Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer
In today's uncertain job market, even the jobs once marked as "recession-proof" are not as safe as we thought. So where should you focus your job search?
Several trends -- existing and emerging -- continue to drive job growth and creation throughout the United States. Developments in technology, health care, environmentalism and globalization, as well as current trends in the economy are clearing the path for several cutting-edge careers to surface.
If you're in the market for a new job, here are seven emerging careers that are making a mark and poised for growth in the coming years. Please note that salary and job growth information is not collected for all positions because of the size and awareness of each job.
1. Home stager
The real-estate market is not what it used to be and homes are taking longer to sell. Potential buyers usually decide how much they like a property by picturing their own possessions in the house. That's not always easy if the home is cluttered with unattractive décor and furnishings. House stagers work with real-estate agents and their clients to improve the appearance of their home and make it more appealing for potential buyers.
Industry umbrella: Interior design
Job growth: N/A
Salary: Most stagers are self-employed and set their own fees. Prices may vary from $75 for an initial consultation to $500 for staging an entire house.
2. Health informatics technician
Each time you go to the doctor, everything about the visit is added to your medical file. As health-care facilities everywhere make the change to electronic medical records, informatics technicians not only transition the files, but they use computer systems to help doctors analyze, diagnose and treat patients based on the information they are given. This computer data also improves care, controls costs and provides documentation for use in legal actions.
Industry umbrella: Health care
Job growth*: 18 percent
Salary**: $31,208
3. Simulation developer
From entire virtual communities like Second Life to various online demonstration videos, simulations are becoming the way of the world. Be it pilots using in-flight simulators to prepare for high-risk situations; landscape architects using video reproduction to help clients envision proposed ideas and plans; or medical students diagnosing and treating virtual patients without risking a real person's life, simulators are a new way for professionals in all industries to train, practice and prepare for exciting -- and potentially dangerous -- situations before they happen.
Industry umbrella: Computer software engineers
Job growth: 38 percent, based on industry projections
Salary: $58,163
4. Green jobs
The environmental wave, in addition to President Obama's promise to create 5 million green jobs, is creating jobs in everything from sales to government to nonprofit organizations. Whether it's a company researching how to make green products or a consultant implementing recycling procedures, the "clean-energy economy" is creating several opportunities in sectors including, but not limited to, energy generation, transportation, agriculture, waste and wastewater, and research and advocacy.
Industry umbrella: Clean energy and energy efficiency
Job growth: Clean-energy jobs outperformed job growth in 38 states and the District of Columbia between 1998 and 2007, the most recent year for which data are available, according to a study by Pew Charitable Trust.
Salary: Salaries depend on specific position
5. Emergency management
Since the Sept.11 terrorist attacks, jobs in the anti-terrorism field have grown. The required skills for positions in the anti-terrorism field are demanding, but a more attainable (yet still in-demand) career option is in emergency planning. Not only do emergency planners prepare and plan for terrorist attacks, they also train and prepare for responses and procedures for other disasters such as fires, floods, hostage situations or pandemics.
Industry umbrella: Management, business and financial operations
Job growth: 7 - 13 percent
Salary: $48,386
6. Career counselor
Workers need jobs; employers need workers. With the present economy, career counselors are needed more than ever. They offer job seekers career guidance and job-hunting advice, and can to help them improve their well-being through their work. Career counselors differ from a career coach in that not only will they help you in terms of your career, they will also seek to improve your overall mental health.
Industry umbrella: Human resources
Job growth: N/A
Salary: $47,074
7. Patient advocate
Anyone who's ever had health issues knows that the health-care system is not the easiest thing to navigate, especially when you or a loved one is sick. That's what patient advocates are there for. As the population continues to age and health worsens, patient care advocates will become more important to the job market. Advocates ensure that patients are informed, visiting with the right specialists and taking the right medicines, as well as educating family members on how to care for their sick relative. Perhaps most importantly, patient advocates will sort through medical bills and negotiate fees with health-care providers and insurance companies.
Industry umbrella: Health care
Job growth: 24 percent (for medical and public health social workers)
Salary: $47,560 (for medical and public health social workers), according to the BLS
Next: 12 Jobs That Will Never Disappear >>
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** US national average salary provided by CBSalary.com, powered by SalaryExpert
Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.
Aug 4th 2009 @ 2:28PM Nancy Lynn Jarvis
As a twenty year veteran Realtor I certainly see a bright future for home stagers. With so many choices, buyers single out homes that create an emotionally bond with them. That's where stagers come in. They help create a mood and evoke a lifestyle a buyer imagines they can have if they purchase the staged house. Does it work? It sure does. In fact it works so well I've used staged houses not only to sell properties but as a major clue in one of the real estate mysteries I've written.
Agents have learned the benefits of home staging. When the market improves they will carry those lessons forward and keep hiring stagers.
