Sunday, September 30, 2012

The 10 Professions That Drink The Most Coffee

Nothing is more motivating than the aroma of fresh coffee floating through the air. It's the invigorating scent that confidently says, "We're going to get this done today!" and starts streaming energy through you. Like getting to work on time and finding no long list of emails to tackle, a cup of coffee can make a big difference in a worker's morning.

A new survey commissioned jointly by Dunkin' Donuts and CareerBuilder shows just how many workers rely on an eye-opening and mind-cranking cup of strong coffee: 43 percent of those surveyed claim that they are less productive without a cup of joe. For those who do make coffee a regular part of their workday, 63 percent of coffee-drinking workers actually drink two cups or more each workday, and 28 percent drink three cups or more.

National Coffee Day is Saturday, Sept. 29, and in celebration of the beverage that fuels the nation's productivity, Dunkin' Donuts and CareerBuilder sought out to find which jobs rely on coffee the most and what else is going on in the coffee mugs of workers across America.

Part Of The Job

Coffee seems to be a necessity on the job in a wide variety of careers. Workers who stated that they are less productive without coffee were found in many different professions, though the highest numbers of workers who need coffee to get through the workday are:

  1. Food preparation/service workers
  2. Scientists
  3. Sales representatives
  4. Marketing/public relations professionals
  5. Nurses (nurse, nurse practitioner or physician assistant)
  6. Editors/writers/media workers
  7. Business executives
  8. Teachers/instructors (K-12)
  9. Engineering technicians/support
  10. IT managers/network administrators




Source: AOL

Friday, September 28, 2012

Fortune: 10 Top Companies Hiring Now

More than 56,000 jobs are open at some of the nation's top companies

Unemployment rates are still high, but there is some good news on the job front. Fortune has compiled a list of 25 major companies that each have at least 700 jobs available. That’s a total of more than 56,000 available spots.

The complete list is published at CNN. Here’s a look at 10 of the companies:
  1. Google (NASDAQ:GOOG): 701 current openings
  2. Boston Consulting Group: About 2,000 current openings
  3. Wegmans Food Markets: 884 current openings
  4. Edward Jones: 1,515 current openings
  5. Chesapeake Energy (NYSE:CHK): 900 current openings
  6. Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM): About 1,000 current openings
  7. Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ:WFM): 1,000 current openings
  8. Adobe (NASDAQ:ADBE): About 800 current openings
  9. Intel (NASDAQ:INTC): About 1,200 current openings
  10. PricewaterhouseCoopers: 2,200 current openings



Source: investorplace

 





Thursday, September 27, 2012

10 Industries Set To Boom

jobs in demand 2020


It's hard to predict the future, especially if you're still struggling to figure out what's happening in today's economy. But predicting the future is exactly what you need to do if you're enrolling in college, starting a fresh career, or investing in new skills.

The pace of change in the business world is faster than ever these days, thanks largely to globalization and digital technology. One way to zero in on fields that will be hot in the future is to stay away from those that are not. The government's Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes an annual list of declining industries that follow a few common trends. They tend to involve work that can be done more cheaply overseas, such as low-skill assembly-line work, or technology that's rapidly replacing human workers, as in call centers. Fields vulnerable to cost-cutting and downsizing -- such as government -- are vulnerable too. Employers themselves sometimes provide useful hints about the kinds of skills they want. In the latest annual survey for the National Association of Colleges and Employers, companies planning to hire were most interested in grads who had majored in engineering, business, accounting, computer science or economics. Unfortunately, many students prefer majors such as social sciences, history, education and psychology, which aren't in high demand.

To develop a more thorough list of fields likely to offer plenty of jobs and good pay, I analyzed data from a variety of sources, including the BLS and the industry-research firm IBISWorld, which projects future employment levels in dozens of fields. A couple rules of thumb: First, it still pays to have a college degree, even if you're worried about the expense. Consulting firm McKinsey & Company predicts that by 2022, there will be a shortage of 1.5 million college grads, which means employers will continue to place a high premium on better-educated workers.

Another important point: The most successful people tend to be lifelong learners who develop new skills long after they graduate from college or complete a training program. In fact, building multiple skill sets -- such as analytical expertise combined with a liberal-arts background, or scientific knowledge with a law degree -- can be a terrific way to differentiate yourself in a cluttered job market. Plus, the most lasting skills are often those that can be transferred from one field to another, as the economy ebbs and flows.

But you have to anchor your career somewhere, so here are 10 fields that are likely to flourish in 2022:


1. Data Crunching

The era of big data is just getting started, with many firms eager to tap vast new databases to gather more info on their customers, their competitors, and even themselves. The challenge isn't just crunching numbers; it's making sense of them, and gaining useful insights that can be translated into a business edge. Marketing and market research are two growing fields where the use of data is exploding.


2. Counseling And Therapy

There's now widespread recognition that mental health is as important as physical health, which is likely to increase demand for professionals in this field. The BLS expects the need for marriage and family therapists, as one example, to grow 41 percent by 2020.


