Technology and the global business environment are rapidly changing the employment landscape. The careers of today’s children will certainly look very different than the careers of today. Preparing children for today’s careers is a challenge, but there are at least five fields with growth potential and demand stability that parents should consider encouraging their children to pursue.
Information Technology
The information technology field is growing and changing rapidly. Information technology costs are one of the largest increasing business costs in the workplace today. A glance at the Interactive College of Technology’s website demonstrates the variety of careers available in information technology, from the hardware to the systems design. A good interactive college of technology will also prepare students for the rapid changes the industry is sure to continue seeing over the coming decades.
Medical Services and Support
Medical services and support staff is a high growth industry. As the population grows in numbers and advances with age, the demand for medical services is branching far beyond doctors and nurses. Support staff will be in high demand for everything from billing specialists to home health care providers.
Engineering
Engineers can have many different specialties, from chemical engineering to civil engineering. Many engineers advance into business roles utilizing their project management and learning agility. Engineering is one field that continues to be in high demand and prepares future workers for many changes in the employment arena that are difficult to forecast.
Technical Services
Despite the increase in automation in many fields, technical services like HV/AC repair, plumbers, electricians and other services requiring a human presence continue to be in high demand. Human presence is required for successful completion of these jobs and is expected to be a continued requirement, regardless of technological advancements. Additionally, a shortage in qualified professionals in these fields over the next few decades is expected to lead to increasing wages as competition for services increases.
Business Entrepreneurship
Change and innovation are a constant in the employment space. Training in entrepreneurship allows workers to adapt to changes by capitalizing on opportunities as they develop, as well as their individual skills and interests. Many careers possible today due to the internet and other technology were not possible even a few years ago. A broad knowledge of management and business helps position people to capitalize on changes in the market as they occur in ways it is not possible to anticipate today.
Adaptability to innovation, forecasted high demand, and resistance to automation are keys in considering the careers of the future. By carefully considering a child’s personality and interests, parents can guide their children toward careers with longevity that their child will also find enjoyable well into the future.