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Job outlook for workforce development specialists in the United States
Are workforce development specialist jobs in demand?
Workforce development specialist job and salary trends over time
Workforce development specialist jobs over time
Workforce development specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,112 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 2,945 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 2,893 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 2,698 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 2,596 | 0.00% |
Average workforce development specialist salary over time
Workforce development specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $43,666 | $20.99 | +2.4% |
| 2025 | $42,628 | $20.49 | +0.6% |
| 2024 | $42,391 | $20.38 | +0.8% |
| 2023 | $42,036 | $20.21 | +2.3% |
| 2022 | $41,103 | $19.76 | +1.4% |
Workforce development specialist jobs by state
Most common states for workforce development specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 219 | 32% |
| 2 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 237 | 31% |
| 3 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 309 | 29% |
| 4 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 527 | 27% |
| 5 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 210 | 24% |
| 6 | Alaska | 739,795 | 175 | 24% |
| 7 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 475 | 23% |
| 8 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 667 | 21% |
| 9 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 2,138 | 20% |
| 10 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,417 | 20% |
| 11 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 592 | 20% |
| 12 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,236 | 19% |
| 13 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,112 | 19% |
| 14 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 561 | 19% |
| 15 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,070 | 18% |
| 16 | Delaware | 961,939 | 177 | 18% |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 2,178 | 17% |
| 18 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 1,681 | 17% |
| 19 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 3,348 | 16% |
| 20 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 283 | 16% |
Most common cities for workforce development specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Englewood | 1 | 3% | $43,605 |
| 2 | Alexandria | 1 | 1% | $46,548 |
| 3 | Little Rock | 1 | 1% | $29,574 |
| 4 | Naperville | 1 | 1% | $50,916 |
| 5 | Worcester | 1 | 1% | $46,273 |
| 6 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $38,726 |
| 7 | Aurora | 1 | 0% | $43,488 |
| 8 | Denver | 1 | 0% | $43,489 |
| 9 | Des Moines | 1 | 0% | $38,145 |
| 10 | Phoenix | 1 | 0% | $43,522 |
| 11 | Saint Louis | 1 | 0% | $46,758 |
| 12 | Washington | 1 | 0% | $59,782 |
Workforce Development Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of workforce development specialist experts
Texas A&M University - Central Texas
Saint Xavier University
University of Alaska Fairbanks
The University of Texas at El Paso
University of Memphis
Arizona State University
Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)
University of Maryland Global Campus
University of California, Los Angeles
Wake Forest University
DePauw University
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Virginia Wesleyan University
Westminster College
University of Utah
Advance CTE
Virginia Community College System
Michigan State University
American University
University of the Ozarks
Allen Redmon Ph.D.
Dean, College of Arts and SciencesTexas A&M University - Central Texas
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
What general advice would you give to a Workforce Development Specialist?
Allen Redmon Ph.D.: Those who want to maximize their earning potential should consider a company’s culture as much as the job they are taking. Every company has its own culture. Those who find the right culture for them and grow into that culture will fare better than those who just accept a job without considering the culture of a company. Those who take a job without considering the culture will almost always experience a mismatch at some point, which will require them to look for a new job sooner than expected.
What Workforce Development Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Allen Redmon Ph.D.: One essential job trait that doesn’t get discussed enough is empathy, the ability to develop processes, statements, and objectives with the client, customer, or user in mind. Those employees or companies who start from a place of empathy will always outpace those who do not.
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 Workforce Development 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 Workforce Development 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 Workforce Development 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.
What general advice would you give to a Workforce Development Specialist?
Jaunelle Celaire: Never stop learning! This may consist of going back to school, earning new certifications in your field of study, attending conferences and seminars, and making sure that your time management is always at its finest level of excellence.
What Workforce Development Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jaunelle Celaire: Leadership - the world needs more of these; the ability to lead, craft and grow. Digital literacy - this world is definitely turning digital and virtual is the new trend. Emotional intelligence - there is a vast number of personalities in our world today; individuals grow and it is our job to stay emotionally connected, so we can operate more effectively.
What will help Workforce Development Specialists increase their earning potential?
Jaunelle Celaire: Learn from everything. Remember every moment is a learning opportunity from everyone around you, no matter their title. Pay attention when things go well and clue in and pay extra attention when they do not; watch how people react to it. Build relationships and network with the people who face problems by being their solution.
What general advice would you give to a Workforce Development Specialist?
Hamidreza Sharifan: Interpersonal skills including communication skills, and leadership.
What Workforce Development 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 Workforce Development 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 Workforce Development 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 Workforce Development 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 Workforce Development 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 Workforce Development 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 Workforce Development 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 Workforce Development 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.