3. Scientific Research

New technology will continue to generate breakthroughs in medicine, manufacturing, transportation, and many other fields, which means there will be strong demand for workers schooled in biology, chemistry, math and engineering. Some areas that show particular promise: biotechnology and biomedicine, nanotechnology, robotics, and 3D printing, which allows the manufacture of physical products from a digital data file.


4. Computer Engineering.

A lot of software development is done overseas these days, but the need for high-level computer experts able to tie systems together is still strong. In finance and investing, for instance, high-speed computing is increasingly a prime competitive advantage. And most big companies will need networks that are faster, more seamless, and more secure.


5. Veterinarians

Pets are more popular than ever, and some of them get medical care that's practically fit for a human. The BLS expects the need for vets to rise 36 percent by 2020.


6. Environmental And Conservation Science

Making better use of the planet's resources will be essential as population growth strains existing infrastructure. Green energy, despite some political controversy, still seems likely to boom. Developers need more efficient ways to heat and cool buildings. And dealing with global warming may require new technology not even on the drawing board yet.


7. Some Healthcare Fields

It's well-known that the aging of the baby boomers will require more caregivers in many specialties. Some healthcare jobs tend to be low-paying, with a lot of workers flocking to what are supposed to be "recession-proof" fields. And the need to lower overall healthcare costs could pinch some doctors, hospital workers and diagnosticians. But demand should be strong for nurses, optometrists, audiologists, dentists, physical therapists and some doctor specialists.


8. Management

The boss earns a lot for good reason: His job isn't as easy as it might seem. Effective management in the future will require basic business knowledge plus the ability to oversee operations in many locations and countries, and some technical know-how. Anybody who can improve a unit's performance while lowering costs should rise quickly. The BLS and IBISWorld also expect growing demand for some support fields such as human relations, benefits administration and event planning.


9. Finance

The movement and management of money is technically complex, and integral to most companies. Plus, nontraditional investing firms such as hedge funds and private-equity firms are likely to grow as the traditional banking sector complies with new regulations and reins in risk-taking. That means there will be more need for finance experts. There may even be a shortage as students once interested in finance veer into other fields, turned off by the 2008 financial crisis and the vilification of banks.


10. Entrepreneurship

It's often overlooked, but the need for innovators running their own businesses could be more important than ever in 2020. Forecasters expect strong growth in traditional businesses such as used-car dealers, hair and nail salons, pet grooming, and office services, which means anybody able to come up with better, cheaper ways to serve customers will reap a windfall. Technology startups will no doubt keep changing the way consumers work and live. And nobody really knows what the next iPad, Twitter or Pinterest will be -- except, perhaps, some entrepreneur who's dreaming about it right now. He or she may have a bigger impact on life in 2020 than anything the forecasters see coming.





Source: AOL

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Alternative Legal Careers

10 Law-Related Careers Without Law School or a Badge

If you watch TV, you may think there are only two basic career options if you love the law: Become a lawyer or a cop.

Fortunately, real life is not like television. So if studying for the LSAT or heading for the police academy aren't on your docket, consider these 10 suggestions. Perhaps one of these will lead to the verdict you want: a satisfying career in law.

Court Administrators
Judges have enough to worry about in the courtroom without contending with administrative activities like scheduling hearings, overseeing judicial records and recording the results of trials.
Who takes on these tasks? The court administrator, sometimes called the judicial administrator. These individuals also play a key role in trials by announcing the judge, marking exhibits and swearing in witnesses.

Court Interpreters
Many people brought into US courtrooms speak little or no English. Enter the court interpreter, who helps non-English-speaking litigants, witnesses and defendants understand courtroom proceedings by interpreting everything that's being said, either simultaneously (in real time, as it happens) or consecutively (immediately after it happens).
Court Reporters
Court reporters create verbatim reports of trials, hearings and other legal proceedings using either a stenotype machine or a technique called “voice writing,” which allows the reporter to speak the proceedings directly into a hand-held mask equipped with a microphone and voice silencer.
Some court reporters provide closed-captioning services for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, others may do video recording -- see Legal Videographers below.

Forensic Accountants
The newspapers have been filled with reports of corporate accounting fraud. Forensic accountants take part in the investigations that bring these crimes to light. Forensic accountants combine financial expertise with investigative prowess to uncover criminal activities such as embezzlement and “cooking the books” to defraud investors or other stakeholders.

Forensic Animators
How can lawyers help a jury see what may have happened during such events as an assault, a fatal accident or a plane crash when there's no visual record?
Both prosecution and defense attorneys turn to forensic animators, who use data provided by investigators and eyewitnesses to develop full-motion computer graphics presentations that help juries and judges visualize key events in a civil or criminal action.

Forensic Scientists
Forensic scientists use their scientific backgrounds and investigative expertise to support courtroom and other legal proceedings. A forensic scientist may work with a defense attorney to demonstrate how a crime did not occur or how that attorney's client couldn't possibly have committed the offense. On another case, the same forensic scientist may team up with the prosecution to demonstrate how a crime did occur and how the defendant had to be the one who committed it.

Legal Writers/Editors
Major newspapers and magazines, professional associations in the legal realm and book publishers large and small all hire writers and editors who have a passion for communicating about legal issues via the written word.

