On The Job
13 Careers for the Next Decade
We offer a baker’s dozen of professions that promise income growth, work-life balance and social impact.
By Marty Nemko, Contributing Columnist, Kiplinger.com
January 2010
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Few decisions are more important than choosing a career. And especially in these uncertain and changing times, no decision may be more difficult.
U.S. companies, saddled with increasingly onerous costs of employing people, are downsizing, cutting employees’ hours, hiring temps, automating jobs and sending work offshore. Meanwhile, technology is redefining existing jobs and demanding new skills from an aging workforce, and new competition for jobs looms in the form of 12 to 20 million illegal immigrants likely to get legalized in the years ahead. Perhaps most potent, the U.S. is experiencing the largest transfer of gross domestic product from the private sector to the government sector in history -- and shifting jobs along with it.
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In these roiling times, what are smart career choices? Of course, the best career for one person can be the worst for another, but I believe these 13 are particularly worthy of attention. From among thousands of occupations, I selected the 13 that rank best overall based on these criteria:
• Likelihood of sustaining at least a middle-class income. This subsumes three factors: likely job growth, income potential and being under the radar (so there's less competition for jobs).
•Socially redeeming. There may be jobs, for example, as casino managers and tobacco executives, but such occupations were immediately excluded from consideration.
•Quality of life. Reasonable work hours, freedom from toxic or noisy work environments, and so on.
•Status. Most Kiplinger readers will not, for example, be attracted to owning gas stations, even though some gas-station owners make a great deal of money.
Federal-government manager
Especially in homeland security, energy and the environment, health care, veterans affairs and defense. Common job titles: program analyst, program manager and director. Also needed are country experts, especially on China, India and Middle Eastern countries. The federal government will be the largest source of new jobs, with 300,000 hires expected within the next two years. And those jobs will not be just in Washington, D.C., but all over the U.S. and across the world. Federal job security and benefits are nonpareil, and salaries are more competitive than is widely believed. Learn more: Partnership for Public Service
Higher-education administrator
Even in tough times, and despite annual beyond-inflation price increases, many people continue to pursue higher education. So manager types may find the job market better in higher education than in corporate America. Plus, colleges offer a felicitous work environment and generous vacation time. Neat niche: student-affairs administrator. (No, I'm not talking about assignations.) Learn more: The College Administrator's Survival Guide
Program evaluator
Is Head Start really worth the taxpayer dollars? Is it wise to train lab technicians online? What should the next-generation teen-pregnancy-prevention program look like? Program evaluators address such questions. Learn more: Basic Guide to Program Evaluation
Corporate executive specializing in global business development or managing global workforces
Speaking Mandarin, Hindi, Bengali, Russian, Portuguese, Arabic or Farsi is a plus. Learn more: Thunderbird School of Global Management Blogs
Cognitive-behavioral therapist
The Mental Health Parity Act requires that mental health now be covered as fully as physical health, but many insurers will cover only cognitive-behavioral therapy because it’s both shorter and, on average, more efficacious than traditional psychotherapy. Learn more: Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
Immigration expert
President Obama has promised amnesty or "a path to citizenship" for the U.S.’s illegal immigrants. Experts will be needed to figure out how to integrate millions of people who are typically poor, speak little English and have high health-care needs. Learn more: Department of Homeland Security, National Council of La Raza
Researcher
Expertise in two or more of these subjects: physics, math, molecular biology, engineering and computer science are in high demand. Key specializations and examples of work in each area:
•Energy: Developing space-based solar power, in-vehicle hydrogen fuel generators, algae that's genetically engineered for maximum net energy yield, efficient insulators (such as nanolevel-designed coatings), batteries with long cruising ranges for electric vehicles.
•Genomics: Determining what gene clusters affect what phenotypes, developing safe, effective methods of gene knockouts and transfers.
•Neurophysics: Understanding the physics of depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, retardation and so on.
•Diagnostic imaging: Developing molecular-level medical imaging.
•Pollution control: Nuclear-waste neutralizers, nanolevel pollution filters.
