What Are The Best Jobs For The Future?

On the page before we talked about using Career Interest Tests to help you choose a career. But what interests you might not be your only consideration.

In this day and age, it's good to consider career potential and job security too.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of the U.S. Department of Labor tracks employment statistics and makes projections about future employment trends.

BLS reports can be very helpful when you are planning your career because they tell you, among other things, which are the best jobs for the future.

What Are The Best Jobs For The Future?

BLS estimates that the fastest growing occupations between now and 2016 will be in healthcare and technology. BLS also reports on the jobs expected to have the highest number of new jobs. If you compare the two lists below you will see that the occupations that are growing the fastest are not the same as the occupations expected to have the largest number of openings in the future.

Both lists can help you decide what type of work you want to do. Then you can get the training and education you need to qualify for that type of work.

Fastest-growing Occupations through 2016

In terms of best jobs for the future, here are the fastest-growing occupations to 2016.

• Network systems and data communications analysts
• Personal and home care aides
• Home health aides
• Computer software engineers, applications
• Veterinary technologists and technicians
• Personal financial advisors
• Makeup artists, theatrical and performance
• Medical assistants
• Veterinarians
• Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors

Occupations with the Largest Number of Total Job Openings through 2016

In terms of best jobs for the future, here are the occupations with the greatest number of vacancies to 2016.

• Retail salespersons
• Cashier, except gaming
• Waiters and waitresses
• Customer service representatives
• Registered nurses
• Office clerks, general
• Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food
• Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers
• Janitors and cleaners
• Postsecondary teachers

Further Information on Best Jobs for the Future

Overall, jobs that provide service will grow the most. By 2016 three-quarters of all jobs are expected to be in the service sector. Professional jobs will also show strong growth. Jobs in manufacturing and in farming, forestry, and fishing will continue to decline.

The educational and training requirements for jobs of the future range from high school diplomas with on-the-job training to advanced degrees. The proportion of jobs that require a college degree will increase slightly through 2016.

You can find very interesting information about jobs and careers at the BLS website (www.bls.gov). The site lists job descriptions, training requirements and even salaries for many different occupations, including the 10 best paying jobs. You may find this information extremely useful as you plan your career.

Many of the jobs listed above can of course be found within the U.S. Government and as the federal government is the largest employer in the U.S. it's worth considering. Here's our advice on the best government jobs.

While job growth is slow right now, this will change. It's a great time to start planning your future. Use our information on the best jobs for the future and any more you can find to make an informed decision about your career path. Then you can begin your job search.

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