Demand for health professionals high; event set to help meet workforce needs

photo of NDSU Health and Human Sciences Career Fair poster showing photos of various types of health and human sciences careers

 

Employers from around the region wanting to fill in-demand healthcare and human sciences job openings are connecting with North Dakota State University students at the Health and Human Sciences Career Fair on Thursday, September 14 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Fargodome.

The event gives employers and students an opportunity to connect for potential jobs, often before they graduate, as well as internship opportunities. Demand for healthcare and human sciences professionals remains high. Job opportunities in many of these professions are expected to increase from 6 percent to 40 percent (in the case of nurse practitioners) through 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In the past year, there were more than 1,100 unique job postings for registered nurses in North Dakota, based on data from Lightcast, illustrating continued workforce needs in that area, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes continued workforce needs in many types of health and human sciences jobs.

  • Nursing - 40 percent growth in U.S. job openings for nurse practitioners and 6 percent growth for registered nurses through 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • Epidemiologists (Public Health) - 26 percent growth in U.S. job openings through 2031
  • Respiratory care professionals - 14 percent growth in U.S. job openings through 2031
  • Pharmacy - in January 2023, major news outlets reported pharmacist shortages in the U.S. https://bit.ly/3LhyDz2
  • Mental health counselors - 18 percent growth in U.S. job openings through 2031
  • Athletic trainers - 14 percent growth in U.S. job openings through 2031
  • Exercise physiologists and fitness trainers - 10 percent growth in U.S. job openings through 2031
  • Medical lab science technicians, social workers, dietitians, and nutrition science - 7 percent growth in U.S. job openings through 2031
  • Radiologic technicians - 6 percent growth in U.S. job openings through 2031

“Statistics clearly show the sustained need for professionals in health and human sciences in the workforce,” said Dr. Ron Werner-Wilson, interim dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences.

“The NDSU College of Health and Human Sciences continues to respond to this need to help educate the state’s workforce in these health-related disciplines, fulfilling our land grant university mission,” said Werner-Wilson.

With its clinical and other collaborations, the NDSU College of Health and Human Sciences covers a wide range of career opportunities for students, including:

  • Allied Sciences (medical laboratory science, radiologic sciences with echocardiography, medical sonography, and respiratory care)
  • Counselor Education (including clinical mental health, school counseling, counselor education and supervision)
  • Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences (including athletic training, dietetics, exercise science, nutrition science, sport management)
  • Health Services
  • Human Development and Family Science (including a dual degree in elementary education and a dual degree in social work, along with online options)
  • Nursing (including bachelor’s and doctorate degree programs such as nurse practitioner and online nursing programs for working nurses to advance their careers, along with accelerated programs)
  • School of Pharmacy (including pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacy practice and dual degree options)
  • Public Health (including master’s degree, dual degrees, and certificate programs)

As a student-focused, land grant, research university, we serve our citizens.

Top of page