In the midst of a faltering economy and daunting job market, with headlines like the news of former mega-firm Bear Stearns rescinding dozens of job offers it had made to graduating students, you may have some very legitimate concerns about your immediate career prospects as a recent or soon-to-be grad just setting out on the job trail.
But even though previously sure-bet industries like the housing and financial sectors are taking a beating in the current economy, other careers, especially in the health and technology fields, are booming.
Look for job opportunities in these areas, which the government projects to be the 10 fastest-growing occupations over the next eight years:
| Occupation |
Number of Jobs
(in thousands) |
% Change |
| 2006 |
2016 |
| Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts |
262 |
402 |
53.4 |
| Personal and Home Care Aides |
767 |
1,156 |
50.6 |
| Home Health Aides |
787 |
1,171 |
48.7 |
Computer Applications
Software Engineers |
507 |
733 |
44.6 |
Veterinary Technologists
and Technicians |
71 |
100 |
41.0 |
| Personal Finance Advisors |
176 |
248 |
41.0 |
Theater and Performance
Makeup Artists |
2 |
3 |
39.8 |
| Medical Assistants |
417 |
565 |
35.4 |
| Veterinarians |
62 |
84 |
35.0 |
| Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors |
83 |
112 |
34.3 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics