How to Explore the Job Market
It is important to know which jobs, or types of jobs, are available and how they will change in the future.
Choosing a career involves answering many questions, including:
- What careers fit my interests and skills?
- What do they pay?
- Which jobs are available in my region?
- How will the job market change in the future?
Once you've assessed yourself to understand which careers fit your skills and interests, and explored careers to learn more about individual career options including the salaries they pay, you’re ready to start researching the job market. It's important to understand both which jobs are available right now and how the job market will change in the future.
Which jobs are available now?
Knowing about the types of jobs that are available can help you find the right job for you. It can also help you understand the types of skills employers will be looking for.
Below you can see which groups of careers, career clusters, have the most in-demand occupations. Look at these clusters and see if they match your interests. Also look at how the list changes with different levels of education. As you grow your career, it is sometimes easier to follow a career pathway that builds on your previous experience.
The top in-demand occupations in the cluster at each education level are listed on the right. Select the career cluster title to find more careers. Keep in mind, not every career in the cluster will be in demand. You'll want to research each career individually. The "Other Resources" at the bottom of this page have a complete list of in-demand careers in your region. Use that resource to do more research.
The caution symbol 
next to a career indicates that it may be limited or affected by a criminal record. If you see this symbol next to a career cluster, many of the careers within the cluster may be limited or affected. Talk with your Parole Officer, job coach, or legal counsel about your specific situation and goals.
High School, Equivalent, or Less
Manufacturing
Manufacturing workers work with products and equipment. You might design a new product, decide how the product will be made, or make the product. You might work on cars, computers, appliances, airplanes, or electronic devices.
Hospitality and Tourism
This career might be affected by state or federal regulations that sanction the licensing or participation of a person with a felony conviction from working in this career or its work setting. Talk with your Parole Officer or job coach about your specific situation and goals.
Hospitality and tourism workers help people enjoy vacations and entertainment activities. You might work at a restaurant, resort, sports arena, theme park, museum, or hotel. For example, you might manage operations of a college cafeteria, guide high school students on a trip to Spain, or rent equipment at a recreation center.
Architecture and Construction
Architecture and construction workers work on buildings and other structures. This includes highways, bridges, houses, and buildings. You might create the designs or plans for new structures. Or, you might use the plans to build it or manage the workers on the project.
Vocational training
Human Services
This career might be affected by state or federal regulations that sanction the licensing or participation of a person with a felony conviction from working in this career or its work setting. Talk with your Parole Officer or job coach about your specific situation and goals.
Human services workers help individuals and families meet their personal needs. You might work in a government office, hospital, nonprofit agency, nursing home, spa, hotel, or school. Or, you might work in your own home.
Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics
Transportation, distribution, and logistics workers move people and products by road, air, rail, and water. You might work as a driver, pilot, engineer, or captain. You might repair or maintain the vehicles, trains, planes, and ships that move people and products. Or, you might work behind the scenes to make sure the products and people get to the right place on time.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing workers work with products and equipment. You might design a new product, decide how the product will be made, or make the product. You might work on cars, computers, appliances, airplanes, or electronic devices.
Associate's degree
Health Science
This career might be affected by state or federal regulations that sanction the licensing or participation of a person with a felony conviction from working in this career or its work setting. Talk with your Parole Officer or job coach about your specific situation and goals.
Health science workers promote health and wellness. They diagnose and treat injuries and disease. As a physician, dentist, or nurse, you could work directly with patients. You could also work in a laboratory to get information used in research or provide administrative support by keeping medical records.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing workers work with products and equipment. You might design a new product, decide how the product will be made, or make the product. You might work on cars, computers, appliances, airplanes, or electronic devices.
Law, Public Safety, and Security
This career might be affected by state or federal regulations that sanction the licensing or participation of a person with a felony conviction from working in this career or its work setting. Talk with your Parole Officer or job coach about your specific situation and goals.
Law, public safety, corrections, and security workers are found in a variety of settings. For example, you might guard the public and enforce the law as a police officer or security guard. Or, you might provide fire protection as a firefighter.
Bachelor's degree
Education and Training
This career might be affected by state or federal regulations that sanction the licensing or participation of a person with a felony conviction from working in this career or its work setting. Talk with your Parole Officer or job coach about your specific situation and goals.
Education and training workers guide and train people. As a teacher, you could influence young lives. You could also support the work of a classroom teacher as a counselor, librarian, or principal. You could coach sports activities or lead community classes.
Business, Management, and Administration
Business, management, and administrative workers give the support needed to make a business run. You might check employee time records or train new employees. Or, you might work as a top executive and provide the overall direction for a company or department.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics workers do scientific research in laboratories or the field. Others plan or design products and systems. Or, you might support scientists, mathematicians, or engineers as they do their work.
How will the job market change in the future?
Minnesota's job market has changed during the last few years. Jobs that used to be plentiful will likely not be the same jobs employers will hire for in the future. You may have heard about how some taxi companies are closing. Many people think part of the reason is because of new ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft. Paying attention to the job market helps you know which skills and training you will need to stay employed.
Changes in technology, and global and local economic needs will always be shifting. There are two things you can do to help prepare for job market changes. First, make sure that you keep up on the news. This will help you spot trends that are happening in your industry. Second, the State of Minnesota offers projections for which jobs are growing or shrinking. On this website, we use "Outlook" to indicate how a career will change in the future. Each career is in one of five categories: Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good, or Excellent. "Excellent" means employers are expected to need many people for those jobs in the future. “Poor” means that there are likely to be fewer job openings in the future. You can find the outlook by searching for careers in the Career Search Tool.
Next Steps:
- People with a criminal conviction might have restrictions to some growing careers. Find out before you add them to your career plan.
- Are you limiting your options? Learn about non-traditional careers.
- Search all careers that match your interests.
Other Resources on the Web
- Learn about Growing Careers in Minnesota
- Find Occupations in Demand in your region
