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Job outlook for career specialists in the United States
Career specialist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected career specialist job growth rate is 8% from 2018-2028.
About 28,900 new jobs for career specialists are projected over the next decade.
Career specialist salaries have increased 6% for career specialists in the last 5 years.
There are over 8,516 career specialists currently employed in the United States.
There are 16,353 active career specialist job openings in the US.
The average career specialist salary is $45,299.
Are career specialist jobs in demand?
Career Specialist job and salary trends over time
Career Specialist jobs over time
Career Specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,516 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 8,274 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 8,299 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 7,904 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 7,544 | 0.00% |
Average career specialist salary over time
Career Specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $45,299 | $21.78 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $44,222 | $21.26 | +0.6% |
| 2023 | $43,977 | $21.14 | +0.8% |
| 2022 | $43,608 | $20.97 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | $42,640 | $20.50 | +1.4% |
Career Specialist jobs by state
Most common states for career specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 173 | 25% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 126 | 13% |
| 3 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 68 | 12% |
| 4 | Vermont | 623,657 | 70 | 11% |
| 5 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 190 | 10% |
| 6 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 75 | 10% |
| 7 | Alaska | 739,795 | 72 | 10% |
| 8 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 743 | 9% |
| 9 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 596 | 9% |
| 10 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 298 | 9% |
| 11 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 74 | 9% |
| 12 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 472 | 8% |
| 13 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 112 | 8% |
| 14 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 88 | 8% |
| 15 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 85 | 8% |
| 16 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 673 | 7% |
| 17 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 377 | 7% |
| 18 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 292 | 7% |
| 19 | Hawaii | 1,427,538 | 96 | 7% |
| 20 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 88 | 7% |
Most common cities for career specialists
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amherst | 1 | 3% | $42,569 |
| 2 | Beloit | 1 | 3% | $40,610 |
| 3 | Juneau | 1 | 3% | $36,628 |
| 4 | Lawrenceville | 1 | 3% | $41,588 |
| 5 | Malden | 1 | 2% | $41,418 |
| 6 | Atlanta | 4 | 1% | $41,650 |
| 7 | Centennial | 1 | 1% | $47,073 |
| 8 | Chicago | 4 | 0% | $43,424 |
| 9 | New York | 2 | 0% | $50,418 |
| 10 | San Francisco | 2 | 0% | $59,343 |
| 11 | Aurora | 1 | 0% | $47,029 |
| 12 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $41,618 |
| 13 | Cincinnati | 1 | 0% | $40,496 |
| 14 | Durham | 1 | 0% | $45,129 |
| 15 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $39,559 |
| 16 | Montgomery | 1 | 0% | $41,670 |
Career Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of career specialist experts
University of Delaware
Siena College
Pennsylvania State University - Harrisburg
Saint Xavier University
Western Illinois University
Tuskegee University
The University of Texas at El Paso
University of Memphis
Arizona State University
Wisconsin Business School
High Point University
Humboldt State University
Monmouth University
Butler University
Lycoming College
Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)
University of Maryland Global Campus
University of California, Los Angeles
Wake Forest University
DePauw University
Rahmat Beheshti PhD
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Delaware
Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, And Computational Biology
What Career Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Rahmat Beheshti PhD: There seems to be a consensus that skills related to the effective integration of multi-modal large language models (MLLMs) into targeted tasks will be highly relevant in the short future.
What general advice would you give to a Career Specialist?
Beverly Thompson: Job skills specific to a particular sector will likely be learned on the job. College can provide general skills useful for entering into professions that will be client facing: critical thinking abilities, assessing legitimate information sources, strategic abilities to address problem solving, and precise organizational abilities. Careers in the future are not anticipated to be long term, and 3-5 years may represent how long one spends in one position. Thus, coming into the position with a clear understanding of the job, keeping track of one's key goal posts, including the time period expectations, are essential. Proper communication skills, for each mode of delivery, are important. The ability to shift with the changing employment landscape and to develop one's own insights into the future trajectories will be key in staying on top of the trends.
