Military Spouses Face Tough Career Choices
Posted on August 16, 2008
Filed Under Career News, Career Quotation, Women in the Workforce | Leave a Comment
by Jennifer Boutell, Careers.Org Contributing Editor
While researching an article about veterans and civilian careers, I came across the testimony of Monique Riser, the wife of a deployed service member.
Her story is compelling and common, and highlights the difficulties faced by many military spouses trying to keep and establish their careers in the face of relocation, temporary single parenthood and difficult transitional times when spouses return home. It also touches on some issues women from all walks of life are facing in the current economy.
24 Emerging Hot Careers
Posted on August 11, 2008
Filed Under Career Advice, Career News, Career Profiles, salaries | Leave a Comment
What’s the next hot career field? Are fuel cell technicians and chief privacy officers here to stay? Which unusual jobs are ready for a growth spurt? People ask questions like these hoping to learn about an entirely new occupation or some small, overlooked career that is poised for a breakthrough. And it’s no wonder they ask.
In the not too distant past, many of the jobs we now take for granted didn’t exist. But as technology developed, so did the need for workers who could build and use it-and sometimes, the tasks those workers performed were so different that they became part of new occupations.
Technology is only one cause of new occupations. Demographic trends-such as increased immigration, aging, and higher levels of education-also cause new types of jobs to emerge, as do business trends and shifts in consumer needs and tastes.
Information technology
- GIS project managers
- GIS analysts-map production
- GIS analysts-land use
The pivotal role of visual information in land use decisionmaking at the local government level continues to generate emerging Geographical Information System (GIS) occupations. Local government infrastructure investments and land-use regulations require systemic development plans and other land use data in visual form. Among other uses, GIS information and models aid in discussions and negotiations between local governments and various private entities, including developers.
Manufacturing
- Sr Engineers-operations due diligence
- Quality control crew leaders-prod line
The concept of “due diligence” typically refers to a profound review of financial and accounting documents in the acquisition of a firm or in the process of investing in a firm. The concept also applies to the engineering and production activities, for which functional plans and systems may assume equal importance with the financial picture of a firm.
Industry adoption of new standards
(referred to as International Standards Organization (ISO) 9000 procedures) is closely related to the creation of a variety of management and technical positions that certify the efficiency of the engineering and production functions. Positions intended to certify manufacturing standards and quality production through use of well-documented procedures and processes continue to emerge. v Healthcare o Credentialing positions o Eligibility, necessity, & utilization reviewers o Selected medical specialties o Adjuvant therapists
In the health field, new & emerging occupations have addressed concerns with legal liabilities, responses to advancing medical technologies, administrative adjustments to rising costs, and alternative medical approaches. As a consequence, increased attention has been directed toward establishing and updating the credentials and certifications of medical personnel. New technologies and related certifications have created or changed work content in emergency medicine, endoscopy, enterostomal therapy, sonography, and retinal angiography, to list only some areas. Rising costs have created the need for additional cost-containment positions that determine the necessity of treatment, the form of treatment, the duration and location of treatment, and approved providers, among other cost control measures. Adjuvant, or “helping,” therapies of alternative varieties (acupuncturists, cultural healers, biofeedback clinicians, and sleep technicians) have created additional occupational opportunities as insurers extend coverage options.
Human Services
- Death and burial management
- Chaplains and religious educators
- Bereavement specialists
- Behavioral modification and adaptation
The aging of the American population continues to create occupations related to deaths and burials. Some associated occupations include “death-call drivers,” who handle initial disposition of human remains. Others are cemetery personnel, who handle grave preparation and graveside arrangements. Other positions exist for persons who help in the management of bereavement and subsequent grief management. Chaplain occupations and others dealing with religious education have been reported in nontraditional areas such as home healthcare services, residential care facilities, other health and allied services, labor unions and similar labor organizations, and some units of local government.
Transportation
- Aircraft line and support technicians
- Armored car drivers
- Aircraft interior refurbishers
- Ship container placement planners
Aircraft occupations are associated with corporate aircraft ownership. These aircraft owners require line technicians to move, fuel, and clean airplanes. The growth in the number of corporate aircraft has led to demand for interior refurbishers to maintain and renew interior accommodations. The continued growth of various convenience stores and fast-food outlets, among other factors, has created a need for armored car drivers to collect receipts and deliver operating funds. Finally, international trade and current ship container technology have resulted in occupations for specialists who plan the loading and placement of containers aboard ships.
Security
- Security screeners, Managers and Supervisors
- Crisis response phone specialists
- Surveillance analysts
- 9-1-1 coordinators
- Alarm monitoring center operators
In 2000, a variety of airport screening occupations appeared. Similar occupations were created for work in the lobbies and public areas of commercial and government buildings. Camera surveillance of retail sites created the need for analysts to review videotapes and reports. The need for telephone companies to support 9-1-1 call systems required the use of various coordinators to oversee the installation and maintenance of required switches. The expansion of telephone call centers of 9-1-1 type systems required increased staffing of crisis response specialists. Finally, an expanded reliance upon silent alarm systems at businesses and homes supported the need for alarm monitoring personnel at central alarm locations, partly due to local police complaints about having to respond to false alarms.
