Skilled Careers

While professionals compete intensely for positions in oversaturated markets, significant opportunities exist in industries experiencing critical talent shortages.   Three sectors currently offer exceptional employment prospects with minimal competition:   Skilled Trades: Far from outdated "blue collar" work, today's skilled trades represent "gold collar" opportunities.   Master electricians, specialized plumbers, and HVAC technicians command premium rates, often exceeding traditional white-collar salaries while enjoying strong job security and entrepreneurial potential.   Healthcare Support: The expanding healthcare sector requires extensive support infrastructure beyond physicians and nurses.   Medical assistants, pharmacy technicians, and healthcare coordinators offer stable career paths with advancement opportunities and meaningful work impact.   Cybersecurity & IT Support: Digital transformation has created urgent demand for cybersecurity specialists, help desk professionals, and network technicians.   These roles often provide excellent entry points into technology careers without requiring computer science degrees.   The strategic advantage lies in pursuing opportunities where market demand significantly outpaces candidate supply, rather than competing in oversaturated fields.   For professionals open to exploring alternative career paths, these industries offer immediate opportunities, competitive compensation, and long-term growth potential.   What other high-demand, low-competition industries have you observed in your market?   Sign up to my newsletter for more corporate insights and truths here: https://lnkd.in/ei_uQjju   #deepalivyas #eliterecruiter #recruiter #recruitment #jobsearch #corporate #skilledtrades #healthcare #cybersecurity #careerstrategist

🎮 The 20x1 Gap in Entry-Level Gaming Roles (and what to do) According to our data at Amir Satvat's Games Community, the most comprehensive source tracking gaming jobs worldwide, there is only a 6% over 12 months success rate for applicants to open entry-level roles in the games industry. Many of you ask me, “Where is the opposite happening? Where are there far more jobs than candidates?” If your goal is stable, well-paying employment, here are some sectors worth looking at, with data as of 2025. 🎯 Cybersecurity There is a global shortfall of roughly 4.8 million cybersecurity professionals in 2025. In the U.S. alone, there are over 457,000 open cybersecurity jobs, with not nearly enough trained professionals to fill them. 🩺 Healthcare (Nursing and Allied Roles) The U.S. is projected to be short over 500,000 registered nurses by the end of 2025. Allied health roles like surgical technicians and medical assistants also face critical shortages. In 2024, there were over 6 million openings in middle-skill healthcare roles, with 72 percent going unfilled. 🛠️ Skilled Trades and Advanced Manufacturing The U.S. continues to report over 500,000 unfilled jobs in manufacturing and the skilled trades. This is driven by a wave of retirements and a lack of incoming young talent. 📊 Finance and Accounting Unemployment in finance and accounting remains exceptionally low, in many roles, under 2 percent. 🤖 AI and Data Infrastructure AI job postings grew by 21 percent globally between 2023 and 2024 and remain strong in 2025. AI operations, prompt engineering, and data infrastructure support roles are surging. Many don’t require traditional CS degrees and can be accessed through microcredentials or apprenticeships. Many people's eyes glaze over when they see lists like these. But I’m very serious. I will keep bringing this up. Because the truth is, for many young people, even making it to the second or third ring of their job preference, let alone the dream job in the center, is growing harder, no matter how passionate they are. I'm not saying any of these paths must be yours. But I am saying that doing this kind of exercise, mapping supply and demand and finding a viable way to support yourself, is a healthy and responsible thing to do. And one we don’t talk about nearly enough. You never have to stop aiming your arrow at the dream. But the truth is, some may not reach it, and that doesn’t diminish the worth of the journey. While you work toward what you hope for, it’s okay, and often necessary, to find something that supports you along the way. If that path offers fair wages, room to grow, and some stability, it’s not giving up. It’s caring for yourself and making a responsible, thoughtful choice. We need to stop treating these decisions as failures or signs of lacking passion. In reality, they’re thoughtful, praiseworthy, and deeply pragmatic steps forward.

What happens when 64% of construction workers are immigrants and immigration policy tightens? The biggest skilled labor shortage in American history. And nobody's training replacements. Look at this chart: • 48% of painters are immigrants • 64% of plasterers are immigrants • 52% of drywall installers are immigrants Immigration policy is getting tighter. We can't bring in workers like before. This creates a huge problem. And a bigger opportunity. Here's why I know this pattern: In 2008, my friends were graduating college into a recession. Smart people. Good degrees. No jobs. Meanwhile, startups were everywhere. But they couldn't find engineers. Or designers. Or marketers. College wasn't teaching the right skills. There was a massive gap. So we built General Assembly. We trained people for the jobs that actually existed. It worked. We sold for $400M. The same thing is happening now. But in construction. Look at the numbers again: The highest-skill trades depend on immigrant workers. Plasterers. Drywall installers. These aren't entry-level jobs. But concrete masons? Only 29% immigrant workers. Carpenters? 33%. America can replace some trades easily. Others we can't. As immigration policy tightens, wages will explode in the trades we can't replace. Here's the timing: • Housing shortage hitting record levels • Infrastructure spending at all-time highs • Every company wanting to build We're about to see the biggest skilled labor shortage in American history. Right when demand is exploding. The opportunity? Six-figure trade jobs. No college required. Just training. And almost nobody is providing it. The first trade schools to see this will own the next decade. Most people aren't connecting these dots yet. But the chart shows everything you need to know.

