The healthcare industry has been growing for a few years now, and it is expected to keep growing for the next decade. Unfortunately there are more people demanding healthcare now than there are professionals to fill that demand. No matter where you are in the globe, doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals are in high demand, and in some countries severely lacking.

There are many professions in the healthcare world that some many not even think about; for example, a person who holds a degree in music could apply for a position as a music therapist. Phlebotomy is another field that is in high demand; a phlebotomist is a healthcare professional who has the job of collecting blood samples which are then sent to a laboratory for diagnosis. This is an extremely valuable tool in diagnosing disease and illness.

Regardless of the economy, there will always be a need for healthcare professionals. A phlebotomist can expect to stay employed, even during economic downturns. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the median yearly income for a phlebotomist is approximately $30,000 dollars, with some areas of the country paying as much as $45,000 annually.

Another lesser known profession that is one the rise is that of a marine biologist. A marine biologist is one who studies life in the oceans as well as other saltwater environments such as wetlands and estuaries. Every form of life is included in their study from the smallest species of plankton to the largest creature in the sea, the blue whale. Because of concerns about rising ocean levels and the effects it will have on ocean life as well as humans, marine biology is becoming a booming industry. Part of the reason that marine biology is seen to be on the rise is because governments all around the world are concerned about climate change, and many jobs and funding for marine biology comes from the government.

Because of the subject it’s not surprising to learn that the some of the best colleges for studying marine biology are found on the coastlines. Colleges such as the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of Texas at Austin have some of the best marine biology programs in the country. The study of marine biology includes a wide variety of disciplines such as chemistry, ecology, geology, meteorology, molecular biology astronomy, biological oceanography, cellular biology, and zoology. The new science of marine conservation biology draws on many longstanding scientific disciplines such as fisheries biology, marine ecology, zoology, botany, biogeography, genetics, anthropology, economics and law.

A marine biologist median income is approximately $50,000 dollars annually, with more being offered in specific areas. Marine biology requires many years of schooling.

“If you want to be a research scientist and direct YOUR OWN research, a Ph.D. is almost required. I hated school when I was younger, but now I enjoy it. I would strongly suggest not worrying about long-term commitments beyond your bachelor’s degree until your junior year of college. A lot can happen between now and then, and you may be a very different person”, advises former graduate student of Scripps Oceanography Greg Szulgit.

The Growing Demand Of Lesser Known Professions Credit Picture License: Neeta Lind via photopin cc