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 Workforce Development 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 Workforce Development 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 Workforce Development 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 skills stand out on Workforce Development 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 Workforce Development 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 are the biggest trends we'll see in the Workforce Development 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 Workforce Development 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 Workforce Development 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 Workforce Development 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 Workforce Development 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 Workforce Development 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 Workforce Development Specialist?
Erin Duffy: Find a mentor, whether that is within your workplace, with alumni, or someone you respect.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Workforce Development Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Mike Hagarty: Job trends are volatile and segmented. With unemployment ranging from a record high of 14.7 percent in April (Bureau of Labor Statistics) to 6.7 percent in November (Trading Economics), we are on a roller coaster, and it is hard to predict when and where we will land post COVID-19. For example, U.S. private businesses were projected to hire 410,000 workers in November, and that was off by more than 100,000 with the significant rise in COVID cases and lockdowns (Trading Economics).
The impact of the pandemic will hit different segments of the economy differently. For example, healthcare and online services (Amazon alone has added nearly 500,000 jobs during the first several months of the pandemic) are strong and growing. Other Industries, including hospitality and travel, are experiencing significant reductions.
Students entering the workforce should not wait until their preferred segment of the economy bounces back or stabilizes but should look at who is hiring and find an opportunity there that matches their skills and abilities.
What Workforce Development Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mike Hagarty: The most important element of a gap year for a graduate is to do it with purpose and a plan. Before taking the gap year try to answer the question, "What do I want to be true at the end of the year?" For example, if you are a college graduate and you want to apply (or re-apply) to graduate school next year, what do you need to do in the gap year to succeed at being accepted (e.g., entrance exam practice, work or internship experience that will make you more qualified)? If you want to change direction or don't have a career direction yet, what will help you arrive at clarity or prepare you for the transition (perhaps testing a new field, volunteering, learning a new culture)? If you want to land a position at a dream company, set specific networking or skill-building goals (including certificates and other professional credentials) so that you are at a different place at the end of the gap year.
I know this is a graduate question, but if you are an incoming freshman and decide on a gap year, the same concept holds - fill the year with learning experiences that will bring clarity, experience, and direction. In all cases, set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, and Timed) to be intentional about growing your knowledge, skills, abilities, and network of support.
What general advice would you give to a Workforce Development Specialist?
Mike Hagarty: An often quoted statistic from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is that Americans between the ages of 18 and 48 will hold an AVERAGE of eleven different jobs. Your first job out of college will almost certainly not be your last, so don't sit back and wait for the "perfect" job to fall in your lap. Every job holds opportunities to earn, to learn, to contribute, and to network. Learn from each job, and take those new insights, skills, and networks with you to a new position or new company. Over time, you will put together a tapestry of experiences, which will create the picture of your career.
Regardless of the job market, the most valuable thing a graduate has is their education. They have a network (career services at their school, alumni, partner businesses and organizations); they have acquired knowledge and new critical-thinking skills; they are problem solvers; and hopefully they have gained experience through internships or externships. The lifetime earning potential makes the education price tag an excellent long-term return on investment. Getting a bachelor's degree brings the average lifetime earnings to $2.3 million. That's more than 31 percent more than workers with an associate's degree and 74 percent more than those with a high school diploma (Georgetown Center on Education and the workforce).
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Workforce Development Specialists?
Jessica Harrington: Realistically, new graduates should expect some impact. New graduates, depending on their field, may struggle to find full-time employment directly after graduation, which could have effects on lifetime earnings and, as a result, major financial decisions.
What type of skills will young Workforce Development Specialists need?
Jessica Harrington: Competitive new graduates will need a variety of soft skills, some of which they have likely already developed, such as adaptability and advanced written and oral communication skills. Strong technical skills and certifications will benefit new graduates as they enter what is often a virtual work setting.
What experience really stands out on Workforce Development Specialist resumes?
Jessica Harrington: Relevant work experience is always best. New graduates should keep in mind that an internship is a form of relevant work experience and should be placed toward the top of their resume. I also encourage new graduates to place their education at or near the beginning of their resumes. A college degree has helped prepare a new graduate for their field and should be highlighted.
Mandy Plybon
Assistant Director, Internship CoordinatorWestminster College
Career Services Department
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Workforce Development Specialists?
Mandy Plybon: With the COVID-19 pandemic, employers are almost exclusively performing virtual hiring processes. Recent and upcoming graduates need to be educated on and prepared for what it means to be recruited virtually from intake to the final interview. The Office of Advising & Career Development at Westminster College encourages students to access our resources, complete practice interviews, and meet with our career counselor and advisors to help them through this unprecedented time.
How do you envision technology impacting Workforce Development Specialists in the next 5 years?
Sarah Kovalesky: Technology is continually impacting and changing everything that we do in the world of work. The field of Psychology is no exception. The virus pushed us into a virtual world that I think will remain a big part of our lives, especially in the helping world of Psychology.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Workforce Development Specialists?
