With the year 2010 winding down, it is time to perhaps take stock of where you currently are as it relates to your job, your future and your dreams. There is little doubt that our country is at a crossroad. Unemployment figures are at very high levels and many that are still employed do not have a warm and fuzzy feeling about their future employment picture. No industry has been immune to job layoffs.
But with all the concerns and doubt, what is known is that we are somewhat in control of our destinies. The road ahead may not be smooth but that does not mean you cannot go on the journey. So when you look forward to 2011, it may be time for utilize the many sources available to see which industries have strong employment openings, strong salaries or long term job stability. Some of these require a college degree while others may require only a vocational/technical degree or no degree at all.
All it takes is a resolution to educate yourself. Here we look at some of the top projected growth occupations for 2011.
While not surprising, for those looking for a brand new career path, it may best be wise to pick a career in healthcare and technology as they represent all, if not most, of the fastest growing occupations according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Computer software engineers - Computer software engineers design, develop and test software and the programs that run our computers. Most employees have at least a bachelor's degree, usually in computer science, software engineering and computer systems. The job prospect for computer software engineers is stronger and projected to be one of the fastest growing occupations from 2006-2018, with a 28.2 percent growth forecast for those specializing in applications and 30.4 percent growth forecast for those specializing in systems software. The median annual wage for a computer software engineer is $94,520.
Computer support specialists - A computer support specialist provides technical support and assistance to individuals and organizations. This may include responding to problems that users experience as well as running automatics diagnostic screenings. Many computer support specialist jobs require a bachelor's degree, but an associate's degree may be sufficient for obtaining a job in the field. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual income of computer support specialists was $43,450 in 2008.
Network systems and data communications analysts - Listed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics as the number 1 fastest growing position in all industries, those working in this industry analyze, design, test and evaluate network and other communications systems including local area and wide area networks (LAN/WAN), internet and intranet. The middle 50 percent earned between $54,330 and $90,740. Estimated growth rate through 2018 is 53%, making this an excellent career choice for those with strong analytical, math and computer skills.
Desktop Publishers - Whereas once books, brochures, calendars, magazines, newspapers and anything else that resulted in printed materials were designed and produced using printing presses, today they are produced using computers by what is known in the industry as desktop publishers. Desktop publishers use computer software to design and create their materials. Because desktop publishers often work with specific software, they may need to continue their education/training on specific electronic publishing software including HTML (Hypertext Markup Language).
A desktop publisher who is strong in graphic design, copy writing, editing and other tasks will see the best job opportunities. And while no formal education is required, those with a certificate, associate or bachelor degree in graphic arts, graphic design or graphic communications will put themselves in the best position for advancement. The median annual earnings in 2008 for a desktop publisher were $36,600 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Database administrators - Database administrators work with database management systems software and determine ways to organize, store and archive data online. The growth of computer database systems both on a intranet and across the internet, means that the database administrator not only must set up the database but also find ways to keep this information secure. Median annual earnings of database administrators were $64,670 in May 2006 with this middle 50 percentile earning between $48,560 and $84,830.
Personal and home care aides - The area of home health care, on the other hand, is expected to grow by about 55%. More specifically, employment opportunities for home heath aids are expected to grow by 49%. Driving this growth is the increase in our elderly population that is in need of aides to assist with their health issues and the fact that the financial costs associated with hospitalization and nursing homes make home health care a better option.
Median hourly wages in May 2008 was $9.84 with the highest 10 percent earning more than $13.93. That does not include any additional compensation that a patient may or may not offer to their aides. While certainly an industry with a high turnover rate, there are many aides that enjoy the prospect of caring for their patients on a long term basis with some establishing a very strong bond with their patients. My uncle has a home healthcare aide who has been with him for about 6 months. The family views her as an angel sent to them as she has proven to be an invaluable extension of his health care needs.
While there is no formal education required by this occupation, there is a volunteer national certification offered by The National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC). If you are looking to work for an agency that handles placement, pay and possibly even insurance, then you will need to complete a training and certification of some type determined by state requirements and outlined by the agency.
Computer systems analysts - computer systems analyst helps companies find ways to use technology to help achieve their goals. This may include developing new computer systems by selecting the right software and hardware or may include devising new ways to utilize the system that is already in place. Most employers require computer systems analysts to hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual income of computer systems analysts was $75,500 in 2008.
Medical Assistant - In order to become a medical assistant, you only need to complete a 2 year college degree. In addition, there are many programs online that will help you get your college degree from the comfort of your own home. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual income for medical assistants in 2008 was $28,300. Like nurses, medical assistants provide care directly to the patient. Their job is to perform the simpler tasks, such as taking pulse rate and blood pressure readings, so the nurses and doctors are freed up to provide more specialized care. With a degree in medical assisting, you can find a job in a hospital, a doctor's office, or any other medical facility.
These are but a sampling of some of the fastest growing occupations as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Additionally, the bureau also projects projected earnings by industry and occupation. Using sources such as the BLS allows you to make an educated decision about what career may offer you the best employment opportunities. If there is an industry or occupation, including one of the outlined occupations above, that you have an interest in, then make a resolution for 2011 to update your skills, putting yourself in a better position to obtain a job in the future. If this requires additional education, there has never been a better time to go back to school especially with the many options to take classes.