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Careers With Growth Potential and the Degree You'll Need

Explore job fields with a promising employment outlook.

The U.S. labor market is growing and always evolving. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that total employment will increase by 6.7 million jobs between 2023 and 2033.1 Some of the key job categories driving this growth are nurse practitioner, medical and health services manager, data scientist, information security analyst, and mental health and substance abuse counselor.

Whether you're seeking a new role in your current field or considering a career change, there are numerous jobs and industries with growth potential to explore. To better understand where the opportunities lie through 2033, let’s take a closer look at five of the projected fastest-growing career fields.

  1. Nurse Practitioner
  2. Data Scientist
    • Job growth: 36%1
    • Career focus: Data scientists analyze data to uncover valuable insights. Their work includes identifying useful data, organizing and analyzing it, developing and testing models, creating visual reports, and providing recommendations to the appropriate stakeholders.2
    • How to become a data scientist: The degree required depends on the job. According to the BLS, a bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement, but depending on the position, you may need a master’s or doctorate. If you’re considering a career in this field, you may want to look into an MS in Data Science degree program to see if it can help provide the education and skills you need.
  3. Information Security Analyst
    • Job growth: 33%1
    • Career focus: Information security analysts design and implement strategies to safeguard computer networks and systems from security threats.3
    • How to become an information security analyst: These jobs usually require at least a bachelor’s degree in information technology or another computer science-related field, according to the BLS. Employers may favor job candidates with professional certifications.3 You may want to explore an online MS in Cybersecurity degree program to see if it meets your education goals.
  4. Medical and Health Services Manager
    • Job growth: 29%1
    • What they do: Medical and health services managers, sometimes known as healthcare administrators, plan and manage the operational side of healthcare facilities or physician’s offices.4
    • Career focus: Medical and health services managers usually must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. According to the BLS, people interested in this field might consider college degrees in health administration, business, or nursing.4 If you’re interested in this healthcare career field, you may want to explore online degree programs such as these: Master in Healthcare Administration (MHA), BS in Healthcare Management, or a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Healthcare Management.
  5. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor
    • Job growth: 19%5
    • Career focus: Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors help individuals manage and overcome addiction, mental health, and behavioral challenges.
    • How to become a mental health counselor: According to the BLS, there varying education and training requirements for these roles: “Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors typically need at least a bachelor’s degree … and others require a master’s degree. Mental health counselors typically need a master’s degree and an internship. In addition, some counselors must be licensed.”6 You may want to explore an online MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program to see if offers the curriculum you want.

Start an Online Learning Journey Today

Whether you want to pursue an education in business, information technology, nursing, counseling, education or another discipline, Walden University's got you covered.

Offering more than 100 degree and certificate programs online, Walden is a great option to consider if you’re looking to earn a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree. And thanks to an array of student support services and a convenient online learning platform, you can balance your professional and personal activities while you earn a degree.

Walden also helps take your career aspirations to the next level with a Personalized Career Opportunity Report (PCOR). After answering a few questions about your goals, Interests, and priorities, this tool will create a personalized report highlighting potential careers that are aligned with your objectives and passions. You’ll also receive corresponding industry insights into salaries and growth potential of those career choices and the degree you’ll need to pursue them.

Whether you’re just starting your online college journey or preparing to earn another degree, a time of high job growth in certain career fields may be the perfect time to invest in your personal growth.

Walden University is an HLC-accredited institution offering online degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, as well as online certificate programs. Advance your education and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.

1Source: www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ecopro.pdf 
2Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/math/data-scientists.htm#tab-2
3Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm
4Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm
5Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm#tab-6
6Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm#tab-4

Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.

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