Legal Videographers
Witnesses called to testify at trials can't always appear in court, in person. Attorneys can hire legal videographers to professionally document witness testimony for the jury to see and hear during the actual trial.
Legal videographers also create day-in-the-life videos to show, for example, how injuries to the plaintiff in a civil lawsuit have impacted his life.

Legislative Staffers
You may not be gearing up to run for the Congress or even state political office, but that doesn't mean you can't get paid to work in settings where laws are being made.
Legislative staffers can work for national or state office holders. They handle casework, answering constituent letters and resolving constituent concerns, or legislative issues such as research, briefing lawmakers on policy issues or lining up support for proposed legislation.

Paralegals
Paralegals (sometimes called legal assistants) handle many of the nitty-gritty research and administrative tasks that practicing attorneys simply don't have the time or inclination to do.
Paralegals help lawyers prepare for trials and hearings, investigate legal precedents and resources to be used in cases, and draft legal documents like contracts and affidavits.




Source: Monster

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

10 Most Dangerous Jobs In The U.S


10. Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs
Fatal work injury rate:    19.7
Number of fatal work injuries:   63
Projected job growth (through 2020): 20 perent (faster than average)
Median pay (2010): $22,440 a year ---- $10.79 an hour.
Why its dangerous: The sheer number of hours logged by taxi drivers and chauffeurs behind the wheel increases the odds of being in an accident. Additionally, heavy traffic and other difficult situations contribute to high levels of stress that many drivers experience.

9. Electrical Power Line Installers and Repairers
Fatal work injury rate: 20.3
Number of fatal work injuries: 27
Projected job growth: 13 percent (about as fast as average)
Median pay: $54,290 a year --- $26.10 an hour.
Why it’s dangerous: Line workers encounter serious hazards on the job, including working with high voltage electricity often at great heights. The work can also be physically demanding.

8. Driver/Sales Workers and Truck Drivers
Fatal work injury rate: 24
Number of fatal work injuries: 759
Projected job growth: 13 percent (about as fast as average)
Median pay: $27,050 a year --- $13 an hour.
Why it’s dangerous: Like taxi drivers and chauffeurs, those who drive to make sales and deliveries spend many hours behind the wheel, increasing their odds of being an accident. Further, this can be physically demanding job. When loading and unloading cargo drivers do a lot of lifting, carrying and walking.

7. Farmers, Ranchers and other Agricultural Managers
Fatal work injury rate: 20.3
Number of fatal work injuries: 25.3
Projected job growth: -8 percent (about as fast as average)
Median pay: $60,750 a year --- $29.21 an hour.
Why it’s dangerous: Farmers and ranchers face a number of hazards on the job, including operating large machinery, as well as chemical and environmental hazzards. The jobs are also physically demanding and could require frequent interaction with large livestock and other animals.

6. Structual Iron and Steel Workers
Fatal work injury rate: 26.9
Number of fatal work injuries: 16
Projected job growth: 22 percent (about as fast as average)
Median pay: $44,540 a year --- $21.42 an hour.
Why it’s dangerous: Wrokers in these fields, also known as ironworkers, perform physically demanding work often performed at great heights (such as when building skyscrapers or bridges). They usually work outside in all types of weather.

5. Roofers
Fatal work injury rate: 31.8
Number of fatal work injuries: 56
Projected job growth: 18 percent (about as fast as average)
Median pay: $34,220 a year --- $16.45 an hour.
Why it’s dangerous: Roofers frequently work at heights well above ground and on steeply pitched roofs. The work is strenuous and tiring, and involves heavy lifting, as well as climbing and bending.

4. Refuse and Recyclable – Material Collectors
Fatal work injury rate: 41.2
Number of fatal work injuries: 34
Projected job growth: 14 percent (about as fast as average)
Median pay: $22,560 a year --- $10.85 an hour.
Why it’s dangerous: The job frequently involves heavy lifting and handling of potentially dangerous materials. Also, the job may require working around moving vehicles and in traffic.

3. Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers
Fatal work injury rate: 57
Number of fatal work injuries: 72
Projected job growth: 11 percent (about as fast as average)
Median pay: $92,060 a year
Why it’s dangerous: The job includes all manner of aircraft, including small planes and helicopters, which are used in responding to natural disasters and other emergencies.

2. Logging Workers
Fatal work injury rate: 102.4
Number of fatal work injuries:64
Projected job growth: 4 percent (about as fast as average)
Median pay: $32,870 a year --- $15.80 an hour.
Why it’s dangerous: Loggers work long hours outdoors, sometimes in poor weather and often in isolated areas. The work sometimes involves working high above ground and is physically demanding.

1.  Fishers and Related Fishing Workers
Fatal work injury rate: 121.2
Number of fatal work injuries: 40
Projected job growth: -6 percent (about as fast as average)
Median pay: $25,590 a year --- $12.30 an hour.
Why it’s Dangerous: Commercial fishers encounter a number of workplace hazzards, including large nets and motor operated fishing lines. Vessel disasters and falls overboard are frequent causes of injury and death.





Monday, September 24, 2012

Eight High-Paying, Secure Jobs

As long as you’re going to work, you might as well seek a high-paying job. But can you be sure your most lucrative job option will still be around to pay you that big salary five or 10 years from now? It’s more likely to be if job opportunities in your field are expected to grow significantly in the future, thus offering you a measure of job security.