Warning: After getting that PhD in hard science and math, you may need a one- to two-year postdoctoral position. Learn more: Career Guide for Scientists, The Science Careers portal from Science magazine
Health-informatics specialist
Health-care providers are switching to electronic medical records, using computerized expert systems to guide diagnoses and treatment recommendations, and collecting more data to evaluate quality of care. Learn more: American Medical Informatics Organization, American Health Information Management Association
Optometrist
This career offers a high patient success rate, good income, status and shorter-than-MD training: four years post-bachelors or seven years in a BS/OD program. Learn more: Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11: Optometrists
Genetic counselor
With personal DNA sequencing ever more informative and affordable, people face many more gene-related decisions. For example, if your genome doubles your risk of breast cancer, should you have a prophylactic mastectomy? Or if you're pregnant and a test reveals your baby has the gene for a disease that has a 50-50 chance of being serious, should you abort? Genetic counselors help people decide what to do. A master's is the terminal degree. Learn more: National Society of Genetic Counselors
Patient advocate
Help ensure the patient gets to see the right specialist, do research so the patient is better informed when talking to the doctor, educate family members on how to support the patient during a hospital stay, sort through the mountains of bills and, if necessary, negotiate fees. Learn more: About.com’s guide to Becoming a Patient Advocate
Physical therapist
This career scores high on job-satisfaction surveys, thanks to one-on-one interaction that lasts longer than physicians' average of 12 minutes per patient, tangible patient progress and reasonable work hours. Plus, as aging boomers sustain more weekend-warrior injuries and worse, the job market could strengthen, although cost-control pressures are resulting in increased use of physical-therapy assistants, who have less training. A three-year Doctor of Physical Therapy is becoming the standard degree. Learn more: Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11: Physical Therapists, American Physical Therapy Association
Veterinarian
This career offers advantages over an MD career: shorter training, qualification to do a wider range of procedures, less paperwork and freedom from the uncertainties of health-care reform. Of course, your patients can't describe what's wrong with them. Learn more: About.com's veterinary career portal
Now what?
If one of those careers piques your interest, well, keep reading -- beyond the relevant resource provided here. Be sure to examine the profession’s profile in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition. Or do a Web search of the career's name along with the word "careers" -- for example, "biophysicist careers."
If the career remains appealing, speak with or, better yet, visit people who work in that field to get a genuine sense of what it's like. Finding people can be as close as your Yellow Pages, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter or a professional association membership list.
After the above exploration, if a career still rates at least a 9 on a 10-point scale, congratulations are probably in order. You might finally have a good answer to the question, "So what are you going to do?"
Be careful about holding out for the perfect career match at this stage. Otherwise, you may well be waiting for Godot. Most people discover they love their career only after they've become a go-to guy or girl in that field or end up with a great boss and workplace. Plus, a career may have pluses and minuses for you that are indiscernible until after you've entered the field.
Marty Nemko is a contributing columnist for Kiplinger and has been named “The Bay Area’s Best Career Coach” by the San Francisco Bay Guardian. Find more than 500 of his other published writings free at www.martynemko.com.
Reader Comments (24)
Posted by: WTF?? at 01/06/2010 08:57:01 PM
Yes, let's all go work for the government! This article wasn't worth my click. Immigration Expert??? If we don't know what to do with all the immigrants already, then do we really need them here in the first place?!?!?! I recommend your list include Fiduciary Magician since we're going to need lots of them to figure out how to pay for all of Obama's wildly expensive, yet completely unfunded, social programs!!!! Curious that scientist, engineer, and MD did not make your list. I suppose we don't need them since Obama will likely outsource jobs which require cognitive thinking to India and China.
Posted by: J. Renner at 01/06/2010 09:39:55 PM
A quick observation on your assertion that the DVM (veterinarian) curriculum involves shorter training than an MD. Since my son is almost half-way through his veterinarian training, it's apparent that your assertion (possibly relayed by others) isn't true. The required GPA to get into DVM programs is typically higher than MD programs, the coursework largely identical; it's a four year program just like med school and usually is followed by a year's internship and possibly several additional years for specialty training.
Posted by: vfh at 01/06/2010 10:52:43 PM
Hey you forgot community organizer
Posted by: Dennis R. Blood at 01/07/2010 07:02:31 PM
I as Executive Search Consultant to Banks and the Financial Service Industry I find very difficult to find exceptional Commercial Loan Officers, SBA Officers, Ag Lenders, Chief Credit Officers, and exceptional Chief Fiancial Officers for key search assignments. There 100's of unemployed marginal bank, mortgage loan officer, but the best candidates pay for themselves through their everyday effort to be the best in their profession. Those exceptional bankers, will continue to (be) invaluable to their organization(s), to keep the bank lean and mean, and not repeat the mess of the 90's.
