Are you feeling unfulfilled in your current career, but hesitant to make a change? You’re not alone. According to a study by the Conference Board, nearly two-thirds of Americans are unhappy with their jobs. If you’re one of them, it may be time to consider a career change. But before you make any decisions, it’s important to weigh all your options.
One way to do that is to look at occupations that have a deficit of workers. That means there are more jobs available than there are qualified candidates to fill them. So if you’re willing to put in the extra work, these occupations could be a great fit for you. Here are six deficit occupations to consider if you’re interested in a career change.
1. Electrician
With a median salary of over $50,000 per year, electricians are in high demand but in short supply. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of electrician jobs will grow by 9% between 2016 and 2026. If you’re interested in this occupation, you’ll need to complete an apprenticeship program which typically takes four years to complete.
After that, you’ll be able to find work in a variety of settings, including residential, commercial, and industrial. To start, you can register for an electrician course that offers hands-on training. Such training usually includes coursework in safety, electronics, and the National Electric Code.
2. HVAC Technician
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that job growth for HVAC technicians will be much higher than average at 15% between 2016 and 2026. That’s due in part to an increased demand for energy-efficient heating and cooling systems. If you’re interested in this occupation, you’ll need to complete a postsecondary program that typically lasts between six months and two years.
After that, you can find work in a variety of settings, including residential, commercial, and industrial. Some states also require HVAC technicians to be licensed. To get started, you can check out some online HVAC courses that offer hands-on training.
- To become an HVAC technician, you’ll also need to complete a postsecondary program at a technical school or community college. After that, you can find work in a variety of settings, including residential, commercial, and industrial.
3. Web Developer
Web developers are also in high demand but often don’t have the necessary skills to fill all the available positions. The median salary for this occupation is just over $50,000 per year. If you’re interested in this occupation, you’ll need to have experience with coding languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You can find work in a variety of settings, including advertising agencies, design firms, and corporations. Some employers may also require web developers to have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field.
Web Development Majors
Many students who major in software engineering, web development, and computer science go on to work as web developers. The skills learned in these majors are often helpful for those interested in this occupation.
Information Security Analyst
Information security analysts are in high demand due to the increasing need for cybersecurity in the web development area. The median salary for this occupation is just over $80,000 per year. If you’re interested in this occupation, you’ll need to have experience with network security and data encryption. You can find work in a variety of settings, including government agencies, financial institutions, and healthcare organizations. Some employers may also require information security analysts to have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field.
4. Plumber
Plumbers are also in high demand but in short supply. With a median salary of over $50,000 per year, this occupation is a great option if you’re interested in a career change. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of plumber jobs will grow by 14% between 2016 and 2026. If you’re interested in this occupation, you’ll need to complete an apprenticeship program which typically takes four to five years to complete. After that, you can find work in a variety of settings, including residential, commercial, and industrial. To start, you can check out some online plumbing courses that offer hands-on training.
5. Paralegal
Paralegals are in high demand but often don’t have the necessary skills to fill all the available positions. The median salary for this occupation is just over $50,000 per year. If you’re interested in this occupation, you’ll need to have experience with legal research and writing. You can find work in a variety of settings, including law firms, corporations, and government agencies. Some employers may also require paralegals to have a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies or a related field.
Why Paralegals Are Deficit
The paralegal profession is one of the few occupations that saw a decrease in job openings from 2011 to 2012, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). There were 1,000 fewer jobs advertised for paralegals in 2012 than there was the year before. While the BLS does not give a reason for this decrease, it’s likely due to a combination of factors including budget cuts and an increase in the use of technology in the legal field. If you’re considering a career as a paralegal, be aware that it may be difficult to find work in this field.
6. Nursing Assistant
Nursing assistants are in high demand but often don’t have the necessary skills to fill all the available positions. The median salary for this occupation is just over $50,000 per year. If you’re interested in this occupation, you’ll need to have experience with basic patient care. You can find work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and home health care agencies. Generally, no formal education is required to become a nursing assistant, but some states do require certification.
These are a few of the many deficit occupations in which you may find it difficult to get hired. However, if you’re interested in one of these occupations, don’t let that discourage you. There are many ways to gain the necessary skills and experience, and there are always new job openings becoming available. With a little perseverance, you can land the job you want.