 “Some fields are becoming obsolete while others are going to see rapid growth in the next 10 years,” says Katie Bardaro, lead analyst at online salary database PayScale. “Finance, software development and engineering are just a few of the fields with higher levels of job security, as jobs in these fields are projected to grow much faster than the typical career.”

So which jobs are more likely to have high levels of job security? PayScale compiled this list of eight high-paying jobs with staying power. Each requires no more than a bachelor’s degree and pays $55,000 a year or more. Even better, each job is projected to grow by 29 percent or more between 2010 and 2020, much faster than the average occupation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Biomedical Engineer
Projected Growth: 62 Percent
Typical Median Annual Pay: $72,900

This field applies the principles of engineering to biology and medicine with the goal of developing solutions to improve diagnosis and patient care. Biomedical engineers can be involved in such innovations as creating medical devices, developing new drug therapies and designing software to run medical equipment.

Find biomedical engineering jobs.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Projected Growth: 44 Percent
Typical Median Annual Pay: $58,700

A diagnostic medical sonographer uses medical-imaging equipment to capture images of our bodies’ organs, joints and other internal workings. As Baby Boomers age, sonographers will be busier than ever helping doctors care for them.

Find medical sonographer jobs.

Marketing Analyst
Projected Growth: 41 Percent
Typical Median Annual Salary: $56,800

Marketing analysts pore over the data from a marketing campaign to identify how well consumers respond to everything from slogans to commercials. And because companies want to spend their marketing dollars wisely, marketing analysts should have steady job prospects for a long time.

Find marketing analyst jobs.

Dental Hygienist
Projected Growth: 38 Percent
Typical Median Annual Pay: $66,100
Teeth, and jobs that involve caring for them, are here to stay. This career in preventive oral care stands to grow 38 percent through 2020. Snap on your rubber gloves, grab your fluoride tray and get to work. In most places, an associate’s degree and state license can get you started.

Find dental hygienist jobs.

Cost Estimator
Projected Growth: 36 Percent
Typical Median Annual Salary: $55,900

Cost estimators analyze the different facets of a project and predict how much each stage will cost. They help companies win bids and stay in business. Because cost estimators can help keep a business in the black, their skills should remain in demand well into the future.

Find cost estimator jobs.

Financial Advisor
Projected Growth: 32 Percent
Typical Median Annual Pay: $58,800
With retirement in sight for many Baby Boomers, financial planners are busy balancing their Boomer clients’ investment returns and risks. Even younger generations, shaken by the economic downturn, may want a professional’s help in planning their own retirement. If you have a knack for understanding stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other financial products and strategies, you could enjoy working for a large firm or hanging out your own shingle.

Find financial advisor jobs.

Database Administrator
Projected Growth: 31 Percent
Typical Median Annual Pay: $61,100

In our Web-rich, tech-driven business world, a company’s success depends in part upon its database, which holds customer information, company financial information and more. If it crashes, productivity skids to a stop. An administrator who can install, maintain and monitor an organization’s database is worth his weight in gold -- and that gold may come in the form of job security.

Find database administrator jobs.

Software Developer
Projected Growth: 30 Percent
Typical Median Annual Pay: $68,700

With a job in this demanding field, you could find yourself at the helm of a variety of projects, researching, designing, testing and adapting software applications for years to come.

Find software developer jobs.






Source: Monster

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Best Jobs For Introverts And Extroverts

A job interview is usually the time when an employer gets to know the job candidate's personality to see if he's the right fit for the job. But what if you could choose a job that's the right fit for your personality?

A recent CareerBuilder study reveals the positions that are better suited for introverts and extroverts. While extroverts tend to be enthusiastic, talkative, assertive and gregarious, introverts tend to be more reserved and less outspoken in groups. Though these characteristics aren't the only factors in choosing a job, it can help to know what kind of role you could be best suited for. The study found that extroverts were more likely to report being in management roles -- 22 percent compared with 18 percent of introverts. "The data does indicate that extroverts may be better suited for higher-level positions, many of which involve a lot of collaboration and public speaking," says Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder. "But that doesn't mean an introvert can't still rise high in a company. It may be the case that many of the respondents began as introverts and gradually became more extroverted as the situation demanded."

When it comes to salary, the two personality types are on equal footing: Both extroverts and introverts were almost equally likely to earn six figures.

Want to know what job may be right for you? If you're outgoing or social, consider the types of roles to which extroverts are drawn. Or, if you tend to be more withdrawn or reserved, check out the positions that introverts tend to choose.


Types of roles extroverts are drawn to:


Types of roles introverts are drawn to:



Source: AOL

Saturday, September 22, 2012

10 promising jobs in health care


An interest in health care can lead to opportunities in a variety of fields. Consider one of these 10 promising jobs in health care. Demand is growing, which means they could help secure your financial well-being.

