Our world has changed considerably by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, aka COVID-19. Many people around the world have lost their jobs. Businesses have been shut down temporarily and some companies have gone out of business. Some are fortunate to be able to work remotely – having skills that can be done over the internet are highly valuable right now. Some companies find it easy to have their staff work from home, but in some industries that is just not possible.
We’re taking a look at some of the careers, fields, and majors that are thriving during the pandemic and are predicted to continue when it’s over.
Health Care and Nursing
Health care jobs are in high demand and probably always will be. We’re always going to need people to help us when we’re sick and as we grow old.
Nursing is a field in high demand within health care. Registered nurses and licensed practical nurses can find good-paying jobs in nearly every community. Both of those degrees can be earned online too. Certainly, during this pandemic, skilled and dedicated nurses are needed everywhere. Traveling nurses, who are willing to travel to a community of high need can make GOOD MONEY and experience life in other parts of the country.
Epidemiology and Public Health
Keeping our communities healthy is a very important matter, that was made clear since the COVID outbreak.
If you found yourself being intrigued by how the virus was spreading around the world, you might want to look into epidemiology. Epidemiologists are the “disease detectives.” They look at statistics, community data, and follow the patterns to learn where the disease started and how it can be stopped. Although there isn’t an abundance of these jobs in every community, it can be a very cool and exciting career for someone whose mind works like that.
Jobs Using the Computer
The better you are at using a computer, the more valuable you’re going to be in a remote job. In our current situation, many offices sent their employees home to work via the internet. The people in fields that could not work remotely – if they weren’t ESSENTIAL jobs to the community – lost their jobs temporarily or completely. Often the line between those who lost their jobs or kept their jobs came down to if they had a college degree. Something to keep in mind.
Work-from-home (WFH) jobs are expected to grow. Some offices have shut their doors forever as they found that their staff worked fine from their own homes. Working from home is not a lifestyle for everyone – many like going to a “place of work” and having colleagues to collaborate and socialize with. However, even if WFH isn’t their preference – all the workers that got sent home during COVID, were very thankful that their job could be done from home and that they were still able to work.
Some jobs that are highly ranked by the U.S. News & World Report that can be done from home:
- Software Developer (#1)
- Statistician (#6)
- Web Developer (#23)
- Financial Manager (#27)
- Database Administrator (#30)
- Information Security Analyst (#38)
And let’s not forget – home doesn’t always mean home. Many people work from beautiful, exotic places or simply travel around – as long as they can keep doing their job well.
Computer Science
It’s obvious that computers and technology are everywhere. From our watch to our thermostat, and especially in the workplace.
Software developers make GOOD MONEY (median salary $103,620) and it’s listed as the #1 Best Job in the U.S. News & World Report 100 Best Jobs list. As our world becomes more technologically based, this field booms. And you don’t need a 4-year degree to get into it (despite what you might read on the internet). Community colleges and technical schools offer accelerated programs in computer programming, networking, software development, computer information technology, and other highly valued and desired computer skills that are needed in almost every industry. Jobs in these fields are only going to keep growing. And luckily for those wanting to stay in Nebraska – a lot of tech companies are setting up here.
Biomedical/Biomechanical Engineering
Biomechanical engineering is “the combined use of mechanical engineering principals and biological knowledge to better understand how these areas intersect and how they can be used together to potentially improve peoples’ quality of life.” If you like science and making things, this could be the field for you. As medical science and technology advances, new ideas and tools are needed to help improve and prolong lives.
Important Skills
Regardless of the major you choose; skills are often more attractive than a degree. A degree means you graduated. Skills mean you can do things. Together, they will make you employable and advance your career.
Some of the top skills “in high demand in a post-coronavirus world”, according to Forbes are:
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Tech Savviness
- Creativity and Innovation
- Data Literacy
- Critical Thinking
- Commitment to a Lifetime of Learning
As you plan for your future, keep in mind what jobs are going to be in high demand, and how you can find yourself in one of those jobs.