The Careers and Jobs of 2012-2018 Are Out There, But It Takes Planning/Education!
Posted: Monday, December 26, 2011
by elle kynzer
What should you be doing to get the best job available, or to establish a path to an exciting career? You should be evaluating your education, abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. Todays jobs require education, at least 85% require education beyond high school. One of the biggest problems with jobs in America is the workforce giving declining customer satisfaction, or just plain having a poor work ethic. We cannot expect to make a lot of money, and keep a career path, without giving of ourselves to the employer or the customer.
Let's talk about State and Federal funding in areas of Mental Health, this has created an over supply of psychologists, and mental health workers. That does not mean there is better mental health, in fact, the opposite is true. Without this funding our society will be facing challenges, and possibly higher crime, and more family dysfunction. States are the primary funders of Mental Health Programs, and most struggle now to meet budget cuts. There are three areas that are always cut first, and they are the Arts, Mental Health, and State Services. If interested, you can read the NAMI Report online.
As the above funding refers to Career and Job paths, it's wise to keep in mind where the actual positions will be in the future. The best career choices will be listed below, however, your intellect, strengths, and weaknesses in math, science, or language will decide where you should apply your time and money to get educated. Whether online classes or actual class attendance fits your lifestyle. If you are bilingual, that strength should be considered as a career choice.
You are not too old to go to college, even if you have been in the workforce for twenty years. What you need to think about is how long you will be in training/college, and how long you must work to get that retirement benefit; what type of competition exists, and does this flow for you. Don't try to be a salmon swimming upstream, it will not work, use your talents and strengths.
If you must work while attending college, then pick a quick career in that same venue. For example: Are you going to be in healthcare? Then take a six-eight week course for CNA and work in a nursing home or hospital, it will either verify your career choice or get you out of a bad one. The pay is good at $12-18 an hour, and you can work one of three different shifts. These jobs are in high supply, but require you being physically fit and able to lift patients.
There will be a need for teachers (teachers assistants) in Math, Science, and Bilingual. There is a need for Special Education categories such as the blind or deaf, emotionally disturbed (severe/behavioral) and these are teaching areas that turnover frequently. You may not be able to do the special education areas more than a few years. It takes a calm, compassionate, and dedicated person. However, as a State Employee you can move between schools/positions.
There are seven categories of high demand jobs in the future, which make 2012/13 a great year to get educated. Here is a list of the seven, but each requires a degree, specialized education, and you will need to do some research to see if your background or abilities will fit with the educational requirements. Only you can decide on that, so here they are:
1. Accountant or Auditors (forensic accouting)
2. RN; Assoc Degree, 3yr RN, or 4 year BSN LPN is seeing changes (1 yr)
3. Physician/Surgeon requires medical school and specialization
4. Post Secondary Teachers at colleges/universities require a Doctorate, and categories needed are Math, Healthcare, Mgt Analysis, Higher Ed, Accounting
5. Computer Software Engineer
6. Network Systems or Data Communications Analysists
7. Management Analysis
All of the above seven categories will need years of training, and most beyond the Bachelors Degree level. There will be a lot of Healthcare positions available through the concern over weight loss, diabetes, and other high cost medical issues, which will emphasize wellness care. Those jobs will be in the areas of weight loss consultants; weight loss programs; fitness/weight loss experts; registered dieticians/nutritionists; clinical staff; personal trainers; administrative representatives; metabolic specialists; program sales consultants; and franchise owners of weight loss clinics. All require specialized training.
The internet is a good source of research in this area of jobs and careers. Other categories of extreme training that will be open to competition will be Massage Therapists/Relexologists, Chiropractors, Osteopaths, Chinese Medical Practitioners, Public Health Educators, and Recreation Activities Coordinators. I use a Chiroprator regularly, and will always use one. Most nursing homes have Recreation Activities Coordinators on staff now. The area of Massage Therapists have done well in the past few years, and we are already seeing government officials in the role of Public Health Educators.
This brings us to the jobs that may be gotten without a four year college degree, and that's skilled labor. Community Colleges are the best source of this type of education, it's inexpensive, thorough, and very specialized. Cosmetology, Criminal Justice (future police/loss prevention experts/parole/probation officers, etc) all of which may require some future education. BLET for police officers, and some continued college for probation or parole expertise. There are electical and heating/AC specialties requiring certification/licensing. There are Continued Education Classes, and Teachers must take certain required courses yearly; childhood development certifications.
There are opportunities in Water Treatment, Waste Water Specialist, and other County and Government positions, which keep the public protected and supplied with the basic necessitites of life. These jobs are competitive, but will always be there, but they require an education, which is ongoing for certification and you need lab skills for testing and verifying water purity. Check city and county websites for employment availability and requirements.
