What do you want to be when you grow up?

How many times have you heard that question? I began hearing that question in kindergarten and it has continued throughout my life.  My answers seem to change from year to year, and to this day I am not sure I could give you a definitive, one-word, easy-explanation answer.  So, in case you are like me–indecisive and always appreciative of helpful suggestions–here is some useful information. Below is a list of the top ten fastest growing occupations requiring a master’s degree, at minimum, through 2018.

This article was originally posted on About.com’s Career Guide using data from the United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010-2011. Visit the Career Guide to read the full article and occupation descriptions. Our favorite is number ten, of course!

1. Medical scientist (excluding epidemiologists)

Medical scientists improve human wellness by researching human diseases and other conditions.  Read more

2. Physician Assistants

Physician assistants are medical practitioners who provide support and work under doctors.  Read more

3. Biochemists and Biophysicists

These professionals study living organisms and how they relate and interact with the environment.  Read more

4. Veterinarians

We all know what veterinarians do–they cure Spot when he has porcupine quills stuck in his muzzle or gets in a fight with the mean bulldog down the street.  Read more

5. Physical Therapists

Physical therapists (PTs) are the people who work to rehabilitate human patients’ functions, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or minimize permanent physical disabilities. Read more

6. Anthropologists and Archaeologists

Maybe you would like to study people–their ways of life, language, physical characteristics, and even archaeological remains.  If so, I suggest joining the anthropology or archaeology fields. Read more

7. Environmental Scientists and Specialists

The name says it all: environmental scientists and specialists work to protect the environment through research and minimize hazards to people and wildlife.  Read more

8. Prosthodontist

Prosthodontists specialize in replacing and restoring teeth.  Read more

9. Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

With a master’s degree in psychology, you too can “apply psychological principles and research methods to the workplace” to increase productivity and quality of life. Read more

10. Geographers

And here is the best job on the whole list!  Geographers study spatial relationships between land features, people, and phenomena in places around the world. Read more

So there you have it, if you are looking for a career that will be expanding in the next seven years, and you’re wiling to put some time into pursuing an advanced degree, pick one of the above career paths!

Becky for My Wonderful World

Photos courtesy of My Shot Your Shot:
Medical student–Nathanael Lichty
Mayan ruins outside of Oaxaca, Mexico–Philip Johnson
Dental extraction at night–Kian Peng Chew