Who will be the most employable person in the year 2010? How about a high school instructor who teaches software engineering, can tend bar, handle customer service, make change, do filing, and drive a truck whenever needed? It wouldn't hurt if he or she could do a little nursing as well.
That is at least one portrait that can be drawn from the Bureau of Labor Statistics newest employment forecasts for 270 careers and occupations through the year 2010. All of the above professions are projected to have stellar growth.
So, who will be the least employable over the next eight years? How about lumberjacks who read meters, work the fishing fleet, double as couriers, do data entry, moonlight as tellers, and ride the rails. All these professions will experience shrinking employment, according to the BLS.
Better to focus on the positive. Here are the careers pegged as the fastest growing:
TECHNOLOGY
Computer software engineers: This field should grow a staggering 95 percent, creating 664,000 new jobs. The growth will be fueled by businesses that need to adopt and integrate new technologies. Outstanding opportunities will exist for those who have at least a BA degree in the field coupled with hands-on computer experience.
Computer support specialists and systems administrators: Another top category, expected to experience a 92-percent increase in employment, creating 677,000 new jobs. "As computers and software become more complex, sup-port specialists will be needed to provide technical assistance to users," the BLS forecasts. College degree and a penchant for computers required.
Computer and information systems managers: Expected to grow by 48 percent, or 155,000 jobs. Opportunities are best
for workers with an MBA degree, advanced technical knowledge, and strong communication and administrative skills.
Systems analysts, computer scientists, and database administrators: Over a half million jobs will be created as the field grows by 62 percent. Growth will be driven by rapid expansion in the computer and data processing services industry. A degree in computer science or computer engineering or an MBA in information systems recommended.
PROFESSIONAL
Top executives: Expected to grow 15 percent, or 464,000 jobs. Competition for these prestigious jobs should remain keen because of the ample number of qualified applicants and relatively low turnover.
Public relations specialists: 36-percent job growth will generate 49,000 new positions. Companies seeking better customer relations will provide opportunities for those with some experience and excellent communication and people skills. Keen competition expected for entry-level jobs.
Social service assistants: Significant growth of 54 percent will create 147,000 openings. The aging population will boost demand for social and human services. Opportunities should be excellent, especially for those with appropriate post-secondary education.
Teachers - preschool through 12th grade: Increasing emphasis on quality will expand the number of positions by 571,000 nationwide, or 15 percent. Opportunities will be even greater with many current teachers about to retire.
Teachers - post secondary: College and universities are expected to be inundated with students since more careers require advanced training. The field is expected to grow by 23 percent, or 315,000 positions. Once again, opportunities will be even more numerous as many professors approach retirement.
Teacher assistants: Expected to add 301,000 positions, 24-percent growth, as an increasing number of special-needs students require assistance.
MEDICAL
Registered nurses: The shortage of nurses is only going to get worse, with demand increasing 26 percent as the profession adds 561,000 positions.
Physician assistants: This relatively small field is expected to grow 53 percent, adding 31,000 positions. Cost containment efforts by physicians and hospitals should generate favorable job prospects.
Speech pathologists and audiologists: Strong demand is forecast (40,000 jobs, assuming a 40-percent growth rate) as medical advances help an aging population better survive strokes and other ailments.
Dental hygienists: The field is expected to grow 37 percent, adding 54,000 jobs as hygienists begin to take over some of the functions of dentists. This field is particularly attractive to someone seeking part-time employment.
Dental assistants: Responding to the demand for increased dental care, the field will grow by 37 percent (92,000 jobs).
Medical records and health information technicians: As medical tests increase, so will demand for those who review the records. The field should grow 49 percent, adding 66,000 positions.
Medical assistants: Strong opportunities exist in this field as it expands by 57 percent or 187,000 positions. An aging population coupled with the need to contain the cost of healthcare will be two powerful trends creating strong demand in this occupation.
Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides: The growing need for long-term care will create the need for 623,000 new workers (a 30-percent increase) in these professions.
Occupational therapist assistants: An aging, more active population will be in need of more treatment. The field will add 10,000 positions as it expands 42 percent.
Physical therapist assistants and aides: Again, the graying of America will help expand this field by 36,000 positions, a 45-percent growth rate.
Personal and home care aides: An older population in better health will want to live longer in their homes. They'll need help - and more of it. About 258,000 workers to be precise, as the field expands by 62 percent.
Pharmacy technicians: Pharmacists are expected to turn to these trained specialists more and more as an aging population places increased demands on prescription drug providers. BLS forecasts a growth rate of 36 percent, or 69,000 jobs.
SERVICES
Building cleaning workers: High turnover coupled with the addition of 431,000 jobs (a 10-percent increase) will create good opportunity in the field.