What Career Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Beverly Thompson: Employment fields are changing rapidly; far faster than college curriculum. Thus, I would encourage current students and recent graduates to use sites such as LinkedIn to reach out to people working in the targeted field one is interested in and speak to them directly, especially people who have entered the field in the last five years. Fields also change quickly, so it is best to speak to those recently entering the field about their experiences and advice. I would also encourage people to get experience in the field as soon as possible, such as pursuing a part time job, in order to begin seeing the reality of the field from the entry level perspective.
What will help Career Specialists increase their earning potential?
Beverly Thompson: One would need to understand the various job opportunities in a particular field, research the pay ranges of each of these different employment sectors, and gain the skills relevant to the highest paid area of the job market. However, when one is starting their career, it is going to take time to begin accumulating promotions, and thus, being the best worker one can be and understanding the dynamics of one's particular company or field will be required research for the employee. Employees are tracked from their very first entry level position, so dedicating research to understanding these different employment trajectories will be central for finding and staying in the trajectory that will lead to the highest salary. Networking is key for learning about opportunities.
Arpita Agnihotri
Associate ProfessorPennsylvania State University - Harrisburg
International Business
What general advice would you give to a Career Specialist?
Arpita Agnihotri: PFA the responses. Please let me know if further elaboration is needed on any aspect or there are any questions.
What Career Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Arpita Agnihotri: I shall be glad to provide answers to the questions. Kindly send me the questions.
What will help Career Specialists increase their earning potential?
Arpita Agnihotri: This is perfect! Thank you so much. We will be sure to feature your response in the article and send a draft over for your review before we promote it.
David Parker LL.M. Human Rights Law, LL.M. National Security Law, JD, MBA, CFE
Associate ProfessorSaint Xavier University
Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services
What general advice would you give to a Career Specialist?
David Parker LL.M. Human Rights Law, LL.M. National Security Law, JD, MBA, CFE: Critical thinking and problem-solving, Technological literacy / digital literacy, Resiliency, stress tolerance and flexibility, Creativity, originality and ideation, Emotional intelligence & interpersonal skills, and Curiosity and active/continuous learning.
What Career Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
David Parker LL.M. Human Rights Law, LL.M. National Security Law, JD, MBA, CFE: Build a proven record of experience and success (internships and volunteer work are excellent ways to achieve this). Skills. Refer back to #2. Negotiate. Know your market value and emphasize your value to the organization. Too many people 'leave money on the table' because they do not effectively negotiate their salary/compensation package. Many studies show this is particularly true of women.
What will help Career Specialists increase their earning potential?
David Parker LL.M. Human Rights Law, LL.M. National Security Law, JD, MBA, CFE: Build a proven record of experience and success (internships and volunteer work are excellent ways to achieve this).
Skills. Refer back to #2.
Negotiate. Know your market value and emphasize your value to the organization. Too many people 'leave money on the table' because they do not effectively negotiate their salary/compensation package. Many studies show this is particularly true of women.
Tammy Killian
Chair - Department of Theatre and DanceWestern Illinois University
Drama/Theatre Arts And Stagecraft
What general advice would you give to a Career Specialist?
Tammy Killian: Make sure you sell all of your skill sets when you are interviewing, be a strong communicator, demonstrate your organizational skills, and don't undersell yourself -- have confidence in your abilities and training. Be willing to take on additional duties if needed.
What Career Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tammy Killian: Breathe, be patient and also make as many connections as possible. Create those relationships and continue to network them even after you get a job. You are enough! and you have a lot to offer. Remind folks often of your worth, skills and do so in a kind and generous way.
What will help Career Specialists increase their earning potential?
Tammy Killian: Communication - written as well as spoken. During the pandemic we got very comfortable texting, using text speak, and hiding behind a computer. Speaking with folks in person takes practice. We all need to practice making eye contact, connecting with others via verbal communication, and thinking quickly and then articulating our thoughts in an intelligent way.
