Amid a global pandemic, a new presidential administration and continued technological innovation, the latest decade has brought on plenty of transformation.
While many aspects of life have undoubtedly changed in the past two years, one sector that’s shifted most radically is the workplace. COVID-19 not only pushed more employees into the remote world, but it also led to swift fluctuations in job opportunities, benefits and pay.
As several industries experienced widespread layoffs or hiring freezes, other employees left their positions in search of new career paths in a trend dubbed the “Great Resignation” or “Great Reshuffle.”
Looking at where the workforce is headed in 2022, we rounded up some of the fastest-growing jobs and sectors — as well as the online master’s degrees from USC that will help you get there.
From pandemic-forged roles to industry mainstays, these are the highest in-demand jobs of the year.
Human Resources
As we’ve acknowledged, the world of work is swiftly changing, which means excellent human resources professionals are needed to help both companies and their employees navigate this transitory time.
Whether HR professionals are focusing on acquiring brilliant talent, creating new safety guidelines in the workplace, handling negotiations centered around salaries and raises, or helping employees navigate the complexities of online working relationships, they are the forces behind a successful workplace.
It’s a thriving field this year, according to LinkedIn, as well as an important one. To meet this demand, USC Bovard College offers the online Master of Science in Human Resource Management. The program educates students on core HR principles, as well as the skills needed to navigate such a position, including HR analytics, talent management and encouraging employee motivation.
Another great aspect of the program? It focuses on the future of human resources, striving to create leaders who can excel in a global and diverse workplace.
Business
Another field on the rise? Business. Financial planning heads, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) managers, and analyst relations specialists also made LinkedIn’s list of rising jobs in 2022. While those are three specific titles that have seen a lot of growth, even more doors can open with a master’s degree in business administration — which is why getting an MBA from USC Marshall School of Business is a worthwhile investment.
The USC Marshall online MBA program, which was recently ranked number one in the country by U.S. News & World Report, prepares students to become effective business leaders, with classes like “Fundamentals of Business,” “Managing Inside The Firm,” and “Business Environment and Leadership.” Graduates walk away with a packed portfolio and the necessary knowledge to wisely tackle business decisions.
Armed with an MBA, people will find a wealth of positions in all kinds of sectors: Health care, finance, government, entertainment, media, and more need employees with top-tier business acumen. Regardless of job market trends, an MBA comes in handy.
Health Care
Health care is another burgeoning field that is projected to add an estimated 2.6 million new jobs, more than any other sector. In particular, nurse practitioners and physical therapists are in high demand, according to a recent report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Surgical intensive care nurses and postpartum nurses are also specifically needed, reported LinkedIn.
Not only is working in health care a good bet for job security, it’s also a career that allows you to make a meaningful difference in your community and the world at large. Whatever kind of medical practitioner you are, you’re helping people to heal and stay healthy, which is no small feat in a post-COVID world.
If that sounds enticing, consider looking into the online Master of Science in Nursing program at USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. In the online MSN program, students work toward becoming a family nurse practitioner who can provide care for patients from early childhood to old age.
Students discover how to diagnose health issues, prescribe medicine and interpret lab results, all while learning about the various social, economic and environmental factors that impact patient health.
Vaccine Specialist
The COVID-19 vaccine is being administered to millions of people across the globe, and that means someone needs to be carrying out those doses, as noted by LinkedIn. But the vaccine specialist role is more varied than it sounds: People can work in medical sales, community outreach, or in clinics and hospitals.
Specialists not only distribute the vaccine, but they also educate communities about its safety, efficiency and uses. It’s a position that will continue to grow even after the pandemic ends, as vaccines have long been an essential medical tool.
If you’re considering becoming a vaccine specialist, look toward the USC School of Pharmacy, which offers multiple online graduate programs, including Master of Science in Management of Drug Development, which prepares students for careers in translational research and drug development in the early clinical stages, and Master of Science in Medical Product Quality, which focuses on ensuring drug efficiency and safety as well as ethics.
Supply Chain Management
As a shortage of common goods and products occurred throughout the pandemic, we witnessed firsthand just how much the supply chain and logistic industry affects our daily lives. It’s no surprise supply chain management continues to experience major growth — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 30 percent jump in the next decade — so there is no better time to get involved in this crucial field.
There is a myriad of roles within supply chain management, including procurement analysts, distribution and logistics managers, consultants, project managers and more.
If you have a passion for logistics and tackling challenging issues, USC Marshall School of Business can prepare you for a career in supply chain management with its online master’s program, which has regularly been heralded by U.S. News and World Report. In the Master of Science in Global Supply Chain Management program, students focus on logistics and distribution, strategic procurement, and the role of information technology in managing global supply chains.
In addition to its unique curriculum, the master’s program trains future leaders to be experts in supply chain design in the global and complex business world.
Data Science
Data science has been one of the fastest-growing job fields for years now, and 2022 is no exception. Jobs like machine learning engineer, technical product manager and back end developer all made LinkedIn’s list of top jobs on the rise. It’s the right industry for anyone who thrives with numbers and technology.
The USC Viterbi School of Engineering offers multiple master’s programs that can help you tackle the world of data science. Consider the Master of Science in Applied Data Science, Master of Science in Computer Science (Data Science) or Master of Science in Computer Science (Software Engineering).
Although the programs, which are offered in-person or online via DEN@Viterbi, vary in curriculum and focus, they all prepare students to land highly sought-after data science positions.
Explore the rest of USC’s online graduate programs today.