A few years ago, a post in which I compared the average wages of an accountant to those of an electrician went viral, with over 1.5 million views. This clearly demonstrated the very real need to bring awareness to the many opportunities in the skilled trades that were being overlooked, mostly due to preconceived notions that were drilled our heads by educators and parents over the last 40 years. It's been a few years since that post, so I felt compelled to share an update with some fresh data. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average median starting salary for a bachelor's degree is $68k. This is after an average cost of $153k (according to upgrad.com). For comparison's sake, I used wage data on journeypersons who have just completed a 4 year apprenticeship. It should be noted that the average earnings of an apprentice over those 4 years was just under $252k, with little or no expenses for their education, a substantial net over the cost of a degree. The national average wages (provided by unionpayscales.com) were as follows: 💲💲💲 Inside Wireman (Electrician)- $85,099.00 💲💲💲 Outside Wireman (Lineman)- $87,400.00 💲💲💲 Plumber-  $91,942.00 💲💲💲 HVAC Technician- $95,775.00 That's an average of a little more than $90k for those popular trades and it should be noted all these numbers are based on a 40 hour week. With overtime, these earnings are typically well over $100k. Those numbers also don't include health insurance, dental and pensions to name a few fringe benefits. It's easy to see why a study done a few years ago called apprenticeships, the "bachelor's degree of the skilled trades". With attrition rates of 5 workers retiring for every two entering, it's reasonable to conclude that supply and demand will continue to increase compensation rates. I'd love to hear from my network. Is the message about these opportunities falling on the ears of parents and children? Let me hear in the comments and be sure to share this post if any of this resonates with you. #CareerOpportunities #SkilledTrades #Apprenticeships

100s of STEM PhDs are fighting for each R&D role while $140K+ technical sales roles go unfilled. You finish your STEM degree. You're dying to earn back those "lost" years. So you rush for a "research scientist" title. Feels safe. Feels like the natural 1st step. After all, that's what you trained for. There's just one catch: Everyone else wants it too. Good luck standing out. But there's a different path nobody talks about. Companies need scientists outside the lab, too. They need you to sell their complicated technical products to other STEM buyers like you. And they'll pay real $ for those willing to master the craft. Most STEM grads skip right past technical sales. They think sales is "not for scientists" They see it as risky. Or "not real science" What they miss: - Technical sales needs your science brain every day. - You solve real world problems for real customers - You earn solid, uncapped income from year 1. Want some real numbers? Median total comp from a sample of 14 open roles I found: $189,250. (not all entry-level, but this shows where the path leads) You can still use your technical skills. You can still work with scientists, engineers and cool tech. But your earning potential is now up to you. Have you thought about technical sales? Let me know what’s stopping you from exploring it ⬇️

For technical-minded students, here’s an in-demand $100K+ programming job Computer Science degrees don’t teach (and that factories can’t run without). Every factory, warehouse, and utility relies on PLCs- programmable logic controllers. They’re the brains controlling when valves open, when robotic arms move, when assembly lines run etc. But they don’t run on Python, Java, or anything most CS degrees teach. They use ladder logic, a graphical language that looks like 1950s electrical relay diagrams. Since virtually no four-year degrees cover this, PLC programmers are rare and in-demand. I’ve seen it firsthand: specialists flown to industrial hubs, earning great money, treated like royalty. Because without them, the entire factory stops. At Northern Virginia Community College, I watched kids in the welding program get $100K+ job offers. Similar thing happens with PLC programming. The path: - Around $12K total cost - 2-year community college program - Learn PLCs, mechatronics, industrial controls - Companies recruit you before graduation Start at around $60-70K. Within a few years, you're over $100K. Get good enough, they fly you places as a specialist. Estimates suggest there are around 70,000-80,000 new CS bachelor grads annually in the US in recent years. They’re fighting for junior roles that AI increasingly handles. Meanwhile, you'll be programming the physical infrastructure that can't be so easily virtualized. Because AI can't as readily replace someone who has to physically understand the machines, troubleshoot on-site, and program equipment that predates the internet. Tl;Dr PLC programming is a highly specialized skill that provides immediate scarcity value in physical industries, providing job defensibility through controlling the machines that make everything. P.S: I went deeper on this with Austin Brawner and Cody Shirk on The Adventure Capitalist podcast. We dug into the skilled trades gap, vanishing career paths, and the real state of US manufacturing. Full episode in my Featured section if you want the unfiltered take and are questioning the standard career path!

