By Elisa Roland, Reader's Digest.
1
Registered nurse
With the baby boomers hitting retirement age and beyond, nurses are more in demand than ever. Consider that the entry-level earning potential for registered nurses is currently at $73,400, and more than 141,482 jobs were listed over the last six months, according to monster.com.'On this list alone, the number of jobs available is more than four times greater than the others,' says Vicki Salemi, career expert with monster.com. 'There's no doubt there's a nursing shortage, plus as the population continues to age, it's not like it's a one-time shortage. The need for registered nursing will continue, so it's a path to pursue right now by gaining the proper educational requirements and licensure, as well as experience.'Kiplinger reports that there are currently about 2.9 million RNs, but that number could increase by 17 percent by 2026. You'll need to have compassion and interest in your fellow humans, not to mention an endless supply of patience. Of course, you'll also have to get a bachelor's in nursing and three years of experience under your belt to get your license.'It's a very viable field to pursue with only this caveat: It's not right for everybody. If you're queasy around needles and don't have a bedside manner, there are other roles which may be better suited for you,' says Salemi.
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2
Management analyst
Are you able to tell people what to do? Do you always have an answer? Do you tend to overthink things? Although these traits may not sound positive, they are if it's your job is to advise a company on how to become more efficient, profitable, and organized. Management analysts or consultants look at a company's structure to see how it can improve. There are over 38,499 companies looking to hire at a starting salary of $56,300—it pays to be a problem solver. And as more and more companies downsize or add divisions, having someone take in the big picture is key to increasing revenue and decreasing costs. According to monster.com, staying on top of industry trends, fine-tuning your presentation skills and having a bachelor's degree with about two years experience can make this job happen.
3
Sales agent, financial services
If you aspire to be Suze Orman and have a knack for numbers, a career touting financial services might be your calling. From making stock and bond investment recommendations to helping clients set retirement goals, you could be the go-to gal or guy for money matters. Monster reports about 34,819 listings in the last six months for one of the best paying careers with a median salary of $55,600. You'll need an MBA in business or finance to crunch those numbers so get busy.
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4
Public relations specialist
This is all about getting your clients noticed or creating a buzz for a product or company. Good relationship skills are key as you'll be dealing with media outlets and representatives. And you'll want to have sharp writing and presentation skills for drafting press releases or dealing with the media. According to Monster's data, this is one of the best careers for the next 10 years, with a median $50,400 paycheck to start, and 34,254 jobs to choose from.
5
Software/App Developer
No surprise that this career is hot—in the last six months, there have been 33,475 job listings. Starting at an average salary of $59,600, it seems that being a tech geek is one of the best careers out there. Kiplinger is expecting the field to grow by 22 percent to make it one of the best careers to pursue for at least the next 10 years. You'll need a computer science or software engineering degree, but, as Salemi points out, 'You can often learn a lot through e-learning and brick and mortar certifications.'
6
Market research analyst and marketing specialist
Data, data, and more data, but what does it all mean? Surveys and stats are great, but you need someone to interpret it all. According to Kiplinger, companies are in need of market analysts and consultants who can dissect consumer behavior and patterns, then apply it to market conditions to create effective marketing strategies. Entry level salary is currently at $55,500 and there are over 32,783 listings to consider. Score for you if this is where your career path lies.
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7
Social and human services assistant
From case management aides to community outreach workers to life skills coaches, this is a career that offers a variety of opportunities and draws on a variety of skills. These professionals interact with other pros in fields like nursing, psychiatry, psychology, social work, and teaching.Compassion and patience are key, but you may also need strong management and leadership skills if the job happens to be something like running a group home. Plan on earning about $35,700 to start, according to Monster. There have been 29,961 job openings over the last six months. 'Since this path is here to stay, it's one of the best careers to pursue right now since it's unlikely there's a need to downsize or the ability to offshore this role,' notes Salemi.
8
First-line supervisor of retail sales workers
Managing a store or retail sales force may seem daunting, but if you're a leader more than a follower, being in charge suits you. This is not a job for the meek. You'll have to excel at juggling different personalities, as well as the differing demands of employees and customers. And then there's the purchasing, budgeting, and accounting that goes along with running a store. People skills will take you far when it comes to retail, as long as you can handle all the details in between. With 28,976 jobs available at a starting salary of $56,500, being a people person can really pay off.
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9
Accountant
Being an accountant is not only about filing taxes: Auditing, financial reporting, and compliance audits all fall under the accounting umbrella. You may never have a reason to put on a ball gown or tux while working with numbers, but the work is dependable. If logic and organization is second nature to you, a career as a CPA may be one of the best choices for the next 10 years. An entry-level position earns $50,900, and there are about 28,497 jobs out there.
10
Marketing manager
Are you up on trends and what makes people tick? Do you love to communicate with others? A marketing manager is all about overseeing and controlling a company's brand and image. You'll develop strategies and create campaigns to target audiences for specific products. You could be involved in every facet of a marketing campaign, from social media to television advertising. A marketer also helps launch products while dealing with ad and public relations agencies. But it's relationship skills and understanding how people think that may prove to be a marketer's greatest asset. With over 27,435 jobs out there at a staring salary of $58,200, this is a job that markets itself.
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