For those who are off to college in the fall, or anyone who may be thinking of a job change, there are at least five careers poised for major growth in the next decade in terms of both job openings and salaries.

From recent research at the U.S. Department of Labor, here are five hot career paths to consider:

Registered nurse – The baby boomers are aging, most people are living longer, and the Affordable Care Act will open medical care to record numbers of Americans. As a result, the job outlook for registered nurses is bright. Requirements are an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing or a diploma from an approved nursing program and a passing grade in a national licensing exam.

Home health and personal care aide – As the population ages and health care costs force shorter hospital stays, the home health care field is expected to grow by an astonishing 70 percent in the next decade.  A high school diploma is all that is needed in most cases, and those working through home health or hospice agencies must pass a standardized test.

Veterinary technician – Like working with animals but don’t want to pursue a veterinary degree? Employment of veterinary techs is estimated to grow by 40,000 jobs by 2020. Techs must have postsecondary education in veterinary technology, take a credentialing exam, and, depending on state requirements, be licensed, registered, or certified.

Convention and event planner – If organized party planning is your thing, consider working as an event planner. Jobs in the industry are expected to grow by 44 percent in the next few years. A bachelor’s degree in marketing, public relations or hospitality management should get you headed in the right direction.

Software developer – We live in a world of electronics, and software developers are tasked with creating new applications and their underlying systems. More than 30 percent growth in the field is anticipated by 2020. In most cases, candidates have a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field as well as strong computer-programming skills.