Sarah Kovalesky: I think the pandemic's impact on graduates is still a little bit unknown as we see changes and different waves in different parts of the country. I believe and hope that most of the impact will be in the short-term.
After a period of little hiring, we are seeing companies and organizations hiring again. We know it is an employer's market right now, meaning postings have more applicants, and employers have their pick of qualified candidates. I think it is fair to say that it might take longer for graduates to find jobs, and networking is more critical now than ever!
The last thing I have been reminding a lot of Psychology students these last several months is that their degree offers a lot of versatility in the world of work. The ability to identify your skills and recognize the transferability of them is critical!
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Workforce Development Specialists to find work opportunities?
Sarah Kovalesky: This is kind of like the common, "what do I do with this degree" question I get as a Career Coach. I wish I had a magical folder to pull out with all of the answers in one place. Location and its place in the job search are based on the individual. It will be a non-negotiable, while for others, it might just be another factor to consider. As I mentioned, with the pandemic's impact, there is so much that a graduate could do with a psychology degree that could take them all over the country.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Workforce Development Specialists?
Kimberly Green: Career Technical Education (CTE) instructors are the backbone of high-quality and equitable delivery of CTE. Today's educational landscape brings new challenges to the delivery of CTE but in that challenge is the opportunity for CTE instructors to be creative in developing and delivering high-quality CTE programs in virtual or socially distanced environments. Designing with equity and quality in mind, especially for learners who face multiple barriers to engaged virtual learning, is vital. Facing the dual challenge of being a new educator and doing so in a remote and/or hybrid environments, we encourage new instructors to look to their state CTE agencies as their partners and sources of best practices, support and information. For more information on your state CTE agency, visit https://careertech.org/cte-your-state.
Celeste J. Hall
Career Coach Training Specialist Facilitating Career Development InstructorVirginia Community College System
What experience really stands out on Workforce Development Specialist resumes?
Celeste J. Hall: While the pandemic is changing the work of the school counselor and the ways that they interact with students, it seems that the demand for school counselors will not decrease because of the pandemic. In fact, because of the need to schedule courses based on virtual and face-to-face instruction, meeting the needs of students with disabilities and the increased mental health needs of students, families, and school personnel, the demand for school counselors may increase. The work of career specialists may be more heavily impacted by the challenges of less face-to-face interaction with students, and career development programming may be seen as less vital in the face of the pandemic. Career Specialists will continue to compete for classroom time, whether it is in person or in the virtual space.
School counselors and career specialists may find opportunities in companies that offer virtual school programming and to support those students who decide to continue with home-schooling, post-transition.
School Career Counselors and Specialists could use this time as an opportunity to pivot away from the notion that the future is stable and predictable and; therefore, students can focus on choosing one occupation for life. They can instead help students to understand that the world has many uncertainties and teach them how to plan with flexibility and build resilience in the face of unplanned or unexpected events. They can emphasize the value of work-based learning experiences and the benefits of considering a variety of educational pathways to prepare for a career. Coming out of the pandemic, four-year colleges will need to focus on proving the value of their program, relative to their costs, and students may be willing to consider options other than traditional dormitory living and on-campus, in-person learning.
How do you envision technology impacting Workforce Development Specialists in the next 5 years?
Celeste J. Hall: School Counselors and Career Specialists will need to continue to hone their skills with technologies that help them connect to students in the virtual environment. They will need to learn to apply helping skills to virtual platforms and use verbal interactions when they may have been able to read body language pre-pandemic. They will need to reach out to students through e-mail or text, and learn how to make and post videos to provide information and to demonstrate processes. School and counseling websites will need to be upgraded to include more information and ways to connect with counselors and career specialists.
Ethical considerations will need to be applied to the virtual world. Student privacy, crisis interventions, and student engagement are issues that need to be considered with the use of digital and virtual platforms.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Workforce Development Specialists?
Celeste J. Hall: The enduring impact of the pandemic on school counseling graduates and those who provide career development, I believe, will be that there will no longer be the assumption that services will primarily be provided in person. Assumptions about career and work opportunities being tied to the geographic location will change. We will need to consider virtual options for post-secondary education and realize that work opportunities will continue to change and that flexibility in planning is essential. The idea that the world is a stable place and that planning can assume that will no longer be a realistic assumption. Technical and transferable skills will need to be the focus.
Counselors in training will need to meet the expectation of being competent with counseling and career development skills in the virtual environment, and follow ethical guidelines related to providing services both in person and in the digital environment. Mental health issues will provide challenges in the virtual space. Counselors and career specialists will need strong partnerships with community mental health providers and strong parent outreach methods in order to ensure that students with whom they interact virtually are supported related to their academics, mental health, and career development.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Workforce Development Specialists in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Phil Gardner Ph.D.: Technology - Data Science - the ability to interpret trends of data tracked in livestock production and then to prescribe changes in management. This is also huge in crop production.