1. Audiologist*
Description: Audiologists diagnose and treat a patient's hearing and balance problems using advanced technology and procedures.
Job growth outlook, 2010-20: 37 percent (much faster than average)
Median annual pay: $66,660

2. Chiropractor
Description: Chiropractors treat patients with health problems related to bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons. They use spinal manipulation and other techniques to treat patients' ailments, such as back or neck pain.
Job growth outlook, 2010-20: 28 percent (faster than average)
Median annual pay: $67,200

3. Dental hygienist
Description: Dental hygienists clean teeth, examine patients for oral diseases such as gingivitis and provide other preventive dental care. They also educate patients on ways to improve and maintain oral health.
Job growth outlook, 2010-20: 38 percent (much faster than average)
Median annual pay: $68,500

4. Dietitian and nutritionist
Description: Dietitians and nutritionists are experts in food and nutrition. They advise people on what to eat in order to lead a healthy lifestyle or achieve a specific health-related goal.
Job growth outlook, 2010-20: 20 percent (faster than average)
Median annual pay: $53,250

5. Emergency medical technician and paramedic
Description: EMTs and paramedics care for the sick or injured in emergencies. They respond to emergency calls, performing medical services and transporting patients to medical facilities.
Job growth outlook, 2010-20: 33 percent (much faster than average)
Median annual pay: $30,360

6. Occupational therapist
Description: Occupational therapists treat patients with injuries, illnesses or disabilities through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. They help these patients develop, recover and improve the skills needed for daily living and working.
Job growth outlook, 2010-20: 33 percent (much faster than average)
Median annual pay: $72,320

7. Pharmacist
Description: Pharmacists dispense prescription medications to patients and offer advice on their safe use.
Job growth outlook, 2010-20: 25 percent (faster than average)
Median annual pay: $111,570

8. Physical therapist
Description: Physical therapists help people who have injuries or illnesses improve their movement and manage their pain. They are often an important part of the rehabilitation and treatment of patients with chronic conditions or injuries.
Job growth outlook, 2010-20: 39 percent (much faster than average)
Median annual pay: $76,310

9. Radiation therapist
Description: Radiation therapists treat cancer and other diseases in patients by giving radiation treatments.
Job growth outlook, 2010-20: 20 percent (faster than average)
Median annual pay: $74,980

10. Registered nurse
Description: Registered nurses provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about health conditions and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families.
Job growth outlook, 2010-20: 26 percent (faster than average)
Median annual pay: $64,690




Source: careerbuilder

Friday, September 21, 2012

10 Best Jobs You Can Get Without A College Degree

best jobs no college degree


College isn't for everyone. Sure, earning a degree will improve your income potential, but skyrocketing tuition costs are a deterrent for some. Others choose not to continue their schooling for a host of reasons, from family obligations to a desire to start collecting a full-time paycheck.

You can still find a good job without a college degree. According to the Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce, 44 percent of high school graduates make better money than college grads. It's just a matter of picking the right career field. To identify the 10 best jobs you can get without a college degree, we focused on two critical factors: salary and job growth. We started with the more than 300 professions that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies as requiring only a high-school diploma or post-secondary non-degree (typically awarded by a trade school or vocational training program). We trimmed the list by filtering for jobs with annual salaries well over the national median of $41,444 and projected long-term growth rates above the average of 14 percent.

Check out these 10 great jobs you can land without a college degree.


10. Manufacturing Sales Reps
  • Median salary: $52,440 (U.S. median: $41,444)
  • Current workforce: 1,430,000
  • Projected job growth, 2010-2020: 16% (Average: 14%)
  • Projected new jobs by 2020: 223,400

Wholesale and manufacturing sales reps who specialize in non-technical products make 27 percent more than the typical full-time worker -- a far cry from your local Avon lady or Tupperware party-peddler. Unlike those salespeople, wholesale reps market directly to businesses and government agencies. The pay is good, the opportunities numerous and, for most employers, a high school diploma is enough to land a job or a spot in a one-year paid training program. The median salary for sales reps in technical and scientific fields is a heftier $73,710, but those jobs usually require an associate's or bachelor's degree.


9. Telecommunications Equipment Installers
  • Median salary: $54,710
  • Current workforce: 194,900
  • Projected job growth, 2010-2020: 15%
  • Projected new jobs by 2020: 28,400

Software engineers and computer scientists aren't the only people who benefited from the Internet boom. Thanks to high demand for high-tech services, telecommunications installers also see growing opportunities and salaries 32 percent higher than the national median. Installers usually work for telecom or building companies, setting up routers, switchboards and telecom lines in businesses and private homes. While the work can get technical, most installers don't need a college degree -- trade school or a certificate program will suffice.


8. Insurance Sales Agents
  • Median salary: $46,770
  • Current workforce: 411,500
  • Projected job growth, 2010-2020: 22%
  • Projected new jobs by 2020: 90,200

While few agents are as bubbly as "Flo," the retro salesgirl in Progressive ads, job prospects in the insurance industry justify a little giddiness. Typical insurance agents pull in salaries about 13 percent above the national median. Analysts expect the industry to add 90,000 jobs in the next decade. And as an added bonus, insurance sales requires little formal education. Most agents hold a high-school diploma supplemented by some on-the-job training, as well as a license in the state where they work.


