Job Searching in Today’s Climate
Facing Unemployment and Finding a Job in Uncertain Times
Looking for a new job is rarely on anyone’s list of favorite ways to pass the time, but unfortunately, the occasional job search is a fact of life. Whether you’re hoping to forge a new career path or are seeking a more advanced role in your current field, it can be a very stressful transition to make.
And that’s without dealing with a global health crisis—and the resulting economic distress, record unemployment numbers and general uncertainty—on top of it all. As a student, recent graduate or Grantham University alum seeking a job change, what should you know about the current job market and the employment search ahead of you?
Turns out, the big shifts we’re seeing in some industries could actually create opportunities for you to beat the competition. Plus, not all sectors are facing huge job losses, and many are actually starting to hire again after the first wave of the pandemic. Here are just two industries that are currently experiencing employment hikes, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Healthcare
It should come as no surprise that employment in healthcare services grew by 358,000 jobs in June 2020, according to BLS data. As hospitals, ambulatory health care services and other care providers are reaching capacity in the face of constant need, trained healthcare workers are critical to providing care for the millions of people nationwide affected by COVID-19.
In addition, jobs in dentists’ offices are also regaining traction. Over the last two months, the BLS shows, the dental industry has recovered 447,000 of the 549,000 jobs lost in March and April.
If you’ve been considering a career in the healthcare field, here are a couple of roles you might want to consider.
Nursing
Nurses are essential to effective patient care in a variety of settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.
Registered nurses who are seeking a bachelor’s degree can enroll in a degree completion program to help them leverage their previous education and experience toward their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Or for nurses seeking a management role, a Nursing Management & Organizational Leadership Specialization Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program may be the right fit.
Health Information Technology
For those looking to support healthcare functions in non-patient-facing roles, there are plenty of options available as well.
Medical coding and billing specialists, for instance, help doctors’ offices and other healthcare facilities run efficiently. If you’re interested in managing the data systems and storage itself, a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management may be more your speed.
Business and Technology
As the economy continues to shift in response to global changes, it is very difficult to predict what the future might hold. Still, there are certain skillsets that will likely remain critical across many different industries.
The BLS shows an added 6,000 jobs in June for data processing, hosting and related services personnel. There was also an increase of 306,000 professional and business services jobs, which include administrative, accounting, business support and other technical services.
If you’re looking to build a strong foundation and still maintain flexibility in your working environment, these areas of study could be for you.
Technology
One important component of any successful business in the 21st century is technology.
And if there’s one thing we know about important components, it’s that they need someone to keep them in working order. That’s where computer engineering technicians come in: to design, test and implement computer and software systems for a variety of purposes.
Business
Accounting professionals can support corporations, organizations or individuals with bookkeeping, statements and auditing, financial planning and more. They can become analysts, auditors, examiners or even tax preparers.
Likewise, those with business administration skills may pursue jobs as sales managers, administrative managers, production managers and more (and in industries ranging from marketing and communications to manufacturing and transportation). These roles often rely on a business management background to succeed.
No matter which direction you envision for your future, the Grantham Career Services team is eager to help you get there—even during a pandemic. Give us a call at 800-955-2527 ext. 173, or email, to learn more about how we can support your career goals!
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