These New Jobs Have Emerged in Response to COVID-19: What They Are

• Author: Jessica Williams
• Posted: 2024-01-24

While you've probably heard lots of talk about jobs that have been shuttered due to Coronavirus, chances are lower that you've heard of jobs that have emerged because of COVID-19. Many industries are hurting because of the outbreak, but there are a few that have begun hiring more because of it. If you or someone you know is out of a job and looking for work, here are some unique opportunities that only exist because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Locations of the Jobs

The new job postings are concentrated in several states. Two states, Maryland and Georgia, are especially lucrative now because these states are where major health organizations are located. The CDC is headquartered in Georgia, while National Institutes of Health is headquartered in Maryland.

The other states on this list are here because they have the heaviest COVID-19 populations. These are California, Washington (state), and New York. California and New York likely have higher populations of COVID-19 patients because they have some of the largest cities in the entire country. Naturally, these higher population densities mean a higher chance of catching the virus. However, it's possible to catch it in almost any setting.

You should also note that it's a rarity for these new jobs to be "work from home" jobs. Instead, you're provided with equipment that prevents you from catching COVID-19 as you're working on the job.

The Types of Jobs Offered

Among these several states, there are five categories where, universally, job postings have seen an uptick. Remember, even though there's a pandemic going on, you will still need the requisite qualifications for health-related positions. However, hiring standards are undoubtedly becoming looser as the applicant pool becomes smaller.

The job categories that have seen a huge spike in listings, up to about 300 per week, are in: registered nursing, communications, social work, project management, and various technicians. Approximately 36% of these jobs have some form of work from home option attached to them, at least for the COVID-19 outbreak period, according to a new report by CNBC.

The reason for most of these job offerings is fairly obvious. For example, registered nurses are needed now because of huge shortages of them in major metropolitan areas. The job would be stressful, but hospitals are offering unheard-of salaries for nurses willing to brave it (with the proper precautions, of course).

Communications workers are being solicited to help employers delegate tasks to employees. While many companies in industries like Software are used to some remote work, some companies are just trying it out for the first time. Corporations are hoping that people who specialize in Communications can assist them in getting across important information to employees in this new environment, since it's unclear how long these companies will be stuck in such a position.

Social workers are needed to help deal with social fallout of the virus. For example, many people already pre-disposed to an unhealthy level of isolation are being required to put themselves into further isolation. Social workers are needed to visit these people and ensure their well-being.

Project management is one of the most interesting job types listed here. Typically, this is a software position that involves overseeing the development of a software project. Many tech companies are taking advantage of having the public eye on healthcare by moving into the "wearable tech" era. This technology would monitor you for signs of specific illnesses and help with preventive care. Since many newer companies are fully equipped to work from home, and some even require employees to work from home regularly, they're in the perfect spot. However, they're often missing experienced project management, which is where these listings come in.

Applying for These Jobs

This job study was performed on GlassDoor listings. Remember, these listings pop up and are taken fairly quickly. Many employers are dropping the pretext, long waits, and ridiculous count of interview rounds to allow for faster hiring. Remember to look out for your own personal safety first. Some of these options will sound lucrative but put you at direct risk of exposure to COVID-19.

You should consider your own health as well as your family's health. If the benefits outweigh the risks, this is an unprecedented time, and it could be the best time to capitalize in your entire career. It will vary by personal needs and desires, as well.