7. Construction & Building Inspectors
  • Median salary: $52,360
  • Current workforce: 102,400
  • Projected job growth, 2010-2020: 18%
  • Projected new jobs by 2020: 18,400

Of all the construction trades available to job-seekers without college degrees, building inspection is definitely the best-paid way to go. Inspectors typically work for local government or private firms, reviewing plans, monitoring construction sites and checking building codes for upwards of $52,000 a year. While there are no formal educational requirements, experience is key. Most employers look for extensive knowledge of the construction industry, sometimes verified by a licensing exam.


6. Plumbers, Pipefitters, & Steamfitters
  • Median salary: $46,660
  • Current workforce: 419,000
  • Projected job growth, 2010-2020: 26%
  • Projected new jobs by 2020: 107,600

Plumbers are in demand almost everywhere in the country -- and if you've ever had a toilet clog or a sink backup, you know exactly why. The typical plumber makes more than $46,000 a year installing and repairing pipes and appliances, mostly in homes and businesses. Pipefitters and steamfitters specialize in pipe systems that carry chemicals, gases and such. They might work in factories, hospitals, power plants or other buildings that house these systems. Most plumbers and fitters learn their trade though apprenticeships.


5. Dry Wall Tapers
  • Median salary: $45,490
  • Current workforce: 22,900
  • Projected job growth, 2010-2020: 35%
  • Projected new jobs by 2020: 8,000

No high-school diploma? No problem. Tapers are the only workers on our list who can look forward to good money and strong job growth without even finishing high school. Tapers work in the construction industry, preparing walls for painting after installers hang them up. Most learn on the job from more experienced workers; no apprenticeship or technical school required. The Labor Department expects contractors to add some 8,000 jobs by the end of the decade, reflecting growth in the construction industry as a whole.


4. Electricians
  • Median salary: $48,250
  • Current workforce: 577,700
  • Projected job growth, 2010-2020: 23%
  • Projected new jobs by 2020: 133,700

The world is more wired than ever before, and both businesses and homeowners have electricians to thank. More gadgets mean more work for these skilled workers, who will see nearly 134,000 new jobs added by 2020. The typical electrician makes more than $48,000 per year with a high school degree and a four-year paid apprenticeship. Major cities promise the most jobs, but even smaller towns need light: Kokomo, Ind., and Bremerton, Wash., have the highest concentration of electricians in the U.S.


3. Commercial Pilots
  • Median salary: $67,500
  • Current workforce: 32,700
  • Projected job growth, 2010-2020: 21%
  • Projected new jobs by 2020: 6,900

The average commercial pilot makes $26,000 more than the typical full-time worker and $13,000 more than the average college-educated worker. That's a considerable disparity in a profession that has traditionally required only a commercial pilot's license and some hours logged at a local flight school. Times are admittedly changing -- many airlines now look for pilots with two- or four-year degrees -- but salary and growth prospects remain strong. Opportunities look particularly good around major airline hubs, including Houston, Phoenix, Dallas, Miami and Atlanta.


2. Brickmasons & Blockmasons
  • Median salary: $46,930
  • Current workforce: 89,200
  • Projected job growth, 2010-2020: 41%
  • Projected new jobs by 2020: 36,100

The population is booming, and so is the construction of new schools, hospitals and apartment buildings. That's good news for masons. These craftspeople make rock-solid salaries working for construction contractors, especially in growing urban areas. While few employers require formal education, most masons complete three- to four-year paid apprenticeship programs to learn the trade. Some pick up needed skills informally on the job from more experienced masons.


1. Pile-Driver Operators
  • Median salary: $47,860
  • Current workforce: 4,100
  • Projected job growth, 2010-2020: 36%
  • Projected new jobs by 2020: 1,500

With just a high school education and some on-the-job training, pile-driver operators can expect to make 19% more money than the national median. That's because the job requires some heavy lifting: Operators typically work on skids, barges, cranes or offshore oil rigs, using large machines to drive construction supports into the ground. The Labor Department expects demand to skyrocket over the remainder of this decade, growing at nearly three times the rate of all other occupations. Aspiring operators will have the best chances of finding work along the Gulf Coast, especially in Louisiana, thanks to the concentration of oil rigs and port operations.








Source: AOL

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Eight Meaningful, Well-Paying Jobs

Can you imagine waking up each working day knowing that you’re about to do some good in the world? Firefighters, social workers  and teachers may have this experience, but those professions are not known for their high wages. So which jobs offer that magical combination of a high sense of meaning and a high salary?

Truth be told, they’re tough to find, according to Katie Bardaro, lead analyst at online salary database PayScale.com. “Generally, the jobs with the highest meaning offer low pay,” she says. “People who want to make the world a better place are not driven by money. They’re driven by a desire to help people.”

When PayScale asked workers whether their jobs make the world a better place, 80 percent or more of those with jobs on the following list responded “yes” or “very much so.” Each job pays more than $52,000 per year and requires no more than a master's degree. Not surprisingly, many of the jobs are in the healthcare and nonprofit sectors.

Note: If you want the highest-paying, most meaningful job around -- neurosurgeon -- you’ll need a medical degree and extensive training, Bardaro says. Ninety-four percent of neurosurgeons say they derive a high sense of meaning through their work. Median annual pay is $358,000.

1. Nonprofit Executive Director
Percent Reporting High Levels of Meaning at Work: 94 Percent
Median Annual Pay: $55,200

It’s no surprise that leading a team with a mission to improve the world can make your work feel meaningful. The challenges are significant, such as keeping the organization alive with only donations and grants, but the rewards are also great. Both a bachelor’s degree and an MBA are common for these executives.

Find nonprofit executive director jobs.

2. Registered Occupational Therapist
Percent Reporting High Levels of Meaning at Work: 92 Percent
Median Annual Pay: $69,800

Occupational therapists help people with physical limitations figure out ways to work and care for themselves. Whether it’s teaching patients who’ve suffered head injuries how to type again or tighten the lid on a jar, occupational therapists provide practical guidance and encouragement. A master’s degree and passing a licensing exam are required.

Find occupational therapist jobs.

3. Director of Development
Percent Reporting High Levels of Meaning at Work: 90 Percent
Median Annual Pay: $59,000

Charisma, leadership and a knack for persuasion are all required for this demanding role. Responsible for bringing in the funds needed to keep a nonprofit growing, this person must have management experience and analytical capabilities. A bachelor’s degree is typically required, and further education in an area specific to the organization’s mission can help.

Find development director jobs.

4. Foundation Program Officer
Percent Reporting High Levels of Meaning at Work: 87 Percent
Median Annual Pay: $58,800

Here’s a job for people who are experts in a certain area and have good decision-making skills. They review proposals on behalf of a foundation and decide who gets the foundation’s money to fund a project, such as medical research or creating an arts program. A bachelor’s degree is the basic educational requirement.

Find program office jobs.

5. Clinical Laboratory Scientist
Percent Reporting High Levels of Meaning at Work: 86 Percent
Median Annual Pay: $76,100

Clinical laboratory scientists determine whether abnormal cells are cancerous. They figure out the type of bacteria causing an infection. The job requires at least a bachelor’s degree, as well as licensing and training to stay current with the latest medical advancements. Pursuing a specialty may require graduate work.

Find clinical laboratory jobs.

6. Grants Manager
Percent Reporting High Levels of Meaning at Work: 86 Percent
Median Annual Pay: $52,800

To keep providing the programs they do, social-services organizations, nonprofits and schools often apply for grants. Grants managers determine, among all the grants available, which ones best suit the organization’s mission. They then lead the development of grant proposals and follow up to ensure that the organization is complying with the grant requirements. This job requires at least a bachelor’s degree.

Find grants manager jobs.

7. Registered Nurse
Percent Reporting High Levels of Meaning at Work: 82 Percent
Median Annual Pay: $57,500

Being with people during their times of physical suffering and recovery makes for very meaningful work. Registered nurses administer medicines, educate patients about their treatment plans, and provide emotional support to patients and their families. Registered nurses can start with an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree or a diploma from an approved nursing program. State licensure is also required.

Find registered nurse jobs.

8. Intelligence Analyst
Percent Reporting High Levels of Meaning at Work: 80 Percent
Median Annual Pay: $72,800

Holding one of the more surprising jobs on this list, intelligence analysts feel certain that they help the world. How? “They often work for the federal government or military, and they make the world a better place by making it safer,” Bardaro says. So, while they may not feed the homeless or save endangered species, they protect average citizens from harm. A bachelor’s degree is required for this job. Foreign-language skills are often a plus.

Find intelligence analyst jobs.





Source: Monster

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

10 jobs that pay $35,000 a year


Oscar Wilde once said, "When I was young, I thought that money was the most important thing in life; now that I am old I know that it is." While his sentiment is perhaps a little cynical, it rings true, as every part of life has a price tag attached: transportation, medical bills, groceries, electricity, water and so on.

However, having a job and a paycheck are one of the great parts of life, too. If you're looking to make a specific income, here are 10 jobs to consider that pay around $35,000*:

1. Cement mason and terrazzo worker*
Description: Cement masons pour, smooth and finish concrete floors, sidewalks, roads and curbs. Using a cement mixture, terrazzo workers create durable and decorative surfaces for floors and stairways.
Median annual pay: $35,530

2. Glazier
Description: Glaziers install glass in windows, skylights, storefronts and display cases to create distinctive designs or reduce the need for artificial lighting.
Median annual pay: $36,640

3. Insulation worker
Description: Insulation workers install and replace the materials used to insulate buildings and their mechanical systems to help control and maintain temperature.
Median annual pay: $35,110

4. Marriage and family therapist
Description: Marriage and family therapists help people manage or overcome problems with their family and relationships. They listen to clients and ask questions to help the clients understand their problems and develop strategies to improve their lives.
Median annual pay: $39,710

5. Massage therapist
Description: Massage therapists treat clients by using touch to manipulate the body's soft tissues. Therapists relieve pain, rehabilitate injuries, reduce stress and aid in the general wellness of clients.
Median annual pay: $34,900

6. Medical secretary
Description: Medical secretaries and administrative assistants perform routine clerical and organizational tasks for health-care facilities. They organize files, draft messages, schedule appointments and support other staff.
Median annual pay: $34,660

