Numbers show that the United States labor market is starting to recover slowly but surely, with 559,000 jobs being added in May. While we still may not be in the best shape, recovery is still picking up steam, and it’s something to be excited about. Experts have called 2021 the year of rebuilding and recovery, thanks to the rollout of vaccines across the nation. Here are some jobs that will be in demand for the second half of the year.
Frontline E-commerce worker
Since E-commerce sales are projected to hit $4.2 trillion by 2024, there is also a huge demand for human resources that can help facilitate this growth. There will be a need for riders, drivers, package handlers, supply chain associates, personal shoppers, and other jobs that have to do with making online shopping a much smoother and more convenient experience for consumers. People who are gifted at customer service, time management, and leadership will thrive in this industry.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics engineers
Since AI is the next step we can take in this phase of the fourth industrial revolution, there is a need for more engineers, specialists, and practitioners in AI, machine learning, robotics, and others. The Pew Research Center posits that humans and AI will evolve together in the next decade. The COVID-19 crisis has accelerated the need for new technologies that can help keep the world moving even if humans need to be at a standstill.
Mortgage and loan experts
Experts agree that home purchases will continue to increase this year. In 2020 alone, there was a 10 percent increase in home purchases as people saw that homes are the best investment we can make during volatile times, and it’s a trend that will continue this year. Early trends also foresee that millennials will drive this increase, so there will be a demand for loan officers, mortgage brokers, and real estate agents who can help them navigate home ownership and help them find the best deals.
Mental health professionals
To say that the past year and a half has been challenging is an understatement. COVID-19 was the great equalizer mental health-wise, and it affected almost everyone on multiple fronts. Based on research on prior epidemics and disasters, psychologists knew what to expect. In the immediate wake of a collectively traumatic event, thousands, if not millions of people, will experience symptoms of mental disorders such as anxiety and depression. This is why moving forward, there will be a massive demand for mental health professionals who behavior therapists, counselors, psychotherapists, mental health specialists, and mental health technicians.
Healthcare staff
The COVID-19 crisis exposed the flaw in the healthcare situations of many nations in the world. The U.S. is no exception. Aside from doctors and nurses, there are also a host of other positions for healthcare workers, such as health service managers, pharmacists, nurses, medical technicians, anesthesiologists, dentists, veterinarians, and workers or nursing homes, clinics, and other healthcare facilities.
Software engineers
Because the world defaulted to the digital world due to the pandemic, there will be a continued need for engineers who specialize in web, software, game, and app development. Businesses need software engineers because as the world grows more dependent on the digital, projects will continue to grow increasingly complex. Moreover, every time a company launches a software program or an app, a rival company will also build a similar website, program, or app to compete. This is why there will always be a need for developers who can build excellent platforms to make E-commerce a better experience for both companies and consumers.
Digital marketing specialists
Even before the pandemic, there was already a growing demand for digital marketing professionals, with 69 percent of companies hiring more marketers in 2018 alone. The most in-demand area of marketing was digital advertising, followed closely by content creation and curation and content strategy. The demand for digital marketers can only grow from here, especially with most businesses realizing that the internet will help save their business if and when the world needs to shut down.
Content creators and curators
Closely working with digital marketers are content creators responsible for coordinating, writing, video editing, public speaking, and curating content for brands and businesses. People who have a knack for creativity have a clear place in the post-pandemic world, especially as companies bolster their social media and online presence.
Hopes are high that the uptick we are seeing will continue until the second half of the year. As the market continues to pick up some steam and more jobs open up, we might see a full return to normal sooner rather than later.