Growth Careers and the New Economy

With the recent downturn in the economy, once hot jobs such as newspaper journalists, auto workers and online retailers are now not so hot. Unemployment continues to rise and everyday the news seems worse. 

In these uncertain times, it is hard to know what to do - take the first job that pops up—or hold out for something better?

And more to the point: Where should one pursue a career in this new turbulent economy?  Fortunately there are still fields that are growing, and that are projected to continue growing for the next 10 years.  U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released their 2008-09 Occupational Outlook Handbook.  Based on their professional research and analysis, the Dept. Labor has tabulated the occupations projected to have the largest increase in employment growth from 1006 to 2016. 

In it are 30 jobs that the government says are growth fields.  Ten fields in particular are project to grow, even in the worst possible economy .  You'll notice one other thing that is common with all of these: Most require some sort of specialized training.  Although it may be highly respected, crisp suits, a briefcase, and custom business cards aren't what make a successful career. Today's career world belongs, not to the uneducated and not even to the generalist, but to the person who has specific training in a specialized career area.  Therefore, one of the best investments you can make is in raising your skill level.  It is, in the end, an investment in your future.

1. Medical Assistants and Physician Assistants.  A medical assistant helps maintain efficiency in physicians' offices and well as other medical specialties' offices through daily clerical and clinical duties.  A physician assistant assists by examining and diagnosing a patient under a physician's direct supervision. Most finding employment in this field have training through a vocational school, community college or distance program. Starting salary can go into the mid $30,000 range. For many, this field leads directly into the nursing field (for which further training and a nursing exam is required).
Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) and Physician Assistant (PA) career information >>>
Medical Assistant Job Listings
Physician Assistant Job Listings

Also see - Medical Lab Technician Study Guide and Phlebotomy study guide

2. Pharmacy Technicians.  Most in this field work in retail locations, such as in grocery store or drug-store pharmacies. They take care of patient records, prescription information and patient medication. They also fill prescriptions under a pharmacist's supervision. While some pharmacy technicians get on-the-job training, most have some kind of formal training and certification through a certificate program. They make a salary approaching $30,000 for those working in retail locations, and closer to $40,000 for those working for the federal government. As the population continues aging, expect that more people will require prescriptions—which will keep this field hot.
More information about a career as a Pharmacy Tech >>>
Pharmacy Technician Job Listings
Job Outlook and Career Path

3. Dental Assistants and Dental Hygienists.  Dental assistants help the dentist as he examines and treats patients. Specific duties include preparing the patient, preparing and sterilizing instruments, and preparing other equipment, as well as taking dental histories, exposing diagnostic x-rays, and educating patients about oral hygiene. A hygienist cleans and polishes a patient's teeth, applies medication, takes and develops x-rays, places temporary fillings and periodontal dressings, takes patient histories, and other assigned duties, all under the dentist's supervision. Both the assistant and hygienist are expected to have some kind of special training.  The assistant receives her training typically from junior / community colleges, technical institutes, trade schools, or distance learning. The hygienist has a certificate, Associates, Bachelors or Master's Degree from a dental hygiene program. The median salary for the dental assistant is over $31,000, with the median salary for the hygienist at more than $64,000.
Dental Assistants and Hygienists career information >>>
Dental Assistants Job Listings
Dental Hygienists Job Listings

4. Veterinary medicine.  This includes veterinary technicians and technologists. These trained professionals have received education in the proper handling and treatment of animals, what constitutes normal and what constitutes abnormal life processes. They're also trained in regular clinical and lab procedures.  The veterinary technologist and technician work under the direct supervision of a veterinarian and assist with obtaining and recording pet's case histories; collecting specimens; performing many lab procedures; providing specialized care; preparing pets, equipment and instruments for surgery; assisting in medical, diagnostic and surgical procedures; and educating and advising pet owners. Salary is comparable to other similar fields requiring an education. Technician training programs are offered at traditional schools as well as distance schools. The AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) accredits these training programs, most of which lead to a two-year Associates Degree, and a few to a four-year Bachelors Degree.
Veterinary Technicians Job Listings

5. Financial Careers. This includes financial analysts and personal financial advisers. Both provide guidance and analysis to individuals and businesses to help them make wise investment decisions. Both are responsible for gathering and analyzing financial information, and making recommendations based on it. The financial analyst assesses a company's economic performance for another firm or institution with money to possibly invest in it.   The financial adviser assesses an individual's financial needs, and based on his knowledge of tax laws, insurance and investments, recommends financial options. Both careers, because of the education required, have a median income in the $60,000 range. A financial analyst will require a bachelor's degree, and a financial adviser is wise to get at least a Bachelor's as well, preferably in an area such as business administration, finance, or accounting. Depending on the location and the specific work, various licenses are often needed.
Financial Analysts Job Listings
Financial Adviser Job Listings
Financial Certification and Study Guides including Series 7 Study Guide

