Up And Coming Careers In The Next Ten Years
The US Labor Bureau has acknowledged some professions that are expecting above-average growth over the 10 years. Most of these positions fall within the top 25 percent of earnings for workers overall, and require certified training and or a bachelor's degree.
Occupations With the Largest Projected Growth
Registered Nurses: Certified Nurse Midwife, Public Health Nurse (PHN), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Postsecondary Teachers: Education beyond the high school level
Nursing Aides, Orderlies: Home Health Aides, Patient Care Assistant
Management: Healthcare Management, Insurance Risk Management, Accounting Management, and Project Management
Elementary School Teachers: Public school teachers (Pre-Kindergarten to middle school)
Accountants: Forensic Accounting, Environmental Accounting, International Services Accounting
Computer Software Engineers: Managers, Developers, Educators
Computer Systems Analysts: Computer Programmers, Information Systems Managers, Operations Research Analysts, Actuaries.
Sustainability Experts: Environmental Engineers, Architects, Urban Planners, Energy Conservationists
Veterinarians: Veterinarian Technicians, Pet Therapists
A Career in Compassion
According to Labor Bureau statistics, registered nurses make up the largest health care occupation. Schooling for registered nurses can be lengthy and expensive, but more students in this field are taking advantage of Loan Forgiveness, a program sponsored by health care institutions and the federal government. Under certain circumstances, the federal government will cancel all or part of an educational loan. To qualify, you must perform volunteer work, perform military service, teach or practice medicine in certain types of communities, or meet other criteria specified by the forgiveness program.
Prepare Future Generations for a Successful Life
With about one in four Americans enrolled in an educational institution and numbers increasing due to more flexible loans and grants, education is the second largest industry in the country. Secondary school teacher employment is expected to increase by around 38 percent.
Elementary school teachers are coaches to children, using interactive discussions and hands-on approaches to help students learn subjects such as science, mathematics and English. They encourage collaboration in solving problems, so students are increasingly working in groups to discuss and solve problems together.
Depending on the locality, grade level and subject taught, opportunities for teachers over the next 10 years will vary from very good to excellent. Fast-growing states in the west -- particularly California, Idaho, Hawaii, Alaska, Utah, and New Mexico -- will experience the largest enrollment increases. The supply of teachers is expected to increase in response to reports of improved job prospects, better pay, more teacher involvement in school policy, and greater public interest in education.
A New Crop of Corporate Leaders
Executives at the top of their field are among the highest paid workers, according to the US Labor Bureau, with employment growth for executives within scientific, technical, administrative, and health care support services expected to grow much faster than average.
According to David A. Wilson, president and CEO of the Graduate Management Admission Council, a formal education with a MBA degree will help heighten one's level of success. He points out that one of the rewards of a person's education comes in the form of career advancement and then mobility.
"The MBA is allowing them take control of their careers and change course when they want or need to," Wilson said.
Accounting for Success
Labor Bureau statistics calculate that employment of accountants and auditors is also expected to grow faster than average. The American Institute of CPAs cites 11 percent more accounting degrees awarded in 2003 than in the previous year. Furthermore, the accounting scandals of Enron and other major corporations seem to have actually fueled interest and demand in the field. According to a salary survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, bachelor's degree candidates in accounting received starting offers averaging $42,940 a year in 2005.
Dr. Ron Kucic, director of the School of Accountancy at the University of Denver said, "accountants are often the first hired and the last fired."
Information Technology Careers Reboot
New careers in the technology industry continue to grow, with a wealth of fields in need of skilled professionals. Among the new and much-needed computer professionals are cyber-crime research analysts and cyber-crime prevention educators.
Dr. Susan Merritt, dean of the School of Computer Science and Information Systems at Pace University, said, "the New York Times cites a labor department listing of the 15 fastest growing jobs for the decade, and a total of 10 are in IT. Good computer professionals who are well educated are worth their weight in gold."