Dr. Kai KOONG
Dean, Brimmer College of Business and Information ScienceTuskegee University
Business Administration, Management And Operations
What general advice would you give to a Career Specialist?
Dr. Kai KOONG: First, besides working hard, work smart, in particular.
Second, find a mentor to help you adapt to the new work environment and culture.
Third, ask for help and be a true team player. You will be surprise most colleagues want you to do well.
Fourth, learn as much as you can and keep a balanced profile.
What Career Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Kai KOONG: First, industry certifications and electronic badges will be useful for your longevity in the workplace.
Second, acquire additional soft skills and know when to put them to work
Third, learn new tools (SAP, and AI and ML in particular) can help you to climb the ladder and avoid being laid off too
What will help Career Specialists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Kai KOONG: First, get an internship (within your targeted industry or segment) to show that you have work experience that are relevant.
Second, make sure you select a career in sectors known for high wages (examples: accounting, artificial intelligence, cyber technologies, finance, healthcare, and supply chain)
Third, acquire initial industry badges and beginner's certifications prior to graduation or immediately thereafter.
What general advice would you give to a Career Specialist?
Hamidreza Sharifan: Interpersonal skills including communication skills, and leadership.
What Career Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Hamidreza Sharifan: Do not take it for granted. Time never comes back, always think that you are working for yourself to build your resume and personality.
What will help Career Specialists increase their earning potential?
Hamidreza Sharifan: Do not take it for granted. Time never comes back, always think that you are working for yourself to build your resume and personality.
Ali Fatemi
Ring Companies Professor and Chair of Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of Memphis
Mechanical Engineering
What general advice would you give to a Career Specialist?
Ali Fatemi: Developing multidisciplinary skills as technology advances and being able to adapt to new technology areas in ones discipline with widespread applications such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.
What Career Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ali Fatemi: Research the company you will be working for and see how your skillsets and strengths, both academic and personal, match the needs of the company. Try to differentiate yourself from others with the same degree with unique qualifications, such as strong communication, teamworking, organizational, and leadership skills.
What will help Career Specialists increase their earning potential?
Ali Fatemi: Don't consider the salary as your sole criterion. An important factor should be opportunities for professional growth. Also, when considering a position, don't think of it as your last position, but a first position which most people change after a few years. Therefore, it is important to take a job which enriches ones professional development and skillsets to prepare for a bigger/better opportunity.
Maryjo Douglas Zunk
Manager, Career Professional DevelopmentArizona State University
School of Public Affairs (SPA)
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Career Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Maryjo Douglas Zunk: The pandemic and significant environmental, economic, social, and political shifts create opportunity trends in the job market for recent and new graduates in economic and community development, program evaluation, public finance, and emergency planning, security, and sustainability.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Career Specialists in the next 3-5 years?
Maryjo Douglas Zunk: Data analytics are crucial to the planning and implementation of public programs and services. Data collection and management systems, communication, and IT security will remain critical to connecting the government with the people. Analysts will be in high demand to gather, review, and communicate with decision-makers.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Career Specialists in the next 5 years?
Maryjo Douglas Zunk: An increase in demand for public management in local government with continued business and population movement. On average, management professionals' need is 13% higher than the U.S. average for all occupations.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Career Specialists?
Claire Jablonsky: We have a lot of students wanting to head into the creative side of marketing and thus are getting certificates (minors) in digital studies and graphic design. They are working on getting experience with Adobe, Photoshop, Lightroom and other programs that will give them the skills to work in advertising. On the analytical side, they are getting certificates in Google Analytics.
William (Bill) Gentry Ph.D.
Assistant Vice PresidentHigh Point University
Career and Professional Development
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Career Specialists?