Want to be a millionaire by 28? Skip the desk job. Learn a trade. Start a business. Here’s the blueprint: Age 18–20: Learn the trade – Pick a high-demand skill: electrical, plumbing, HVAC, welding, or finish carpentry. – Get into a paid apprenticeship or trade school (don’t take on debt if you don’t have to). – Work under a legit mentor. Show up early. Ask questions. Learn the business, not just the tools. Age 21–23: Master the trade – Become top 10% at what you do. Take side jobs to build confidence and income. – Study sales and customer service on nights/weekends. The best tradespeople with people skills win. – Save cash. Build credit. Buy your first truck and tools outright if you can. Age 24–25: Start your service business – Register your business. Get insurance. Build a clean, basic website. – Focus on 1–2 core services (e.g., panel upgrades, drain cleaning, A/C install). – Do excellent work. Ask for Google reviews. Build referral momentum. Age 26–28: Scale up – Hire 1–2 helpers or another tech. Train them well. Pay fairly. – Implement basic systems: scheduling, CRM, phone answering. – Charge premium prices for premium service. – Reinvest in marketing, vehicles, and hiring smart—not just growth for growth’s sake. By 28, you could easily be clearing $200K–$500K/year depending on your market and service niche. All without college debt. All without begging for a raise every year. There’s a clear path. It’s not easy, but it’s not complicated. Learn the trade. Master it. Serve people. Build a business around it. That’s the play. #BlueCollarMillionaire #skilledtrades #entrepreneurship

Apprenticeship in the Trades vs College, let’s break some of the myths and talk about career options. After all, it is the time when many are looking ahead at what they will do in a few months after graduation or the end of their military contract, Not everyone wants to go to college, nor is college right for everyone. Crazy talk, I know. I think many believe/understand this but for the past few decades it has become the only way to succeed according to the ‘experts’. We might want to re-think who we have advising our youth on their career opportunities (my opinion). Trades are an important part of our everyday lives and offer in-demand, high-paying opportunities. If we fail to fill these roles, we will lose many of the things that we rely on daily. And unlike college, you do not create student debt and get paid while earning experience in your chosen field of study. Not to mention a high likelihood of employment at the end of the training. A common misunderstanding about trade careers is that they are all ‘Blue-collar’ roles and are for those individuals who are not smart enough to attend college. What a load of BS that is! Some trade careers to consider are: -         Air Traffic Controllers -         Nuclear Technicians -         Power Plant Operators, Dispatchers, & Distributors -         Radiation Therapists -         Dental Hygienists & Assistants -         Electrical Power-Line Installers & Repairers -         Aircraft & Avionics Equipment Mechanics & Technicians -         Radiologic & Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technicians -         Construction Equipment Operators -         Electrical & Electronic Engineering Technologist & Technicians -         Physical Therapy Assistants -         Computer Network Specialists -         Telecommunications Equipment Installers & Repairers -         Electricians -         Plumbers, Pipefitters, & Steamfitters -         Industrial Machinery Mechanics, Machinery Maintenance Workers, & Millwrights -         Paralegals & Legal Assistants -         Heating, Air Conditioning, & Refrigeration Installers & Mechanics -         Diesel Service Technician & Mechanics -         Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant & System Operators -         Chefs & Head Cooks -         Automotive Service Technicians & Repairers -         Carpenters -         Welders, Cutters, & Brazers -         And many more By the way, all of these can be trained for in the different branches of the United States Armed Forces. I am not saying that going to college is bad, just not the best path for everyone. For example, I was not ready for college when I graduated high school. I joined the military, learned multiple trades, and later decided to earn my degree. Having both is a wonderful thing. Choose the right path for you. #Trades #SkilledTrades #CareerOptions #Careers #Apprenticeships #Vocations #BruceTalk

Despite what some headlines are saying, Computer Science recently topped the list of the fastest-growing, highest-paying jobs that AI won’t replace. According to a new report from researchers at Resume Genius, computer & information research scientists are: - Projected to grow 26% by 2033 - Paid a median salary of $140K+ - Considered one of the most AI-resilient careers out there Research from Brookings and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also shows that STEM careers that involve innovation and abstract thinking are some of the 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 in an AI-driven economy. Not only because they’re hard to automate, but because they’re the very roles working to improve the technology itself. There’s a lot of fear around AI replacing jobs, and in many cases, it’s warranted. But the bigger picture is more nuanced: the jobs that thrive will be the ones that evolve (and even shape) the tools of the future. A few takeaways for students and educators: ✅ Invest in computer science ✅ Focus on original thought and depth, not repeatable outputs and tools Check out the report here https://lnkd.in/gax8eAfG