5 Jobs You Need to Know About in 2025

Besides enjoying what you do, a big part of looking for new career paths is to consider where the jobs are currently. Going back to school or sitting for a certification exam is great, but you want to make sure the time and money you spend learning can actually get you somewhere. To help start your search, here are some jobs that are predicted to grow over the next decade, potentially offering more opportunities for open positions and job security!

Most companies today rely on technology, and it can be nearly impossible to do your job without a working computer, tablet, or phone. We rely on IT support to make sure we can get things done! With that in mind, starting a career in IT can offer stable job opportunities in a variety of industries.

IT support specialists work in several industries including business, manufacturing, education, and even for local, state, and federal governments. They provide essential support, help, and advice to users, employees, and managers that use company tech for their day-to-day work.

If you’re detail-oriented, tech-minded, and love solving problems, becoming an IT support specialist could be the perfect career path for you.

Average IT support specialist salary: $60,810

Jobs in IT don’t necessarily require a degree these days. You could potentially qualify for a job in the field if you can demonstrate you have the right skillset and knowledge to do the work. If you don’t have much experience with IT, computers, software, or repairing computers, taking some courses can help you gain the skills you need.

Through Penn Foster’s online IT Support Specialist Training, you can build the foundational skills that can help you prepare for a successful IT career, from home and on your schedule. You can complete this program in as little as 3-9 months.*

Read more: Why Become an IT Support Specialist

Veterinary clinics and hospitals are desperately in need of skilled, credentialed veterinary technicians right now. With the effects of the pandemic still making an impact on the industry, more veterinary technicians are needed to handle the increase in patients and work in vet clinics and hospitals.

Veterinary technicians assist veterinarians with exams and surgeries. They also take and process samples for laboratory tests and educate clients on proper pet healthcare.

Read more: What Does a Veterinary Technician Do?

You should love animals and be passionate about helping them stay healthy. You should also be okay with working with things like blood, as running lab tests is an important part of the job.

Average vet tech salary: $43,740

Most vet techs need to have an AVMA-approved veterinary technician associate degree. Further, in many states, you need to be licensed, registered, or certified to get a job. You’ll complete that process by sitting for and passing the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE). With Penn Foster’s AVMA-accredited Vet Tech Degree, you can learn essential vet tech skills, get hands-on experience through externships, and prepare for the VTNE. Most students can complete the degree within about 2 years.

Read more: How to Become a Certified Vet Tech (State by State Guide)

Becoming a veterinary assistant can offer the potential for a rewarding career in 2025! As veterinary clinics remain busy, vet assistants will be needed to support veterinary technicians and veterinarians, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that there will be a 19% increase in jobs in the field over the next decade.

Vet assistants help support a veterinary clinic with both administrative and customer service related tasks. They’re responsible for things like helping clients schedule appointments, sending appointment reminders, cleaning and bathing pets that are boarding at the clinic, monitoring pets after surgeries or procedures, and more.

If you’re organized, compassionate, and care about animals, working as a vet assistant could be a great fit for you!

Average vet assistant salary: $36,440

Generally, veterinary assistants need at least a high school diploma or equivalent to qualify for entry-level jobs. From there, they’ll often get on-the-job training to help them learn the systems and policies at their vet clinic. However, while it’s not required, getting formal training and certification as a vet assistant can help those new to the field stand out when applying for jobs!

Read more: Your Veterinary Assistant Career Guide

If you want a career that allows you to use your creativity along with your business savvy, a job in marketing can be just the thing for you. Currently, there are also many opportunities for marketers in the workforce in a variety of fields! From content marketing to search engine optimization (SEO), there are lots of different paths your marketing career can take.

Digital marketers drive brand awareness and lead generation through anything that is considered a digital channel, such as a company website, social media, search engine results, email, ads, and blogs. Working in digital marketing can offer you opportunities such as becoming a social media manager, a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) specialist, or working in marketing communications.

Digital marketers drive brand awareness and lead generation through anything that is considered a digital channel, such as a company website, social media, search engine results, email, ads, and blogs. Working in digital marketing can offer you opportunities such as becoming a social media manager, a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) specialist, or working in marketing communications.