William (Bill) Gentry Ph.D.: In my opinion, yes. The pandemic is a once-in-a-century occurrence, I don't see how something like that will not affect philosophy graduates, or all of us. But graduates during this time have shown resiliency and flexibility particularly in the past 12+ months, which are great skills to showcase for employers right now. For the world of work, some organizations will go back to the way it was a couple of years ago (fully in person in offices) and other organizations have seen that people can work from home (or anywhere) and will allow that fully or partially. Organizations may need to shift their mindset on how work gets done to match how graduates now and in the future want to work in order to attract the best talent. To be marketable, graduates should focus not just on their resiliency and flexibility, but also other essential life skills such as the ability to communicate well (in person, phone, video, email, messaging systems), to span boundaries (organizational functions, time zones, cultural), and their problem solving, teamwork, and collaborative skills to be seen as high potential employees for organizations who are working fully in person, fully remote, or a mix of the two.
What's a day at work look like for a Career Specialist?
William (Bill) Gentry Ph.D.: It depends on the organization. With more vaccines coming out and some clamoring to actually get out of their house and get back to being in an office, organizations will see that it is safer for people to come back to work, to fly to meetings, to be like it was a couple of years ago. In fact, some have already gone back to that. Other organizations have seen that people can indeed work from anywhere and production and work output still remain at a high level in quality or quantity, and they may allow virtual work in part or in full. Philosophy graduates need to be prepared for either of these. I and our office of Career and Professional Development encourage graduates to first think about what style they like best. In talking with graduates, I know some of them are burned out with video and miss being around people in person. For those graduates with that type of preference, we encourage them to be strategic and targeted in their approach to looking for jobs, ensuring that working in an office, around people, in person, should be a major priority when searching and applying for jobs. For other graduates who have enjoyed and become skilled at video meetings, like that type of interaction, and feel they want to work from home, they should make sure that any job they are applying to would allow the ability and flexibility to work from anywhere.
What will help Career Specialists increase their earning potential?
William (Bill) Gentry Ph.D.: Philosophy majors are employable in a variety of fields such as education, law, ethics, business, religious-affiliated areas, community services, government, and communications to name a few. A 538 article in 2015 showed that philosophy majors have the fourth-highest median earnings for those with only undergraduate degrees. The Winter 2020 National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) salary survey indicated philosophy majors have the highest mean and median salary across all humanities majors and is comparable to other majors as well. To increase their earning potential, we encourage our students to focus on life skills that can separate themselves from all the others who are applying to the job. How can you showcase pertinent life skills that philosophy majors are known for - such as resiliency, the flexibility and capacity for growth, analytical, organizational and research skills like idea generation, problem formulation and problem solving, persuasion, and communication skills - on your brand documents like your resume, cover letter, LinkedIn, or in interviews? Specifically, how can you display that you have learned and developed those skills inside and outside the classroom in strong bullet points on your resume or in your cover letter? How can you clearly articulate how you've displayed or enhanced those skills through your classwork, internships, jobs, volunteer work, or other experiences in answering interview questions like "Tell me about yourself" or "What are your strengths?" or "Tell me about a time you had to influence others?" A GPA will likely get your foot in the door, but the ability to demonstrate these important like skills on paper, online, and in person in networking and interviewing will show others that you will be successful not just on day one of the job, but be seen as a high potential in your fist year, five years, and beyond.
Loren Collins
Faculty support Coordinator for Service Learning and Career EducationHumboldt State University
Academic and Career Advising Center
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Career Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Loren Collins: Service sector, hospitality, and travel have been and will continue to be impacted negatively but we will see a huge boom in employment and growth coming at the end of the pandemic. People will trend back into higher education as we begin coming out of the pandemic and when more face-to-face opportunities are available at universities and community colleges. Typically in a recession this happens earlier, but the nature of the pandemic has probably delayed this effect.
As we exit the pandemic, I believe federal and state programs will focus on increasing the number of people entering all sorts of trades, leveraging the end of the pandemic and work programs to close an increasing gap in the number of people in the trades. Meaning a boom in logistics, management, and project management related jobs as well lots of focus on sustainability.
