25 Jobs in Demand Right Now

Check out 25 exciting jobs that are in high demand right now.

Although the job market is still sluggish, there are plenty of new and exciting careers for individuals looking to switch jobs or put their skills toward something new.  Check out 25 exciting jobs that are in high demand right now.

Gaming Manager

Gaming managers are responsible for all games played on casino floors. Often equipped with Bachelor’s degrees in business administration, hospitality services, or math, gaming managers are responsible for kicking out cheaters and rewarding frequent guests and high-rollers. Apply to be a gaming manager at your nearest casino and put your management skills to work in an exciting environment.

Hydrologist

With an increasing need for sustainable environmental practices, hydrologists are in high demand in both the government and private sectors. Hydrologists study the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of water and most hydrologists come from a science background. With the ability to work both indoors and outdoors, hydrologists enjoy flexibility in their work routine.  Jobs within the private sector, like working for a consulting firm, usually offer higher salaries for beginning hydrologists.

Network Architect

Network architects are responsible for designing and structuring computer networking within businesses. Often network architects will choose what programs and processes to implement for the large-scale computer systems. Degrees in computer science and management, plus impeccable organizational skills are integral for success in this field.

Multimedia Artist

Those with a creative eye and a knack for technology can find a rewarding career as a multimedia artist. Multimedia artists help people visualize new and imagined spaces in our world and beyond by providing visuals used for planning purposes. Multimedia artists can work in animation, film, design, or advertising.

Logistician

Logisticians are responsible for the transportation of goods and materials from one place to another. While managing the supply chain, logisticians must be able to calculate and analyze the efficiency of the project to make sure items are delivered on time and within budget. Most logisticians complete specialized training and certifications, and they must be highly organized and good communicators.

Training Development Manager

Training development managers are needed across multiple industries — from healthcare to the corporate world. Training development managers must be able to understand the needs of the business effectively and conduct workshops to train employees on new duties or software. Applicants must be well-spoken, able to lead new groups, and able to translate processes and procedures effectively. Natural-born teachers, who are comfortable speaking in front of others, often do best in this growing profession.

Category Manager

Category managers work for suppliers to negotiate pricing, shelving, and shopper satisfaction for goods in the store with retailers. Instead of building a relationship with a retailer that revolves around advertising a specific product, category managers work with retailers to make in-store purchases easier to find and to provide a better overall shopping experience. Though no specialized training is needed, category managers often have degrees in marketing, advertising, and business administration. Certification is available and recommended for career development.

Environmental Health & Safety Specialist

Companies hire environmental health & safety specialists to make sure that the working environment for employees is up to the highest safety standards. A specialist will be tasked with analyzing things like air quality, water quality, machine safety, workspace, and dust to see if any of these elements may cause harm to employees while they work. Working across a variety of industries, these specialists often carry certificates or associate degrees. Certification is available and desirable especially with work in the government. Great organizational and analytical skills are important for success in this growing industry.

Urban Planner

Urban planners help city officials locate the best places for parks, schools, roads, shopping centers, and much more. Traveling on-site and using maps and computer programs, urban planners organize data and report it to officials and decision makers, working together to provide a safe and easy way for people to navigate their city. They often carry degrees in urban planning, architecture, and environmental studies and find that internships help further their career when they graduate into this exciting and needed field.

Risk Management Manager

While supervising a team of analysts, the duties of a risk management manager involve assessing and understanding risks involved with a project or business. After determining risks, the manager must make sure that there are ways to reduce risk and prioritize risks based on strategies that they create. Risk management managers usually have degrees and advanced degrees in business administration. If you love to crunch numbers and have a knack for organizing data, this may be the career for you.

Speech Language Pathologist

Helping people of all ages to speak, swallow, and communicate effectively is the duty of a speech language pathologist. Carrying advanced degrees and working within the government, healthcare, and private sectors, speech language pathologists must be patient and have a desire to help others communicate better. Analyzing new research and staying up-to-date on the latest treatments is imperative for continued success in this field.

Biomedical Engineer

Biomedical engineers use medicine and technology to create devices that help people live a healthier life. Engineering items like patches, inhalers, replacement organs, and more, biomedical engineers are in high demand as the global population gets older and relies more heavily on modern medicine. A degree in biomedical, technical, or mechanical engineering is required for new engineers and advanced degrees are required for research and development. Biomedical engineers often find that there are opportunities not only within the pharmaceutical industries but across multiple industries like law or finance.

Physician Assistant

Under the direct supervision of a doctor, physician assistants meet with patients and provide guidance and care as outlined by the attending physician. Often working in family practice, internal, and pediatric medicine, physician assistants are many times needed in rural areas where doctors may be sparse. Becoming a physician assistant requires licensure and a degree in a health-related field.

