Exploring careers

With more than 800 occupations to consider, choosing a career can be a challenge. To help with this decision, the Missouri Department of Economic Development issued a report, Missouri Career Grades, that shows which occupations have the best outlook over the next several years. Occupations are graded A through C with grades based on a combination of job openings, percent growth and average wages of an occupation. The complete report can also be viewed. 

Grade A careers

• The best outlook with average or above projected growth rates, total openings and wages when compared to all occupations in Missouri.

Grade B careers

• Account for the largest number of current Missouri workers and are projected to produce the largest number of total openings from 2010 to 2020.

Grade C careers

• Represent a large portion of Missouri’s current workforce and are expected to experience a smaller than average growth during the projected period.

Things to consider before choosing a career:

• Encourage students to think about the type of education or training required for a chosen career. Help them research and decide on a major or program they can stick with. Changing their course of study could increase the time it takes to finish school and, in turn, the cost of their education. Help them understand their transfer options if they do decide to change schools or programs of study.
• Direct students to use the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development’s College and Degree Search to research degree programs and colleges in Missouri.
• Encourage students to consider the total cost of their educational program compared to the potential salary they could earn. Students should keep their future salary in mind when deciding what they can afford to borrow (and repay) in student loans while attending school.