Success built on careful choices.

What are the most profitable careers for young people in the 21st century? Without a crystal ball, this question is hard to answer.

Graduates often enter jobs that didn't even exist when they were in high school. Ten years ago, who had heard of data science, cloud computing apps, Twitter or iPhones?
To choose a career path in the 21st century, you need to focus on three factors _ what industries are going to be important to the future, what skills will be required in those industries and where your own interests and aptitudes lie.
The last question should lead the way. Generally, the people who do best in their jobs _ and are therefore well-paid _ are passionate about what they do.
It is something I have heard repeatedly during my 15 years of career counselling and journalism: people who are happiest in their careers are nearly always the ones who believe in what they do, are satisfied with what they deliver and feel challenged.
Many have changed career paths to find that satisfaction because they initially chose the ``safety'' of a certain profession or hoped it would bring them into the money.
At a recent conference for career educators, Business New Zealand chief executive Phil O'Reilly talked about the skills needed for the future. As well as technical skills _ science, technology, engineering and maths _ O'Reilly spoke of the importance of generic or soft skills, such as relationship building, ethical behaviour, respect and resilience, and a belief in lifelong learning or up-skilling.
Employers often choose applicants because of their ability to communicate, think critically and relate well. They also look for applicants who are keen to continue learning and developing. In this technological age, up-skilling is a vital part of your career journey.
Look at Astech Electrical director Steve Hallett. When Hallett did his industrial electrician apprenticeship 20 years ago, a machine was considered ``smart'' if it had a timer in it. Home computers didn't exist, houses usually had just one landline and a single power-point in each room. There were few security systems.
Today, a lot of Astech Electrical's residential work involves installing computerised technology that allows homeowners remote access and control of lighting, security and so on through their iPhones.
Keeping up with technological advances is a no-brainer to Hallett, and he says it never stops.
``We decided to set up a technology showroom a year ago so customers could get their heads around what we could do for them. Over the time it took to set up, our apprentices were already making suggestions of other possibilities that went far beyond our original plan.''
Industries of the future The strongest local employment growth over the next decade will be in service-sector jobs, health and community services, wholesale and retail trade, business and financial services, communication services and the primary sector, says a report by the Department of Labour.
Construction is also likely to see strong growth because of the Christchurch rebuild.
Globally, commentators list health, leisure, hospitality, education, finance and insurance, the internet, IT and green jobs, with a particular emphasis on the fields of science, engineering and maths.
These forecasts, such as for the health sector, make sense. We are an ageing population with longer life expectancy, so there is going to be huge demand for healthcare services and leisure activities for older people.
And telecommunications will see growth as cellphones are used for everything from GPS, music and cameras to organising protests _ and we still use them to talk to people.
Digital storage is another huge area for growth, as is internet security and cloud computing. A recent report forecasts a shortage by 2018 in the United States of 19,000 data scientists and 1.5 million data-savvy managers and analysts.
But let's not forget personal interaction. No matter how automated the world becomes, there is no replacement for face-to-face services as diverse as hairstylists, massage therapists, chefs or personal trainers.
And what about electricians, plumbers and builders? There will always be demand for skilled tradespeople, says Electrical Training Company chief executive Peter Rushworth, because machines, buildings and computers all need maintaining, repairing and running.
``You don't become redundant if you are willing to continue learning, and that is a key attribute needed by young people entering employment.''
Angela McCarthy is a career counsellor and freelance writer.