If you're looking for jobs in demand in Virginia, this post is here to help. Virginia's job economy is on par with the national average, and it's expected to experience significant growth over the coming year, with Richmond in particular growing at the fastest rate. Whether you want to move to Virginia or are a lifetime resident, you can explore new jobs by researching these top fields.
If you're considering a career change, then you may want to go back to school and earn a degree that prepares you for a brighter future. Virginia has many affordable schools, and you can pay for tuition using both federal and/or private Earnest student loans. Private student loans offer flexible rates, higher principal amounts and even more freedom to invest your financing where it matters most. Now, let's take a look at some of the top jobs in Virginia to help you plan the next chapter of your career.
Occupational Therapist
An occupational therapist helps children and/or adults learn to rebuild, develop and skills for everyday living. They work with various populations to help people get the most out of life. You can become an occupational therapist who works with special needs children, substance abuse recovery patients or disabled people, for example. To become an occupational therapist in Virginia, you'll need to hold at least a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy. You'll then have to complete a 24-week internship and pass the NBCOT OTR exam.
Physical Therapy Aid
Physical therapy aides help patients recover from injuries or manage symptoms of chronic conditions. They work in medical offices, nursing homes and hospitals to help patients perform exercises and tend to their needs. With training, they can also provide other tasks, such as applying heat treatments and performing ultrasounds.
You will need at least an associate's degree to get certification, but a bachelor's in physical therapy or a similar field is preferred. You may be able to earn an associate's and work toward a higher degree, allowing you to get paid as an aide and eventually become a licensed physical therapist. The opportunity for furthering your education and career make this a promising field to consider.
Statistician
For fans of data, numbers and math, working as a statistician could be a great match. Statisticians apply real-world data to develop surveys, polls and other research for companies and organizations. They're a valuable part of the consumer research industry, and they can act as consultants to help organizations take the next best steps in their strategy. It's not all about marketing, though. You could also work in healthcare, law or government to use your mathematical expertise to identify trends that lead to better services and meaningful changes. You'll need to earn a bachelor's in statistics, economics or mathematics to qualify for this position, so get ready to hit the books.
Web Developer
Do you like programming and computers? Do you want to help people build websites that help both businesses and customers? Web developers employ psychology, web design and coding skills to build responsive, engaging websites. They may work for a marketing agency, freelance or provide services exclusively to one business. Web developers can specialize in front-end or back-end work. The former is all about the visual look and feel of a site whereas back-end focuses on functionality, namely server and database operations.
You can start learning web development online now thanks to the hundreds of YouTube videos and Udemy courses out there. To really stand out in a competitive field, though, a degree in web development is your best course of action. You'll learn everything you need to know and graduate with a hirable portfolio.
