As seniors across Nebraska make decisions about college, training programs, or entering the workforce, many are wondering which careers offer the strongest opportunities. To help answer that question, we interviewed Jodie Meyer, a research analyst at the Nebraska Department of Labor, on our weekly Countdown2College podcast. Jodie studies job trends and employment data every day, providing her with a behind-the-scenes look at which fields are growing, what skills employers are seeking, and how students can prepare for the future job market now.

Why Job Trends Matter

Paying attention to job trends helps you make smart choices about your future. When you know which careers are expanding and which may shrink, it becomes easier to choose a path that offers long-term stability. You’re investing time and money into your education or training, so it helps to know the jobs you’re preparing for will still be there when you graduate.

Where to Explore Careers

There are tons of career-planning websites, but Jodie highlights three that are especially helpful:

• Occupational Outlook Handbook: A national guide that shows job outlook, pay ranges, and what a typical day looks like in different careers.
• O*NET and My Next Move: Easy-to-use tools with skills, interests, work environments, and related careers. You can even take a quick interest quiz to see where you might fit.
• Nebraska’s High Wage, High Skill, High Demand Occupations: A state-specific list of careers that pay well, require additional training, and are growing fast in Nebraska.

These tools can help you compare options, discover new career ideas, or learn what it takes to pursue a field you’re already considering.

Top Jobs Right Now

If you’re wondering which careers are booming in Nebraska, healthcare is at the forefront. Registered nurses, physicians, physical therapists, and licensed practical nurses are almost always in demand—partly because people are living longer and partly due to retirements within the field. You’ll also find high demand for general managers, retail and customer service roles, computer and tech jobs, and positions in education, such as teachers and teaching assistants. These careers consistently appear at the top of job postings across the state.

How the Job Market Is Changing

While the top careers haven’t changed much, their rankings shift over time. Long-standing, high-demand fields include trucking, software development, accounting, finance, human resources, and skilled trades like electrical work and carpentry. These jobs show strong stability, meaning they’re likely to stay important in the future.

Education and Training Tips

Once you’ve found a career that interests you, Jodie recommends checking out job postings to see what education or certifications employers are asking for. This provides a realistic picture of what you’ll need—whether it’s a certificate program, an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree, or on-the-job training. Talking with people already working in the career can also give you valuable insight into their path.

Skills Employers Love

No matter what career you choose, employers are consistently looking for the following skill set.

• Leadership
• Problem Solving
• Critical Thinking
• Customer Service

Technical skills matter too. Knowing Microsoft Office, record management, inventory tracking, or having welding experience can help you stand out. As AI becomes increasingly prevalent in the workplace, being comfortable with new technology is a significant advantage.

Building Transferable Skills

Jodie encourages students to reflect on the skills they’re developing every day. You can develop transferable skills through school projects, part-time jobs, volunteering, participating in clubs, or engaging in sports. These skills—communication, organization, teamwork, and analyzing information—can help you succeed in almost any field. She shared stories of coworkers whose degrees in fields like music or library science helped them land jobs in data and research because the core skills they acquired carried over.

AI in the Workforce

Artificial intelligence isn’t here to replace all jobs—it’s here to change how work gets done. Jodie expects AI to take over repetitive tasks, such as data entry or basic coding. However, jobs that require human relationships, creativity, problem-solving, or hands-on work, including healthcare, counseling, teaching, and the trades, aren’t going anywhere. Students who learn how to use AI as a tool will have a significant advantage.

Finding the Right Career Fit

Finally, Jodie encourages students to reflect on what “enjoyment” truly means to them. You might love the subject matter, or you might care more about the type of environment you work in, the people you interact with, or the daily tasks you’ll be doing. Many careers also allow you to work in different settings. For example, nurses can work in hospitals, schools, clinics, manufacturing facilities, and more—so the same job can feel very different depending on where you are.