Always Be in Demand: Start Your Career With a Degree in 1 of These 5 Fast-Growing Industries
“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
There’s a good chance the answer to this question has changed since you were a kid—perhaps from pop star to doctor, basketball player to teacher, or cashier to scientist. But with rising tuition costs and a still-shaky labor market, there’s one answer that all undergraduates will agree on: Employed.
Don’t panic. There’s a secret to ensuring you get a high return on your tuition investment…and to silencing overly inquisitive relatives once and for all. By choosing to pursue a degree in a high-demand industry, you can sleep tight in your twin XL bed knowing you’ll have job options come graduation.
There’s no better place to get that degree than the University of Saint Joseph, located in West Hartford, Connecticut. With 30 majors and pre-professional programs, not-for-profit USJ is committed to setting students up for success both on-campus and upon graduation. Here are five fast-growing industries, and how to pursue an in-demand career path with a degree from USJ.
Industry: Financial services
For: The restaurant-bill math whiz
The good news: You’re not the only one dreaming of dollar signs. Finance is one of the fastest-growing industries in the US and covers subsectors including banking, asset management, insurance, venture capital, accounting, and private equity; financial experience is also crucial for working in (or one day owning your own) business. In an industry known for endless lateral moves, exit strategies, and promotions, there’s no shortage of available jobs—accounting alone is poised to grow by 10 percent between 2016 and 2025. What there is a shortage of is qualified candidates with knowledge of mathematics, bookkeeping, and markets; today, a degree in business management is the ultimate problem solver.
Why USJ: From mathematics, which offers a concentration in actuarial science, to accounting, which provides the coursework necessary to apply for a certified public accountant (CPA) license, students interested in pursuing a career in finance will find a range of options at USJ. Looking to go into business? USJ provides a BS in business management, with the option of a tuition-free master’s degree in management. USJ also offers a more specialized Sport Management and Promotion, BS that helps students with a passion for athletics get a head start in pursuing a career in the global sports industry.
Industry: Health Care
For: The mom or dad of your friend group
The good news: In October of 2017, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released a summary of employment predictions for the U.S. through 2026. The takeaway? The health care industry is expected to account for the largest share of new (read: available) jobs. As the aging population drives demand for caregivers, and treatment methods evolve with technology advances, pursuing a degree in health care is one of the best ways to ensure you’ll have job options upon graduation.
Why USJ: USJ helps students kick off a career in health care with industry-specific majors including health sciences which offers a direct-entry option for admission into USJ graduate programs. The same direct-entry track is available for USJ nursing students; recently ranked as the most trusted profession by Gallop, job opportunities for nurses are booming in both clinical and corporate settings. For students interested in specializing further, USJ offers fast tracks to career success in the form of six-year, dual-degree professional programs including Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), physical therapy, and prosthetics and orthotics.
The industry: Nutrition
For: The planks-and-protein enthusiast
The good news: Thanks to the Internet, documentaries, and Instagram influencers, the public is becoming more aware of what they’re eating—and increasingly eager to learn what they should be eating instead. According to Women’s Marketing, health and wellness is set to be the next trillion-dollar industry—and experts are in increasingly high demand. Turns out, healthy living isn’t just good for your mind, body, and soul—it’s also good for your postgraduate career.
Why USJ: Turn your passion for macros into a career at USJ’s School of Health and Natural Sciences. In addition to the nutrition and dietetics program, undergraduates from all majors can add a 12-credit Health Care Coordination certificate, which allows graduates to act as educators, liaisons, and advocates for patients and their families. For graduate students, USJ’s Department of Nutrition also offers an M.S., health coaching certificate, and dietetic internships, which provide students with the 1,200 hours of supervised practice necessary to take the registration examination to become a registered dietitian.
Industry: Social services
For: The Good Samaritan
The good news: It’s 2018, and the stigma around mental health and substance abuse is breaking down—finally. Across the country, the need for better resources is becoming increasingly clear, and social services job opportunities are predicted to continue to grow within the corporate, education, and government sectors. With the number of people with health insurance forecasted to increase in the next five years, a US Market Research report released by IBISWorld in February 2018 predicts that the fields of psychology, social work, and marriage counseling will grow annually by 4.7 percent. Additionally, as the country grapples with solutions to the opioid crisis, the $35 billion addiction treatment industry continues to employ an increasing number of professionals.
Why USJ: Students interested in pursuing a career in social services have their choice of paths, and the best-laid plans start at USJ. The social work program is guided by cultural competence and professional ethical standards and encourages graduates to enact social change working with schools, families, and patients as well as the elderly and the incarcerated. Alternatively, the Psychology Department offers concentrations in autism and applied behavior analysis as well as criminal justice and mental health. USJ also helps students obtain internships at local schools, hospitals, corporations, research centers, housing institutions, and community organizations, where students can get hands-on experience in the field. This experience is especially helpful for those planning to pursue a higher degree—including USJ’s own Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy.