Choosing a career path is an important decision in life. It has the power to affect one’s life even for years to come. That is why many youths today are confused as to which path to follow. Truly, there are several options now more than before. And that has also brought more confusion than before. So if you are also asking ‘is basic industries a good career path?,’ you are not alone.
Jobs in the basic industries are not as hyped as jobs in the non-basic industries. But jobs in the basic industries are immensely fulfilling, and most of them don’t require high education degrees to secure.
This post will take you through everything you need to know about the basic industries. We hope that by the end of the post, you will be able to make an informed decision as to whether to pursue a career in the basic industries or not.
First, What Are Basic Industries?
Before you decide if basic industries is a good career path, you will first need to know what the industries are all about. If you are hearing this term for the first time, basic industries are simply those industries that provide raw materials for other industries. For example, the timber industry is a basic industry and provides wood as a raw material for the construction companies to make different products. This could include furniture and artworks like carvings and statues.
That makes the basic industries a focal point to the development of any economy. It offers a perfect opportunity for production-minded people to earn a decent living.
On the other hand, non-basic industries generally comprise small enterprises that sell to local clients. Examples of such are restaurants, consulting firms, service companies, and corner shops. They are all categorized under non-basic industries.
Is Basic Industries a Good Career Path?
Is basic industries a good career path? Yes, it can make a perfect choice for those who are looking to make a steady and decent income.
The simple answer to this is yes. If you are looking for stability in your career, you can choose a basic industry job. There are more job opportunities in the sector than ever before. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about 10% of the total U.S. employment in 2021 was related to agriculture and food production. The number was around 19.7 million jobs. Statistics also show that more than 600,000 people are dependent on the mining industry in the United States, and the oil and gas industry in 2021 offered more than 8 million jobs to people in the U.S.
All these are to show you the growing need for professionals in these industries. So if you decide to choose a career path here, you are not making a mistake.
Still considering statistics, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in 2021 that employment in the construction industry increased by 31,000, and there were 8,000 more heavy and civil engineering constructions done in the year.
Another interesting thing about these industries is that you can always get a high-paying and satisfying job there. Taking up a career in these industries can turn your life around because of the huge pay involved. On the other hand, it is also an industry where workers get to experience various situations. That means if you are looking for a job that daily challenges you, jobs in the basic industries would be perfect for you.
The demands for raw materials are increasing by the day, and there is no sign the demands are going away soon, especially considering the way the population is increasing.
What Are the Common Categories of Basic Industries?
Now that you know what basic and non-basic industries are, the next thing is to take a step further to see the different industry options available. So, let’s consider some common categories of basic industries. You can also call them the types of basic industries.
Agriculture
This is a major industry in the basic industries, and it is the major industry in many developed and underdeveloped countries. This sector is very important in any economy, and so has the capacity to employ many people to fill up different roles.
Agriculture is also the primary source of raw materials for many other industries. Some available jobs in the Agricultural sector include:
- Food scientists
- Agronomist
- Plant scientists
- Animal scientists
- Field farmers
Mining
Mining is another important category of basic industries and a lucrative one. It supplies the raw materials about two-thirds of other industries use. It involves two major phases; the exploration phase, where minerals are discovered, and the construction and planning phase, where permits are obtained from the government to mine the discovered minerals.
There are also various job opportunities in this industry, including:
- Mining engineer
- Purchase officer
- Geotechnical engineer
- Metallurgists
- Drilling engineer
Oil and gas industry
This is a very large industry globally. It comprises three segments, each working on different aspects of oil and gas production. The first is the upstream companies that work on the discovery and production of oil and gas. The midstream handles the transportation and storage of the produced oil and gas. And the downstream sector comprises the companies responsible for purifying the oil using complicated refineries.