7. Physical therapist assistant
Description: Physical therapist assistants work under the direction of physical therapists. They help patients who are recovering from injuries, illnesses and surgeries regain movement and manage pain.
Median annual pay: $37,710

8. Self-enrichment teacher
Description: Self-enrichment teachers instruct in a variety of subjects that students take for fun or self-improvement, such as music and foreign languages. These classes generally do not lead to a degree or certification, and students take them voluntarily to learn new skills or gain understanding of a subject.
Median annual pay: $36,340

9. Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselor
Description: Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors advise people who have alcoholism or other types of addiction, eating disorders or other behavioral problems. They provide treatment and support to help the client recover from addiction or modify behavior.
Median annual pay: $38,120

10. Survey researcher
Description: Survey researchers design or conduct surveys and analyze survey data. Many groups use surveys to collect data such as employment and salary information or to ask questions that help them understand people's opinions, attitudes, beliefs or desires.
Median annual pay: $36,050





Source: careerbuilder

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

America's 20 fastest-growing salaries

Let's face it -- money talks. And for some jobs in 2012, there was a little more talking going on. We took a look at the top 20 jobs that had the largest year-over-year salary growth. All of the positions had salary growth of at least 5 percent since last year.
Many factors influence compensation, including location, educational background, experience and skill level. And while a higher salary doesn't always mean happier people, it does affect workers who are looking to switch careers or re-evaluate their current skills to see if these positions are worth investigating.

Here's a glance at the top 20 jobs with the highest salary growth:

1. Network engineer: Provides analytical, technical and administrative support in the planning, design and installation of new and existing voice and data communication systems and services.
Annual salary: $78,000
Increase: 7 percent
2. Staffing manager: Oversees and manages an organization's recruitment and staffing functions.
Annual salary: $55,000
Increase: 7 percent
3. Customer account representative: Manages orders primarily for large and repeat customers. Provides service and support to customers, providing information on products, orders in process and other information.
Annual salary: $25,000
Increase: 7 percent
4. Recruiting coordinator: Coordinates recruitment methods to attract quality candidates appropriate to the position and the organization's needs.
Annual salary: $38,000
Increase: 6 percent
5. Health-care recruiter: Performs resource and recruitment functions to fill health-care job openings, including candidate sourcing, screening, interviewing, reference checking and extending of job offers.
Annual salary: $53,000
Increase: 6 percent
6. Purchasing supervisor: Supervises buyers and purchasing staff involved in the procurement of raw materials, parts, equipment, supplies and services for an organization at minimal cost, consistent with delivery requirements and quality specifications.
Annual salary: $71,000
Increase: 6 percent
7. Customer service manager: Directs and coordinates customer service staff.
Annual salary: $74,000
Increase: 6 percent
8. Mortgage loan processor: Processes mortgage loans by verifying, compiling and typing application information.
Annual salary: $36,000
Increase: 6 percent
9. Customer service adviser: Handles and resolves complex customer queries, complaints, special orders or in-store returns via email, telephone and/or in-person contact.
Annual salary: $26,000
Increase: 6 percent
10. Operations manager: Manages and coordinates organization, branch, plant or department operation strategies and activities.
Annual salary: $88,000
Increase: 6 percent
11. Top information technology officer: Directs, develops, administers and coordinates all phases of an organization's computer department, including systems design, programming, installation and operation.
Annual salary: $160,000
Increase: 6 percent
12. Home health aide: Assists in providing simple or uncomplicated patient care in caring for elderly, convalescent or disabled people in a patient's home.
Annual salary: $25,000
Increase: 5 percent
13. Marketing associate: Assists in creating and managing long-term marketing plans, including advertising, public relations, promotions and collateral.
Annual salary: $51,000
Increase: 5 percent
14. Banking credit analyst: Assesses credit information to determine risk involved in lending money to customers, and prepares reports of findings.
Annual salary: $52,000
Increase: 5 percent
15. Tax preparer: Prepares income-tax return forms for individuals and small businesses. Reviews financial records to determine needed tax forms.
Annual salary: $42,000
Increase: 5 percent
16. Occupational therapist: Facilitates development and rehabilitation of mentally, physically or emotionally disabled.
Annual salary: $66,000
Increase: 5 percent
17. Physical therapy technician: Performs physical therapy treatments on patients, working under the direction of, and as an assistant to, a physical therapist.
Annual salary: $45,000
Increase: 5 percent
18. Electronics engineer: Researches, develops, designs, tests and analyzes electronic components, products and systems for commercial, industrial, medical, military and scientific applications, applying principles and techniques of electronic engineering.
Annual salary: $79,000
Increase: 5 percent
19. Accounting clerk: Prepares and keeps financial and business transaction data up-to-date and prepares reports to ensure accurate accounting records.
Annual salary: $33,000
Increase: 5 percent
20. Legal secretary: Assists attorneys by performing secretarial work such as typing and handling papers. Also includes legal correspondence, such as contracts, briefs, warrants, summonses, complaints, indictments, motions, subpoenas and papers for filing and serving.
Annual salary: $48,000
Increase: 5 percent




Source: careerbuilder

Multiplex