Grounds maintenance workers: The same can be said for this field, which also experiences high turnover and strong growth (304,000 jobs representing a 27-percent increase).
Chefs, cooks and food preparers: More Americans like to dine out, creating a huge demand for workers. BLS estimates the field will add 345,000 jobs (an increase of 12 percent). Job openings also will be plentiful because of high rates of turnover.
Food and beverage serving and related workers: A whopping 1,156,000 new jobs will be added to this category as it expands 18 percent. Again, job openings are expected to be abundant thanks to high turnover in the field.
Cashiers: While the field will add 488,000 positions (15 percent), opportunity will come primarily from high turnover.
Retail salespersons: Strong job growth (up 512,000 positions, 12 percent) spurred by climbing retail sales will couple with high turnover to create much opportunity.
Desktop publishers: Much of the print-shop prepress work previously performed by layout artists and typesetters is now being done by desktop publishers, reducing costs and speeding production. Those with certification or a college degree will have the best opportunities as the field grows 67 percent, adding 25,000 positions.
Information and record clerks: One million jobs will be added in this category as it grows 20 percent. Opportunity will be even greater due to high turnover.
Customer service representatives: The push to create better customer relations will lead to substantial growth in this field as it adds 631,000 positions (a 32-percent hike). Turnover will enhance opportunity.
Receptionists and information clerks: Opportunities will be best for experienced applicants with clerical skills. An estimated 256,000 jobs will be created, an increase of 24 percent.
Material recording, scheduling, dispatching and distribution occupations: While the field will grow 10 percent (346,000 positions), turnover will create even greater opportunity. Note: this category excludes postal workers, a profession that is expected to shrink by 4500 positions.
Office clerks, general: Like similar careers, high turnover and large growth (430,000 positions, up 16 percent).
Secretaries and administrative assistants: Average growth (265,000, up 7 percent) is expected for medical and legal secretaries as well as executive secretaries and administrative assistants. Employment of other secretaries is expected to decline due to automation.
Material moving occupations: Increased spending on the nation's infrastructure coupled with high turnover will result in substantial opportunity as the field grows 14 percent, adding 710,000 jobs.
Truck drivers and driver/sales workers: The flood of freight is only going to increase, as the nation adds 589,000 truck-driving positions - an 18-percent hike.
Security guards and gaming surveillance officers: Demand will grow as private security firms perform more duties formerly handled by police and government agents. The spread of legalized gambling will increase demand for guards as well. Certainly the odds are in your favor as the field grows 35 percent, adding 393,000 positions.
TECHNOLOGY
- ComputerJobs.com - Job listings, resources and resume postings for IT positions nationwide.
- ComputerWork.com - Job listings, resources, links and resume postings for computer professionals nationwide.
- Dice.com - The leading online technology job board with permanent, contract and consulting jobs. Home to a world of career development resources and technological expertise.
PROFESSIONAL
Public Relations
- All About Public Relations - aboutpublicrelations.net provides information and resources, news and links to job listings on public relations careers.
- Careers-In-Marketing.com - Information and resources on advertising and public relations careers.
- O'Dwyer's PR Daily - OdwyerPR.com. Daily online news magazine on the PR industry, with links to jobs listings.
- WorkInPR.com - Job listings, resources and articles, plus resume posting for PR jobs.
Executives
- CareerJournal.com - The Wall Street Journal's career site for executives, managers and professionals.
- ExecSearches.com - Job listings for executive/director-level positions in nonprofit, the private sector, education, and socially conscious organizations.
- 6FigureJobs.com - Job listings, resources and resume postings for executive and top management positions.
Teachers
- CalTeach.com - The premier website for learning how to become a teacher in California. Comprehensive and easy to use, with links to the various teacher recruitment centers throughout the state.
- CTA.org - Website of the California Teachers Association, (916) 442-5895.
- Ed-Join.org - Every school district in the state posts their vacancies here. Search job openings by state or school district. Also post your resume online.
- RecruitingTeachers.com - The National Teacher Recruitment Clearinghouse's website provides insight and information on teacher responsibilities, opportunities and requirements. Excellent resource also spells out effective job-search strategies.
- Teachers.net - A nationwide database of job openings, along with various resources for teachers in general.
Social Workers
MEDICAL
SERVICES
Hospitality
- Hospitality Jobs Online - hjo.net, website for hotels, food & beverage establishments, travel groups, casinos, cruise lines, country clubs, convention centers, entertainment groups, recruiters and other companies requiring professional services or needing to fill job descriptions common to the hospitality industry.
- HospitalityOnline.com - Job listings for hotels, restaurants, casinos, etc.
- RestaurantRecruit.com - Job listings for restaurants.
Retail
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