New year, new career? Exciting industries to consider

Some people grow up knowing exactly what they want to be. For others, figuring out a career path requires a lot of research, soul searching and trial-and-error. A good place to begin is by looking at secure, growing, or even hidden industries that have a demand for skilled workers. Whether you're starting over or just starting out, here are three exciting industries to consider on your career search this year.

Information technology. Computer systems design is one of the fastest growing industries. In order to work in any IT job, you'll need technical and professional certification. Since the industry changes quickly, it's crucial to stay on top of the latest technologies and trends. Scope out the programs at your local community colleges as they are a great resource for this training.

Food and beverage processing. Ontario's food and beverage processing sector provides employment to nearly 140,000 people in the province and contributes more than $4 billion in salaries and wages. Opportunities in the industry range from leading-edge science and tech positions to engineering, marketing and specialty positions like brew master. Most food and beverage companies encourage their employees to continuously improve their skills and education so they can move up, which is why many workers make their way from the production line to management.

Healthcare. If you dream of working in healthcare but are not cut out for medical school, do not fret. There are numerous entry-level positions to explore from hands-on patient care to administrative and technical jobs. Most healthcare positions will require specialized training that will lead to a vocational license, certificate or degree. Find more information about the food and beverage sector online at tasteyourfuture.ca.