13 Careers for the Next Decade
Few decisions are more important than choosing a career. And especially in these uncertain and changing times, no decision may be more difficult.
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.
1) Federal-government manager
2) Higher-education administrator
3) Program evaluator
4) Corporate executive specializing in global business development or managing global workforces
5) Cognitive-behavioral therapist
6) Immigration expert
7) Researcher
8) Health-informatics specialist
9) Optometrist
10)Genetic counselor
11)Patient advocate
12)Physical therapist
13)Veterinarian