Automation - in animal care and food processing to lower demand for human labor because there are shortages.
What general advice would you give to a Workforce Development Specialist?
Raina Gandhi: First impressions matter and will stay with you, so remember to bring your most professional self to work, maintain a positive attitude, and put in the hours. When you make mistakes, learn from them.
Also, take the time to get to know your colleagues and workplace norms, make sure you understand how performance is measured, and don't be afraid to ask for feedback. As you get comfortable with your role, look for ways to take on additional responsibilities to expand your skillset and build your reputation within the company.
You may not land your dream job right away, but this first job is critical for building your experience and gaining transferrable skills. Stay current in your field by reading articles, subscribing to email newsletters, and following relevant people and companies on LinkedIn
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Workforce Development Specialists in the next 3-5 years?
Raina Gandhi: In general, more companies will incorporate a digital workforce that utilizes AI, robots, and augmented reality. Specific technology would be near field communications, and software would be Tableau.
The latest consumer group is Generation Z, and this consumer group is still shaping and will take time to mature and shape its behavior and purchasing habits.
How would you rate the starting salaries for Workforce Development Specialists, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Raina Gandhi: "Starting salaries for marketing majors are likely to be below business majors, but that shouldn't dissuade students from entering the field as the long-term earnings can be just as good. For entry-level positions, it's more of a supply and demand issue keeping salaries down." - Quote from Dr. Michael Clayton, Program Director of Masters in Marketing program.
Marketing starting salaries can vary significantly, based on the marketing area in which one works: sales management, PR management, advertising, market research, marketing management, etc.
Marketing job growth will vary, based on the marketing area in which one wishes to specialize and where you work. While newspaper publishing, which is a top employer of advertising managers, is declining, electronic media outlets will see employment growth.
At American University, undergraduate students can either major in business and earn a marketing specialization at the Kogod School of Business, or earn a marketing minor through the university. Kogod also offers residential and online graduate programs in marketing to help students who want to advance their careers in or pivot to the marketing field. All of our programs provide experiential learning through class projects, internships, leadership opportunities, and/or case competitions, and students leverage their business knowledge and skills to negotiate competitive salaries.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Workforce Development Specialists to find work opportunities?
Ruth Walton: There are tons of employment opportunities across this country. During the past few months, there have been more and more remote jobs too! Yet, there must be a realization that the job market is very different for each geographic region. According to Bloomberg.com, in August 2020, there was an increase in the Performing Arts, Motion Pictures, and Electronics, and a decline in Facilities Support Services, Lodging, and Travel. According to the Bureau of Labor, if we research the fastest-growing occupations, we find 57% of the growth is in Healthcare, split pretty much in half by jobs requiring less than a bachelor's degree, and half requiring at least a master's degree.
Salary.com lists the seven best careers for the future as:
Healthcare
Information Technology
Alternative Energy
International Law
Marketing
Financial Analyst
Content Creator
If we narrow down our top growth sectors and jobs per Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, we can see other industries.
Each of these three states shares top growth in Healthcare and Professional & Business Services. In Texas, we add Education and Engineering, and in Oklahoma, we add Education.
It is not to say that there are not Education jobs in Arkansas; it means that Texas and Oklahoma will have much more growth. Arkansas will still need teachers.
bloomberg
Bls
Salary
How do you envision technology impacting Workforce Development Specialists in the next 5 years?
Ruth Walton: The information age began in the 1980's and changed the workplace forever. I remember it well because I was working on my Master's Thesis, and I used a word processing program named Word-11. No more typewriters and no more whiteout. When I entered the world of work, computers were not a thing. I had a typewriter. Then, in the mid-'80s, each staff person received a DEC 350 computer. Hard drive. Large Computer Screen. Separate Keyboard. Within a decade, my office migrated from a DEC to a MAC to an IBM platform. That was a lot of technology to learn. Then, the blackberry, followed by cell phones that fit in a pocket with computing power. Therefore, as we look into the future, technology will continue to affect the workforce. The next big technology leaps will be in 5G, Artificial Intelligence, and Biotechnology.
What type of skills will young Workforce Development Specialists need?
Ruth Walton: Let's face it. The work world has changed, as we know it. My nephew accepted a new job offer early on in the pandemic from a major telecommunications company. Hired to understand the position was remote temporarily, months later, the company decided to turn his work into a permanently remote one.
If we think about this scenario, we need to prepare our young graduates to be independent thinkers, adaptable, flexible, and collaborative in a virtual environment. A strong work ethic, coupled with excellent time management skills, is necessary. Employers list the following skills as critically important for the workforce:
Communication
Digital Literacy
Creativity
Adaptability