As the global economy becomes more and more dependent on technology, old career fields have died off while new ones have emerged. In many cases, the ones that are emerging are not only on the cutting edge of technological innovation, but are also high-paying fields. Those considering getting into emerging fields are best advised to do so now to avoid future competition. Here are the top three emerging career fields for 2016 and beyond.
Data Science
With technology now integrated into virtually every transaction, marketing channel, logistical chain and payment system, businesses are left with more data than ever before. In order for that data to be useful, however, someone needs to analyze and interpret it. This is the role of data scientists, who take the masses of data available to the average business and turn them into useful information. Though data science has been developing for many years, it is now coming into its own as a career field. Salaries for data scientists can substantially exceed $100,000 per year, and many educational opportunities exist for those wishing to get into this fascinating field.
App Development
Although apps have been around for several years, their usefulness and intricacy only continue to increase. For this reason, app development has become its own field, separated slightly from the broader fields of programming and software design (though still intimately linked with them). App development is also an interesting field because it is in demand as both a salaried position and as a freelance career, giving app developers the option to become self-employed if they wish. The average salary for an app developer hovers around $65,000. Programming knowledge can be learned at any college, university or even in several online courses, and is a basic prerequisite for this career. To build on that, prospective app developers will then need to familiarize themselves with common app construction platforms and systems to get started in app development.
Environmental Engineering
In the first decade and a half of the 21st century, a huge emphasis has been placed on promoting environmental sustainability. This has resulted in the creation of new environmentally friendly technologies, as well as a more rigid approach to everyday problems like pollution and waste management. Behind all the innovation is the emerging field of environmental engineering. Environmental engineers look for ways to make existing processes less damaging to the environment and to use new technologies to undo existing damage. The average salary for an environmental engineer ranges from $60,000-$80,000, and many colleges are now launching specialized programs for the study of environmental engineering. Typically, a bachelor’s degree is all that is needed for entry into this field.
Conclusion
Though there are many exciting career fields that are in demand at the moment, these three are among the most promising going forward. Data science, app development and environmental engineering are all career fields that will continue to grow and evolve as the technologies that drive them become more advanced and widespread. If you are considering entry into one of these career fields, look for educational opportunities that will provide you with a solid foundation for your future career. By getting the education you need now, you can set yourself up for success in the future.