If you’re looking to increase your income and job fulfillment, here’s a list of career opportunities worth exploring.
When it comes to careers, the years 2020 and 2021 ushered in some pretty notable shifts in job trends. First, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic introduced major changes in the way we live, work, and study—increasing demand for some jobs while rendering others obsolete.
In line with that, demand for some jobs like nursing soared exponentially, and many of these careers will remain in demand post-pandemic.
Based on data collected from LinkedIn and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nursing, IT, and marketing jobs face good job prospects.
As you might know, I started my career working in New York’s top ad and marketing agencies – rising up quickly to Senior VP.
But then I quit in my late twenties (to my parent’s horror) to pursue becoming a (hoped for) bestselling author. Plus I wanted to help people – in a more personal way – as a branding and marketing consultant.
Thankfully, my career plan/dream worked out – and now I love to encourage as many people as I can to pursue careers which are both profitable and fulfilling – which is why I’m sharing these insights on job opportunities for 2021.
6 Career Opportunities Worth Exploring
Some of these careers listed below pay over $100,000. Some require no college degree. And others allow you to work from home. That said, you have a better chance of getting hired if you’re pursuing any of these six careers, due to their high demand and positive job outlook.
1. Nursing Practitioner
Average Salary: $75,330
Projected Growth: 52% increase in hiring
It’s no surprise that nursing careers are the most in-demand right now. No matter how the world evolves, it will always need nurses. Their demand, which surged due to COVID-19, has been on the rise globally since last year.
The duty of a nurse is to coordinate patient care. They may also provide primary and specialty healthcare from time to time.
To become a nurse, you’ll need first to acquire a college degree, then pass a state competency exam to get licensed. Given the ongoing shortage of nurses globally, you can expect to get hired as soon as you get licensed.
2. AI Specialist
Average Salary: $114,520
Projected growth: $74% growth
As automation changes the way we live and work, jobs in artificial intelligence are proving to be one of the biggest career opportunities of the 21st century.
Recording an average growth rate of 74% since 2015, AI jobs are definitely among the top hiring careers in 2021. The role of an AI specialist is to design intelligent programs that can make computers “think” and execute human-centric tasks.
To become an AI specialist, you’ll need a strong background in programming and system analysis. Hence, a bachelor’s degree in computer science, statistics, data science, or mathematics is a crucial entry point.
3. Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Average salary: $73,560
Projected growth: 4% from 2019 to 2029
Every organization, business, and overpaid celebrity needs a CPA. Hence, the demand for these professionals keeps growing year after year, and 2021 is no exception.
From the smallest startups to the fortune 500 to government agencies and private institutions—every money-making body requires the skills of a CPA.
These professionals perform a wide range of accounting duties, including preparing financial statements, establishing accounting policies, preparing tax returns, auditing individual accounts, and ensuring compliance with regulatory bodies.
To become a CPA, you’ll need to complete some college coursework.
Requirements for the CPA test are set by individual states, thus vary by state jurisdiction. However, most states require candidates to have completed a bachelor’s degree or at least 120 credit hours to be eligible.
4. Physician Assistant
Average Salary: $115,390
Projected growth: 31% in hiring
Expect to be called a doctor by accident all day for sure. But your role will not be much different from that of a trained physician.
A physician assistant (PA) is a healthcare professional licensed to practice medicine under the supervision of a doctor. PAs conduct physical exams, assist in surgery, perform patient exams, interpret tests, write prescriptions, and provide counsel on preventive health.
As one of the highest paying careers on demand, PA jobs also have high educational requirements. You will need a Master’s degree from an accredited institution and experience in a healthcare setting.
5. Mental Health Specialist
Average Salary: $42,840
Projected growth: 24% in hiring
One of the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the mental health toll, with more than 42% of the people surveyed by the US Central Bureau reporting signs of depression, anxiety, increased substance use, and suicidal thoughts.
Thus, it’s not surprising that mental health specialists are in demand in 2021. It’s projected that demand for these specialists will continue to rise as the world continues to battle the aftermath of the pandemic.
To become a mental health specialist/counselor, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field, plus experience working with mental health patients.
6. Digital Marketer
Average Salary: $66,206
Projected growth: 10% in hiring
For any company today, digital marketing is a must in order to remain viable, which explains why the demand for digital marketing professionals is on the rise.
These professionals leverage brand assets like its website and social media to raise brand recognition and generate leads. Accomplishing this can take many forms, from social media campaigns to video marketing to crafting sales reports and more.
That said, expertise in video production, blogging, and social media marketing will open many doors in 2021. The good thing about digital marketing is that you don’t need a bachelor’s degree to get started. Plus, it offers the flexibility to work from home.
Wrapping Up Career Opportunities
That’s it! Our list of the top 6 careers’ worth exploring. Other jobs high in demand worth checking out include data science specialists, information security analysts, DevOps engineers, and home health and personal care aides.
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