| With high unemployment rates in the United | | | | 400,000 new jobs. As we move into a |
| States, many people are either out of work, | | | | service-based economy, companies are placing |
| underemployed, or hoping to move out of a | | | | increasing emphasis on creating lasting customer |
| dead-end job. Analysts say that many jobs that | | | | relationships. |
| have disappeared - particularly those in | | | | 4. Food and Beverage Preparation and Serving |
| manufacturing - won't be coming back. But amid | | | | As the population continues to expand, the job |
| the gloom there are rays of light. At the start of | | | | segment of food and beverage serving and |
| the new decade some job categories are growing | | | | related workers is expected to create about |
| and providing opportunities for people who have | | | | 761,000 new jobs over the period 2008-2018. |
| the right training. | | | | 5. Personal and Home Care Aide |
| The recession has hit hard. According to the U.S. | | | | As part of the overall growth of healthcare |
| Government Bureau of Labor Statistics of the | | | | careers, healthcare workers at all levels of training |
| U.S. Department of Labor, in December 2007, | | | | and education will continue to be in demand. |
| when the global recession began, the number of | | | | Specialized training, such as a certificate, associate |
| unemployed persons in the U.S. was 7.7 million and | | | | degree, or bachelor's degree in a healthcare |
| the national unemployment rate was 5.0 percent. | | | | program, is a requirement for many jobs, including |
| By the end of 2009, the number of unemployed | | | | many administrative jobs that do not specifically |
| persons had almost doubled to 15.3 million, and the | | | | include hands-on medical responsibilities. |
| national unemployment rate was at 10.0 percent. | | | | 6. Retail Salespersons |
| In some states and cities the numbers were | | | | While very little training is needed to get a job as |
| better, but in other areas, including former | | | | a retail clerk (many students get their first paying |
| manufacturing centers such as Detroit, Michigan, | | | | summer jobs behind the counter at a retail store), |
| the numbers were worse. And many analysts | | | | post-secondary school education is often a |
| believe that the unemployment figures are low | | | | required for advancement into management |
| because they often don't count people who have | | | | positions. |
| simply given up looking for work. | | | | In this growing job sector, the best opportunities |
| Grim? For many, yes. However, there are bright | | | | will go to people who have a college degree or |
| spots even in this dismal economy. Some job | | | | career training in office systems. As offices |
| sectors have very good outlooks, and for people | | | | become increasingly computer-dependant, |
| who have the right training there are plenty of | | | | post-secondary training or retraining will be |
| good opportunities. The careers aren't evenly | | | | increasingly important. |
| distributed across industries and occupational | | | | 7. Office Clerks (Administrative Assistants) |
| groups, and changes in consumer demand, | | | | 8. Accountants and Auditors |
| technology, and global economics will continue to | | | | According to the U.S. Government, in the decade |
| affect the job outlook. | | | | between 2008 and 2018 employment of |
| Based on projections from the U.S. Bureau of | | | | accountants and auditors is expected to add |
| Labor Statistics, here are our Top Ten Growth | | | | about 279,400 of new jobs. An increase in the |
| Career choices for the coming decade. | | | | number of new small businesses, increased |
| 1. Registered Nurse | | | | accountability requirements, and changing financial |
| A leader in the overall expansion of health care | | | | laws and corporate governance regulations will |
| careers. Job growth will be driven by several | | | | spur job growth. |
| factors including the increase in the number of | | | | 9. Nursing Aides, Orderlies, Attendants |
| older people, who need more nursing care than | | | | Employment is predicted to grow 19 percent, |
| younger people. Technological advances in patient | | | | which is faster than the average for all |
| care and an increasing emphasis on preventive | | | | occupations. Why? The increase in jobs is the |
| care will also contribute to increased opportunities | | | | result of an increasing elderly population with |
| for registered nurses. | | | | long-term care needs. Growth is expected to be |
| 2. Home Health Aid | | | | especially strong in community care facilities for |
| The anticipated growth is due to the increase in | | | | the elderly. Advanced medical technology provides |
| percentage and numbers of elderly people. Seniors | | | | for longer lives, but with an increased level of |
| more often have health problems and may | | | | care required. |
| require assistance with daily activities. As costs of | | | | 10. Post-secondary Teachers |
| institutional care continue to rise, increasing | | | | Increases in college and university enrollment over |
| number of seniors will be living at home and will | | | | the next decade will spur employment growth. |
| require assistance. | | | | Enrollment increases will come from 18- to |
| 3. Customer Service Representative | | | | 24-year-olds and adults who return to college to |
| Over the next decade, the government expects | | | | update their skills or enhance their career |
| this sizable occupation sector to create about | | | | prospects. |