So if you are going to be choosing a career path in this industry, you will have to choose which of the three segments will be good for you. Some job roles in the oil and gas industry include:
- Geoscientists
- Oil field worker
- Oil rig worker
- Offshore worker
- Petroleum geological engineer
Steel and metal
This is a very important industry to the construction industry. The steel and metal industry provides metals and steel for various constructions you see around today. These include metals for construction, railroad tracks, pipelines, beams, etc. There is a lot of variety since there are many different types, shapes and sizes of metals like the kinds that FastMetals carries. Common jobs in the steel and metal industry are:
- Iron worker
- Metal fabricator
- Machinist
- Sheet metal worker
- Tool and die technician
Chemical industry
This is another important category of basic industries you should know about. The industry deals with transforming its raw materials into gases and solutions for other industries to use. Some jobs you can find in this category include:
- Plant operator
- Chemical engineer
- Chemist
- Chemical technician
- Material scientist
Paper and pulp
This is an industry with several other subdomains. The raw materials produced by this industry are mostly used in the textile industry. Some sub-domains in the industry include packaging, hygiene products, and tissues. Looking for a career opportunity in the paper and pulp industry, then you should be looking at positions like:
- Woodworker
- Logger
- Pulp or paper mill operator
- Sawyer
Some Characteristics of Basic Industries
Irrespective of the type of raw materials they produce, basic industries have some characteristics in common. These characteristics are unique to them, and we can sometimes call them unusual. Let’s take a look at some of them.
#1: They work with uncooked, raw materials
Most of these industries daily handle raw materials in their initial phases. Remember, they mostly produce raw materials for other industries. So, basic industries exclusively work with uncooked materials.
#2: They produce semi-finished products
These industries are not responsible for producing finished products. They only deal with manufacturing industries. Because of that, their products are usually in semi-finished forms – forms good enough for other industries to use them to manufacture finished products.
#3: Involve large investment but much less competition
Basic industries are known for the use and production of heavy equipment. Because of that, they usually require very high initial funding. Since only a few businesses have the financial capacity to enter into these industries, competition is usually low. Again the risk is high.
#4: Highly trained personnel
The risks in the basic industries are usually very high. So firms only look for highly qualified and trained people to employ. This will help improve efficiency while reducing the chances of mishaps. So if you are looking to pursue a career path in the basic industries, you have to be well trained and know what you are doing.
#5: The jobs in the industries are physically demanding
Yes. This is not a place where you come to work and sit down all day. They require lots of moving around. You will likely do a lot of standing, running around, carrying weights, bending, and stretching tasks. So if you are looking for a desk job, basic industries might not be the right place to look.
#6: They deal a lot with hazardous by-products
Most of these industries work with harmful materials and also release harmful by-products into the environment. That means the health of the employees can sometimes suffer for the activities being carried out in the industry. If this is a thing of utmost concern to you, basic industries might not be a good career path for you.
#7: High adaptability among workers
Yes, workers in the basic industries are easily adaptable to any form of situation. When there is a significant economic change, these industries are usually the first to be affected. So workers there easily adapt to any situation. That includes working with the latest technology that has to do with their work.
#8: High sense of productivity
Another common thing to the workers in the basic industries is a high sense of productivity. They are always excellent at time management and always open to learn new things. So if you will be taking a job from the industries, you must be sure you have all it takes to be productive at your tasks.
#9: Teamwork
More than in any other industry, workers in the basic industries have high potential to work as a team. Each task in the industry involves a huge team collaborating together, and so every member of the team needs to be up and doing. So, if you are considering picking up a career in the basic industry, you must be a good team player. This will mean a lot to help your team achieve any task at the end.
Basic Industries and the Job Market
The job market in the basic industries is growing well. The world’s population is increasing, and therefore, there is a need for more resources to sustain the ever-growing population. Does that mean there is never a downtrend in the basic industries job market too? That’s not it. Even the basic industries suffer a couple of downturns once in a while, especially when it also affects all other sectors.
Moreover, the basic industry is very broad – while some industries are doing well and growing, some are dying and suffering highly in the hands of legislation. However, compared to other sectors, the job market in the basic industries is doing well.
Even though there is now technology to aid the way many things are done, increasing productivity in many ways, the economy still needs basic materials to keep going. That is why choosing a career path in the basic industry might be a good decision. Works in these industries are here to stay, and there will always be demand for the materials produced by the industries.
What Is the Education Requirement to Secure a Job In the Basic Industries?
Most of the jobs in the industries don’t require high degrees before you can be employed. In fact, most of them only require a high school diploma or GED. So if you have been concerned about the stress of college and just looking for something decent even with your diploma, the basic industries might be a good place to look. Plus, you can earn a decent income from most of the jobs here.
