Land Today's Hottest jobs
Technology Jobs Make a Comeback;
Retiring Baby Boomers Create Growth in Healthcare and Administrative Staffing
By Judy Asman
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that eight out of the
top ten fastest growing jobs through 2010 are in the technology sector. These
include software engineers, systems administrators, data and systems analysts,
networking specialists and desktop publishers.
Hot Jobs in IT
This is good news for people with qualifications in IT, and an incentive for them
to build on their experience and knowledge. It's certainly a good reason to initiate
technology training too.
Employers want hires with transferable skills along with education; the key is
to find the balance yourself and prove you have got what it takes. This is why
online degrees and courses can be ideal to augment the skills from your existing
job and skill-set. There is huge range of certifications, associate, bachelor
and doctoral courses available in technology which you can study in your own time
Flexibility is the key, says Katherine Spencer Lee, executive director at Robert
Half Technology, but it must be backed up with knowledge. She explains,
"Because network security is a priority for businesses of all
sizes, there is a strong demand for IT professionals who can manage everything
from assessing potential network vulnerabilities to integrating virus protection.
If the candidate can demonstrate his or her ability to unify these concepts
into a corporate security strategy, they'll improve their odds of being hired."
Networking and management courses are available from certificate to doctoral level.
Healthcare and Administrative Support Jobs, Getting Hotter
The other two hot jobs in the BLS top ten are in the healthcare industrypersonal
and home care aides and medical assistants.
As baby boomers age and retire, the demand for other healthcare services such
as long-term care, insurance sales, pharmaceuticals and medical assistance is
increasing rapidly, therefore creating more opportunities throughout the industry.
Competition for these jobs can be fierce, and the huge growth in available training
courses reflects this. Industry experts say healthcare managers want highly-skilled
and highly-specialized employees who can make an immediate impact on productivity.
Associate's and bachelor's degrees in any area of medicine should include at least
1,000 hours of clinical experience. Doctoral degrees for existing medical personnel
can also give you the edge.
Many of these positions require considerable patience and physical, mental and
emotional stamina, but the rewards are more than money can buy. Although if salary
is a motivator, it is no surprise that the better qualified see the difference.
A physical therapist, for example, can earn upwards of $60,000. A physical therapy
assistant earns between $16,000 and $25,000.
According to the BLS, more than two million new jobs will be created in the administrative
field through 2010. And like technology and healthcare, a higher demand for labor
doesn't mean a compromise in hiring highly-skilled, well-qualified workers. Jennifer
Evans, president of Davidson Staffing in Orange County, California had this to
say,
"Forecasts tell us that by 2006, for every two candidates exiting
the job market, only one will be entering," "As the economy continues to grow,
we'll be faced with the difficulty of finding qualified candidates"
As any of today's jobs, hot or otherwise, it isn't enough to sit at your desk
; you have to be learning all the time if don't want to hit a ceiling. Andy Denka,
executive director of The OfficeTeam, a division of Robert Half International
Inc, explains the value of additional study,
"Companies value specialization. Someone with specific skills
and experience is usually a better match than someone with general office experience."
Colleges all over the U.S. are offering specialized business/administration courses
on a full-time, part-time and distance basis.
As with any job or goal, attitude is everything.
"As administrative roles continue to expand," says
Andy, "managers are placing a greater emphasis on interpersonal abilities,
flexibility, accountability, and attention to detail."
So if you are enthusiastic, personable and thirsty for knowledge, the right course
could bring you your own hot job. Go get it!
About the Author:
A freelance writer, Judy Asman is a Communications Specialist at a Southern California
utility. Her background includes time as a radio disc jockey and journalist as
well as a cable TV producer for a local public affairs show in Albuquerque. She
was also a field producer for the C-SPAN program "America and the Courts." Judy
holds a Bachelor's in Communications from the University of San Francisco and
a Master's in Journalism and Public Affairs from American University.
