The year is almost over. After feeling or seeing the effects of inflation and job loss, it’s a great time to think about your career path moving forward. You can join many industries. So, which one to pick? Here are some of the emerging careers to watch out for in 2024.
1. Aquatic Ecotoxicologist
Aquatic ecotoxicology is one of the emerging careers to consider pursuing in 2024. Picture yourself crouching on the bank of a chilly stream fed by glaciers, your arm submerged in the water, collecting a grab sample. As an eco-toxicologist, you’re collecting samples from the stream due to worries that the water may have been contaminated by a chemical that could be hazardous. Biologists monitoring fish downstream have found that the fish population primarily consists of mature adults with few young fish.
The fact that there’s an absence of younger fish means the population isn’t reproducing, suggesting that the water is contaminated. You’re asked to investigate the matter, identify the reason, and determine how to undo the effects. It is your job as an aquatic eco-toxicologist to determine why the fish in the creek aren’t reproducing and whether anything can be done about it.
The first step in obtaining these answers is to travel to the location in question to collect water samples and look for any apparent signs of the cause in the surrounding area. You may find that it was the consequence of a spill or chemical containers that were discarded in the water. However, you must delve further into your investigation, even if the cause seems obvious. To better understand the many chemicals in the water, you’ll bring the water samples back to the laboratory for analysis.
You will examine each chemical on the list to see whether it’s the cause of reproduction stopping. After identifying the offender or offenders, you’ll still need to investigate how the contamination acts on the fish. This will be key to reversing its effects. You must establish the source of the toxin so you can prevent such incidents from happening again.
This describes what you’ll be doing for the most part as an aquatic ecotoxicology professional.
2. Teacher
The career path of a school teacher is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling. Take a moment to reflect for a minute. Whether you went through public or private school education, one of your teachers probably made a positive difference in your life.
That’s what a teacher does. If you become one, you’ll be helping kids learn things that will benefit them throughout their lives. This line of work is not like any other. You get to have a significant impact on the community now and in the future.
This career path has some other great benefits. For example, every day is different for a teacher. You won’t be doing the same thing over and over again.
You’ll also find that each student has a unique way of interpreting things. Some will be fast learners, while others may take time to understand concepts. This means you must constantly adjust your teaching style and tactics, which can help break the monotony.
3. Water Well Driller
Water well drillers construct and maintain water wells. They frequently collaborate with contractors or other drilling businesses to construct new wells, fix old ones, and ensure they operate optimally. Water well drillers need a wide range of skills. They must know how to operate heavy equipment, read and interpret charts and maps, and have strong communication skills with clients and colleagues. They should also know how to recognize issues in their early stages and take appropriate action, frequently calling for knowledge in hydrology, geology, and other relevant subjects.
The amount of money you can expect to be paid as a water well driller depends on your experience level, the kind of work, and your employer. However, according to Climb The Ladder, the median annual salary is $57,796 or $27.79/hour. The top 10% receive an annual salary of $117,000, translating to ($56.25/hour).
Over the next decade, there’ll likely be a faster-than-average growth in the employment of water well drilling professionals, making it one of the emerging careers in 2024. Maintaining and repairing old wells and drilling new ones means more jobs for well drillers. The demand for water from wells is predicted to rise as the population expands. Older wells must also be replaced or repaired as they are decommissioned.
To work as a water well driller, you must meet certain qualifications. For one, a high school degree or GED is normally required. Some employers prioritize candidates with a two-year well drilling associate degree or a similar discipline. Math, physics, and chemistry courses can help you better understand how drilling works.
Employers provide well drillers with on-the-job training. This usually lasts for several weeks. It typically involves learning about the company’s procedures, policies, safety protocols, and the particular equipment they use on jobs.
You must also obtain a license to operate the various drilling equipment. A written exam may be a requirement in some states before you can receive a license. Since the process differs from state to state, it’s up to you to establish your area’s relevant requirements.
4. Automotive Tech
A career as an automotive technician can encompass everything from servicing and performing preventative maintenance to identifying and fixing problems with automobiles and trucks. According to Car Careers, with 265.3 million vehicles on the road in the United States each year, there is a considerable demand for these jobs, making auto tech one of the emerging careers in 2024. It’s a great path to consider if you’d like to join the automotive industry.
One of the benefits of being an auto technician is compensation is competitive, and you can enjoy rapid income growth. The average starting wage for an entry-level automotive tech position is $30,000. As professionals gain more experience with electrical systems and auto repairs, their pay rises quickly. Auto technicians typically make $39,600 per year, with superstars in their field frequently making six figures!
