7 Careers Expected to Boom This Decade

Like most high school graduates, my son went to college without deciding what to major in. At a time in his life when all roads were open to him, making a choice was overwhelming. But empiric data recently reported by the University of California San Diego offers a crystal ball glimpse into which career fields are expected to boom in the coming decade. The choice of such a field will promise a college graduate not only more job offers but greater variety and scope. Here are 7 career paths expected to boom this decade.

#1. Health Information Technology

A commitment to patient privacy, medical accuracy and cost cutting has been the driving force behind a growing industry geared at managing patient records electronically. Young adults or college students interested in this career path may expect to find future jobs as health Information engineers, consultants, analysts and support specialist. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 20% growth in the health Information technology field by 2018.

#2. Data Mining

Fast growing in response to technology and web use worldwide, data mining revolves around predicting trends and consumer behavior based on internet browsing. Young adults or college students are advised to take a look at future careers in advertising technology, risk management, fraud detection and internet-related law enforcement. Advanced statistics, computer programming and a grasp of algorithms are required as a foundation for data mining specialties.

#3. Feature Web Writing

As the publishing industry continues to shift from paper publications to virtual ones, the profession of journalism has been opening its doors to new writers. Young adults or college students interested in a journalism career should focus on a bachelor's degree in mass communication or journalism with emphasis on web writing. Furthermore, an understanding of HTML and Search Engine Optimization, as well as social media, all play an integral part in the journalism of tomorrow.

#4. Geriatric Health Care

With improved healthcare and nutrition, Americans are living longer. The 2000 U.S. Census reported over 14 million seniors with disabilities and 34 million Americans over the age of 65. Consequently, elderly care is growing at a rate that is expected to double by 2050. Young adults or college students considering this career path may expect to be employed in healthcare positions geared at managing the elderly, as well as developing health care plans or managing geriatric facilities.

#5. Spanish/English Translator-Interpreter

With over 350 million Spanish speaking people worldwide, and over 31 million living in the U.S. alone, the role of Spanish translators and interpreters is expected to rise by 22% by 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Young adults or college students interested in this growing career path may expect to use their language skills in Hispanic culture areas, products and services.

#6. Marine Biodiversity and Conservation

Concern over the depletion of fish populations worldwide and its effect on the fishing industry and food supply has led to large-scale investments in the field of marine conservation. Young adults or college students interested in this growing career path may expect to be employed as conservation scientists, fisheries scientist and marine ecologists, as well as marine policy setters. Environmental science and public policy studies are requisite.

#7. Mobile Media

With a $36 billion mobile media industry (according to the Business Confidence Index for 2010), the mobile media career path offers tempting job opportunities in the coming decade. Young adults or college students interested in entering the field should take into account the following growth projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. A 13% increase is expected in graphic design jobs,32% in software development, and a wide growth in video development.

Reference

Forbes.com: "14 Hottest Jobs For College Grads"

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