6. Forensic Science Technicians.  You've seen these guys on any number of TV crime dramas over the past decade. A forensic science technician is the person who investigates crimes by collecting physical evidence at the crime scene and analyzing it for the police. Thus, his or her job is part medical and part law-enforcement. The technician collects, tests, and documents this evidence. There are several sub-specialties, including crime-scene technicians, fingerprint technicians, photographic technicians, and lab technicians.  To enter this career a person must have a minimum of two years specialized training, with a preference given to those with Bachelors Degrees. They also must have good communication skills and no criminal background. They can expect to make in the $40,000 range.
Career information for Forensic Nurses
Forensic Related Job Listings

7. Mental Health Counselors and Social Workers. We include these together since a social worker is actually a sub-specialty of the mental health field.  A counselor works with people who suffer from a wide variety of problems and conditions. This could be stress management or career stress, or it could be something more serious such as suicidal thoughts or chemical depression.  They assist individuals with self-esteem issues, job choices, marital problems, and educational decisions. A social worker tends to work a lot with family conflicts and life-threatening diseases. A Bachelors Degree and certification is normally required, although some chemical-abuse counselors require only an Associate's Degree. Average salary runs anywhere from $25,000 to $58,000, with social workers usually falling right in the middle, i.e., the $30,000 to $40,000 area.

More Career and Job Information for Mental Health Counselors & Social Workers >>>

Certifications

Mental Health

Alcohol & Drug Abuse (AODA)
Addictions Counselor
Art Therapy (ATBCE)
Music Therapy
Certified Rehab Counselor (CRCC)
Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP)
National Counselor Exam (NCE)
National Clinical Mental Health (NCMHCE)
Music Therapy
Social Work (ASWB)

Job Listings
Alcohol & Drug AODA Related Job Listings


8. Environmental Science / Protection Technicians.  These trained professionals conduct both field and lab tests to assess the sources and levels environmental pollution. This requires the collection of samples of various environmental resources to test them in the lab. The technician is involved in regulating waste products, air, water and soil tests (to determine the levels of pollutants), managing hazardous materials, and cleaning up polluted sites. Most employers expect a technician to have a Bachelors Degree, preferably in environmental science. Most also require certification.  The technician can expect to make around $17 an hour. More information on Environmental Techs and Environmental Managers

9. Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants.  A physical therapist, or PT, helps patients who have disabling conditions like heart disease, low-back pain, arthritis, fractures, cerebral palsy, head injuries, etc. A PT' provides services which improve the patient's mobility, restore function and relieve pain that otherwise hinder the person.  The physical therapist assistant works with the PT to help a patient with exercises and other things that the patient cannot do for himself because of mobility issues. For instance, the PT assistant helps with bathing, massaging, exercises, and applying cold and hot packs. The PT is expected to graduate from a physical therapist program and pass state and national licensing exams.  The PT assistant can expect to make over 44,000 on average, while the physical therapist's average income is $60,000 to $65,000.
More Career and Job information about Physical Therapists (PTs) and Assistant Physical Therapists (PTAs) >>>

10. Computer Science Careers (such as software engineers, systems analysts, database administrators, etc.). Yes, it's true that a lot of people who got involved in the technology sector in the 1990s lost jobs and money, but that was because of the over-sold Internet sector of the time.  But probably for decades to come, computers will continue to advance at a fast pace, requiring more and better software engineers, systems analysts and database engineers.  The computer software engineer creates the software that makes computers work, using programs such as Java and C and C++.  A database administrator uses database software to help a company store and manage important information. They set up the databases and make sure they operate efficiently. And systems analysts help companies use computer technology efficiently and effectively, helping the company incorporate new technology into their current system. A B.A in a computer-related field is generally expected of all three professionals, with the software engineer making between $85,000 and $90,000, the database administrator starting at around $47,000 and the systems analyst averaging about $73,000.  Most in these fields also seek some sort of specialized certification.

11. Corrections Officers
Demand for Correctional Officers is expected to grow by 33% through 2016, putting it in the top 50 fastest growing occupations. If you're interested in a job that's kind of like police work, but with more contact with more criminals, then you're the perfect person for a career as a corrections officer.  The "C.O." (as they're known within the facilities) supervises either persons waiting for trial at the county jail, or those convicted of their crimes and serving time in prisons and reformatories.  It's the job of the correctional officer to prevent prisoner disturbances, monitor their actions, and avert escapes and attacks.  For all intents an purposes, within the correctional facility, they are the "police," although outside in "the real world," they usually have no police powers (There are some exceptions, when sheriff's deputies serve as C.O.'s in county jails).

Corrections Officer Certifcation
Corrections Officer Job Postings