Sunday, September 29, 2013

10 Disappearing Careers

These industries are shrinking and heading for extinction.

Everyone knows the economy is in transition and once thriving industries are quickly vanishing, a victim of new technology and global shifts. But which jobs are dying off the fastest? Which ones should young job seekers and career changers avoid? AOL Jobs mined the data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), coming up with a list of the 10 fastest shrinking careers.

First some good news: overall, the U.S. is projected to add a 20.5 million new jobs by the end of the decade, according to BLS projections. In fact, roughly nine out of the ten occupations tracked by the BLS are expected to see net growth between 2010-2020 (read our story of the fastest-growing industries). But what about the other ten percent? See below for ten most endangered careers:

10. Agricultural Workers
Percent drop-off: 2.6 percent
2010 workers: 764,400
Projected 2020 workers: 727,300
 
9. Fast food cooks
Percent drop-off: 3.6 percent
2010 workers: 530,400
Projected 2020 workers: 511,400
 
8. Data entry processors
Percent drop-off: 6.8 percent
2010 workers: 234,700
Projected 2020 workers: 218,800

Read more 10 Disappearing Careers

Saturday, September 28, 2013

In Demand Careers That Pay $100,000 A Year Or More

Not only do these jobs pay well, but many are also great for society.

Crazy scientist
While the near future may not offer flying cars or personal jet packs just yet, there is still reason to look forward to the approaching time ahead, especially when it comes to your career. The workforce has been rapidly changing, resulting in an increasing number of specialized and well-paying jobs for workers who are investing in their future.

Workers looking for a rewarding career that offers financial security and job stability should consider the following jobs. Not only do many of these jobs help advance the well-being of our society, but they also pay six-figure salaries. In addition, these occupations are expected to grow at an average to much-faster-than-average rate over the next decade.

Consider any of these six-figure jobs that have a well-earned place in the workforce of the future:

1. Computer and information systems managers plan, coordinate and direct computer-related activities in an organization. They help determine the information technology goals of an organization and are responsible for implementing the appropriate computer systems to meet those goals.
Median annual pay: $115,780
Projected job growth, 2010-20: 18 percent (about as fast as average)

2. Dentists (general) diagnose and treat problems with a patient's teeth, gums and other parts of the mouth. They provide advice and instruction on taking care of teeth and gums and on diet choices that affect oral health.
Median annual pay: $141,040
Projected job growth, 2010-20: 21 percent (faster than average)

3. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons operate on the mouth, jaws, teeth, gums, neck and head, including procedures such as surgically repairing a cleft lip and palate or removing impacted teeth.
Median annual pay: Equal to or greater than $166,400
Projected job growth, 2010-20: 21 percent (faster than average)

4. Orthodontists straighten teeth by applying pressure to the teeth with braces or other appliances.
Median annual pay: Equal to or greater than $166,400
Projected job growth, 2010-20: 21 percent (faster than average)

5. Petroleum engineers design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits below the earth's surface. Petroleum engineers also find new ways to extract oil and gas from older wells.
Median annual pay: $114,080
Projected job growth, 2010-20: 17 percent (about as fast as average)

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

7. Physicians and surgeons diagnose and treat injuries and illnesses in patients. Physicians examine patients, take medical histories, prescribe medications and order, perform and interpret diagnostic tests. Surgeons operate on patients to treat injuries, such as broken bones; diseases, such as cancerous tumors; and deformities, such as cleft palates.
Median annual pay: $166,400
Projected job growth, 2010-20: 24 percent (faster than average)

8. Physicists study the fundamental nature of the universe, ranging from the vastness of space to the smallest of subatomic particles. They develop new technologies, methods and theories based on the results of their research that deepen our understanding of how things work and contribute to innovative, real-world applications.
Median annual pay: $106,370
Projected job growth, 2010-20: 14 percent (about as fast as average)

9. Podiatrists provide medical and surgical care for people suffering from foot, ankle and lower leg problems. They diagnose illnesses, treat injuries and perform surgery.
Median annual pay: $118,030
Projected job growth, 2010-20: 20 percent (faster than average)

10. Prosthodontists replace missing teeth with permanent fixtures, such as crowns and bridges, or with removable fixtures such as dentures.
Median annual pay: $118,400
Projected job growth, 2010-20: 21 percent (faster than average)

Friday, September 27, 2013

Good Science Careers: No Ph.D. Required

Rewarding jobs that can be had with a Bachelor's -- or less.

