The U.S. job market fluctuates, which means the difficulty of your employment search can depend on when you are looking. The good news is that if you’re flexible in your career path, there are numerous careers with plenty of job opportunities. Pursuing one of these careers could increase your odds of securing a job in which you can grow and excel.
What are these careers?
CareerOneStop, a U.S. Department of Labor-sponsored website, lists more than 800 careers with the greatest number of projected annual job openings between 2016 and 2026. Below are some of those openings that require at least a bachelor’s degree.1
General and Operations Managers
Projected 2016–2026 job opening change: 9%
Annual projected job openings: 210,700
Degree to consider: BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Management
General and operations managers work in both the public and private sectors and are responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating an organization’s operations. Their duties include everything from formulating policies to managing daily operations and human resources.
Registered Nurses
Projected 2016–2026 job opening change: 15%
Annual projected job openings: 203,700
Degree to consider: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) Completion Program
Registered nurses assess patients’ health problems and needs, and develop and put care plans into place. They also maintain medical records and administer care to sick, injured, and disabled patients. Registered nurses also can advise their patients on health maintenance and disease prevention, as well as provide case management.
Elementary School Teachers
Projected 2016–2026 job opening change: 7%
Annual projected job openings: 112,800
Degree to consider: BS in Elementary Education
Elementary school teachers provide students with academic, social, and other formative skills—generally at the kindergarten through fifth-grade level. They can teach a variety of subjects, including mathematics, social studies, and science, or a specialty like art, music, or physical education.
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
Projected 2016–2026 job opening change: 23%
Annual projected job openings: 77,100
Degree to consider: BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing
To help businesses determine how well their product or service will perform, market research analysts will research market conditions in local, regional, or national areas. They can also collect information on a business’s competitors, along with prices, sales figures, and how they market and distribute their products.
Human Resources Specialists
Projected 2016–2026 job opening change: 7%
Annual projected job openings: 57,600
Degree to consider: BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management
A career in human resources offers a variety of job opportunities. Human resources specialists screen job applicants, recruit prospects, conduct interviews, place workers in positions, handle employee benefits, and more. They may also be responsible for explaining a company’s regulations or policies to new hires.
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
Projected 2016–2026 job opening change: 14%
Annual projected job openings: 38,300
Degree to consider: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
As a social worker, you’ll have the opportunity to help improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families. Social workers can work in numerous settings, including mental health clinics, schools, welfare and community agencies, hospitals, and private practices. A bachelor’s degree in this field will provide a number of opportunities as a social work professional, but a master’s degree is generally required when counseling others.
How to get these jobs
It’s encouraging that so many careers have such a wealth of job prospects in the years to come. The first step for being qualified to apply for a job in one of these career fields is to have the required education—typically a bachelor’s degree. If going to school full time isn’t feasible, you have options.
Walden University offers a number of online bachelor’s degree programs—including those that can help prepare you for many of the professions listed above—in fields including education, social work, and human resource management. Walden offers the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree on your own schedule, from wherever you have an internet connection. For those who want to advance their career even further, Walden offers online master’s degree programs as well.
Walden University is an accredited institution offering bachelor’s degree programs online. Expand your career options and earn your degree using a convenient, flexible learning platform that fits your busy life.
1Source: www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/careers-most-openings.aspx?persist=true&location=US¤tpage=
Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.