Employment Spot

Occupations with a Great Job Outlook

Many college students do not consider issues such as job outlook when they pick a major or begin their post-graduation job search. But job outlook should be an important factor to people considering a new career or job. For example, the employment opportunities in some careers are increasing at different rates, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Bureau of Labor Statistics defines “faster than average” growth as a projected increase in employment of at least 27 percent through the year 2014.

The following jobs have a job outlook that projects “much faster than average” growth, which is great for people who seek entry-level jobs or the opportunity to advance within related industries.

• Surgical Technologists – The two job outlook should be excellent due to both the increased use of technology during surgical procedures and an increased number of surgeries as the population ages overall. The job outlook will be best for surgical technologists who work in hospitals or ambulatory surgical centers.
• Dental Hygienists – The demand for dental hygienists will be spurred by the population growth and increased retention of natural teeth by older members of the population. The job outlook for dental care occupations overall is better than many jobs.
• Paralegals and Legal Assistants – This positive job outlook will be motivated by the desire to reduce legal costs by transferring duties traditionally reserved for associate lawyers to paralegals and legal assistants. Paralegals and legal assistants with the best job outlook will have formal training.
• Physician Assistants – The job outlook is great for physician assistants largely due to the expansion of the health care industry. The increasing cost of health care also means that physician assistants will take over some of the duties traditionally reserved for doctors. The job outlook will be best for PAs who are willing to work in rural or inner city clinics.
• Dental Assistants – Dental assisting will be one of the fastest growing occupations through 2014 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The need to replace dental assistants who transfer to other occupations or retire will spur the positive job outlook of this occupation.
• Medical Assistants – The technological advancements in the medical field will spur the positive job outlook for medical assistants. The health care industry is also increasingly relying on medical assistants, which further boosts the job outlook. Medical assistants with formal training and certification will have the best job outlook.
• Social and Human Service Assistants – The job outlook for social and human service assistants will be strongest for candidates who look for employment with private social service agencies. These agencies perform duties such as distributing meals to the elderly and providing adult day care services. This job outlook will also be fueled by the increasing average age of the population.
• Registered Nurses – The median age of the registered nurse population will continue to rise through 2014, leading to a positive job outlook for those wishing to join the profession. The job outlook is strongest for registered nurses with preventative care experience and knowledge of new technology.
• Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics – The job outlook will be strong due to the trend of replacing unpaid volunteers with full-time paid E.M.T.s and paramedics. Aging baby boomers are becoming more likely to experience medical emergencies, which further fuels the job outlook in these occupations.
• Advertising, Marketing, Promotions, Public Relations and Sales Managers – The encouraging job outlook for these occupations is likely driven by the increased attention to domestic and global competition in products and services offered to consumers. Workers in the scientific or technological industries will have the best job outlook of all.
• Hazardous Materials Removal Workers – The positive job outlook for hazardous material removal workers is likely due to an increased consciousness regarding the environment. Workers who specialize in certain types of hazardous material will have the best job outlook. These specialties include asbestos, lead and mold.
• Home Health Aides – This position is expected to have one of the fastest growth rates of all occupations. The increasingly aged population will fuel the demand for home health aides as older people try to remain in their own homes. Home health care is often less expensive than residential care facilities or hospitals. The job outlook for home health aides could not be better through 2014 and beyond.
• Medical Scientists – People who want the best job outlook will earn their doctoral degrees. Job outlook is positive due in part to increased funds for research on diseases such as AIDS, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Medical scientists who are hired to pursue long term projects will also have an excellent job outlook.
• Hydrologists – The projected job outlook for hydrologists will be spurred by public policy that requires the private sector to comply with environmental regulations and laws. The job outlook will be best for hydrologists with experience in research, hazardous waste management and the scientific and engineering components of waste remediation.
• Forensic Science Technicians – Crime scene technicians will have a very positive job outlook. The technology associated with the equipment used by forensic science technicians means that people with highly advanced technical and communication skills will have the best job outlook. To maximize the job outlook, job seekers should acquire a 4-year degree in forensic science, rather than a 2-year degree. Try to get experience with State Public Safety Departments.
• Medical Records and Health Information Technicians – The need for technicians who can enter data into computer databases will be one reason for the excellent job outlook for medical records and health information technicians. The other reason will be the increased scrutiny of medical tests, procedures and treatments by insurance companies.
• Veterinary Technologists and Technicians – The job outlook will be best for veterinary technicians who work for private small-animal veterinary practices. The competition will be most severe for veterinary technicians and technologists who choose to work in zoos, where job outlook projects slower growth.
• Licensed Practical and Vocational Nurses – The job outlook will not be equal for all LPNs. The fastest growth and most positive job outlook will be for LPNs who specialize in the home health care services industry. This will be driven by consumer preference for home care and a larger segment of the population who requires home health care.

Check out more great jobs in health care at jobs.net