Management support
- Total quality management
- Bankruptcy coordinators
- Governmental affairs specialists
- Disaster business plan specialists
- Regulatory specialists
- Overseas operations specialists
The total quality management label denotes a number of related occupations that incorporate integrated management functions. These positions have resulted from widespread adoption of the process improvement approach to management. The positions of governmental affairs specialist and manager of environmental affairs were created to address conditions outside of internal operations. Global business opportunities and requirements have spurred demand for international sales managers, senior managers of international affairs, overseas operations specialists, directors of international accounting, and export/import trade representatives. Domestically, business failures and personal credit problems have created the need for bankruptcy coordinators at a variety of loan and consumer finance establishments. At another level, concerns about business disruptions resulting from natural and other disasters have provided opportunities for specialists who prepare contingency plans that address possible risks. Technology-specific o Satellites o Wheelchair and scooter maintenance o Environmental care o Nonmetallic technicians o Underground operations o Salvage technicians
The extensive development of satellite technology has created occupations such as satellite engineers, technicians, and repairers. Increased attention to environment management and care has led to growth in the numbers of restoration cleaning technicians, fire and water damage restoration technicians, mine cleanup technicians, waste water technicians dealing with disposal to city systems, and reverse osmosis repair and service technicians. The expanded use of underground routings of various pipeline and cable systems has boosted demand for underground specialists. The mobility needs of an expanding senior population have driven increases in the numbers of wheelchair and scooter repair and service technicians. The prevalence of nonmetallic materials in everyday products has created positions for laminator/ welders of fiberglass tanks and pipes, plastic welders, and laminators. Finally, the high intrinsic value of components and materials going into high-technology products has resulted in an increase in salvage activities and in the growth of occupations engaged in the salvage of such goods as automobile parts and materials in x-ray units.
Summary and conclusions
A number of occupations have been highlighted here to substantiate patterns with specific details.
If any conclusions are possible, they are that new and emerging occupations are appearing throughout the economy, in many industries in many States. Increasing human needs and new technology serve as the engine and fuel for the creation and expansion of these jobs
[ Adapted from : Bureau of Labor Statistics; June 2003; Bulletin 2559 ]
Five Career-Building Jobs for Business School Grads
Posted on July 30, 2008
Filed Under Career Education, Career Services, College, Employment Trends | Leave a Comment
Check out the whole article at knol.google.com, but here’s a quick summary:
Today’s business school grads can look forward to plenty of challenging career opportunities. With the help of a business school career counselor, we identify five top entry level jobs and discuss what the next decade will hold for new business graduates.
Women Leaving Job Market Involuntarily, Says Study
Posted on July 28, 2008
Filed Under Career News, Employment Trends, General, Women in the Workforce | Leave a Comment
By Jennifer Boutell, Careers.Org Contributing Editor
For a few years now, economists have noticed an interesting trend. For the first time since World War II, workplace participation by women has been on the decline. Much speculation focused on stay at home mothers: were women leaving the work force to stay home with their children?
Not so, as it turns out. Yes, women have been staying home with their kids, but most often not as a lifestyle choice. A recent congressional study finds that it is the economy, rather than motherhood, that is forcing women out of the workforce. With women generally making less than male partners, they are more likely to end up staying home when wages do not equal or exceed the cost of childcare.
In a tough job market, mothers especially may have an uphill battle. A series of recent studies have found that women experience a wage penalty of about 5% per child, and that wage differences cannot be explained away by performance or mother-friendly work practices. In an experiment conducted by Cornell University researchers, participants were asked to evaluate job candidates with more or less identical qualifications, some of whom were mothers. Researchers found that “mothers were penalized on a host of measures, including perceived competence and recommended starting salary.”
With all of these disadvantages, it isn’t surprising that women’s participation in the workforce has declined. But what if you are looking to return to work after taking time out (whether voluntary or not) to raise your kids? In a May post, I offered some advice on how to conquer the resume gap. Look for more tips and resources for working women and moms in the coming weeks, here at the Careers.org blog.
Forbes Lists Recession Proof Jobs…
Posted on July 22, 2008
Filed Under Career Advice, Career News | Leave a Comment
…Their list is not much different from what we’ve been saying around here lately. Basically: if you want a recession proof job, go into health care or tech. However, they do add sales and accounting to the list. Read the whole article here.
Forbes recommends network administrator careers, citing a projected shortage. While there probably will continue to be high demand for these jobs, I would recommend getting a more generalized computer science/information technology education and going for network certification later. Network jobs tend to be highly specialized, with the technology continuously changing. To have the best chance at long-term job security, more flexible skills such as programming may serve you better in the long run.
