What's the next "growth industry?"
 

I've been, in one way or another, a member of the Department of Defense for the last 18 years, either in uniform or in a suit 'n' tie. It's clear to anyone paying attention to the discussion of DOD budgets a few blocks from where I work that the military-industrial complex is going to see more serious cuts in the next few years.

Some people are just waiting: "The axe will come, but until then, take an easy ride and enjoy." Others are working hard to show dedication and essentiality in hopes of surviving. And still others are looking around saying, "Why should I put up with this?" and are looking elsewhere in hopes of thriving instead of merely surviving.

I'm in that third camp: I'm looking for good opportunities outside DOD, but I'm not looking to jump from a declining industry into a failing part of the economy. So what's good right now? What kind of business is growing and thriving, and looking like they're going to be making good business for the next decade or so? What skills should a smart guy be documenting now to demonstrate value to prospective employers?

Well...the government is taking over the healthcare industry...

Do you want to move to San Antonio?

So that's one more industry I should steer clear of, I think?

Texas has a LOT of things going for it. Unfortunately, it's a long ways from family. If I'm going to move again (and I'd eventually like to), I'd like to get back out to the Northwest.

What's in San Antonio, though?

Medical Marijuana.

healthcare informatics

Healthcare informants.

Know someone who smokes? See something, say something.

” the world needs ditch diggers too”........

.............Plastics, I heard someone say that......"plastics".


1973 911 T MFI Coupe, Aubergine
1970 FJ40

Steve

I would move to San Antonio. Job is ending this week.

Figuring out what to do with all the data that's being collected.

Next big thing...
3D printing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Munitions mfg.

mining old land fills for now recycleable materials like tin-

Intensive use technologies, like my friend at Enviroflight. Relative to Lane 912's suggestions, we produce a lot of useful stuff that is thrown out. Why wait to dig it out of a landfill? Use it before it hits the dumpster.
Welcome - EnviroFlight, LLC

This company is going through the roof... literally.
SpaceX Grasshopper Jumps Over 1000 Feet - Hexacopter Video - YouTube

ding ding ding we have a winner

agree 100%

Commercial UAS.

Give me a call.

that just really made my morning........THANKS for posting it.

SmileWavy

Hearing aids, miniature or implants.

My neighbor quit her job as a director at HBO and went into something like this, she seems to be doing well and very happy with the new job.

what????!!!

I agree about 3D printing being one of the "Next Big Things", but there are a lot of players in that field already. Several companies out there will make parts for you, but their main focus seems to be on selling the equipment and accompanying service contracts. A friend tried to start a printing-only business about 5 or 6 years ago but he never attracted enough business to make it worthwhile. But now, with printers being able to handle an ever-widening range of materials, this technology may become more marketable in the near future.

Tattoo removal and rehab for smart phone addiction might be worth looking into. :)

I know. I can't hear myself thinking.

Tattoo removal.

Trades. Most kids these days want the easy life with minimal effort. Not sure about the U.S but here we have a shortage of good tradies.

Paul, I've been meaning to catch up with you anyway. This two-word teaser definitely whets my curiosity. I'll track down your phone number and give you a call in the next day or so.

That's a really unique idea. I guess with all the push for "going green," a business like that could do really well. And, more importantly, it looks like they're actually doing something worthwhile, as opposed to, say, the Prius, which only *looks* like it's doing something worthwhile.

You beat me to that answer.

That and treatment for diabetes.

Here's an idea: Aerial photography using a Go-Pro camera mounted to a small RC drone. A local guy recently made this 5 min. video of some surfing action. This technique can be expanded to cover many different types of events from a unique perspective. I would think that there may be opportunities to either market the equipment or to actually do the photography and sell the video to individuals or to media outlets.

<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/70812846" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe>

I missed it. It's a growth industry. Seriously, organic foods is booming. (blooming?)

The liability would be HUGE for that drone. If it crashes into a crowd the lawsuits will be never ending.

Around here, building inspectors are already using cameras attached to drones to record the roofs of buildings.

this!

Hmm...organically grown medical marijuana. You may be onto something there.

definitely 3d printing, low cost prototyping/manufacture. current 1st gen plastics are just the beginning.
my stratsys stock is up :) now that they bought out makerbot.

drone and support technologies. i don't like it, but it's inevitable. going to be big federal, state, and municipalities.

ecologically sound food production. big business farming is going to lobby against, but public trend is already going heading towards interest for locally grown etc etc.

besides healthcare information systems - virtually any information systems area

also: infrastructure - the 3rd world needs it & the 1st world needs to replace it

there is a trenchless pipeline co. I am watching; also Fluor and other biggies should be tracked; cell phone buildout; WiFi (WiMax) is not done yet, rail, etc.

most NG co.s have already been bid up; some PV solar and support for power conversion, etch & sputter are trending up and will only grow, albeit erratically

coal co.s are highly depressed if you don't mind buying a co. that kills people

They're doing it illegally but the wave is coming and I'll be on it.

Commercial UAS will change the way we operate. I'm speaking at a UAS Conference in San Diego in September if you folks are so inclined :cool: