What are popular job industries to pursue a career in?

Growing up, children are often asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” While this answer often changes as the years pass, understanding the type of industry in which you want to work can help you narrow down a potential career path. When you understand the different industries out there, you'll be able to improve your business communication and gain a deeper understanding of industry trends as well as market competitors. Deciding what career industry interests you most can also help you gain clarity about the duties and tasks involved in your position.

In this article, we'll explore some of the most popular job industries in the U.S., including:

• What do we mean by “job industry?”

• Six popular job industries

• Examples of jobs within those industries

What is a job industry?

You probably heard the word “industry” in history class, more specifically, the "industrial revolution," when machines began to mass-produce products that were previously handmade. Since then, new career industries have continued to be created and refined, leading to innovations in textile production, construction, pharmaceuticals, technology, and so on.

In essence, an “industry” is a collection of businesses that are linked based on their chief products or activity. Every business you’ll encounter belongs to one or more industries. There's a vast array of industries, each with a diverse roster of jobs that necessitate various levels of expertise, education, and skills.

Six popular job industries & some jobs within those industries

Whether you’re changing careers or entering the job market for the first time, there are many fields to choose from. Entering an industry isn’t just a matter of identifying what you’re good at and applying for a job. You’ll need to take a detailed look at how your skills, education, training, and experience apply to the industry in which you want to work, first by identifying your strengths, then by deciding which industries offer the best opportunities that have meaning and interest for you.

While there are many industries to explore, we’ll discuss six of the top industries in the U.S. and some jobs that are available in those fields.

Aerospace/Aviation

In the aerospace industry, workers research, design, and manufacture various types of aircraft. It also includes all facets of air travel. This industry has a lot of moving parts, in a manner of speaking, such as engineering, sales, repair, design, and maintenance.

Some careers you might consider in this industry are:

• Aircraft designer

• Pilot

• Aircraft mechanic

• Aeronautical engineer

• Aircraft dispatcher

Entertainment Industry

Hello, Hollywood! The entertainment industry is vast and encompasses music, movies, television, streaming services, sports, and theater, and employs people both in front of and behind the camera. The entertainment industry is the largest in the world, and the United States is a leader, responsible for $660 billion of the $2 trillion global market.

Jobs to consider in the entertainment industry include:

• Actor

• Special effects artists

• Computer programmer

• Director

• Production crew

• Talent management

• Film archivists, museum curators, and librarians

Education

The field of education includes more than just teachers and school principals. It is made up of all academic entities including public schools, private and public universities, and technical schools. From teaching kids to read to training computer technicians, the education industry offers a variety of opportunities, including:

• Teacher

• Academic advisor

• Admissions counselor

• Financial advisor

• Instructional coordinator

• Administrative associate

• Professor

Medical/Healthcare

People working in the healthcare industry provide medical, diagnostic, and rehabilitative care to people to help them regain or maintain their overall health. This sector encompasses all the businesses needed to provide and coordinate medical goods and services, including pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, healthcare facilities, and managed healthcare (medical insurance).

Jobs available in the healthcare industry include:

• Medical assistant

• Physician

• Home health aide

• Nursing (RNs, LPNs)

• Physical therapist

• Pharmacy technician

• Clinical laboratory technician

• Emergency medical technician

• Phlebotomist

Technology

Companies within the technology industry design, manufacture, or distribute items like computers and related equipment, software, scientific instruments, and electronic parts and services. The technology industry, by its ever-changing nature, requires high levels of research and development and incorporates a large number of engineers and technical specialists. There are also numerous sales and marketing positions needed to inform the public about new products and services. 

Jobs in the technology industry include:

• Data scientist

• Software developer

• Information security analyst

• Web developer

• Sales engineer

• Computer research scientist

• Network and systems administrator

Energy

The energy industry encompasses businesses that are involved in the exploration, production, refining, storage, and transportation of energy products, such as oil, petroleum, coal, and natural gas, as well as nuclear power. Newer, more climate-friendly energy companies specialize in “green energy,” such as solar, wind, geothermal, water, and biomass. And there are a lot of opportunities available, as well. According to Gilbert Michaud, assistant professor of environmental policy at Loyola University Chicago, the energy industry could be a good career to pursue: "With several new federal- and state-level incentives for renewable energy, demand for occupations in the energy sector continues to rise – particularly jobs in the renewable energy field. There are also an increasing number of workforce development programs that help prepare people for jobs in solar, wind, energy storage, electric vehicles, etc."

Jobs available within the energy industry include:

• Wind turbine technician

• Chemical or petroleum engineer

• Physical security inspector

• Urban planner

• Environmental technician

• Materials engineer

• Power plant operator

• HVAC repair

No matter what industry you choose, remember that many hard and soft skills are transferable, so if you find yourself at a career crossroads, you still have options. Keep your mind open (and your certifications up to date), and you’ll find the perfect industry for you.

Key takeaways:

1. An "industry" is a collection of businesses that are linked based on their chief products or activity.

2. There are a large number of industries, each with a diverse roster of jobs and various levels of expertise, education, and skills.

3. It’s important to take a detailed look at how your skills, education, training, and experience apply to the industry in which you want to work