Chin Up, or at Least Keep Your Head Above Water: Staying Positive and Finding Employment During Recession
Posted on July 18, 2008
Filed Under Career Advice, Career Education, Career News, College, Employment Trends, General, USA Job Resources | 1 Comment
By Jennifer Boutell, Careers.Org Contributing Editor
Every morning, I look through my inbox to find more depressing news about the economy. Employment numbers just keep getting worse and it seems impossible these days to avoid the bad news.
But - as “The Renegade Writer” points out - no one wants to pay a writer who is mired in gloom and doom. I would suggest that everyone could benefit from her suggestion, and put themselves on a “news diet,” at least until the negativity wears off a little. Granted, I can’t afford to completely stick my head in the sand, and neither can you. But there’s no need to dwell on the bad news to the extent that you’re up late at night watching the non-stop horror film fest that financial news networks have become.
So, what can we do to stay positive in this time of fiscal upheaval? Between inquiring about scooter prices and trying to make public transportation time tables work for you, take a look at these great suggestions from Robert Scoble, on how to handle unemployment during recession. Even if you’re not presently laid off, I think it’s good career advise to take many of these steps right now, particularly: don’t get lazy, and do things that will get you recognized. Unless every waking moment of your life is taken up by your present job, chances are there’s something you could be doing to put you on a more secure career footing, whatever the economy brings your way. I don’t say that lightly, I know what it’s like to have family and work demands tugging at your heals. Ultimately, though, your family and employer can only benefit. Crisis time is here. Put the dishes/lawnmower/remote aside, cancel some of the kid’s extracurriculars, and get down to the business of making sure your family has a Plan B.
Speaking of Plan B… Take a look at some recession-proof job suggestions, from Payscale.com.
New Resource for Nonprofits/Nonprofit Job Seekers
Posted on July 14, 2008
Filed Under Employer Resources, Job Search | 1 Comment
By Jennifer Boutell, Careers.Org Contributing Editor
Recently, a representative from Common Good Careers stopped by and asked us to check out their site.
She left us this description:
“Founded by nonprofit professionals, Commongood Careers helps social entrepreneurs hire talent through offering personalized search services, as well as access to a wealth of knowledge about careers in the social sector.”
The site seems to be coming along nicely with a good selection of mid to top-level nonprofit jobs in the New York, San Francisco, Washington DC and Boston areas. Although not quite as comprehensive yet as nonprofit job search powerhouse Opportunity Knocks, (or the unstoppable Craigslist) its practice of working with time-strapped nonprofits (or “social entrepreneurs” as the site refers to them) as a sort of low-cost HR department sets it aside from other job search sites. If you’re frustrated with sending your resume into the black hole of huge online job search systems, give this one a try.
Long-Term Employment Trends: Government Projections
Posted on July 12, 2008
Filed Under Career Advice, Employment Trends, General, USA Job Resources | Leave a Comment
By Jennifer Boutell, Careers.Org Contributing Editor
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released “Tomorrow’s Jobs” in December of 2007. Its projections appear to be right in line with current employment trends. This report is the department’s best estimate of the long term employment outlook for the entire period from 2006-2016.
Most useful for career planning purposes is this chart, depicting the fastest growing occupations:
and this one, (below) showing occupations with the largest numeric increases:
As you can see, technology and health care occupations out-pace all other jobs. Also, notice the job categories in the tech sector are a bit more selective than in the BLS’ monthly jobs reports, (which lump all technology jobs together into one huge category) with separate categories for “Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts” and “Computer Software Engineers, Applications.” The bureau predicts the least popular future jobs to be in the manufacturing and farming, fishing, and forestry industries.
For more information, read the whole report, and don’t forget to also keep up with Employment Trends here at the Careers Blog.
Canadian Employment Report - Ripples from the US
Posted on July 11, 2008
Filed Under Career News, Employment Trends | Leave a Comment
By Jennifer Boutell, Careers.Org Contributing Editor
Canada’s Employment Report, released this morning, shows a rise in the unemployment rate to 6.2%. This is the first increase since December, according to CTV Toronto.
What is driving rising unemployment? Some say it is ripples from the US economy, including a decline in manufacturing jobs. Also noteworthy, an increase in part time over full time employment, and regional differences between Ontario (rising unemployment) and Alberta/Nova Scotia (more jobs). The broad category of “professional, scientific and technical services” appears to be the strongest Canadian employment sector, with an increase of over 37,000 jobs from May to June.
Looking for the whole report? Read it at Statistics Canada.
*photo by Rick Harris, under a Creative Commons license.
Considering a Career in Nursing?
Posted on July 10, 2008
Filed Under Career Services, Employment Trends, General | Leave a Comment
by Jennifer Boutell, Careers.Org Contributing Editor
With Health Care the strongest employment sector in our economy right now, many are looking to nursing as a smart career move. Careers.Org has some great resources for those considering nursing school, or searching for nursing jobs. But what else is out there online?
The Nursing Jobs Blog on nursingjobs.org is a terrific, in-the-know resource, with helpful tips like the current popularity of LPN jobs. On the rest of the site, you can set up a job alert, contribute your resume, or sign up to browse through resumes and hire candidates. Check it out some time.
keep looking »