New year, new career: 6 entry level jobs set to boom

If you’re just at the start of your working life, you may be wondering which career path to take. It’s a fair question, but the idea that you should ‘follow your passion’ isn’t realistic for most entry-level job-seekers, say industry experts. Rather, try this real-world formula: 1) Think about the type of role that’ll spark your interests and help you make the most of your talents and 2) Combine it with a job that’s in demand. If you can do that, you’ll be set for life.

To give you a little head start, here are 6 industries set to boom in the coming years and some job options within each one that you might want to consider.

Job set to boom: registered nurses

Healthcare and healthcare support are among the fastest growing areas in Australia, and the Australian government’s Job Outlook predicts that the jobs that’ll be most in demand include registered nurses and vocational nurses, aged carers and disabled carers, child carers and welfare support workers. You will need a bachelor’s degree to become a registered nurse, but once you graduate and find work you could earn up to $1900 per week.

US data also predicts that there’ll be high demand for nurse practitioners, speech therapists, substance abuse counsellors, mental health specialists, massage therapists, and physical therapists (a median wage for a physical therapist alone is around $91k).

Job set to boom: secondary school teachers

Want to inspire and guide the next generation, and make a real difference in the lives of school kids? Teaching could be your jam. There’s a huge shortage of good teachers right now, particularly maths and science secondary teachers in Australia, plus great demand for qualified teachers to work in regional hubs. There are even financial initiatives and relocation support in place to bring teachers to certain areas, so considering a Dip Ed could be well worth your time. A secondary school teacher can earn over $1900 per week.

We’re also seeing demand for teachers in NZ, with science, technology, maths and te reo Maori teachers all needed for secondary schools. Supply teachers are also required.

Job set to boom: café workers

If being around food and people and working flexible hours appeals to you, hospitality may suit – it’s predicted café workers, restaurant managers and chefs will see strong or very growth in the coming years. Overall, the government’s Labour Market Information Portal suggests the accommodation and food services will enjoy a 16 percent growth in the next five years. An entry level café worker can earn just over $1000 per week.

The good news is, working in cafes, restaurants, bars or hotels is no longer seen as a stopgap measure on the way to another industry, but a career option in its own right. And it’s a career you take with you – it’s transferable wherever you go, and you’ll never be out of work.

Job set to boom: checkout operators and cashiers

You might not know it, but retail is the second-largest industry in Australia – and there’s lots of opportunity for career progression without the need for post-school qualifications. It’s a great industry to consider if you want the option for higher-paid weekend work and the chance to fit your work in around study or family commitments. Checkout operators or cashiers are tipped to see moderate future growth and it’s a lower-skill foot in the door if you’re starting out, with a take-home pay of around $900 per week.

In New Zealand, there’s been an increase in ecommerce and digital marketing roles as brands start to think about their online footprint, and the demand for store managers is also on the rise.

Job set to boom: building and plumbing labourers

If you’re good with your hands and love the idea of working outside on varied building projects, construction could be the perfect career choice. The government’s Job Outlook portal predicts building and plumbing labourers – both entry level roles – will see moderate growth in the future and you could earn over $1400 per week in these jobs.

Research also shows that there’ll be huge demand for construction managers between 2020 and 2030 and you could earn up to $135k per annum if you reach that skill level. Associated careers you might want to look into that offer decent money and strong career growth include architectural, building and surveying technicians, heavy equipment operators, draftspersons, construction estimators and building inspectors.

Job set to boom: software developers

We’ve written before about how the tech industries are undergoing a disruption right now, and that’s creating incredible career options for those in the IT and digital space. In the US, there’s a whopping 409,500 new software development jobs predicted to become available between 2020 and 2030 – and this is one industry you can get in at on the ground floor. Entry level software development positions can start in the $90k range.

Other IT / digital jobs predicted to enjoy decent growth include computer user support specialists, web development, computer systems analyst or engineer, and data scientist.