Posted by: David at 01/07/2010 07:24:27 PM
I read through this post and didn't skim. The role of Genetic Counselor sounds really nasty. Really? Does American need to pay someone who will tragically advise woman to destroy their unborn boys and girls?...
Posted by: AME at 01/08/2010 01:51:58 AM
To 'WTF??': Love your comment. Completely agreed! You summed it up perfectly without having to write a huge paragraph. Also love the term 'Fiduciary Magician'. Isn't it sad how we have to give up so much and change our way of life all because the government suddenly feels the obligation to cater to immigrants?
Posted by: Marty Nemko at 01/08/2010 11:49:52 AM
Hi, I'm the author of this column. WTF, The vast majority of veterinarians do not take the one to four year residencies that physicians do, hence the training is shorter. Hope this helps.
Posted by: AME at 01/08/2010 02:43:55 PM
I also wanted to mention that here in MA, we've got medical applications that states on the top in relatively large font (I kid you not): "You do not have to be a US citizen to receive benefits". I think if someone is going to work as an immigration expert, that's something they should fix because it's costing us too much money. Same for government workers. There's something very wrong with giving noncitizens full medical benefits. If people are going to enter these two fields, that's something to consider fixing.
Posted by: JD at 01/09/2010 07:20:19 AM
Awesome, all we need to fix our country is even more government administrators to shovel the beuracracy directly into your living room. How about the Government sets a standard, such as a BALANCED busget, for the public to emulate? If you want a good government job, join the military- great benefits, retire in 20 and get to live in all sorts of great places.
Posted by: maESTro at 01/10/2010 07:27:53 AM
...If these are the jobs of the future I want to go back in time...
Posted by: Val at 01/13/2010 08:33:26 PM
Just to expand on the veterinarian career. I'm not a vet, just a pet owner. There is a VMD and a DVM. Basically the difference between a physician assistant and a physician. A VMD is shorter training and thus, less knowledge. A DVM involves vet school, residency and usually a fellowship. As a pet owner, I want a DVM. I'm finding there are fewer VMDs, at least in my area. Consumers are starting to get wise as to the difference. So I would recommend to tell folks to skip the shorter training and go for the DVM since they are more likely to be around in the future. P.S. WTF is spot on. Great post.
Posted by: chuck at 01/13/2010 09:54:14 PM
What? No butcher, or baker or candlestick maker?
Posted by: JH at 01/14/2010 03:14:49 PM
This is creative writing...not well researched. I expect better from Kiplingers. My teen is interested in science. The science links listed here were not very good for the purpose of someone choosing a career, the sites were specifically for those already with an advanced degree, and even so, they are not something I would use even then.. I also disagree with the choices in this list. where did the author come up with these ideas? As wtf said, what happened to engineer, and md??
Posted by: Charles at 01/25/2010 03:53:00 PM
First time reader here..."We offer a bakers dozen of professions that promise income growth, work-life balance and social impact." Commenters: You all can read, right? These are not careers that promise to be the next big thing, they are niche jobs that could provide what the author states. Bitterness makes you die sooner. WTF, indeed.
Posted by: FJG at 01/31/2010 03:58:33 PM
Val - I am a veterinarian. Your post, while really creative, is simply wrong. The VMD degree is exactly the same as the DVM degree. VMD is an abbreviation for Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris - that's Latin - and is only conferred by the University of Pennsylvania, hence their scarcity. The remaining 25 colleges of veterinary medicine in the US confer the English language version of the degree - DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine). I think the Penn grads (Ivy League) would be amused that someone thinks they are somehow inferior to other veterinarians! Agree that either degree is a pathway to a great career, and opens the door to careers in private practice, large corporations, and the government, but it is a long expensive road similar to human medicine.
Posted by: PRH at 02/02/2010 07:52:56 AM
Do we really need to sit around and scratch our heads, and wonder why our kids don't excel in math and science? Do we make the opportunities particularly encouraging? Look at Reseacher - it comes with a WARNING!!!! "Warning: After getting that PhD in hard science and math, you may need a one- to two-year postdoctoral position" And then surround it with many, obviously GUT/EASY degreed careers that pay just as well? Do we really think that our youth are that stupid? Very very sad state of affairs. At least all the other commenters see this too.
