The arrival of 2021 may have left you feeling inspired for a better tomorrow. Let’s be honest: 2020 was a rough one. After a global pandemic and economic instability, us Americans are in need of some positive changes. This may be sparking new motivation in pursuing a new career. You want to do something that you love, something that matters, and something that is rewarding.
The path to your career starts with education—and you may already know that your career will be widely determined by the major you choose. But what are the most in-demand majors? What are employers look for, and which skills do you need to land a job in these fields? Read on, as we share some of the most in-demand majors of 2020-2021. In this list, we hope you find the field that’s right for you.
- Nursing
Nursing continues to be a heavy-hitter, ranking #1 on several “most in-demand majors” lists, including this 2021 list from Indeed. It is no wonder why. We know now, more than ever before, the importance of good nurses in our healthcare system. The global pandemic of COVID-19 caused an influx and overload of patients in hospitals around the country, and retired nurses were asked to step out of retirement to help in the crisis. Hospitals and clinics across the United States are in need of qualified, skilled nurses to meet the fast-growing demand for healthcare services.
Registered Nurses (RNs) earned a median salary of $73,300 in 2019, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS also expects this role to grow 7% over the next several years, faster than the average for all occupations.
Depending on your career goals and time restrictions, there are many paths to choose from with a nursing major. Goodwin University offers nursing degrees at the associate, bachelor, and master’s degree levels. For added flexibility, students who have earned their bachelor’s degree in another subject may pursue the accelerated BLS, and RNs who are looking to advance their nursing careers may opt for the online RN-to-BSN program.
- Business Administration
As long as business is a part of the U.S. economy, there will be a need for the Business Administration major. Graduates of this major enjoy successful careers in a wide variety of settings, such as corporate, education, manufacturing, nonprofit, and state and federal government.
In addition to this wide-open program, students also develop skills in:
- Effective communication
- Problem-solving
- Critical thinking
- Leadership
- Team management
- Resourcefulness
These business skills are universal and applicable to nearly any career path you may choose down the road. Goodwin University offers students degrees in Business Administration at the associate and bachelor’s level. There is no shortage of success in the world of business. According to the BLS, Administrative Services and Facilities Managers earned $96,940 in 2019, and this role is projected to grow 6% over the next several years.
- Medical Assisting
Much like nursing, medical assisting is an important role within the healthcare industry. Medical assisting is a great path for anyone who wants to break into the health field quickly. You can work directly with patients in need, and streamline patient care in a variety of settings. And it only takes a year to get there! A medical assisting program, like the one at Goodwin University, can be completed in as little as 12 months.
The BLS expects employment for medical assistants to grow 19% over the next several years, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
With a medical assisting degree or certificate, students learn critical laboratory techniques, clinical and office procedures, patient relations, as well as medical terminology, ethics, and law.
- Education
Aside from our healthcare heroes, teachers are the unsung heroes of the pandemic. Adapting to new ways of reaching students in creative ways is just the latest accomplishment for our educators. They are molding young minds and they are doing it despite all of the challenges of the past year.
Teachers were found to be in low supply during the pandemic, meaning the demand has grown for qualified educators. All teachers, particularly English as a Second Language (ESL) – are in low supply, but they are needed now more than ever before.
Whether you are looking to become a high school teacher or early childhood educator, rest assured there will be a need for your services. The next generation is ready to learn and create change in the world.
Depending on your desired field in education, it will require a different degree. For example, a childhood education degree can position you to become a preschool teacher, school readiness teacher, or even a curriculum coordinator. A master’s degree in Education, can elevate your career and qualify you for teaching positions across the age spectrum. In either program, you will develop skills, techniques, and experience to increase access to learning by reducing and removing physical, cognitive, intellectual, and organizational barriers for your students.
These are just a few of the most in-demand majors to pursue today. If you are motivated and willing to put in the work, you can take the first step to launch your new career today. Reach out to Goodwin University to learn even more about the many flexible programs offered. Call us at 1-800-889-3282 or visit us online to request more information.
Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.