A Glimpse Into Jobs of the Near Future

by George Lorenzo

Note: This is a short example of how this book will address job and education opportunities.

A predictive glimpse into the workforce of the near future can be seen in a wide variety of industries. According to a recent report by McKinsey & Company, we should be paying closer attention to companies that have a focus on building the future infrastructure needed to support upcoming developments that are expected to occur in advanced manufacturing, energy, and big data.

MANUFACTURING

Starting with advanced manufacturing, the U.S. has always been a leader in the improved manufacturing of automobiles, airplanes, semiconductors, and medical equipment. So, companies in these particular fields, and the companies that support such manufacturers, such as steel distributors and fabricators, for instance, could see a jump in production and hence a need for employees. The question becomes what kind of employees will these companies be seeking?  The general answer is that people with Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) skills will be the most sought out for jobs. What kind of jobs? Various engineers, technicians, CNC operators, etc.  

  

As noted in the book “Career Pathways for STEM Technicians,” by Dan Hull, “two thirds of STEM workers with an associate degree make more than the average for workers without an associate degree.”

For an example of an education program on the manufacturing side that looks reasonable in length and cost that could result in a decent entry-level job in manufacturing – one that could put you on a rewarding career pathway,  Harper College (If you live in the Chicago area, see http://goforward.harpercollege.edu/academics/areas/manufacturing/mpc.php)  has a traditional face-to-face 18-credit certificate program in CNC Control, for instance. Total cost is a little over $2,700 for 6 courses if you live in their district. It’s “designed to provide students with the skills necessary to gain entry-level employment in the manufacturing/precision machining industry. The certificate focuses on skills used in a modern machine shop-blueprint reading, conventional machine tool theory and lab, and an introduction to CNC operations.” Harper also offers a second level of CNC Control certificate as well as a certificate in Manufacturing Production. All are promoted as preparing individuals for “ample jobs openings” as advanced manufacturing professionals, with decent pay and benefits.  

ENERGY

These same kind of STEM jobs are needed in the energy sector, where the McKinsey & Company researchers point to the controversial shale opportunity, in which horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing are expected to unlock large deposits of natural gas and oil. It’s probably a very good idea to be paying attention to what’s going on in the shale industry, where these deposits are located, and how the laws may or may not be changing to accommodate this relatively untapped industry to date. Construction jobs relative to the building of pipelines, rail networks, and roads could be growing rapidly as the shale world changes.  It also has implication to the aforementioned knowledge-intensive manufacturing industry as companies try to develop and build the most effective equipment for tapping into shale deposits.

Some very unique short-term fully online associate degree and certificate programs related to energy industry jobs can be found at Bismarcktate College in North Dakota (see http://www.bismarckstate.edu/online/programs/) , where they offer  programs in  Electric Power Technology, Electrical Transmission Systems Technology, Nuclear Power Technology,  Petroleum Production Technology, Power Plant Technology,  Process Plant Technology, and Renewable Generation Technology. 

BIG DATA

Finally the world of big data and what the McKinsey folks refer to as the “harnessing of digital information to raise productivity.” Where are the jobs here? Look at statistics, computer-aided design, data analysis, and cybersecurity – all keen areas for growth.  For instance, you can earn a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity in a fully online modality, which is a highly sought out field with good-paying jobs, at the University of Maryland University College (UNUC, see http://www.umuc.edu/academic-programs/bachelors-degrees/cybersecurity-major.cfm). Tuition is$499 per credit for out-of-state residents and $258 for in-state residents. If you live in Maryland for 12 consecutive months, you could qualify for in-state tuition. That’s something to consider if it fits your lifestyle and you really want to work in this field. 

Comments welcome: What industries look promising for good jobs in the not-too-distant future? How can an individual find reasonable education opportunities to obtain the skills being sought out by such industries?