Careers with Growing Job Opportunities
In light of the economic downturn our unemployment rate has reached 9.5 percent, the highest it has been in almost 30 years. It has become more difficult, but not impossible, to secure a stable job. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has produced an Occupational Outlook Handbook which highlights the ten best career paths worth pursuing. So for those of you who are considering going back to college, job prospects for the following career paths will be plentiful in the years to come, since employment is expected to grow faster than the average career path:
Home Health Aide
Medical careers are amongst the top jobs going at the moment due to the growing demand to meet the needs of the aging baby boomer population. A home health aide is responsible for assisting the elderly or disabled patients within their home by ensuring there is nothing irregular with their basic vital signs, helping patients with any approved exercise training, helping patients move positions and get about the house and taking care of personal grooming.
To become a home health aide, you must undergo on-the-job training supervised by registered nurses, licensed nurse practitioners or experienced aides. In some cases a competency evaluation may be necessary. The average hourly income of a home health aide is $9.34.
A medical assistant is responsible for executing standard clinical and clerical duties, which includes making appointments, filing insurance claims, recording patients’ medical history and drawing lab samples.
To become a medical assistant, you need to have completed either one year of a post-high school medical assistant program at a community college or a two year associate’s degree. Depending on your employer, a Certified Medical Assistants (AAMA) certificate may be necessary. The average yearly salary of a medical assistant is $26,290.
Physician’s Assistant
A physician’s assistant works under the guidance of a doctor or a surgeon. They assist doctors or surgeons by giving diagnostic, therapeutic and preventative care to patients. This involves assessing and treating patients, reading lab results, taking care of minor injuries and providing counseling to patients.
To become a physician’s assistant, you need to have finished a two-year physician’s assistant course from an accredited medical school, hospital, or four year university. The average yearly income of a physician’s assistant is $74,980.
Network System and Data Communications Analyst
The information technology world is rapidly expanding, as businesses are becoming increasing reliant on computers. A career as a network system and data communications analyst is just one of the blooming job opportunities in IT. Their duties include designing, testing and assessing local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets and other internal communications systems and technologies.
To become a network system and data communications analyst, you need to have completed a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information science or management information systems, or an MBA with a concentration in information systems. The average yearly income for a network system and data communications analyst is $79,780.
Computer Software Engineer and Application Designer
A computer software engineer and application designer is responsible for designing, building, testing and upgrading computer software and systems.
To become a computer software engineer and application designer, you must have completed a bachelor’s degree in computer science or software engineering, or a master’s degree in math or systems design. The average yearly income for a computer software engineer and application designer is $79,780.
Environmental Science and Protection Technician
An environmental science and protection technician is responsible for carrying out lab and field tests to check environmental resources and identify the type and causes of pollution.
To become an environmental science and protection technician, you must have completed a minimum of a two-year associate’s degree in applied science or science-related technology, but it is preferable if you have a bachelor’s degree in science or botany. The average hourly income is $18.30.
Water and Liquid Waste Treatment Plant and Systems Operator
A water and liquid waste treatment plant and systems operator is responsible for monitoring pumps, valves and other equipment to make sure that waste water is treated properly.
To become a water and liquid waste treatment plant and systems operator, you need to have earned at least a high school degree and completed on the job training. However, a two year associate’s degree or one year certificate in water quality or waste water treatment technology is more ideal. The average yearly income is $36,070.
A court reporter is responsible for generating transcriptions verbatim of all the legal proceedings that occur within a court room.
To become a court reporter you need to have been trained through a post-secondary vocational and technical school. There are 70 programs across America that has been certified by the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA). The average yearly income is $45,610.
The role of a welder is to control machinery and equipment in order to apply heat to metal and bond pieces.
There are various requirements for becoming a welder, depending on your employer. You may need to have completed a program at a technical college or private welding school, or undergone an apprenticeship. The average hourly income is $14.90
Veterinary Technologist or Technician
The role of a veterinary technologist or technician is to carry out laboratory procedures and clinical testing of animals under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.
To become a veterinary technologist or technician, you need to have completed a minimum of a two year associate’s degree from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited school, but ideally you will have completed a four year bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology. The average hourly income is $12.88.
