Imagine becoming a top lawyer especially when law schools are churning out thousands every year. The competition is tough, no doubt about that. But the question remains, what is it that makes them stand apart from their colleagues?

Are you one of the thousands waiting to complete your college degree but not really sure if it’s going to do you any good? The following list covers the 15 of the hottest jobs in 2014. This guide will help you understand how far your college degree can take you. 1. Biomedical Engineers – The jobs in this field are expected to grow exponentially from 2012-2022. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts 27 percent job growth over the next few years. Biomedical engineers improve patient care by analyzing problems in medicine and biology. If you are interested in earning a yearly median salary of more than $80,000, you should start off by earning a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from an accredited traditional or online institute. 2. Network Systems Analysts – These professionals will also see their numbers increase and may earn a yearly median salary of as much as $80,000. O*NET Online predicts the job opportunities in this field to grow at the rate of around 22 percent. These analysts implement and improve computer systems by analyzing data processing problems.If you are interested in becoming a network systems analyst then you need to have at least an associate’s degree in computer science or in a related field. Some analysts, depending upon the requirement of their job, may need to have a bachelor or a master’s degree. 3. Home Health Aides – They may not be the highest paid professionals in 2014 but their demand will grow impressively since the field is expanding. BLS predicts 48 percent growth in the number of home health aides jobs from 2012-2022. Home health aides help cognitively impaired, chronically ill, and disabled individuals. The biggest attraction in becoming a home health aide is that, with some employers, you do not need formal academic qualifications or a college education. On-the-job training is all that matters. You may earn a yearly median salary of around $20,000 as a home health aide. 4. Personal and Home-Care Aides – Believe it or not, there is a difference between home health and personal care aides; the former provides basic health-related services,while the latter with everyday tasks and chores. These professionals do not provide any type of medical service and that is why they are hired in addition to medical health workers. The job outlook for both home health aides and personal and home-care aides is pretty much the same, and so is the monetary compensation. 5. Financial Examiners – Financial examiners will be in demand in 2014. They assess bank management, evaluate the risk level of loans and review balance sheets. They also ensure compliance with financial laws. The profession, arguably, may not be the most exciting but those with exceptional math and analytical skills will enjoy it. The compensation isn’t bad either; BLS reports financial examiners earning a yearly median salary in excess of $70,000. If this profession interests you then you must have a bachelor’s degree preferably in accounting. Newly hired financial examiners will also be trained by their employers. Speaking of work environment, financial examiners get hired by finance and insurance companies, federal and state governments, etc. Financial examiners’ jobs are expected to grow at a rate of 6 percent from 2012-2022. 6. Medical Scientists – If you possess good data-analytical, critical-thinking, communication, observation, decision-making skills, and are interested in Health Sciences, consider becoming a medical scientist. Once you have graduated with a Ph.D. degree in biology or a related subject, you will conduct research aimed at improving human health. You will conduct clinical trials, and other investigative methods to reach your findings. Jobs in this field are expected to grow by 13 percent over the next decade. Medical scientists may earn a yearly median salary of more than $70,000 per year. 7. Physician Assistants – If you prefer working under the supervision of surgeons and physicians and earning an attractive salary in return, then consider becoming a PA. PAs are qualified to examine patients, diagnose illnesses and injuries and help with treatment. Working mostly in physicians’ offices, they may also prescribe medication. These professionals hold a master’s degree and must complete an accredited educational program for physician assistants. They must also be licensed to practice in their state. BLS predicts an amazing 38 percent job growth in this sector from 2012-2022. 8. Skin-Care Specialists – They may not become millionaires in 2014 but there job requires them to help their clients look like a million dollars. Working in salons, health and beauty spas, skin-care specialists can also be self-employed. They must hold a degree in cosmetology. In addition, they must also be licensed. However, if you intend to work in Connecticut, you may not need to be licensed. BLS reports that these professionals earn slightly less than $30,000 (yearly median salary in 2012). The job outlook however is great; BLS predicts 40 percent growth for these professionals over the next few years. 9. Biochemists and Biophysicists – They study the physical and chemical principles of living beings. They also study biological processes like cell heredity, growth and development. Sounds boring? Wait till you hear how much they make. BLS quotes a salary figure of a little more than $80,000 (yearly median salary in 2012). But not so fast, you will need to hold a PhD. You can work as a biochemist and biophysicist with a master’s degree however you may not be able to qualify for independent research and development positions. Jobs within this occupation are expected to grow at the rate of 19 percent over the next few years. 10. Athletic Trainers – These professionals specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating bone and muscle injuries and illnesses. Their expertise is not limited to working with a specific age group; athletic trainers work with kids as well as the elderly, soldiers and even professional athletes. If you want to become one, get either a bachelor’s or a master’s degree. You may also need to be certified or licensed as per your state’s requirement. BLS reports that athletic trainers earn in excess of $40,000 (annual median salary in 2012). Their job outlook from 2012-2022 is even better; the jobs for this sector are expected to grow at the rate of 19 percent. 11. Registered Nurse (RN) – Jobs for Registered Nurses will grow at the rate of 19 percent. In 2012, the annual median wage for these professionals was more than $60,000 and conventional wisdom suggests that they will earn more in 2014. RNs, almost 3 million in numbers, form the backbone of the US healthcare sector. Performing a variety of roles, they can work in hospitals, clinics and may also work independently. Some RNs with proper qualifications can even prescribe medication to patients. They must be academically qualified as well as licensed to practice in their state. 12. Computer Software Developers – Do you have good technical skills, love computers and want to pursue a challenging career with a bachelor’s degree? Consider becoming a computer software developer then. BLS predicts computer software developers’ jobs to grow at the rate of 22 percent from 2012-2022. As the title suggests, these professionals develop computer programs. They develop applications for computers, making them more user-friendly and underlying systems that control networks and run devices. They usually have at least a bachelor’s degree in software engineering or computer science. Some may have a degree in mathematics as well. 13. Dental Hygienists – They clean teeth and make sure everyone has a Million Dollar Smile. However, it would be unfair to reduce their professional duties to simply teeth cleaning only. They are also qualified to examine oral diseases. Furthermore, they can also provide other preventive dental care treatments. BLS predicts that from 2012-2022, dental hygienists’ jobs will increase at the rate of 38 percent faster than the average for all other occupations. In 2012, dental hygienists were earning an annual median wage of around $70,000. If the job description interests you then all you need is an associate’s degree and a license to practice in your state. 14. Forensic Science Technicians – Did you know that you could be on the force without being a cop? If crime and crime scenes interests you then get a bachelor’s degree in forensic science and become a forensic science technician. If you are however applying for the job in a small rural police department, then your high school diploma alone may be enough. These technicians earn in excess of $50,000 per year, for collecting and later analyzing physical evidence at a crime scene. Their number of jobs is expected to grow at the rate of 6 percent over the next few years. 15. Accountants and Auditors – If you have good analytical, math and communication skills, consider becoming an accountant or an auditor. Their demand is expected to grow by 13 percent between 2012-2022. These professionals earn a yearly median salary in excess of $60,000. They must hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field. They do not need to be Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) to practice but the certification certainly helps in getting a job of their choice. CPAs may also earn more than those with a bachelor’s degree alone. Furthermore, if your job requires you to file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) then you must be a CPA. So there you have it, the hottest 15 jobs that are expected to make a splash in 2014. Do you belong to one of these occupations? Share with us your work experiences and anecdotes to help students pick the right major.

Do you consider yourself to be a part of that faceless workforce that never gets a thank you?  Common sense demands that we categorize all those who are underpaid, overworked, disrespected, unnoticed, fall in that thankless job category.