Laid-off this year? Get your life back on track with one of these seven careers.

If you’re one of the unlucky ones who’s recently been laid off,  you’re not alone. In fact, according to data from the U.S. Department of Labor, in May 2013, 127,821 workers were let go in a mass layoff. That’s an astounding number and a scary reality. Plus, even if you  have a solid savings account, the uncertainty of not knowing what’s  around the corner or where your next paycheck will come from is enough  to make anyone skittish about jumping into a new, unknown career. And while you’re unemployed and wondering what your next career move  may be, taking the time to weigh your options now can go a long way in  ensuring future stability. “By taking time to look at the available options across different  industries, you can start to make smarter career decisions across the  board,” says Karen Galli, a career consultant and president of One  Leadership Group, a company dedicated to helping individuals develop  professionally and personally. “Finding out which careers are growing in the upcoming years puts you in a good position to secure a job and hold onto it.” Ready to learn about seven booming careers you should consider when you jump back into the job search? Keep reading.

Career #1: Elementary School Teacher

2010 to 2020 Projected Growth: 17 percent, or 248,800 new jobs Teachers are the heart of the educational system, so it’s no surprise that the profession is growing, particularly at the elementary level.  Planning lessons, grading students’ assignments, and communicating with  parents about their child’s progress are all typical duties of  elementary school teachers, says the U.S. Department of Labor. Why It’s Stable: “It looks like this career is  bouncing back stronger than ever due to an increased focus on quality  teachers and student-teacher ratio in the classroom,” says Steve  Langerud, a veteran workplace consultant, career coach, and co-author of an award-winning guide to career planning. And the good news, he says, is that more schools are looking to hire  older employees, which works in favor of those who have been laid off  and want to re-enter the workforce.  Preparing For Your Comeback: A bachelor’s degree in  elementary education and a state-issued license or certification is  required for public school teachers, according to the Department of  Labor. They also report that some states require teachers to major in a  specific content subject, or require teachers to earn a master’s degree  after receiving their teaching certificate.

Career #2: Accountant

2010 to 2020 Projected Growth: 16 percent, or 190,700 new jobs Tax season isn’t the only time of year accountants are put to work –  they’re needed all year long and the profession is growing at a steady  clip. Accountants spend much of their time examining financial  statements to ensure that they’re accurate, organizing and maintaining  financial records, and suggesting ways to reduce costs, enhance  revenues, and improve profits, according to the U.S. Department of  Labor. Why It’s Stable: “Every organization needs an  accountant, and after 2008, many businesses realized the importance of  having a good one,” Langerud says. “Now that budgets are back up, this  is a field that’s growing steadily with no signs of slowing down,” he  adds. Next step:   Preparing For Your Comeback: According to the  Department, most accountants need at least a bachelor’s degree in  accounting or a related field. They also report that some employers may  prefer to hire those with a master’s degree in accounting or business  administration with a concentration in accounting.

Career #3: Registered Nurse

2010 to 2020 Projected Growth: 26 percent, or 711,900 new jobs Before you meet with a doctor at a medical facility, you’ll often  interact with a registered nurse first. That’s because nurses do  everything from coordinating patient care to recording medical histories and then consulting with doctors, according to the U.S. Department of  Labor. Why It’s Stable: Galli says there is a significant need for RNs, particularly with the health care reform beginning in 2014. “Every American will be required to have health insurance, which will directly impact the health care industry,” she notes. In fact, there is already a shortage in the field, so nurses are currently working long  hours to compensate, says Galli. She also adds that since the median age of a registered nurse is 46,  there shouldn’t be any concern about being the older, second-career  worker or the newbie who is re-entering the workforce. Next step: Preparing For Your Comeback: There are a few ways to pursue a career as a registered nurse, according to the Department of  Labor. Registered nurses can either earn a bachelor’s of science degree  in nursing, an associate’s degree in nursing, or a diploma from an  approved nursing program. Regardless of which path you choose to take,  the Department notes that all registered nurses must also be licensed.

Career #4: Software Developer

2010 to 2020 Projected Growth: 30 percent, or 270,900 new jobs If you’ve interacted with a computer, you’ve also interacted with a  software program. But have you ever wondered who created the software in the first place? Software developers, that’s who. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, they are the creative minds behind computer  programs, analyzing user needs, designing programs and apps, and then  testing and developing software to match current needs. Next step:   Why It’s Stable: “From iPad apps to Android phones,  not to mention tablets along with PCs and Macbooks, software developers  are always in demand,” Galli says. “This could be a sweet career for  someone who has always been interested in software developing on some  level, or someone who doesn’t mind going back to school or digging their heels into practical learning and training.” Preparing For Your Comeback: Usually, these  professionals have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, software  engineering, or a related field, as well as strong computer programming  skills, according to the Department of Labor.

Career #5: Medical Records and Health Information Technician

2010 to 2020 Projected Growth: 21 percent, or 37,700 new jobs If you’re highly-organized and want to apply your skills to the  booming health care industry, you might want to think about a career as a medical records and health information technician. In this role, you  might organize and maintain data for clinical databases and registries,  review patient records for accuracy, and protect patients’ health info  for confidentiality, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Why It’s Stable: “This profession requires very  little schooling, which is attractive to those who have been laid off in another field and don’t want to spend years earning a new degree,”  notes Ben Yeargin, a corporate recruiter for Craig Technologies, a small recruiting services firm headquartered in Florida. “Plus, our aging population ensures that the health care field will  continue to grow and provide great job stability – another boon if  you’ve been laid off in the past,” he says. Next step:  Preparing For Your Comeback: Typically you’ll need a postsecondary certificate to pursue a career as a medical records and  health information technician, notes the Department of Labor. However,  some of these professionals may have an associate’s degree. They also  say that many employers require professional certification.

Career #6: Management Analyst

2010 to 2020 Projected Growth: 22 percent, or 157,200 new jobs If you have business savvy and a talent for initiating change, a  growing career as a management analyst could be right for you. The U.S.  Department of Labor says that these professionals are responsible for  proposing ways to improve an organization’s efficiency. That includes  things like gathering and organizing information about problems, and  then developing solutions or alternative practices to a problem. Why It’s Stable: Galli says that the main function  of a management analyst is to affirm, re-think, and often times  reorganize the management team and their roles – in effect, make them  run more efficiently. And since “[e]very company is looking for ways to  cut costs and put money back into the bread and butter of their  business,” it’s no surprise that these professionals are in demand.  Preparing For Your Comeback: Most of these workers  have at least a bachelor’s degree, according to the Department of Labor. Common areas of study include business, management, accounting,  marketing, computer and information science, engineering, economics, and statistics. However, the Department also notes that some employers  prefer to hire those with a master’s degree in business administration.

Career #7: Market Research Analyst

2010 to 2020 Projected Growth: 41 percent, or 116,600 new jobs If you’ve ever answered a survey about a service or product you  recently used, then you’ve probably helped a market research analyst do  their job. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, these men and  women monitor and forecast marketing and sales trends, devise methods  for collecting data in the form of surveys or questionnaires, and gather data about consumers, competitors, and market conditions. Why It’s Stable: Langerud boils it down like this:  “People who can get to the heart of why we do what we do as consumers of goods and services are a necessary tool for success.” He says that  finding skilled professionals who can get to the data, assemble it into a cohesive package, and then tell people what it means is a challenge.  So, it’s no surprise that market research analysts are in demand.  Preparing For Your Comeback: Typically, market  researchers need a bachelor’s degree in market research or a related  field, reports the Department of Labor. However, many get their degree  in a field like statistics, math, or computer science. Other analysts  may have a background in business administration, communications, or one of the social sciences.