Hot Degrees for Hot Jobs
The Millennial Generation – roughly defined as those currently in their 20s – has been hit particularly hard by today’s struggling economy. The national unemployment rate is in double-digit territory, right at 10.0 percent, but the rate for those in their 20s is even higher – currently standing at 14.8 percent for 20-24 year olds and 10.5 percent for those aged between 25-29.
Given the current economic environment, twenty-somethings are experiencing increased anxiety about choosing the right major that will lead to the right career, according to Jordan Goldman, CEO of Unigo.com, an online resource for college information.
CNBC.com asked Goldman for his predictions of the hottest sectors and careers for the next generation and which majors can best prepare students to fill these jobs.
Click ahead to see Goldman’s list of hottest sectors, majors and careers.
By Brooke SopelsaPosted 16 Dec 2009
Sector: Health Care
Under President Obama’s health care proposals, millions of additional people will have access to health care. Goldman expects this, along with advances in medical technology, will contribute to an “explosion of jobs” in all medical specialties.
Associated Majors: Biology, Public Health, Health Information Technology, Pharmacy, Nursing
Hot Jobs For Growth: Genetic Counselor, Medical and Public Health Social Worker, Registered Nurse, Clinical Laboratory Technologist, Home Care Aid
Sector: Business
"There will be a great demand for consultants and business development specialists as US companies rush in to work with foreign firms, execute deals, and carry them through to profitability,” predicted Goldman.
Associated Majors: International Finance, Ecommerce, Business Statistics, Information Resource Management, Financial Support Services
Hot Jobs For Growth: International Consultant, Mergers and Acquisitions Specialist, Strategic Planner, Portfolio Manager, Business Analyst
Sector: Green Collar Jobs
"President Obama has promised to create 5 million green collar jobs. These jobs will go towards a wide variety of initiatives as we tackle cleaning up the environment, controlling global warming, gathering energy from more renewable resources, reducing waste and pollution, installing wind turbines and solar panels, cleaning up public transit, enhancing energy efficiency and overhauling the electrical grid,” said Goldman.
Associated Majors: Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management and Policy, Electromechanical Technology, Natural Resource Economics, Architecture
Hot Jobs For Growth: Sustainability Officer, Renewable Energy Technician, Waste Management Consultant, Sustainable Urban Planner, Geophysicist
Sector: Finance
"Although the ailing banking and financial sectors will contract in the short term, in the future the need for bright and creative economists – and the opportunities for all financial-related fields – will rebound and grow to offer lucrative employment,” said Goldman. He predicts business intelligence will be more focused on predictive modeling and offer more real-time analysis.
Associated Majors: Mathematical Statistics and Probability, Investments and Securities, Analysis and Functional Analysis, Financial Planning, Accounting
Hot Jobs For Growth: Forensic Accountant, Credit Analyst, Private Equity, Management Consultant, Securities and Commodities Agent
Sector: Advanced Medical Research
"Over the next two decades, medicine will change from a reactive mode – where doctors wait for people to get sick – to a preventative mode, where medical researchers can prevent you from ever getting sick in the first place,” said Goldman. He expects growth in “personalized” medicine that focuses on the role of genes and the environment, breakthroughs in common diseases due to “systems biology” and more rapid drug discovery and development.
Associated Majors: Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Cell Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Molecular Pharmacology, Laboratory Technology
Hot Jobs For Growth: Robotics Technician, Nanotechnologist, Simulation Engineer, Synthetic Biologist, Gene Screener
Sector: Digital Space
"The digital space is transforming every aspect of the workplace and our lives, and jobs in this sector are booming,” said Goldman. He sees strong future growth in digital networks, virtual worlds and robotics.
Associated Majors: Computer Science, Computational Mathematics, Game Design and Development, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Data Processing Technology
Hot Jobs for Growth: Interface Designer, Mobile Application Developer, Content Curator, Cyber Security Specialist, Casual Game Developer
Sector: Automotive
"While automobile production is currently dwindling, future demand will exponentially increase for designers and engineers to create the next generation of hybrid and energy-efficient cars,” said Goldman. Goldman predicts auto companies will face far more stringent requirements and standards for energy efficiency in the future.
Associated Majors: Transportation and Highway Engineering, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management and Policy, Drafting and Design, Industrial Safety Technology
Hot Jobs For Growth: Energy Efficiency Manager, Automotive Field Technician Specialist, Industrial Production Manager, Mechanical Engineer, Energy Conservation Engineer