Working in this field will also allow you to explore the advanced technology of modern cars, which can be exciting. Cars today are basically high-tech computers on wheels. Automobile technicians are more focused on cutting-edge technology than ever before with electronics like pedestrian detection, backup cameras, and infotainment systems. Those skilled in repairing these new systems and the auto parts involved will experience a rapid increase in pay as they play a key role in their team’s success.
Another benefit of being an automobile tech is it’s one of the emerging careers that offers day-to-day variety. Since you’ll be servicing almost all of the mechanical and electrical components of cars, every day will bring new challenges. Plus, the skills you’ll learn as an auto technician can help you anywhere you go, even if you move to a new country.
This career path is also great in that you can go through training and land an auto tech job in just two years. You can get a job while still in school if you’re lucky. To keep customers on the road, the auto sector, which is experiencing rapid growth, needs highly skilled technicians enthusiastic about automobiles. Working as an auto tech is a fantastic career choice if you have the will to succeed and the incentive to learn new things.
5. Roofer
You’ve probably heard the heartbreaking tales of individuals who enjoyed their time in university and then graduated only to have their applications rejected job after job. This often happens because there isn’t enough emphasis on the practical skills they need to thrive in the workplace. Fortunately, you can master all the skills relevant to the gutters roofing trade on a roofing apprenticeship and in less time than it would take to obtain a degree.
Besides that, pursuing a career as a roofer will come with relatively high job security. This makes sense. A sturdy, protective roof is a must-have for every home. It’s not just nice to have. This means that there’ll always be a need for roofing experts who can install high-standard roofs and repair or replace them if any issues arise.
You’re not limited to working as a ‘standard’ roofer. Eventually, you can develop the confidence to launch your own roofing company, which is a feasible goal. Another benefit of becoming a roofer is it’s one of the few careers that’ll allow you to stay physically fit while still earning good money.
It’s reasonable to say that not many jobs truly pay you to stay in shape. Considering all the climbing and heavy lifting involved, it’s no surprise that they have good stamina. Thus, working as a roofer means you don’t have to pay for a gym membership, or at the very least, ensure you don’t solely rely on the gym to enjoy the many health benefits of staying in shape.
Roofing is also a growing industry. It’s expected to see a 10% growth over the next decade, making it one of the emerging careers in 2024. There will always be new construction projects and people who want to replace their roofs. While automation is replacing manual labor in most industries, it’s unlikely that the same will happen in the roofing sector, or at least not to the same extent. Work like gutters still requires manual work.
Another advantage of pursuing a career as a roofer is expanding your knowledge of the construction industry, which you can use to venture into different areas. You’ll interact with people in various specializations as a roofer. You may eventually obtain a certification in any field that grabs your attention. Within roofing, there are also other long-term career options. The knowledge you gain can prepare you to venture into a career as a gutters specialist, building contractor, estimator, or project manager.
6. Construction
Over time, there has been a notable decline in the number of adults and students pursuing jobs in construction due to the emphasis on four-year degrees. This has resulted in America experiencing a steep skills gap. The industry is now in an interesting position advantageous to newcomers due to the increased demand for craftspeople. Higher demand means higher salaries, more opportunities, and room for growth, making construction work one of the emerging careers.
Most occupations in construction use an apprenticeship learning model. This implies that you can start receiving on-the-job training through an apprenticeship as soon as you decide to pursue a skilled craft. You can get paid while studying the fundamentals of your trade with this ‘earn while you learn’ approach. During the apprenticeship period, you’ll learn everything from prepping rebar to safely handling heavy equipment.
Note that certain crafts could call for certifications, industry credentials, or associate degrees. These educational prerequisites, however, are typically brief, and you can finish them concurrently with an apprenticeship. You’ll, therefore, still enter the workforce sooner if you pursue a craft career instead of a four-year degree.
7. Welder
The welding industry is expanding and changing rapidly. Even though there is a growing need for welders, not many people are pursuing careers in welding despite the many advantages that come with it. Several signs indicate a bright future for emerging careers in the sector.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 8% increase in welder employment between 2019 and 2030. Welders are paid as much as forensic scientists, web developers, and nurses but spend much less time in school! So why should you pursue a career in welding?
This broad, rapidly expanding field offers great job security. Welding has a place in almost all industries. Regardless of where you are in the country or the world, your skills will come in handy. So many businesses need the services of skilled welders, like metal building contractors. Even when other industries are slowing down and laying off workers, your chances of being out of employment will be minimal.
More opportunities, better salaries, and a higher demand for welding professionals exist. 2020 saw a large number of welders leave the industry as a result of COVID-19. However, since the world has finally returned to normalcy, welders are in great demand and should remain so for the next ten years. As one of the emerging careers, becoming an industrial welder is a great investment in your future.
The career path you follow will significantly impact your life. So choose wisely. Consider the emerging careers mentioned in this read for inspiration.