Top In-Demand Industries for Jobs in 2021

5 Most In-Demand Industries in 2021

When you’re looking to make a career change or advance a career in a certain industry, it’s helpful to be aware of what kinds of jobs are in-demand. Knowing the potential that certain industries provide helps when you’re considering:

  • New skills to learn – if you’re interested in taking an online course or going back to college
  • Leaving your industry – when you want to make a career change but aren’t sure where to start
  • Places to volunteer – volunteering for organizations in in-demand industries can help you connect with professionals and learn more about the trade
  • People to network with – a diverse network can help you discover job openings and lead to referrals

As we look ahead to 2021 and beyond, here are five industries where jobs are experiencing growth. If any of these pique your interest, you can check out online learning on sites like Coursera and EdX to try out courses and see if the industry would be a fit for you.

1. Healthcare

Employment in healthcare occupations is expected to grow 15% between 2019 and 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That’s much faster than average compared to all occupations. Nearly 2.4 million new jobs are expected to be added, in positions like nursing assistant, occupational therapy aide and clinical laboratory technologist.

More healthcare professionals are expected to be needed as the population ages. Some college healthcare programs provide students with the opportunity to have their education compensated when they agree to work at a designated place for a certain amount of time. There are also entry-level healthcare positions that don’t require college education to move into the industry.

2. Computer and Information Technology

The BLS reports computer and information technology jobs are expected to grow 11% from 2019 to 2029, which is also much faster than average for all occupations. There are 531,200 new jobs expected to be added, especially in roles related to information security, cloud computing and the collection and storage of big data.

Technology bootcamps are widely available, provided by organizations like General Assembly and Full Stack Academy. Many are online and self-paced, so you can sharpen your tech skills while continuing to work at a full-time job.

3. Environment-/Green-Focused Jobs

The BLS lists two environment-/green-focused jobs in its top three fastest-growing occupations from 2019 to 2029. The job outlook for wind turbine technicians is expected to grow 61% from 2019 to 2029, while the job outlook for solar photovoltaic installers is expected to grow 51% between 2019 and 2029. Both jobs don’t require a college education for entry-level positions.

The growth of jobs like these reflects the potential the “green economy” offers in the next decade. The United Nations states 24 million new jobs could be created across the globe by 2030 with green policies. In 2019, “Forbes” reported nearly 3.3 million Americans worked in clean energy, outnumbering those working in the fossil fuel industry by 3-to-1. Anyone who is currently working in or aspires to work in energy industries may benefit from upskilling on green-focused technology.

4. On-Demand

On-demand was in-demand in 2020, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As more people experienced the convenience of restaurant and grocery delivery, at-home fitness classes and work- and learn-from-home platforms, expect those industries to continue to rise in potential in 2021 and post-COVID. Amazon alone grew $570 billion in 2020, “Forbes” reports.

You don’t have to be a delivery driver to work in an on-demand industry. Companies from Amazon to Instacart have hundreds of jobs in all types of roles across the country, with many in remote capabilities.

In-person services like hair care, makeup application, massage and childcare are also on-demand. Professional services like copywriting, graphic design and website creation are also fueling growth in the freelance economy, which CNBC reported had a 22% year-over-year increase in 2020 to contribute $1.2 trillion to the U.S. economy.

The booming on-demand industry provides a ton of potential to aspiring solopreneurs who want to set their own schedules and choose their own clients. Its flexibility means many full-time professionals are working side gigs on nights and weekends to see if moving to freelancing full-time would work for them.

5. Social Service Occupations

Despite the significant growth in technology and its related jobs, human-based community and social service jobs continue to be important and in-demand. According to the BLS, employment in community and social service occupations is expected to grow 12% between 2019 and 2029, which is much faster than average for all occupations. About 348,600 new jobs are expected to be added.

These types of positions include:

  • Health educators
  • Community health workers
  • Substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors
  • Probation officers
  • Correctional treatment specialists
  • Rehabilitation counselors
  • Marriage and family therapists
  • Social workers
  • School and career counselors
  • Social and human service assistants

The education required for these positions varies, with some roles requiring a high school education all the way up to a master’s degree and licensure. With a low educational barrier of entry for some positions and a great need for these types of workers, you may be able to make a meaningful career change if you’re interested in helping people at your job.

Like we reported, job stress and being stuck in a career you hate can take a toll on your health and well-being. If you think you might want to make a career change to a social service or community position, you could try volunteering for an organization like a food bank or community center to see if the work interests you.

It’s Never Too Late for a Career Change

Wherever you are in your career, you deserve to be happy and fulfilled at work. Read 3 reasons why it’s never too late to change careers.

If you find yourself interested in something new, consider jobs in the industries mentioned here. Work with HiConsulting Services for career coaching so you can prepare for the transition. We can help with resume writing services and more. Contact us for a free consultation.

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