The COVID-19 pandemic took a massive toll on employment opportunities across Mississippi as sectors reeled from forced lockdowns, social distancing measures, and an unprecedented public health threat. In fact, at the height of the impact, the state’s unemployment claims skyrocketed nearly 500%.

With over 30% of Mississippians being fully vaccinated, most COVID-19 restrictions being lifted, and the unemployment rate returning to pre-pandemic levels of around 6%, things are finally starting to look up across the state. This improvement is translating into employment opportunities as well. There have even been reports of business owners struggling to fill their open positions. 

In this article we’ll take a look at some industries that are expected to boom in the post-COVID economy. We will also provide tips for improving your chances of landing a higher paying job within one of these in-demand business sectors.

Sectors Are Anticipated to Perform Well

Construction

Mississippi’s infrastructure recently received a D+ rating by the American Society of Civil Engineers. While that’s bad news for those commuting to school or work, it’s an excellent sign for the construction industry. President Biden’s proposed infrastructure plan is expected to cause a surge in demand for construction projects throughout the state. If passed, this legislation could result in a boost in construction jobs across Mississippi, making this industry a potential success moving forward. These jobs will not be limited to manual labor jobs but also include technical and supervisory positions as well.  

Insurance

The COVID-19 pandemic was a shocking and unexpected event that caused many to  reconsider their own personal safety as well as that of their loved ones. As a result, the insurance industry is expected to see tremendous growth in the next few years with the increased in demand for health and business policies, especially life insurance. This will result in a boost in job opportunities for insurance providers. The overall market is expected to increase at 4.4% each year until 2025 at a value of $3.55 trillion.

Media & Communications

With public and in-person events completely shut down for nearly a year, people turned to alternate media in record numbers for entertainment and information. In fact, over 40% of Americans reported watching more news programing and streaming more shows during lockdown. Although people are quickly embracing the end of COVID-19 restrictions, the public’s adoption of alternate media and on-line communication remain. Employment in these industries is therefore expected to increase by 4% by 2029. This growth is partially due to the ways in which the pandemic has permanently altered the media habits of consumers.

Cybersecurity

With millions of businesses having to shift their operations entirely online, there was an increase in demand for cybersecurity solutions. Government, manufacturing, healthcare, and other sectors working with sensitive or classified information need reliable protection from cyberattacks which have increased over the past year. One of the fastest-growing positions within this market is an information security analyst. Demand for this role is expected to grow by a whopping 31% within the next 10 years.

How to Take Advantage of These Job Opportunities

News stories of companies offering incentives to encourage job seekers to sign up to fill open positions quickly have been numerous. These have largely focused on low-tech, lower skill jobs and those perceived as less desirable because they requiring higher contact with the public like restaurant jobs. Many of the higher-paying technical and specialty jobs and those with greater opportunity for advancement and upward mobility remain selective and require credentials beyond a high school diploma. To qualify for some of the more enticing jobs in these growing sectors, you’ll need to hold a college degree to be selected for an interview. Let’s take a look at some steps to better position yourself to compete in the post-COVID job market.

Finish Your College Degree

One of the most effective ways to secure a spot in a booming post-COVID industry is to complete your college degree. Not only do most of the positions in these sectors require at least a bachelor’s degree, but it’s been well-documented that holding a higher education degree can greatly increase your employment opportunities across the board.

Use Your School’s Career Center

When attending a Mississippi university, you can’t miss out on your campus’s career center. These offices are overflowing with career resources to help you find a competitive position in the field of your choice after graduation. The great part is, you don’t have to wait until you receive your diploma. You can start looking the day you enroll.

The C2C Program Can Help You Return to School

Whether you’ve just been out of school for a few years or a few decades, the C2C Program is specifically designed to help people like you return to college to receive a college degree. Through the program, you can make use of credits you’ve earned in the past and put them towards a degree today. You’ll get paired with a personal and committed C2C Coach who will work with you one-on-one to determine the quickest path towards graduation. At the end of the program, you’ll be well on your way to improved job opportunities no matter the industry. With the C2C Grant, you might even get a hand paying for your education.

Complete the short survey App and get referred to connect with a coach to see how close you are to a degree that expands your job possibilities and career options.