Occupational Therapist

Helping others learn to navigate their world both inside and outside the home are the key duties of an occupational therapist. People who suffer from temporary and permanent disabilities often seek the aid of an occupational therapist to learn how to perform daily functions in their home and in the workplace. Occupational therapists teach people to do a variety of things from dressing themselves to using a computer. Carrying advanced degrees and certificates in psychology or medicine, occupational therapists must be good communicators, whose patience and kindness help people live better lives.

Meeting Planner

Meeting planning is an exciting career that combines people skills with great organizational abilities. A meeting planner must think through all of the logistics of the event from the event space, to staffing, to catering, housing, audio/visual needs, and much more. Cool under pressure and highly organized, successful meeting planners usually earn advanced certifications to help their careers to boom in both the private and public sectors.

Financial Analyst

Financial analysts help people invest their money with confidence. Often working in banks, investment firms, or insurance companies, financial analysts meet with clients and inform them of the types of investments available and the risks involved. Long hours and uncertain outcomes with the economy can be tough to overcome. Successful financial analysts are able to mix their math, computer, and problem-solving skills with people skills. A degree in finance, business administration, accounting, and statistics are needed for entry-level positions and advanced degrees are desirable for long-term success.

Technical Writer

Technical writers are the unsung heroes of assembly manuals around the world. These dedicated writers must take a difficult task – like programming a DVR or putting together kid’s toys — into easy-to-understand terms for the general public. Not only do they help with consumer products; technical writers also are employed in science, medicine, and technology fields to put complicated tasks into digestible language. Though no specialized degrees or certifications are required, technical writers must have impeccable writing and organizational skills.

HVAC Technician

HVAC technicians keep people cool in the summer and warm in the winter by making sure that heating, air-conditioning, and ventilation equipment is installed and works properly. With advanced machines and an on-going global effort to be environmentally friendly, HVAC technicians will find that the job is constantly challenging and evolving. Certification requirements can be earned in accredited trade and technical schools. A technical brain and an honest attitude ensure success in this needed occupation.

Lab Technician

Doctors and nurses rely on the data reported by lab technicians to understand and monitor a patient’s well-being. The work of lab technicians helps doctors make informed diagnoses and plan a course of treatment. Great organizational abilities and working well with a team are all important skills for success. In demand in the healthcare industry, entry into this field requires an associate’s degree or specialized certification in addition to on-the-job training.

Product Management Director

Product management directors work with their team and clients to ensure that deliverables meets client expectations. They also help manage client expectations and relate to both the client and their team in an effective manner. Product management directors must be good at managing others, organizing themselves, and have good communication skills. Often carrying Bachelor’s degrees (MBA preferred), their knowledge and understanding of the product and delivery schedules across various projects is key to success. Product management directors often work in the technology sector within large and start-up web and technology companies.

Project Engineer

Project engineers are responsible for the delivery of projects through effective planning, methods, and procedures that help deliver the project on time and on budget. Often project engineers must supervise field-testing of products while managing the workflow of other engineers and participants in the project. Project engineers can work across a variety of industries as their skills in analyzing data, budgeting, and management is in demand. A degree and advanced degrees in engineering and project management help this booming career become a lucrative and rewarding choice.

Web Developer

Responsible for creating and implementing websites across multiple industries, web developers must make sure that the website functions properly and seamlessly. Often needing skills like HTML, PHP, CSS, and the ability to design simple and advanced content management systems, web developers turn client’s dreams into reality. Web Developers usually have degrees in computer science and engineering, though some can make careers by simply using their innate technical and analytical skills. Web development is an evolving industry with consistent need and growth opportunities.

Special Education Teacher

The National Education Association estimates that today there is a greater need for special education teachers than for any other type of teacher. Special education teachers receive specialized training when earning their teacher certification. They help students with physical and mental disabilities learn effective ways to excel in school and beyond. Special education teachers must be patient, great communicators, and have the ability to adapt to different student needs.

Registered Nurse

Registered nurses are responsible for making patients comfortable, administering medication, recording patient progress, and assisting doctors in procedures and on-going patient care. Registered nurses must be registered through the state in which they practice and must have a degree in nursing. The profession is in high demand and many hospitals and healthcare facilities offer sign-on bonuses for nurses along with a good hourly wage and flexible working hours.

Court Reporter

Court reporters are needed not only in courts, but also across multiple legal and corporate industries. Reporters must have good listening and transcribing skills as their work is heavily relied upon to help solve cases and issues within important delegations. Though it varies by state, some courts require special certification for court reporters. Successful court reporters must have good concentration and communication skills. Certification can be in stenography (typing what you hear) and other specialties like speech recognition equipment, and computer software.

Sources: U.S. News & World Report, The New York Times, Bureau of Labor Statistics, MPI, HVAC Training, ASHA, GlassDoor.com, Human Resources, Mayo Clinic,  NCRA, Category Management Association

Reader's Digest
Originally Published in Reader's Digest