aside and consider how you can let your child explore some of these new opportunities as they grow.
For example, one concern many career counselors express is that some kids never seem to consider jobs far from the “family tree”. This can limit their options. Your child has several years to try out different skills and likes. See how many different careers you can expose them to.
Because, just as reporter Samuel Clemens once said:
“Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” – Mark Twain
Helpful Links:
http://www.onlinecourses.net/commonly-picked-majors.html
https://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/the-25-best-jobs?onepage
http://thebestschools.org/careers/best-jobs-for-next-decade/