Need a job? These high-paying careers will be in demand for years
The job market is tightening, and whether you’re a student weighing whether to go to college or learn a trade, or you’re an experienced worker who’s looking for a change, you’ll want to think about the long-term viability of your prospective career path.
There are also concerns some jobs might become obsolete as technological advances including robotics and artificial intelligence disrupt the workforce. Other factors including demographics, economic growth and expanding infrastructure will also impact the job market going forward.
“No profession will be untouched by artificial intelligence or automation,” said Anu Madgavkar, a partner with McKinsey Global Institute. “Whatever job you’re in for the next five to seven years is expected to have some interaction with artificial intelligence or automation.”
But more than one-third of all jobs in the United States are “people-centric.” The jobs of the future will require workers to combine human and technological skillsets, added Madgavkar, who coauthored a recently released study, “Agents, robots, and us: Skill partnerships in the age of AI.”
Worried about technology or AI?
Even hands-on jobs that can only be performed by humans, from customer service to construction, will be impacted by technology and artificial intelligence, cautioned Madgavkar.
The worker of the future, whether it’s someone who’s just starting their career or someone who’s got years of experience in a particular field, will have to become familiar with technology and AI, Madgavkar said.
People will need to continually upskill; AI and robots can be used to do more tedious, time-consuming tasks, freeing up people to be more creative, thoughtful and efficient. Workers will need AI fluency and technical fluency, she explained, not the technical skills to code, but rather the ability to work with technology to guide it, tweak and improve it.
“The companies building out businesses will improve them by working with technology,” she said, “and they are inventing and reinventing new ways to work as we speak.”
Still, humans will remain at the center of work, she said. There are skills that can translate across industries and disciplines: strong communication, the ability to manage and motivate others and a talent for identifying and solving problems. All of those skills help add value beyond what automation is capable of.
“Despite the huge amount of work that technology could take over, many of our human skills will continue to remain relevant,” Madgavkar said. “Human skills will prevail, and we really need to tap into that along with the additional muscle of AI fluency.”
What are the jobs of the future?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, many of the fastest-growing occupations are in health care and social services – jobs that can’t be outsourced or automated. Trade and technical jobs that require hands-on skills will also be in high demand.
Here are some career paths to consider.
Health care
Americans’ health care needs will continue to grow as our population ages, so health care workers will be in high demand. There is a wide range of jobs, with varying degrees of education and training necessary, including doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physical and occupational therapists.
There are office jobs in health care as well, including administrators for hospitals, health care and senior living facilities, health care consultants, recruiters, office managers and health insurance claims processors.
And, the Bureau of Labor Statistics points out, there will be teachers needed in disciplines such as business administration, management and clinical practice to train the health care workers of the future as well.
Under BLS’ data framework, the health care sector includes ambulatory health care services (such as outpatient care). The social assistance sector covers individual and family services, community food and housing, emergency and other relief services, vocational rehabilitation services, and child care services.