Posted by: zakplata at 02/02/2010 08:15:11 AM
This article is not only not well researched but it is also discriminatiory; "people who are typically poor, speak little English and have high health-care needs." ? What do you call "High health care needs"? Immigrants have the same needs you do, eat the same you do and get sick the same way you do, we are all human beings; this is very dissapointing coming from a gay Jew; Does it cost you more money to get a flu shot because you are Jewish and not Christian? same thing...
Posted by: Chesty at 02/02/2010 09:13:02 AM
What I see is "aiding and abetting" the enemy. Your terms are convoluted in logic and unsupportable in text. "Immigration" is a legal process based upon an application, due process and rule of law under the U.S. Constitution. You must favor this dictator being successful, this illegal citizen anchor baby Barry Soetoro. Where are the GNP builders, producers of wealth companies. These are all government jobs from taxing the people destroying a free society. You are late. Government misconduct and sedition, Presidential high-crimes has been around prior decades too long. Almost all jobs listed are socialists an indicator of the result of a conquered people and country of sovereignty in citizenship, and government orientation. We the people are slaves and subjects of an arrogant person not hardly rule of law. It is the extention of Executive Orders which have perverted our system of checks and balances to protect an objective contract for liberty and justice. Your naming is incorrect. "Immigration Expert" should be "Invasion facilitator" "Surrender Agent", "Quisling" or "seditionist" all functionally accurate unAmerican activity not revolutionary but converts to lawlessness for a perverted purpose the same as a jihadist blowing themselves up for Islamic extremist cleric perversions. "President Obama has promised amnesty or "a path to citizenship" for the U.S.'s illegal immigrants." Only a DICTATOR could "promise" going around CONGRESS and THE CONSTITUTION while 85% of the citizens oppose such a move. It is NOT the function, duty or is it constitutional for the Executive Branch to dictate and bully Congress the Legislative branch WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO REPRESENT THE U.S. CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC LAW STANDARD THEN FOR THE PEOPLE. There is a contract with America, the Constitution and ignoring it is treason.
Posted by: rollingeyes at 02/02/2010 11:25:31 AM
Really? Since when do immigrants have high healthcare needs? They are sicker than the rest of us?...
Posted by: Lay off the Government at 02/02/2010 03:03:33 PM
I would like to see one "jobs" article that does not include the Federal government as the average U.S. citizen cannot qualify for these jobs when a person with a Bachelor's and three years experience in the position, such as myself, is beaten out by someone who served in the military for less than two years, barely graduated high school, and has no experience due to military preference. Can you say favoritism?
Posted by: beard-face at 02/02/2010 05:23:21 PM
I am so sick of people glorifying Cognitive-Behaviorists! I spent half my life going to college, getting my doctorate, and sitting (or I should say "laying") through 6 years of analytic training! Now it's hard for me to make a living because people are skimping out on "real change" and going to those quacks that promise them quick fixes in "12 sessions or less!" Hah! I'll sit around here and wait until their denials dry up and they finally come crawling back to me... even if it takes till the next decade for that to happen!
Posted by: Katie at 02/02/2010 10:00:33 PM
Actually, I think that immigrants (and people nearer to poverty level in general) do have higher healthcare costs because they are less likely to have insurance and primary care physicians. Therefore, they end up in the emergency rooms more often for lesser matters that dont necessarily require it. And I think most people know that the ER is WAY more expensive than a primary care office, even if they do exactly the same thing. Higher healthcare cost doesnt necessarily mean more sick.
Posted by: Jim at 02/03/2010 07:52:22 AM
"President Obama has promised amnesty or "a path to citizenship" for the U.S.s illegal immigrants. " He also promised to have the healthcare debate on CSPAN, post all bills on the internet for 5 days before a vote, be out of Guantanamo Bay in a year, and pass Obamacare. It is distressing to see so much of the "recovery mone"y being spent to create government jobs. Either they will go away in a year or we have just permanently increased the line of people sucking on the taxpayer tit.
Posted by: WAGESLAVE at 02/03/2010 05:21:27 PM
I don't mind the cutthroats who push the best and brightest out of job - the workplace Mobbers - because they'll have the work and ALL THE TAX BURDENS that go with it...