What soft skills should all Career Specialists possess?
Loren Collins: According to NACE - the National Association of Colleges and Employers - the top ten skills employers want from college grads are: 1) Communication 2) Teamwork 3) Make Decisions and Solve Problems 4) Organize and Prioritize 5) Obtain and Process Information 6) Analyze Quantitative Data 7) Technical Skills related to the Position 8) Ability to Work with Computers 9) Creating Written Reports 10) Sell and Influence Others.
We share these and talk a lot with students about them. Including history students and helping them see where they've gotten these skills, like myself, through the major. Only one of the above is specific to any given job! The softer skills include showing up on time, interpersonal communication, and staying committed to a position for a reasonable amount of time!
How have salaries changed over time for Career Specialists?
Loren Collins: In my field - and probably in many fields - I think the big trend has been not as much focus on salary and more the cost of retirement programs and healthcare. Landing a job with good retirement and great healthcare is not always easy and for many worth a trade for a slightly lower salary.
What's a day at work look like for a Career Specialist?
William Hill: That's hard to say because different jobs will have different requirements both now and post-COVID. Some jobs, like sales,will probably revert to more in-person activities, while other may be able to remain mostly or partially remote. Yes, a typical day might mean working from home more often than in the past. Technology, especially AI, will become a large influence. I suspect more professional/office jobs will evolve in to a hybrid model, with some in-person activity blended with remote.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Career Specialist job market given the pandemic?
William Hill: Remote recruiting is here to stay. COVID showed employers that they don't need to come to campus, nor do they have to meet with students in person in order to hire them. It is a substantial time and money saver for businesses. Long after COVID is gone, employers will continue to use Zoom, WebEx and other remote platforms as part of their recruiting strategy. Even job fairs, long a staple of recruiting, are going remote.
What soft skills should all Career Specialists possess?
William Hill: Problem solving skills are essential in the workplace for new grads, especially now. They will find it increasingly difficult to engage more experienced co-workers for helpful problem solving advice in a virtual workspace. You can't just stroll over to someone's office for a quick chat anymore. They will be more often "on their own" when it comes to analyzing a challenge and crafting a solution. Verbal and written communication skills remain important in a workspace dominated by Zoom and email.
Julie Schrader
Sr. Associate DirectorButler University
Career and Professional Success
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Career Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Julie Schrader: I think some trends we will see are more remote work components of internships or jobs given the pandemic. Some organizations will hope to return to fully in-person, but I think there will be more flexibility provided to employees to work remotely or partially remote. I also think some organizations may reduce their physical footprints and move from larger buildings to smaller spaces if they plan to have a mix of in-person and remote workforce, which can impact the culture. We have seen the impact the pandemic has had in some industries such as sports, events, hospitality, and others that rely on in-person functions and components, and I think we'll see fewer, more competitive opportunities in those areas for a while. Networking has always been important but I see a greater emphasis being put on networking and building connections during this time of limited in-person interactions and a more competitive job seeker environment. Finally, I think we have been pleased to see that many organizations have been hiring at the same or similar rate during the pandemic as they were prior to it.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Career Specialists?
Julie Schrader: It would depend on the industry, but I think the following can be impactful and attractive to future employers:
- Language(s): In a global market, speaking another language can provide great value to an organization
- Creative: More for marketing and advertising areas, having courses or certifications in creative and graphic design tools
- Project Management: Many roles across industry sectors involve some aspect of project management
- Design Thinking: Problem-solving and critical thinking skills are highly sought by recruiters
- Salesforce/CRMs: We are seeing more organizations list this as a preferred/desired certification or knowledge area
What's a good job out of college for Career Specialists?
