What's in demand?

Some simple research can help you identify skills that employers are looking for, career fields that are projected to need workers, and other indicators of demand. Get started with the two questions below.

What’s the job outlook for the career or job that your training will lead to?

Some occupations are in high demand in certain locations, like gambling workers in Nevada, or ski lift operators in Colorado. Other careers are in high demand just about everywhere, like Registered Nurses. If you plan to get trained for a career, it's valuable to know whether many jobs are expected to be available, especially in your location. 

You can learn about the job outlook for a career at the Occupation Profile. Look for the following details about occupations of interest to you:

• How many years of education does this occupation typically require?
• How many new jobs are expected in coming years?
• What’s the usual salary?

What kind of skills, knowledge, and credentials are employers looking for in your field?

Take the time to target your classes and training programs to help you gain the skills that qualify you for a job. And diiscover what employers are looking for from any of these sources:

• Look up job listings at Job Finder to see the types of skills, education, experience and other requirements that employers include.
• Find out which professional certifications employers request the most on Certification Finder.
• View an Occupation Profile to find the skills, knowledge, tasks, tools and technology, and training related to any occupation.
• Look up college programs on U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. For many programs, you can find out what graduates earn, along with typical student loan debt accrued. Or ask college career center staff for current placement rates and employer skill needs. 
• Network with people who already work in the field or industry. Ask them about what’s in demand in their field.