Marketers are creative but data-focused people who have strong written communication and research skills. This could be a great fit for someone who likes to write, whether that’s blogs (like this one!), email, or other communications, and wants to be able to use their creative skills on a regular basis. However, if you’re more data and numbers focused, that’s okay too – there are marketing opportunities that focus more on research and analytics that could be a good fit!

Average digital marketing salary: $55,567

To qualify for a job in marketing, you’ll usually need a relevant degree and strong communication skills. If you’re looking for a job that is writing-focused, you’ll also likely need to submit examples of your work during the hiring process.

If working with people is your career endgame, human resources could be the perfect field for you. HR coordinators and managers are needed more than ever as we all navigate a new world of work, balancing work from home and in-office schedules. Working in HR also gives you options when it comes to where you work; HR professionals are needed in every type of industry!

HR coordinators assist with human resources processes at a business. This includes administering health plans and other benefits, working with employees on payroll issues and questions, and more.

HR coordinators need to work closely with people, so if you’re a people person, this job could be a great fit.

Average HR coordinator salary: $44,074

In order to qualify for an entry-level HR career, you’ll generally need a degree, usually in human resources management. You’ll also want to be familiar with things like Microsoft Office Suite, which includes PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.

Read more: How to Become an Administrative Assistant (Career Guide)

If you’re interested in starting a new career, you probably want one that offers a lot of opportunities to find jobs in the field. After all, getting a good, rewarding job is the whole point. The best way to figure out whether or not a field you’re interested in will give you what you want is to start doing some research. Things to consider include

How many open jobs are there in the field? Using a resource like the Bureau of Labor Statistics, you can find out how many open jobs are predicted for the industry you’re interested in over the next ten years.

Is the job you’re interested in part of a growing industry? There are many industries that are currently booming, offering plenty of opportunities for someone looking to get their foot in the door and start a new career path. Certain industries are expected to grow faster than others, like technology or healthcare, so finding a job in one of those fields may be less competitive than in others.

What’s the average entry-level salary? Again, use a resource like the Bureau of Labor Statistics to find out the average salary for jobs you’re interested in. They use data to determine what a median salary is for a variety of jobs in the United States, including what types of employers may pay more than others.

How many job posts are there? Another easy way to figure out if a career is in demand? Do a quick search on sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, or Glassdoor to see how many job posts there are for that position in your area. This can give you a good idea of how many opportunities are available near you, as well as help you get a sense of what employers in the industry commonly look for in new hires.

If you’re looking to make a career change, especially to one that is completely different from your current job, following these five steps can help.

• Think about why you want to change careers.
• Figure out what the right job is for you.
• Research the careers you’re interested in, including how much they pay, what education you need, and if you need any professional certifications.
• Get the training you need for the job you’re most interested in.
• Believe in yourself! Changing careers can seem hard, but you can do it.

Read more: Your Guide to a Midlife Career Change

Right now, there are a variety of high demand careers in a few industries, including healthcare, skilled trades, criminal justice, and more. Some of the most in-demand jobs for 2025, in no particular order, include

• Veterinary technician
• Vet assistant
• Marketing
• HR

Read more: 8 Online Degrees That Pay Well and You Can Start Today

From this list, the career that has the most demand in the next 10 years is pet grooming. It’s expected that there will be a 29% increase in jobs in the field over the next ten years.

Other careers that should see high demand include

• Travel agent, with a 20% increase in demand
• Veternary technician, with a 20% increase in demand
• Event planner, with an 18% increase in demand
• Digital marketer, which is one of the top ten most in-demand jobs according to LinkedIn

There is no truly “easy” career; each job has its own tasks that are difficult and tasks that are easy. And, if you’re looking to do well in your career, taking it easy is usually not the best way to go about it. However, the “easiest” career from this list would probably be pet groomer because it offers the opportunity to start your own business and be your own boss. While that is definitely not easy to do, when you own your own business, you’re able to decide your hours, the tasks you work on, and how you do your job.

Whether computers are your thing, you’re more interested in numbers, or you want to use your creativity in your career, Penn Foster’s online, flexible programs allow you to prepare for the career you want on your schedule. If you’re ready to get started on a new path today, request more information, learn more about our programs or enroll today!

* The estimated completion time for this program is based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from May 2021 - October 2022, excluding withdrawals.