INDUSTRIES
Looking to find the perfect Industry for you? You have come to the right place.
There are SO many Industries out there, making it hard to navigate through all of them. At the risk of oversimplifying them, I have grouped them into the following categories. The goal is to simplify to create a better understanding of where to start and dig in further.
PROFESSIONS
These are roles that usually require an advanced degree or certification. They are great for people that were strong in school as they typically follow a standard set of procedures. They pay well and can provide a stable career. Examples:
SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
These can be highly technical industries that are pushing innovation. They often require strong analytical, math, engineering, and/or science skills. Examples:
CONSUMER GOODS & SERVICES
Here in the U.S., and throughout the world, people like to buy stuff and have experiences. Consumer spending makes up around 70% of the Gross Domestic Product. There are multiple industries that support this spending. Examples:
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES & CONSULTING
There are industries dedicated to supporting specific functions within multiple industries. Many companies find it is better to hire a specialist for a specific function (example: marketing). Examples of industries:
FINANCE
All industries require money to function, where it is to help the company get started or to manage excess money along the way. There are industries that focus entirely on the money. Examples:
MEDIA
Media refers to content that we consume. This could be a show on Netflix, a fun video game, or a great book. These all get created by specific industries. Examples:
GOVERNMENT, EDUCATION, & HEALTHCARE
This is a bit of a catch all for the huge government and quasi-government industries. Example industries:
REAL ESTATE
I have spent my career in the real estate industry, so I am giving it a special shout out. Real estate is everywhere you look. Chances are that you are sitting in some real estate as you read this (a home, a university building, or an office building). Example industries:
To make it easier to understand, the summary of each Industry has a standard format.
Description.
Something Cool (about the industry).
Types of Companies (within the industry).
Further Education & Credentials Required.
Entry Level Roles.
How to Learn More.
Disclaimer: I have gathered information in one or more of the following ways: (a) interviewed someone in the industry, (b) researched the industry myself, or (c) used an artificial intelligence tool. No guarantee is provided as to the accuracy of the information. It is provided for research purposes only.
How To Learn More
Talk to someone doing the role you want. Check out my writings on The Gift of Asking for Help, Mentors and Networking 101 on The Search page to learn how to do this.
Better understand your own skills and where you will be successful at Roles.
Check out my writings on various industries and departments at the Industries page.
Already know what you want to do but are looking for general guidance on how to find a job? Check out The Search for advice.
Disclaimer: This information is provided to help you navigate the early stages of your career. It is based on my experience over 25+ years. There is no guarantee that the same principles will allow you to be successful. For the industry summaries, I have gathered information in one or more of the following ways: (a) interviewed someone in the industry, (b) researched the industry myself, or (c) used an artificial intelligence tool. No guarantee is provided as to the accuracy of the information. It is provided for research purposes only.