Where the Jobs Are

 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has identified a number of exciting professions expected to experience above-average growth over the next decade. Most of these positions fall within the top 25 percent of earnings for workers overall, and most require a bachelor's degree or higher.

Expected new positions through 2012

• Registered nurses: 623,000
• Postsecondary teachers: 603,000
• Management: 376,000
• Nursing aides: 343,000
• Elementary school teachers: 223,000
• Accountants: 205,000
• Computer systems analysts: 184,000
• Secondary school teachers: 180,000
• Computer software engineers: 179,000
• Information systems managers: 103,000

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

But why is the job market so hot for health care workers, accountants, educators, and IT professionals? Are any of these growing careers right for you?

A Career in Caring
According to the BLS, registered nurses constitute the largest health care occupation, with an estimated creation of 2.3 million jobs into the next decade. Career satisfaction, a nursing shortage, and good salaries are all contributing to the growth of the field. But there are other attractions to this career.

"Another source of interest may be attributed to student loan forgiveness given by health care institutions and the federal government when students are hired after graduation," notes Elizabeth McGann, DNSc, RN, CS, associate professor of nursing, and chair of the department of nursing at Quinnipiac University (Quinnipiac, NY).

Registered nurses and nurses aides require specific training. RN positions require at least an associate degree, while short-term or on-the-job training is generally necessary for nurse's aides.

The American Nurses Association reports that staff nurses earn an average $35,212. At the high end of the nursing scale, nurse anesthetists average $76,053.

The Education Explosion
With about one in four Americans enrolled in an educational institution, education is the second largest industry in the country, accounting for about 12.7 million jobs. Most teaching positions--which constitute almost half of all educational services jobs--require at least a bachelor's degree, and many require a master's or doctoral degree.

Secondary school teachers are expected to increase in numbers by some 18 percent by 2012. Salaries are rising as well; the American Federation of Teachers estimates the average salary of all public elementary and secondary school teachers in the 2001-02 school year as $44,367. Additional benefits include flexibility in vacation time.

Postsecondary teaching positions are expected to grow 38 percent over the next decade.

Median annual earnings of all postsecondary teachers in 2002 were $49,040. Postsecondary instructors enjoy flexibility comparable to secondary teachers, and are generally able to focus on their specific field of interest.

Accounting for Growth
With the BLS's projected growth in accountant positions from 2002-2012 at 19 percent, it's no surprise that the American Institute of CPAs cites 11 percent more accounting degrees awarded in 2003 than the previous year. The accounting scandals of Enron and other major corporations seem to have actually fueled interest and demand in the field. In fact, says Dr. Ron Kucic, director of the School of Accountancy at the University of Denver, the profession's problems have actually made the profession "sexy."

In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which imposes greater accountability on CEOs and CFOs for their companies' internal controls, is being credited with helping create new accounting jobs. "The publicity registered among potential students that accounting was important," says Dr. Kucic. "It's also viewed as a good field in an uncertain economy. Accountants are often the first hired and the last fired."

And accountants are well compensated. According to a salary survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, bachelor's degree candidates in accounting received starting offers averaging $40,647 a year in 2003; master's degree candidates in accounting were initially offered $42,241.

The Rebound of Information Technology
The technology industry continues to grow, and there is a wealth of fields in need of skilled information technology (IT) workers. "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," says Dr. Susan Merritt, dean of the School of Computer Science and Information Systems at Pace University (New York, NY). These include computer systems analysts, software engineering, application development, network design, and computer support.

"Computing is here to stay, and it's a great and deep field," says Dr. Merritt, "Good computer professionals who are well educated are worth their weight in gold."

Median annual earnings of computer systems analysts were $62,890 in 2002, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $93,400.

Corporate Leaders of Tomorrow
It's natural for an aspiring professional to want to be at the head of the boardroom, and not only because the profession is projected to experience 10-20 percent growth into 2012. Executives at the top of their field are among the highest paid workers, according to the BLS's Occupational Outlook Handbook.

But how do you get to the top of the corporate ladder? According to David A. Wilson, president and CEO of the Graduate Management Admission Council, a rigorous formal education, specifically study toward an MBA, can 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.

"In an era when people don't tend to stay with one company or job track for their entire career, the MBA is allowing them take control of their careers and change course when they want or need to," says Wilson.

Once you get into the boardroom, long hours, extensive travel, and intense pressure come with the territory, but salaries are often commensurate with such hard work, experience, and educational attainment.

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