Careers in Demand for 2009

In the first decade of the 21st century, the employment landscape has shaped up well for some industries while others have taken a plunge. Manufacturing careers have been slowly slipping from American workers for the past 20 years, and downturns in the economy have forced other industries to cut back. Financial services, retail and home sales have taken dramatic hits, forcing many people to look for the latest careers in demand for 2009.

Health Care

With the aging of the vast baby boomer generation, the need for health-care professionals continues to rise. Those trained in geriatric care and hospice work especially are seeing increases in job opportunities. Jobs for health-care educators are expected to grow much faster than most careers, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. Doctors, nurses, administrators, managers and radiologists will experience rapid growth in available career options.

Interpreters and Translators

The demand for interpreters and translators is expected to rise dramatically, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The increase in immigration drives most of this need, with the Department of Homeland Security beefing up translation services in every arena. International trade and political expansion will continue to thrive well into the mid-21st century. Health-care translators are among the most highly sought-after specialists. As technology improves access for the deaf through relay services, interpreters fluent in American Sign Language also are in great demand.

Information Technology

Computer software professionals continue to experience a thriving job market in 2009, with expectations for growth exceeding the national average. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts a 36 percent growth rate in software-related careers through 2020. All aspects of the industry are hot, from programmers and software developers to analysts and support personnel. On the flip side, the need for information and content providers is growing exponentially in response to the increased use of Internet and communication technologies.

Service

All industries that provide services, from food preparation to animal care to cosmetology to child care, are in a growth mode in 2009. As the nation looks for healthier lifestyle options, fitness experts will see enormous job opportunities. From 2009 to 2016, the Department of Labor predicts that one of the fastest-growing career opportunities will be in cleaning and maintenance services, ranging from home and commercial building cleaning to outdoor landscaping. Protective service jobs, from police to private investigators, also will see huge career demands as more businesses and private individuals look for increased security.

Contractors

As businesses react to economic changes in 2009, many are turning to outside contractors to perform the duties previously attended to by staff. Reducing payroll is one the first things companies do to reduce overhead. Skills such as human resources, information technology, accounting, sales and marketing are being driven to outside contractors who work on an as-needed basis. Outsourcing providers will continue to see a rise in business throughout 2009 and beyond.

Resources

• U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics