Just 10 years ago, ordering an Uber was only possible in San Francisco, Postmates didn’t exist and you couldn’t stream music on Spotify. Technology like these have changed every industry and given rise to many new exciting careers. For young people, leveraging these technologies can help them land cutting-edge and amazing careers, which is more important now than ever as the COVID-19 has slashed millions of traditional jobs that young people often hold.
So if you’re out there looking for a new career but don’t know where to start, here is a list of five fast growing career paths that didn’t exist 10 years ago and the skills and requirements needed to work in one of the amazing careers. If you don’t feel that any of these align with your passions, you also can visit Find Your Grind to search for in-depth information and advice from pros who’ve made it big in other awesome 21st-century jobs.
Social media manager
Over the past decade, social media has become ingrained in our personal lives and has turned into a critical business tool that offers amazing careers. As organizations continue expanding their social media presence, the need for savvy people to manage companies’ social pages has exploded. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an 8% job growth by 2028.
Skills & Requirements: Guiding a brand’s social accounts comes with accountability. You need to be well organized, creative and analytical. Take it from Wendy’s and Steak-Umm’s social media managers who’ve developed fun, weird and engaging brand profiles. If you think you’ve got what it takes, you’ll likely need a bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications or business.
Potential salary: $144,000
Esports athlete
Esports is a booming digital athletic field in which some of the world’s best gamers compete in popular games like League of Legends and Call Of Duty. The gaming industry has been steadily growing and is estimated to be worth about $1.8 billion by 2022!
Skills & requirements: Over the last few years, sponsors have been pouring money into the world of professional gaming with top athletes earning celebrity status, enjoying endorsement deals, and creating amazing careers. While it’s rare to become an elite performer and earn big bucks, there are more avenues than ever to pursue greatness with semi-pro leagues sprouting up everywhere. Self motivation and a fierce competitive drive is needed!
Potential salary: $950,000
3D Modeler
3D technology has completely revolutionized the way movies and video games are created. Just think about how much cartoons have evolved over the years. This technology has also become a huge part of many other industries such as architecture, medical, manufacturing and aerospace. This is because 3D modelers are able to create exact models, dummies and renderings of people, places and things. 3D modeling is a highly specialized field which means that modelers are usually in high-demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 4% job growth from 2019 to 2029.
Skills & Requirements: 3D modelers must have exceptional math and computer skills regardless of the industry they work in. Other skills may be required depending on what field you choose. For example, 3D modelers in the film or video game industry must be creative, while those in scientific fields must have a strong background in science. The good news is that there are many majors and minors available for aspiring 3D modelers, though most are based in computer science.
Potential salary: $113,000
Mobile app designer
There are currently over 4 million mobile apps available for download on Android and iOS combined. Mobile app designers plan and develop new apps for news, games, books and more. Mobile app designer and other related software developer jobs are projected to increase 21% throughout the decade.
Skills & requirements: App designers are innovators who come up with original ideas and content for others to use. But with so many existing apps out there, becoming a successful app designer can be challenging. If an app designer is not very creative, their work will not wow the end user and the app won’t gain the popularity it deserves. Think you’ve got what it takes to design the next Instagram? If so, it wouldn’t hurt to have a degree in computer science or another related field. Alternatively, you could consider earning a certificate from a coding bootcamp to prove your skills!
Potential salary: $157,000
Drone pilot
Drones have become wildly popular over the past few years. What was once more of a recreational hobby, is now an incredibly lucrative tool for companies and the government. Drones are now widely used in several industries including real estate, journalism, agriculture and telecommunications, just to name a few. Of course, with the online shopping boost brought on by the pandemic, drones are now also becoming an attractive vehicle for e-commerce deliveries across the world. Job growth for the drone industry is projected to reach $45.8 billion by 2025.
Skills & requirements: Since drones are essentially flying computers that connect to a network, drone pilots need to be effective at critical thinking and problem solving. To work in the drone industry, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems or a related field. You may also need experience working at data centers.
Potential salary: $150,000
Nick Gross is CEO and co-founder of Find Your Grind.