Furthermore, most of the jobs in the basic industries require on-the-job training. That means that you can get paid while you learn how to do your job. However, if you have a bachelor’s degree in relevant courses, you will be increasing your chances of getting a bigger pay at the end of the month.
For instance, the salary of a derrick operator and a petroleum engineer is not the same. While a derrick operator with a diploma could earn around $50k per year, a petroleum engineer, because of their degree, will earn almost triple of that — $137k per year.
Which Are the Best High-Paying Jobs In the Basic Industries?
If you are asking, ‘is basic industries a good career path,’ you will want to know some high-paying jobs you can target in the industries. As we earlier said, most of the jobs in the industry are really lucrative. So, let’s see some of the highest-paying ones and how much they earn per annum.
- Drilling engineer — $100,000
- Petroleum geologists – $100,000
- Metallurgists – $100,000
- Pipefitter – $90,000
- Synthetic chemist – $80,000
- Health and safety officers – $77,000
- Truck driver – $64,000
- Forensic scientist – $60,000
- Agronomist – $60,000
- Steel worker – $50,000
- Electrician – $48,000
- Steel fabricator – $40,000
- Horticulturist – $40,000
What Are Some Basic Industries to Avoid?
While we say many jobs in the basic industry are lucrative and offer decent pay, that doesn’t mean all of them are perfect for career choices. You should actually avoid some of them. Why? Some of them don’t offer security in their jobs. The job can disappear anytime when legislation makes it difficult to run.
Some of these industries include:
- Coal mining: this industry has witnessed a lot of layoffs in the past. Legislation is going really hard on them. And from the look of things, they may not be around for so long before they are entirely banned from operating.
- Oil drilling: oil drilling is increasingly becoming illegal by the day. In a couple of decades to come, the industry may not be around again. So choosing a career path in the industry may not be a reasonable step to take.
- Meat farming: meat price is rising, and many meat companies are laying off their workers. At the same time, killing animals is presently receiving a bad rap in the media. Although there may be an alternative soon, the industry is too uncertain for anyone to delve into it with the intention of building something long-lasting from it.
How to Get a Job in the Basic Industries
Now that you know choosing a career in the basic industries is a good one – in all aspects, then let’s take a step further to solve the question, ‘is basic industries a good career path.’ And that is looking at how to secure a job in one of the companies in the industries.
Securing a job in any industry could be challenging, and it often requires a lot of preparation. At the same time, it requires that the applicant has a full understanding of the field.
To make things easier for you in this aspect, you also need to pursue the right education and have relevant skills for any position you are looking to secure a job in. In the following paragraphs, let’s look at the step-by-step guide on getting a job in the basic industries.
1. Decide which of the industries you will like to venture into
Like we already said, the basic industries comprise of different types of companies and fields. So before you delve into the industries, you should identify where exactly you want to go into. So, do your research, understand each company, and select one that best suits your interests.
2. Get the right education
Once you are able to identify which industry to go into and what position you would like to occupy, then go ahead to get the right education you need. This could mean taking up offline or online courses and going for the right training. While some jobs would require that you have a degree, others only require entry-level qualifications.
3. Network with the right people
Having good relationship with the right people can also make it easier for you to secure a job in the basic industries. Identify which of the industries you have interest in and build relationships with people who already work in the industry.
So, attend seminars, events, and workshops that are centered on basic industries. You can leverage platforms like LinkedIn and GitHub to meet the right people in your industry.
4. Write a stellar resume
It doesn’t matter what position you are seeking to occupy or the industry you want to pursue a career in, your resume is an important part of your success. You will need it for your interviews. So, do your research and update your resume with relevant skills – ones specific to your chosen industry. A pro tip about this is to not use the same resume or cover letter for all your applications. Instead, work on presenting unique resume for each application.
5. Work on your confidence
The companies in the industries want people who are really confident and know what they are doing. They are usually an important asset to the companies. So when going for your interview, make sure you already worked on your confidence. Answer every interview question confidently, and let your employers see that you are indeed a good fit for the job. And that starts from having a full understanding of your potential roles and the work culture of the company.
Final Note
Now you can see how lucrative jobs in the basic industries could be. There is always a high demand for the material produced by the industry, and so they would always need workers to take up certain roles. This post has been able to show you what basic industries are, as well as their characteristics. We have also been able to show you it is a good place to pitch your tent if you are looking for a long-term career option.
