Have you seen the recently published list of the 100 Best Jobs of 2016, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report? I’ve done some preliminary research, and I can tell you the big takeaway for this year: Health care jobs dominate the top of the list.
Take a look at what I’ve found:
- Nine health care careers are ranked in the top 10 (90 percent)
- Thirteen health care careers are ranked in the top 15 (87 percent)
- Fifteen health care careers are ranked in the top 20 (75 percent)
The rankings, which are based on a score of weighted component measures (below), take into account all the factors that make for a fulfilling career:
- Median Salary (30 percent)
- Employment Rate (20 percent)
- Job Prospects (10 percent)
- Stress Level (5 percent)
- Work-Life Balance (5 percent)
- 10-Year Growth Volume (15 percent)
- 10-Year Growth Percentage (15 percent)
I think the last two components are particularly interesting. As baby boomers age – and Generation X has kids – I can understand why the demand for health care professionals will continue to increase.
At VA, about 250,000 full-time employees and 90,000 health professional trainees work in interdisciplinary care teams to deliver patient services daily. That means there is a lot of opportunity for you to grow your health care career at VA in some of our more sought after specialties:
- Physician, ranked #19
- Nurse, ranked #6
- Physical Therapist, ranked #14
- Physician Assistant, ranked #5
- Psychology, ranked #7
- Medical Technologist
- Occupational Therapist
- Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist
- Pharmacist
If you’re working in health care now – or if you’re pursuing a degree in a health care field – you should consider joining VHA. We have more health care jobs than anyone. That means we have more options, more opportunities and more room for advancement – and the work you will do will benefit those who have served our Nation. Find out more and Join VA.
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They may be dominating 2016, but unfortunately, veterans can not afford to be job changing every year, They need solid jobs that will carry them for the rest of their working life. If they followed this idea of what is good each year, they would be no better than day laborers for the rest of their lives.