Narrowing your job search is one of the most confusing and difficult things to do as you begin thinking about a transition out of the military. The Post Military Guide believes it makes a ton of sense to look where there is growing demand for your desired job(s) – as it improves your chances for success.

We’ve made your search a bit easier by finding the fastest growing jobs between now and 2016 that also match up with similar and/or relevant military jobs. In other words, these are what we would consider to be the top careers to transition into coming from a military background.

Not surprisingly, many of these careers listed below fall into the information technology and health care fields. Computer related jobs will continue to grow as more companies integrate and adopt new technologies to keep pace with the market. The latter is largely driven by the fast growing baby boomers who will represent 87 million people in 2016 and will require significant health care and social assistance services.

Here are the Top Ten Careers along with growth rate, typical education/training, and the military job equivalent or complement:

1. Network Systems and Data Communication Analyst (53% growth)

• Education/Training: Bachelor’s degree

• Military Job Complement: Computer Systems Specialist; Intelligence Specialist

2. Personal and Home Care Aide (51% growth)

• Education/Training: On-the-job training

• Military Job Complement: Medical Service Technician; Medical Care Technician

3. Home Health Aide (49% growth)

• Education/Training: On-the-job training

• Military Job Complement: Medical Service Technician; Medical Care Technician

4. Computer Software Engineer (45% growth)

• Education/Training: Bachelor’s degree

• Military Job Complement: Computer Systems Specialist

5. Veterinary Technologist, Technician (41% growth)

• Education/Training: Associate degree

• Military Job Complement: Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

6. Medical Assistant (35% growth)

• Education/Training: On-the-job training

• Military Job Complement: Cardiopulmonary and EEG Technician; Medical Care Technician; Medical Service Technician

7. Physical Therapist Assistant (32% growth)

• Education/Training: Associate degree

• Military Job Complement: Physical and Occupational Therapy Specialist

8. Pharmacy Technician (32% growth)

• Education/Training: On-the-job training

• Military Job Complement: Pharmacy Technician

9. Forensic Science Technician (31% growth)

• Education/Training: Bachelor’s degree

• Military Job Complement: Medical Care Technician; Medical Laboratory Technician

10. Dental Hygienist (30% growth)

• Education/Training: Associate degree

• Military Job Complement: Dental Specialist