Cliché: but millennials are the future in the US workforce. With so many of us touting expertise in a variety of subjects, In creating this list, I’ve included a cross-section of jobs where the experts say that millennials will flourish—meaning, they will develop a career and make money at the same time.
Social Media Manager
A somewhat obvious choice, what with our natural inclination toward social media—and living with it on a daily basis, a degree that focuses on media makes any millennial an ideal fit for a position as social media manager.
Marketing Analyst
We have hands-on knowledge of our market and can assist companies with reaching other millennials—especially considering we account for a quarter of the US population and will account for 46% of the workforce by 2020.
Political Campaign Worker
Politicians need to look to reach millennials. We can direct them in the right direction—and for those of us with a genuine interest or hopes for a political career ourselves, it’s a great resume booster.
Financial Services Consultant/Advisor
Millennials are not known for financial savvy—but once more millennials enter the industry, we can have a chance to learn from each other. We’ve already featured it on our list of financial services career options.
Software Developer/Coder
Between Java, CSS and SQL—which I’ve previously covered in terms of interview questions and self-teaching—our inherent penchant for technology makes millennials ideal candidates to take on software coding—and they’ll pay us well for it, too.
Software Engineer
A software engineer actually deals more with hardware, according to potential job listings. This job will have you testing products to be sure that the software works in tandem with the hardware.
Project Manager
Another position that requires tech knowledge as well as prowess—depending on the company. IT knowledge is also a plus when it comes to earning a position as a project manager. We’ve also covered how to ace the interview process.
Product Manager
Described by Wikipedia as the CEO of a product, a product manager requires intimate knowledge of products sold by the applicable company.
Nonprofit Sector Worker
While not known for big paychecks, millennials are noted for changing the nonprofit world. One of our own writers works in the nonprofit sector and chronicles her journey here.
Physical Therapist
Featured on our list of healthcare career options as well as CareerCast’s list—a physical therapist is a great option for someone looking to enter the healthcare field, but not necessarily as a medical doctor. There is always a demand–I know based on personal experience as I recently recovered from a major injury. I’d also like to point out that my former physical therapist is indeed a millennial!
Insurance Agent/Sales Rep
There is a great deal of money to be made in the insurance industry—I spent my early 20s there. Additionally, my experience tells me that millennials need greater education on all types of insurance products–and who better to learn from than other millennials who can truly relate to your needs? We’ve also ranked it on our list of top financial services careers.
Advertising Account Executive
According to CareerCast’s list, advertising account executives can earn over $100K annually. We can also offer valuable input that can only come from the target consumer.
Event Planner
I’ve listed event planner as a top career option before–in discussing advertising and marketing careers. If you’re looking for a fast-paced career for a skill set that applies to any company, event planning is for you. And you’ll get to use a host of organizational apps in the process.
Dental Hygienist
Without the extensive schooling required for the Doctor of Dental Surgery, the median salary, according to Forbes Most Promising Jobs for Millennials, is over $70,000. You’ll still need to go to school—but it won’t hit you in the wallet to the same degree that dental school will.
Public Relations Specialist
Another one I’ve included on my list of Advertising and Marketing Career Options—but Forbes likes it too, and indicates a median salary of over $50K.
Dietitian/Nutritionist
Millennials are creating a demand for products to help them live healthier, so once again we have a case of millennials helping millennials. Forbes calls for 21% growth by 2022.
Statistician
Here’s another venue for millennials to use technology with ease where it previously wasn’t as prevalent. Touted by both the CareerCast and Forbes lists, “young statisticians’ skills are in demand,” and will also be useful in a politically-based career.
Research Scientist
Another great job option for the scientific set. According to our list of career options for biomedical scientists, research scientists get to work in all fields of science. If you’re a computer research scientist, Forbes says the median salary comes in at over $100K.
IT Consultant
If you’ve ever been in the minority as a millennial in your workplace, you’ve probably felt as though you’re the in-house IT specialist by default. Why not get paid for the duty? Featured on our list of top IT jobs, an IT consultant brings home a median salary of over $96K.
Business Analyst
A great job for those with, of course, a business degree—and also for Management Information Systems majors, as per our list. According to Wikipedia, “a business analyst is someone who analyzes an organization, real or hypothetical, and documents its business, processes or systems, assessing the business model or its integration with technology.”
Data Scientist
Based on its CareerCast listing, “data scientist is still a career in its infancy.” That said, it’s a great option for tech-oriented millennials to bring young enthusiasm—especially for a median salary of over $120K.
Musicologist—Dealing with Copyright Infringement
I’ve included jobs encompassing a wide range of fields on the lists, but I’ve realized that I nearly left out the arts (which is truly my first love). A musicologist, according to our list of career options for musicology majors, is qualified to work at a law firm that specializes in copyright infringement cases.
There are a few clear themes across the wide range of jobs featured here—including technology and business-degree oriented jobs. That’s not to say that the options not in those fields are not both important and profitable. What I can conclude from my research is that there is just—another cliché—so much out there!