Waves of the Future and High Demand Careers
Here are some of the "waves" that you will be riding into the 21st Century, and the careers that are predicted to be in high demand riding on those waves.
Information RevolutionHigh Technology & Materials CreationGlobal VillageNatural Systems AwarenessDemographicsPatterns of WorkingEmerging Careers for the 21st Century
1. Information Revolution
Did you know that we have produced more information in the last 30 years than has been produced in the previous 5000? The information supply available to us doubles every five years. In developed countries, such as Canada, Australia and the United States, we now trade more in information and ideas than in goods. Developing countries can supply cheaper labour; so, for instance, they build the computers, but we design them. It is projected that the new jobs being created in developed countries will require more than sixteen years of education/training and that these will be the best paying jobs. Overall, the higher level of education you obtain, the greater the likelihood of being employed in the future. There is an increasing involvement by businesses in training and keeping employees up-to-date. The need for life-long learning continues. This will mean a demand in areas where people are dealing with a large amount of information, synthesizing it and teaching or training others about the developments.
High Demand Careers
- Information System Librarian Specialist
- Adult Educators/Trainers
- Human Resources Trainer
- Researcher
- Financial Advisor, Actuarial, Auditor, Investment Advisor, Accountant
- Manager in the Financial and Business Sector
- Manager in Communications
- Manager in Engineering, Architecture, Science and Information Systems
2. High Technology and Materials Creation
Technology creation continues to increase at a rapid pace, affecting all sectors of employment. Computer power is now 8000 times less expensive than it was 30 years ago. Most jobs in the computer area will be in research and development, design, engineering, software and customer support. The fastest growing area in developed countries is the invasion of the computer into the home, with resulting demands in entertainment and home education software. The future combination of computer, television, wireless and other telecommunication network services will have a further major impact on this area. The semiconductor and wireless communications industries continue to grow, but again not in the production area as much as in the design field. Did you know that one fiber optics cable can carry as much information as 300 tons of copper wire; one piece of plastic can replace as many as 40 to 50 separate pieces of steel; and a new type of ceramic blade can last 50 times longer than normal steel blades? The development of amazing man-made materials such as plastics, composites and advanced ceramics will continue to expand.
High Demand Careers
- Systems Analysts
- Software Developers
- Computer Animators, Editors, and Camera Operators
- Designers and Engineers in the High Technology field, such as semiconductors, microprocessors, microwaves and laser technology (Electrical and electronic engineers)
- Designers and Engineers in the Advanced Materials area such as ceramics, plastics and composites (Chemical Engineers)
- Electrical Trades
- Electronics Engineering Technician
- Network Security Experts
- Technical Writers
- Technical Sales Personnel
- Equipment Maintenance Workers
3. Global Village
E-commerce, Internet, telecommunications, free trade agreements, open borders, cheap travel alternatives – these are all contributing to a shrinking world with business, trade and tourism happening on a global scale. More and more companies are doing business on a worldwide scale, both with having offices and employees around the globe as well as selling internationally. Do you know the most well known Red & White logo in the world? It isn’t the Red Cross – yes, it’s Coca-Cola! The Internet has opened both lines of communication as well as being an amazing venue for both retail and service sales. Borders are opening not only for business, but also for skilled immigrants, and many developed countries such as Canada, Australia and the United States are increasingly multi-cultural environments.
High Demand Careers
- Internet Specialists
- Web-page Designers
- International Lawyers
- Protocol Officers
- Language and Cultural Experts
- Translators
- Sensitivity and Diversity Trainers
4. Natural Systems Awareness
There is an increasing awareness and concern with all natural environments and with treating our own bodies in a natural way. Businesses need to be “green” – environmentally conscientious – as more consumers and investors are demanding that we are aware of the impact we are making on Mother Earth. Consumers are also looking to natural medicines and alternative forms of healing, at times, as conventional medicine is unable to provide all of the answers. In amongst all of this is the development of biotechnology, nano-technology (research into protein synthesis in organisms), cloning, molecular engineering and gene replacement. This area holds the promise of developing better plants and animals, curing disease, and offering longer life spans, but it also comes with many ethical concerns.
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5. Demographics
Populations of North America and Australia are aging. In the 21st century an older “baby boomer” group reaching their 60’s and beyond will dominate these countries. This group has two subgroups – the “young old” who are healthy and active and the “old old” who are ill and often confined. This group will have the wealth and need assistance with wealth management. For the young-old, there will be an increased demand for leisure activities and alternative ways to work during retirement. For the old-old there will be an increasing need for health care, especially if it is offered outside of institutions and home care services. Of course, there is also the Echo Boom, the children of the Baby Boomer population, which is the second largest demographic group in North America and Australia. This group will be moving into their twenties having their own impact on the consumer and retail market. As the older population retires, there will be a demand for new workers and a need to keep those workers happy.
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Any Health Care field if it is focused on the Elderly such as: | |
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Occupations in the Leisure Industry: | |
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6. Patterns of Working
Small business (those with less than 20 workers) and entrepreneurism create about 80 percent of the new jobs. Organizations are staying “lean & mean” in the 21st century. They have learned a new way of obtaining the services they need, by hiring individuals or other small organizations as consultants, on contract, or as temporary workers. Individuals have found that they enjoy the flexibility, freedom, and tax breaks that come with self-employment. They no longer want to rely on one organization for their security and future. Many governments are realizing the benefits of having this type of workforce and are offering incentives and advice for those interested in becoming self-employed. This will be a hot area of employment for women, who often have the variety of skills that it requires to be successful in running a small business.
This is only a snapshot of a large number of trends and developments that are affecting the world of work. Remember, too, that trend information becomes outdated very quickly. You do not want to choose an occupation only because the future demand is predicted to be high: it needs to suit you!
To be even more future-oriented, consider the following list of Emerging Careers for the 21st Century. You may end up working in an occupational area that does not even exist today, so it is important to keep abreast of developing trends and consider ways to ride the trends in the direction they are already going. You can also check the Websites noted in the Electronic Research section.
Emerging Careers for the 21st Century
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