Generation Z: Jobs & Careers That Will Matter Most
By the early 2030s, it’s expected that 38% of jobs in the U.S. will be automated, which means that humans won’t be the ones performing them. While the job market has always fluctuated and changed, Generation Z is in a particularly tricky position since many of the jobs it will be filling don’t necessarily exist yet.
Quite a few of these Generation Z jobs focus on technology, while others focus on issues that the next generation will have to face. Each of these jobs represent a high growth rate, career longevity, and a good median salary. Here’s our list of great Generation Z careers:
Software Developer
The tech industry is booming and provides plenty of opportunities for future software developers. Software developers are already in high demand and jobs in this field are expected to grow 17% by 2024 with the median income at $100,690*.
Statistician
With technology growing and changing as quickly as it is, data collecting and analysis is becoming increasingly important. That’s where statisticians come in. With one of the highest expected growth rates (34% between now and 2024) and a median salary of $80,110*, statistician would be a great Generation Z job.
Human Resources Manager
This one may surprise you, but with a growing need for an understanding of the incoming, younger generations, Human Resources Manager can be a good Generation Z career choice. Like other jobs on this list, human resources management jobs are expected to grow significantly in the coming years and are also rated as highly rewarding with median salaries coming in around $104,440*.
Computer & Information Systems Analyst
If you’re a Generation Z-er interested in working in technology, computer and IT systems analyst may be the job for you. This is a high-growth job that is expected to add 53,700 positions between now and 2024, so you’re likely to have career longevity along with a comfortable salary. The median annual income of a computer & IT Systems analyst is $131,600*.
Environmental Engineer
As more resources will be funneled into efforts to improve recycling, waste disposal, public health, and water and air pollution control, environmental engineers will be in high demand. With a median salary of $84,560* and a high growth rate, environmental engineering is a great path for eco-conscious Generation Z-ers.
Jobs in the medical field are also expected to grow in coming years and are less likely to be automated than others. Registered nurses, for example, are in high demand particularly in rural areas.
If you’re struggling to decide what you want to do for your career, don’t hesitate to do a few google searches of these jobs to see if they might be the right choice for you!
For more interesting insights regarding this topic, check out the NSHSS Career Interest Survey. This survey reveals key findings of the preferences and attitudes of high-achieving high school students, college students, and college graduates specific to education, career and employment aspirations, and civic involvement. It also describes some underlying differences between Generation Z-ers and their millennial predecessors.
*Median salaries according to careercast.com