Economic hardships during the 21st century have hit the workforce, but plenty of viable career choices remain. The best jobs are those that take advantage of the 21st-century lifestyle, dictated by technology, politics and the need for certain services.

Jobs You Can Do from Home

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2010, 24 percent of employees did some or all of their work at home. Self-employed workers spend the most time working in home offices. This group includes working writers and authors, whose numbers the BLS projects to grow by 6 percent through 2020. Many graphic designers work from home too. The BLS predicts they'll see steady employment growth of 13 percent through 2020.

Jobs in the Global Workforce

Globalization, technology and talent scouting are redefining the way corporations think and communicate. Companies in the 21st century seek a global workforce with local knowledge and cultural understanding. Working abroad opens opportunities for establishing professional contacts in foreign markets. Globalization causes employers to prefer candidates with a range of skills and experience that come with working abroad. Overseas jobs include foreign correspondents covering events around the world for news outlets back home. Correspondents may stay in one location or travel throughout their career. Travel writers make a living while traveling the world and writing about hotels, restaurants, tourist locations, landmarks and other points of interest.

Jobs for Computer Science Majors

Computer science majors are in high demand in the 21st century and have several options to choose from in the information technology field. For instance, software designers create applications for mobile and Internet marketplaces, office administrators troubleshoot computer systems and computer programmers write code for video games and other projects. Potential occupations include computer information research scientists, computer support specialists and systems analysts.

Jobs in Health Care

The BLS predicts the health care industry will have the most dramatic growth of any field through 2020. It expects its growth rate -- 3 percent annually-- to create 5.6 million jobs in a decade. Health care may be recession-proof, and as baby boomers continue to age, demand for health care services will skyrocket, creating an even greater need for more doctors, nurses, technicians, administrators and lab researchers. Related fields in physical and occupational therapy will grow at rates of 39 and 33.5 percent, respectively, through 2020, the BLS projects.