Look Ahead to a Career in Healthcare

By Sharon Thomas DeLay
Health services and education are considered an industry “supersector” for growth according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Why? Because the projected growth of around 20 percent (higher for health services, lower for education, but still healthy) is the highest of all the industries and is projected to remain that way for many years to come.

Do you know someone who is currently struggling to take care of aging parents while raising a family and going to work? Maybe this is your life. You can see why health services is the hot industry. We have an aging segment of the population – the Baby Boomers – that also happens to comprise the largest segment of our overall population. As our parents and grandparents enter their senior years, they’ll require medical and health services at record levels and someone needs to be prepared to meet those needs.

Of the Bureau’s top 20 jobs projected for the greatest growth 2006-2016, four are in the health services area. If you include many of the unique skills required in child care and add that to the health services industry, 25 percent of the hottest jobs are in the health services sector. Health services is not reflected at all in the 20 jobs projected for the largest decreases in growth.
If direct patient care is not for you, look at the industries, companies and jobs that work directly and indirectly with this supersector. As hospitals, nursing homes, and home health care services grow, so grow the businesses that must provide products and services to these businesses. Look in your community for companies that produce medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, medical education, and professional and support services such as billing, cleaning, and foodservice. The services sector is actually projected to be the fastest growing segment, followed closely by professional and then office and administrative. Many of the associated jobs in these areas may require only a high school education or advanced certificate or diploma, or your demonstrated experience may prove to be your best selling point.

Sharon DeLay is a certified career coach with the goal of helping people find jobs they love and love the jobs they have. Visit www.boldlygocoaching.com or e-mail Sharon@boldlygocoaching.com for more information or to subscribe to her twice weekly blog or twice monthly ezine. (c) 2009 BoldlyGO Professional Development Services