Subcategories of education that must be mentioned are the need for Medical Assistants in all categories, the shortage of Laboratory professionals, which will be over 12,000 new jobs annualy according to the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. So if you don't think you can be a nurse or doctor, but have some science interest in research, then look at the laboratory specialties that will be needed over the next twenty years.
Are you only a muscle type, who wants physical labor or a challenge with the elements, then get an RV, and head for Fargo, ND, where the Bakken Oil Boom is drilling in the ND and MO grasslands for oil. Through 2015, this oil boom is creating a booming economy for those areas, and unemployment is down below 4%. It's hard labor, it's tough working conditions, but like the pipeline days it's great pay. You will need physical endurance, and a love of the cold, and surely some experience with machinery etc. I'll leave it to you to research all of that, before you buy the RV and head out to places unkown...
I've given you the benefit of my research, so now you must do some on your own, because ultimately your success lies in your own determination. There is one more note of interest. There was an article in the Reno Gazette-Journal a while back, that promotes the idea that a region of Silicon Valley renewables will be coming to Reno 2020, to a stretch of desert 235 miles long; between Las Vegas and Ely; it could be rumor, it could be fact, so do your own research if you are one of those types.
So, you need money now? Can't wait for an education to be completed. Then I suggest you use every resource available, such as employment websites (all areas differ in agency names) like; simply hired, indeed.com, monster jobs, and temporary agencies (Manpower, Kelly, Olsten). In my area, most manufacturing or machinery skilled jobs are gotten by working as a temp in that plant. You go in for 60-90 days, and if they like you... they will hire you. Those jobs are competive. Try company websites for grocery stores, fast food chains, and retail stores, as they usually have online applications to fill out, so without that-no interviews. There are seasonal jobs, and the best sometimes get full time.
Your state website should list state jobs, and your unemployment office has a website, there are federal grants for jobs listed on those websites too. State Universities have their own employment sites on the college websites. You must know every method of job listing in your area, if you are a serious job searcher. Remember that once your unemployment no longer exists, there is a period of time you must work in order to be eligible again to collect unemployment. Think outside of the normal box, and you can find a job...perservere. Never think a job is beneath you, it may only be temporary provision, but lead to a higher job.
In conclusion, maybe your former education just needs a little tweaking, and you would be quite employable. Now all that's left to do is step out in faith, investigate, educate, and find your own niche in the world of the future. I see it as exciting, dangerous, and quite demanding....are you up to the challenge of a new future?? Be a pioneer in your own life...move forward, and explore the possiblities! Now may be the time to explore a new career path!
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)What should I be doing to get out of the job Ihave. Thanks for posting these kinds or essays. If it's helpful to only one person, it's successful.Please log in to respond to this comment.There are a lot of jobs in PA area, and several Community Colleges, maybe you should get your Masters Degree and be an Adjunct Instructor. I am under impression you have a Bachelors in English. While working, education online might be easier, but you must make that judgment, as I don't know your age or years of work left, before you would retire. Would you benefit from increased salary vs cost of education.
There are also Adjunct Instructors in Work Related Programs, in which you may have previous experience, that you can couple with your degree.Take a look at Northhampton Comm College website jobs, and you will see what I mean.
OR as a Department Head already, it may be possible to tweak that Resume, and move upward. Look at the total sum of your employment experiences, and use the things you liked to develop a new avenue for employment, and perfect a Resume.
OR Maybe only a class or two will give you a new way to use your previous experience. You do have some Refinery experience, and the creation of Training Manuals...all good points for your Resume, if I interpreted your articles correctly. Include your writing, volunteer experience, and other knowledge to determine your qualifications for a position...only leave out things you do not want to do again, unless they give you points. Be sure to use Veteran points, etc. Be sure to do a cover letter focused on why you want a particular job, and why you are qualified. Some companies hire trainers in Workforce education too.
USA Jobs.gov has Federal openings by state, and you can compare your education to openings. Use your state website too, if you find a position description you like, then see what you could do to bring your qualifications in line for that particular position. I hope that helps.Please log in to respond to this comment.
You have heaps of positive and worthwhile advice in this article. A lot of job seeking has to be done with research. It's up to the individual seek a job to decide where he'd like to work if the world were an ideal place, and seek out the companies that apply. Does it mean moving? These days there are more people seeking jobs than jobs that are available. So the first thing is finding them, and zeroing in on how to get the job. That means A-plus resume, super cover letter, phone call for an update etc etc. It takes work and possibly plans a, b, and c. The idea is to get an interview. Practice for it. Dress for it. Charm and Intelligence, together with Knowledge and Communication will go a long way to landing the job. This article, together with your resume article, are excellent tools for anyone looking for a position.Please log in to respond to this comment.
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