Despite unemployment rates remaining steady at around 7.5 percent as of April 2013, there are still industries that maintain a high demand of available jobs. If you hold certain skills, experience, and a level of education, you could find yourself coming into your dream job at just the right time.
Software Engineers are one of the quickly rising careers in the nation due to the leaps and bounds that technology is continually taking. These engineers are still fairly new to the employment world and as a result of new technology constantly improving, jobs in this field have basically been creating themselves. With the introduction of Apps for mobile devices, as well as new computer operating systems, there is an ever increasing demand for people to fill these positions. To become a software engineer you must have an understanding of computer programming, which can be self-taught, though most companies (such as Google, Facebook, etc.) will require a computer science Bachelor's degree. Some perks of the job that many employers are starting to offer as benefits are a relaxed dress code, free meals and beverages, mental health days, laundry services, and working remotely from home. A software engineer can expect a national salary to average around $90,000 to $100,000.
2. Registered Nursing
With all of the health care changes in the last several years, and more expected in the future, there has been a dramatic decline in qualified health care workers. While it is a challenging yet rewarding career, one of the more in demand positions has been registered nurses. There are a myriad of employment opportunities when it comes to being an RN, and it isn't just limited to working in a hospital, though there is a great demand for people to fill those positions. Nursing spans not just the professional sector of hospitals, but also the private sector of clinics, nursing homes, schools, corporate, and in-home assistance. To meet the requirements of a registered nurse, one must attend an accredited college and earn a Bachelor's degree, which is a four-year program primarily made up of hands-on patient care experience. A typical RN can expect to receive an average salary of $72,000 to $80,000, nationally.
If you watch the news on a regular basis you will likely see proven and impressive biomedical advancements. However, with these advancements comes the need for more talented and skilled people to fill the roles of biomedical engineers. These individuals strive at creating concepts and principles that benefit the medical and biological fields, such as prostheses, implants and medical devices, tissue regeneration, imaging equipment, and more. A biomedical engineer, or BME, requires a Bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering, and those who do obtain this degree are likely to expect great employment opportunities as well as a salary of up to $80,000 a year.
4. Retail
Even though the economy does not appear to be turning around quickly enough, retail sales remain steady, meaning there will always be a demand for retail salespersons. This position is one that has higher turnover rates in the employment realm. It takes a certain personality to be able to handle the demands of the job, such as customer service, maintaining a knowledge-base of the products being sold, and often, an inconsistent schedule. However, if one is energetic, enjoys a challenge, and loves to advise people about their purchases, then this would be a perfect fit. The setting of a retail salesperson is quite unlimited, ranging from a myriad of shops in the mall, to big-box chain stores, to electronic and video game stores. Requirements for this position are not as rigid as other jobs, usually only requiring a clean background check and having reliable transportation, unless applying for a management position, although each store will have its own list of stipulations. A dependable and successful retail salesperson can expect to make around $21,000 to $30,000 a year, with managers making a significant amount more.
5. Trucking
Supply and demand in every industry depends heavily upon products arriving to their locations in a timely and reliable manner, and there are people responsible for the delivery of such items. The trucking industry is probably one of the more overlooked areas of employment, however one that offers many benefits. There are numerous professional trucking fleets across the country, as well as privately owned trucking companies. Truck drivers will haul 25,000 pounds or more of cargo across many state lines, utilizing tractor-trailers and straight trucks. Cargo can consist of dry goods as well as hazardous material. A CDL (commercial driver's license) is required to hold such a position, as well as a clean driving record. Most employers require drivers to be at least 21 years of age, and maintain common physical requirements such as 20/40 eyesight and good hearing. Additionally, truck drivers would need to pass a written test regarding regulations and rules, as well as take a commercial vehicle safety test in the actual truck. A typical truck driver can expect to make around $35,000 to $50,000 a year.
Regardless of the industry that a person is interested in, demand always changes over the years. College students should look ahead at the industries that are proposed to have more of a demand in the future so that when they graduate, they'll be able to find a job with a bit more ease.
Written By: Eric Foutch, a regular contributor at LeraBlog and Recruiterbox, writes about building teams and the impact of different corporate cultures on long term outcomes.
