One career strategy Shatkin recommends is to focus on fast-growing fields, where job opportunities tend to be more plentiful than in fields where jobs are slow-growing or disappearing. According to Shatkin and information from the U.S. Department of Labor, the following 11 fields are projected to grow fastest through 2018.
1. Management, scientific and technical consulting services
Hottest jobs in this field: network systems and data communications analysts; industrial engineers; financial analysts; customer service representatives; and public relations specialists
2. Computer systems design and related services
Hottest jobs in this field: network systems and data communications analysts; network and computer systems administrators; accountants and auditors; computer software engineers, systems software; and computer support specialists
3. Social assistance, except child day care
Hottest jobs in this field: medical and public health social workers; special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten andelementary school; first-line supervisors/managers of personalservice workers; occupational therapists; and social and human service assistants
Hottest jobs in this field: network and computer systems administrators; computer systems analysts; computer support specialists; market research analysts; and customer service representatives
5. Scientific research and development services
Hottest jobs in this field: biomedical engineers; network systems and data communications analysts; biochemists and biophysicists;medical scientists, except epidemiologists; and compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety and transportation
6. Health care
Hottest jobs in this field: physician assistants; physical therapist aides; speech-language pathologists; physical therapist assistants; and physical therapists
7. Employment services
Hottest jobs in this field: accountants and auditors; customer service representatives; construction laborers; computer software engineers, systems software; and computer software engineers,applications
8. Construction
Hottest jobs in this field: heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers; septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners; telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers; purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail and farm products; and cost estimators
Hottest jobs in this field: preschool teachers, except special education; special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school; office clerks, general; kindergarten teachers, except special education; and first-line supervisors/managers of personal service workers
Hottest jobs in this field: network systems and data communications analysts; compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety and transportation;compensation, benefits and job analysis specialists; market research analysts; and customer service representatives
Hottest jobs in this field: network systems and data communications analysts; self-enrichment education teachers; customer service representatives; loan counselors; and medical scientists, except epidemiologists