Julie Schrader: I don't define a job as "good" only if it matches a student's area of study. It is great if it does, but to me the definition of "good job" is that the individual is fulfilled and utilizing skills, strengths, and interests and the position matches their value set. A good job can be one that also provides some sense of financial stability. The hope is that during college, students are exploring and discovering various career paths and participating in experiential learning such as internships, co-ops, rotations, case studies, informational interviews, and more. As they learn more about potential career paths, they can start to narrow what they think they would enjoy. I believe that a good job out of college includes an opportunity to be mentored and supported, provides the opportunity for growth and training, and engages the individual's strengths and abilities to make a positive impact. I think of an example of a young graduate with a Finance degree who started in an entry-level finance role. He liked the position and the people, but wasn't sure he wanted to stay with the organization when he was offered a promotion to a sales role. He said he was working in finance because that was his degree and he thought that is what he should be doing. But he longed to be active and outdoors, and reminisced about his time studying abroad in Australia and surfing. He saw a surf camp manager position in the country of Norway and was deciding if he should apply. I encouraged him to go for it. He did. And he got it. He has since returned to the states and in a sales role now, but has no regrets. To me, that was a good job because he followed his heart.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Career Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Career Advisors of the CEAE : Fewer location-based positions due to the increased ability for remote and hybrid work environments.
What skills stand out on Career Specialist resumes?
Career Advisors of the CEAE : Applicants need to connect their skills and experience with what an employer is looking for. With that being said, flexibility, adaptability, and experience with various technology is increasingly important during a pandemic. Quantifiable achievements are always important as well as leadership, presentation/communication skills, and teamwork ability.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Career Specialists to find work opportunities?
Career Advisors of the CEAE : Research what cities are ranked high for a strong and growing job market and don't limit yourself to a specific location. Be creative and don't rely on one or two sources in your search. Use the many online job search and research tools that are available. Networking is one of the most powerful tools to discover advertised - as well as unadvertised - opportunities. Use the capabilities of LinkedIn to connect with alumni and to develop and strengthen your brand! Don't dismiss social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok that are often used for entertainment and other purposes. You may find opportunities here as well.
Dr. Tammy Manko Ed.D.
DirectorIndiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)
Career and Professional Development Center, Academic Affairs
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Career Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Tammy Manko Ed.D.: We'll see an increased need for change management and agile responses. We'll also see an increase in the number of interviews being conducted virtually. More workplaces will conduct onboarding virtually and use flexible and hybrid work schedules, more specifically those including work-from-home or virtual work, at least temporarily, if not more permanently. We will see continued hiring and organizational growth, despite concerns from many regarding the job market. All industries will experience an increased need for upskilling and reskilling of employees. Technological skills will be in high demand and so will human skills, such as emotional intelligence, negotiation, nonverbal communication, collaboration, and change agility.
What Career Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Tammy Manko Ed.D.: I recommend all graduates and professionals become adept at virtual communication in all its forms, so they can be effective communicators in all settings and are prepared to work with various technological platforms and tools. I also recommend all graduates and professionals review the NACE Competencies naceweb and ensure they have and continue to hone the outlined career-ready skill sets as well as these additional career and life skills (or power/soft skills): adaptability, prioritization, positivity, emotional intelligence, and nonverbal communication (i.e., body language).
What general advice would you give to a Career Specialist?
Dr. Tammy Manko Ed.D.: Aside from the recommended skills development mentioned in response to the gap year question, I encourage new professionals to find meaning in their work and to differentiate themselves in a positive manner by reskilling and upskilling, and to prioritize lifelong learning and the development of leadership/executive presence. All professionals will need to be able to mine data and analyze information. New graduates should take the initiative to join and be active members of professional organizations and engage regularly in professional networking to build and maintain relationships that will help them with their career development and management. That's especially important in the virtual world that we're facing today when face-to-face networking cannot take place. Taking professional networking one step further, I advise young professionals to identify a few mentors that will be there to help them learn and develop and several champions who have diverse skill sets and job responsibilities in their organization that will support, promote, and advocate for them within and outside of the organization.
Dr. Francine Blume Ph.D.
