The Forecast Looks Bright for These 6 Hot Careers
By Yahoo Education Staff
Corner an economist at a cocktail party and he or she will tell you that the recession began in December 2007 and (technically) ended around August 2009, with about 7 million jobs lost during that period.
If you ask the same economist what to expect moving forward, steel yourself for talk about the pros and cons of the Troubled Asset Relief Program and how unemployment numbers are a lagging indicator.
But you don't need a Ph.D. in economics to understand that 2010 isn't just a new year, it's a new decade. So what better time than now to start thinking about a new job?
Here is our forecast for six hot careers with job security, along with what you need to know to earn a paycheck worth waking up for in 2010.
1. Software Engineer
The Job – Design and develop the programs that make computers work.
The Trend – The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that jobs will grow rapidly over the next few years, at a 32 percent increase from 2008 to 2018, as everything from medical records to gun sales becomes computerized.
The Training – Most software engineers have a bachelor's degree in computer science or engineering. A master's degree can lead to more advancement opportunities.
The Pay – A median salary of more than $80,000.
2. Personal Financial Advisor
The Job – Help people manage their income, savings, and investments to make the most of their money for retirement and other financial goals.
The Trend – According to the Department of Labor, the ten-year growth in demand for financial advisors is expected to be 30 percent since many companies are doing away with pensions and the volatile stock market has people looking for expert advice.
The Training – Getting a bachelor's degree in accounting or business administration will give you the tools to help people's money work for them.
The Pay – The median salary is $69,050.
3. Registered Nurse
The Job –Provide direct care to patients, offer support, and provide education about the patient's condition.
The Trend – Focus on preventive care, more elderly people, and technological advances in patient care are all factors in the job growth expected by The Department of Labor.
The Training – Enroll in either a nursing diploma or nursing degree program, then work on getting your nursing license.
The Pay – The median annual salary is $62,450 per year.
4. Special Education Teacher
The Job – Working with students who have learning disabilities can be challenging, but also rewarding. In fact, a University of Chicago study says that more than 70 percent of special education teachers report being "very satisfied" with their jobs.
The Trend – Projected growth should be faster than average due to increasing emphasis on special education for students who need it, and the understanding that students do best when they get that help early.
The Training – Get a bachelor's degree in special education or qualify for a higher salary with a master's degree. Each state requires a teaching license, which can sometimes include additional training in special education.
The Pay – Salaries vary by region and school setting. The median annual salary for preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school special education teachers is $50,020, but top earners average at more than $78,000 per year.
5. Database Administrator
The Job – Ensure that electronic data is organized, available, and secure.
The Trend – Companies will have more of these positions to fill because of the increasing reliance on computers for storage and distribution of information.
The Training - Most positions require at least an associate's degree in computer science, and a bachelor's degree will open the door to more positions and higher salaries.
The Pay - The average salary is $69,740 per year.
6. Home Care Nurse
The Job – Visit patients in their homes to take vital signs, administer medications, and monitor patients' overall health. These nurses can be the patient's primary health care provider on a day-to-day basis.
The Trend – While all nursing specialties are predicted to be in high demand, the need for nurses in the home health care industry should grow faster than other specialties – up 33 percent from 2008 to 2018, according to the Department of Labor.
The Training – Get your associate's or bachelor's degree in nursing and pass your state's licensing exam to get started.
The Pay – $58,740 is the average salary per year for RNs in the home health care services industry.
Although the U.S. Constitution tells us that "All men are created equal," the U.S. job market tells us that all jobs are not. The good news is that many degree and training programs are available to help you study from anywhere – and at anytime, in this decade or the next.
Find schools offering online training programs.
All salary data from The U.S. Department of Labor.
