Job descriptions and employment prospects are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook. For more career particulars, go to bls.gov.
Accountant
Accountants and auditors traditionally prepare, analyze and verify financial reports crucial to all business and government organizations for sound financial planning. Certified Public Accountants must pass a series of exams and be licensed by the State Board of Accountancy to earn the title CPA.
Job Outlook
Accountants and auditors who have earned certification or licensure should have the best job prospects. In addition to openings resulting from growth, the need to replace accountants and auditors who retire or transfer to other occupations will produce numerous job openings annually in this large field. Expect increased scrutiny in light of recent events.
Helpful Websites
Architect
Anxious to transform the skyline of a major metropolitan area? Or do you want to become the next Frank Lloyd Wright and whittle your own revolution in American architecture? Then this challenging career is for you. But be prepared to face competition — both in college and in professional life. In addition to design skills, architects must be effective communicators since they help oversee final construction of projects.
Job Outlook
Prospective architects may face competition for entry-level positions, especially if the number of architectural degrees awarded remains at current levels or increases. Employment of architects is projected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2010. Prospective architects who gain career-related experience in an architectural firm while in school and who know CADD technology (especially that which conforms to the new national standards) will have a distinct advantage in obtaining an intern-architect position after graduation.
Helpful Websites
- American Institute of Architects – aia.org, represents the architectural profession and provides resources and tools to help you meet your professional challenges whether you are an intern or a an architect. Membership dues are $210.75.
- architectjobs.com – Search for jobs, post resumes, and sign up for a job search agent that e-mails you jobs that meet criteria you enter.
- archsearch.com – Job listings, resume posting (including Word templates for download to create a resume), and a link with interview tips.
- JustArchitectJobs.com – Website under the JustMyJobs.com umbrella with job listings, web posting, and e-mail notifications of new jobs that meet your criteria.
Scientist
Biological and medical scientists study living organisms and their relationship to the environment. They research problems dealing with life processes. Most specialize in some area of biology such as zoology (the study of animals) or microbiology (the study of microscopic organisms). Many biological scientists and virtually all medical scientists work in research and development. Some conduct basic research to advance knowledge of living organisms, including viruses, bacteria, and other infectious agents.
Job Outlook
Opportunities for those with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in biological science are expected to be better than for PhDs. The number of science-related jobs in sales, marketing, and research management, for which non-PhDs usually qualify, are expected to be more plentiful than independent research positions.
Helpful Websites
- Bio.com – News, information, career resources and job listings in the life sciences industry.
- BioSpace.com – Emphasis on Bay Area openings.
- BioView.com – Listings and resources for biotechnology, pharmaceutical and general science jobs.
- Medzilla.com – Job listings and resources for the biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, health and science industries.
- SciWeb.com – Information, resources, job listings and links for life science professionals.
Programmer
Computer programmers write, test, and maintain the detailed instructions that computers need to function. They also conceive, design, and test logical structures for solving problems by computer.
Job Outlook
Employment of programmers is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2010. Jobs for both systems and applications programmers should be most plentiful in data processing service firms, software houses, and computer consulting businesses. Computer and data processing services are projected to be the fastest growing industry in the economy over the 2000-10 period. However, employment growth will be considerably slower than that of other computer specialists, due to the spread of pre-packaged software. Prospects should be best for college graduates with knowledge of a variety of programming languages and tools; those with less formal education or its equivalent in work experience can expect strong competition for programming jobs. Three out of five computer programmers held at least a bachelor’s degree in 2000.
Helpful Websites
- 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.
Teacher
Secondary School Teachers: Working conditions vary from town to town and school to school. Some teachers have the advantage of working in well- stocked, spacious, air-conditioned rooms, but this is not the norm in poorer school districts. Seeing students develop new skills and gain an appreciation of learning can be very rewarding. However, teachers may experience stress if they have to deal with large classes, lack of volunteers or teacher aides, a need for modern equipment, and/or heavy workloads. They can also feel frustrated when trying to teach unmotivated or disrespectful students. Violence in some high schools is a daily occurrence; however, teachers in these schools are being trained in conflict management.
Job Outlook
Strong. Estimates place the number of openings for teachers at 36,815 by 2006. California is expected to be short 300,000 teachers over the next ten years. Job prospects are also strong at other levels, including community and four-year college facilities.
Helpful Websites
- CalTeach.com – The premier website for learning how to become a teacher in California. Also provides links to the various teacher recruitment centers throughout the state.
- 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.
- CTA.org – Website for the California Teachers Association. (916) 442-5895.
- Teachers.net – A nationwide database of job openings, along with various resources for teachers in general.
Engineer
Engineers design products, machinery to build those products, factories in which those products are made, and the systems that ensure the quality of the products and efficiency of the workforce and manufacturing process. Engineers design, plan and supervise the construction of buildings, highways and transit systems. They develop and implement improved ways to extract, process, and use raw materials, such as petroleum and natural gas.
Job Outlook
Overall job opportunities in engineering are expected to be good through 2010 because the number of engineering degrees granted is not expected to increase significantly over the decade. Projected employment growth and, thus, job opportunities vary by specialty, ranging from a decline in employment of mining and geological engineers to faster-than-average growth among environmental engineers.
Helpful Websites
Physician
Physicians are much more likely to work as salaried employees of group medical practices, clinics, or integrated healthcare systems than in the past.
Formal education and training requirements are among the most demanding of any occupation, but earnings are among the highest.
Job Outlook
The growing and aging population will drive overall growth in the demand for physician services. In addition, new technologies will permit more intensive care: Physicians will be able to do more tests, perform more procedures, and treat conditions previously regarded as untreatable.
Helpful Websites
Registered Nurse
The largest healthcare occupation, with more than 2 million jobs. About three out of five jobs are in hospital inpatient and outpatient departments. Others are mostly in offices and clinics of physicians and other health practitioners, home healthcare agencies, nursing homes, temporary help agencies, schools, and government agencies. The remainder work in residential care facilities, social service agencies, religious organizations, research facilities, management and public relations firms, insurance agencies, and private households. About one out of four RNs works part time. Earnings are above average, particularly for advanced practice nurses, who have additional education or training.
Job Outlook
One of ten occupations projected to have the largest numbers of new jobs.
Helpful Websites
- California Nurses Association – CalNurses.org.
- NurseJobz.com – Job listings and resume posting.
- NursingJobs.org – A database of jobs for all health care professionals all over the globe. Includes resume posting and links to continuing education.
- RNWanted.com – Job searching, resume posting, resources and a newsletter.
Social Scientist
This broad category includes everything from archeologists to historians and political scientists. Social scientists study all aspects of society — from past events and achievements to human behavior and relationships between groups. Their research provides insights that help us understand different ways in which individuals and groups make decisions, exercise power, and respond to change. Through their studies and analyses, social scientists suggest solutions to social, business, personal, governmental, and environmental problems.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of social scientists is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2010. Prospects are best for those with advanced degrees, and usually are better in disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, and archaeology, which offer more opportunities in nonacademic settings. Job opportunities are expected to be best in social service agencies, research and testing services, and management consulting firms.
Helpful Websites
- AAAnet.org – American Anthropological Association, a professional society of anthropologists in the United States.
- Archaeological.org – Archeological Institute of America, a nonprofit organization devoted to the world of archaeology.
- ASAnet.org – American Sociological Association, a nonprofit membership association dedicated to advancing sociology as a scientific discipline and profession serving the public good.
- theAHA.org – American Historical Association, a nonprofit membership organization for the promotion of historical studies, the collection and preservation of historical documents and artifacts, and the dissemination of historical research.
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