Assistant Vice PresidentUniversity of Maryland Global Campus
Career Development Office
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Career Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Francine Blume Ph.D.: There are some obvious changes that we are seeing, such as a more permanent move to telework or more flexibility in telework policies. We're seeing recruiting, hiring, and onboarding taking place virtually.
As services have shuttered, jobs have shifted to fulfillment needs. Amazon, UPS, CVS, and Walgreens have expanded hiring. We're also seeing a huge need for experienced biotech professionals.
I would say that many trends were already in process, and the pandemic exacerbated them. Traditional retail was already struggling against Amazon. Health services were already expanding with aging baby boomers. Tech continues to grow as does cybersecurity.
Other trends are dependent on the economy, economic stimulus, and other actions taken by the federal government. Which industries will get economic support, and which won't. We saw the beginnings of a speedier than expected recovery after the first wave of Covid eased and we were able to reopen parts of our economy.
What skills stand out on Career Specialist resumes?
Dr. Francine Blume Ph.D.: Skills that stand out depend on the field, but you always want to point out your tech skills, language skills and especially "soft" skills, such as communication and initiative.
For tech skills, you can demonstrate proficiency by citing certifications. For language skills, be as accurate as you can regarding proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking. For soft skills, make sure they are evident in the descriptions of your accomplishments and duties. Don't just say, "I have strong problem-solving skills and I learn fast." Anyone can say that, but you should quantify your experience and skills to demonstrate those soft skills.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Career Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Hassan Akmal: It's a time to pivot. More students - now than ever, are being forced to reskill, upskill, and explore new industries. The jobs of the future are being created now, and we will see much more career transitioning - a decrease in longevity, an increase in project-based work and micro internships, more side hustles, more careers over a 30 to 40 year runway, and finally, more careers at the same time.
What skills stand out on Career Specialist resumes?
Hassan Akmal: Transferable skills. Soft and hard. The soft skills are now referred to as "success skills" and include skills such as creativity, emotional intelligence, critical thinking and problem solving, analytics skills, and people management.
Active learning, agility, resilience, stress tolerance and flexibility are additional skills in demand that graduates need to consider.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Career Specialists to find work opportunities?
Hassan Akmal: Due to remote opportunities, the playing field has widely opened up. You can essentially work for almost any organization from where you are at the moment, at least for the time being. This actually increases the number of opportunities for you, as before, if you were out of state, you may have not been considered. That being said, there are still hot spots. They include: Top Metro Areas for Sociologists Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
Andy Chan
Vice President, Innnovation and Career DevelopmentWake Forest University
Office of Personal and Career Development
What general advice would you give to a Career Specialist?
Andy Chan: Grads entering the workforce in 2021 must be nimble and flexible. Organizations were forced to change in 2020 due to the pandemic and now employers are rethinking how work will happen in the future, said Wake Forest University Vice President for Innovation and Career Development Andy Chan. New workers will likely have to connect and develop relationships with their colleagues virtually, so being highly self-motivated and accountable, and having a positive attitude and strong communication skills will be more important than ever. It will be essential to take time for self-care and have a growth mindset bent towards learning, curiosity and appreciation.
Erin Duffy
Director of Career Services and Employer RelationsDePauw University
Kathryn F. Hubbard Center for Student Engagement
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Career Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Erin Duffy: The biggest trends we are seeing is a move to remote working and virtual meetings, including internships. We suspect that a hybrid of working remotely and on-site will continue in 2021 and perhaps beyond.
What Career Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Erin Duffy: If students take a gap year, we recommend that they work to build connections in areas of industry interest as well as gain any additional skills that might be helpful. For example, if they are interested in IT and tech, maybe work on learning coding or other tech platforms. If they are interested in finance, work on learning some accounting. If they are interested in sales and marketing, read some books on current sales techniques, write some articles, or start a blog.
What general advice would you give to a Career Specialist?
Erin Duffy: Find a mentor, whether that is within your workplace, with alumni, or someone you respect.