Nancy Lynn Jarvis, author of The Death Contingency
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Aug 5th 2009 @ 12:22PM Paul
Nancy,
What caliber fire arm do you recommend for all of us home building mangers with no future who put their trust and faith in corporate America and the blue chip company?
Aug 10th 2009 @ 4:20PM Dianne
As an accredited Home Stager, unfortunately I have found that many home owners and realtors remain skeptical about using our services. As a former realtor of 10 years, it always surprised me at how sellers were willing to reduce their price instead of using the services of a Home Stager. There is much work to be done to change these old-fashioned attitudes.
Aug 10th 2009 @ 5:35PM Sheila
Hey Nancy,
How do you learn to be a good home stager? I would Love to do that. Sheila
Aug 12th 2009 @ 7:47AM marina
I've been a realtor for 15 years also and when I read the title of your book I couldn't stop laughing...the death contingency ? Where can I get the book ?
Aug 11th 2009 @ 12:13AM MeanGene
yes, u can stage a property but is it actally what they want????? U R as crooked as a plain theif!!!!!!!!!!!
Aug 25th 2009 @ 5:27PM Marva
I admire you for liking your job and trying to share the perks with others. I retired early (too young to draw income from it) as a school teacher and started counseling which has it's ups and down's. I decided to share HEALTHY coffee and tea with others which is instant money and an income with a website. I paid off ALL my credit cards and some debt! Now I'm taking this opportunity more serious: no lay-offs, working my own hours and for myself, and having fun helping people stay healthy. This can compliment any job or be your own boss.
Aug 5th 2009 @ 12:25PM Paul
What did he pay you to say that?
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Aug 10th 2009 @ 4:44PM M.J.
I have no idea how much he payed her
Aug 6th 2009 @ 9:47PM aivyk
INTERESTING CONCEPT. I AM NOT CURRENTLY IN THE REAL ESTATE PROFESSION. I AM VERY CONCERNED THIS WORK IS BEING BOMBARDED BY MULTITUED LOOKING FOR A NEW CAREER. I CAN SEE THIS BEING A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT WILL FLOOD THE MARKET SO INTENSELY THAT IT WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND ENOUGH WORK TO SUSTAIN A LIVING. HOME STAGING I FIND TO BE A POSSSIBLE OUTLET THAT NOT ONLY INCREASES THE CHANCES OF MOVING HOMES QUICKLY BUT ADDING AN ACCEPTABLE OPTION FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN A NEW CAREER DIRECTION. ANY SUGGESTIONS ON SALARY PROSPECTS ON AN ANUAL BASIS AND TRAINING TO INCREASE YOUR SUCCESS?
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Aug 10th 2009 @ 2:03PM ROGER
I NEED A JOB & SOME COLLEGE WHAT DO I DO?
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Aug 10th 2009 @ 2:39PM Kim
Unbelieveable...you write an article about jobs with good futures and you get flooded by these worthless "work from home" schemes. What a bunch of idiots and so sad when people are looking for "REAL" jobs.
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Aug 10th 2009 @ 2:56PM gene
Every one talks about how much money they make and how easy it is to make money online. But you cannot fool all the people all the time. What are the drawbacks. How much time do you have to spend to make the different amounts?
What about security compramise. What basicly are you doing
and are you hurting yourself or others.
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Aug 10th 2009 @ 2:54PM Sharon
Did you have to pay for some of the surverys. I tried one once and it made me pay for the ringtones that I was supposed to critique.
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Aug 10th 2009 @ 3:05PM Chris
You must find a plan to generate your own additional income...your own business, a second job, or just another way to bring a little more to the table or it will be toughin the years to come. You cannot rely on your employer to keep you and your family afloat!
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Aug 10th 2009 @ 5:28PM LaurieW
That's right, Chris!
Aug 10th 2009 @ 3:07PM Chris Hunziker
It sounds very interesting, But tryed the web site
and it came up NO RESULTS....
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Aug 10th 2009 @ 3:10PM Delila
A brilliant homage to the posts above yours. I can't believe these insidious people are posting on articles like this one now!! How ballsie!
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Sep 9th 2009 @ 6:55PM Beth
If you're a good agent, as well as a good person, your seller would not need a stager. It's your job as an agent to tell them what to do with their house to get it ready for sale.
As far as buyers go... I would bring them into a room and if it was a mess I would tell them to close their eyes and picture what their furniture would look like in the room.
A stager is just another way for someone else to bilk money out of the seller and shows that there is an agent who is too lazy to do their job!!
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Aug 10th 2009 @ 3:20PM yahaira
im a single mom who recently lost her job. i been looking for something to do while i find another job in my field to generate income and i have come across these advertisements about 123cash so i have wondered if they are really legitimate and if you could really make money doing this. i joined one that was free to sign up but i found it not to be working for me at all. can someone guide me to the right direction.
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