Technologist in Control Room of CT Scanner
Getty Images/First Light
Not that long ago, physicians' two main diagnostic tools were their left eye and their right eye. But now, just two more tools--a blood test and a urine test--can help diagnose and treat countless conditions early and relatively inexpensively. And with the cost of sequencing a human genome down from $100 million in 2001 to $3,000 now, and likely in a few years $100, far more on-target diagnostic and interventional tools are on the horizon. Indeed, for people choosing a career today, accelerating medical advances during your career are likely to keep the job market growing and options increasing.

But what are the best launchpads for a biomedical career? Sure, a Ph.D. in molecular biology is one but a rewarding bioscience career can be had with less education. The focus here is on three such careers that many people find rewarding now and, as science advances, are likely to become even more so.

Clinical Medical Technologist: The desire to decrease medical tests' invasiveness and pressure to reduce the cost of health care are driving the development and use of blood, urine, tissue-sample, and DNA tests to replace equipment-intensive and more invasive diagnostics. Clinical medical technologists, traditionally called lab techs, conduct those tests. Contrary to conventional wisdom, most jobs as a clinical medical technologists are not particularly repetitive. In many labs, the technologists rotate across different tests, and the field is continually advancing so the techs receive frequent training on the latest generation of tests and computerized instruments as well as on how to communicate effectively with health care providers and patients. Most lab techs work in hospitals or for medical testing companies such as Quest or LabCorp, but some do forensic work, for example, for a police department or the FBI. A bachelor's degree is required to be a clinical laboratory technologist but just an associate degree qualifies you for a related position: clinical medical technician.

Genomic Analyst: Our 21,000 genes express proteins, which are combined in billions of ways. Statistics geeks called genomic analysts (or bioinformatics analyst, biostatistician, etc.) figure out what combination of proteins cause what condition and what intervention best helps. As important as that is, even more jobs may be created if society decides that such interventions should be used not only to cure disease but to enhance normal functioning-for example, allowing prospective parents to elect to ensure their child will have excellent rather than just normal intelligence. While a Ph.D. may open the most leaderly career doors, a master's in biostatistics or a related field should render you well employable.

Clinical Research Associate: After a new diagnostic tool or treatment has demonstrated efficacy and safety on computer models and on non-human animals, it's time for human trials. The person who coordinates those trials is a clinical research associate. That person may recruit patients, help ensure they comply with the protocol, and aggregate results. Oh yes, and they typically make a solid six-figure income.

Of course, before choosing a career, you need go beyond reading the more information. Do informational interviews and visit practitioners on-site. After that, if a career still seems appealing, you've likely found a well-suited, rewarding career. Congratulations!

Thursday, September 26, 2013

10 High-Paying Jobs That Don't Exist Yet

You've never heard of them but these jobs will be hot careers in the future.

Shutterstock / ra2studio
Shutterstock / ra2studio
It's easy to be pessimistic about the prospect of finding a six-figure career in America. Increasingly, workers are forced to get by as freelancers, and roughly 60 percent of positions created since the financial crisis began have been low-wage.

But the new economy does create opportunities -- the key is to find where they will be before everyone else does. And it's highly likely the future economy will be chock full of unprecedented professions; roughly half of the 125 executives recently polled by executive search firm Korn/Ferry predicted that at least half of the undergraduate class of 2017 will end up in jobs and careers that don't yet exist. And so AOL Jobs solicited the help of Sparks & Honey, the New York-based advertising firm that monitors workplace trends. The firm uncovered all kinds of high-paying jobs, most of which don't even exist today.

Any common thread to the gigs? In making jobs projections, Sparks & Honey found that many jobs of the future are a result of the "collaborative economy," as company CEO Terry Young told AOL Jobs in an interview. "Increasingly, we have platforms like online payment systems to transfer funds and social networks to enable collaboration, and so many of these jobs are about people coming together," he said. See below for ten.

1. Bot Lobbiest

Job Description: This specialist will be paid to create phony social media accounts that help promote a client's business or other marketing needs.

2. Future Currency Speculator

Job Description: As Bitcoin and other virtual currencies continue to gain traction, a future currency speculator will specialize in the investment opportunities that will abound in this new market.

3. Productivity Counselors

Job Description: With workplaces increasingly tracking the returns on their every investment, workers will need help boosting what they can offer. So this expert will provide advice on a range of topics including wellness and time management.

4. Microbial Balancer

Job Description: A trained balancer will help assess the microbial composition of any environment as concerns increase over dangerous bacterial agents that could even take the form of weapons. The appeal of this new worker will also increase as scientific detection of bacteria improves.

5. Meme Agent

Job Description: You don't have to be a celebrity to be a celebrity anymore, especially if your star is hitched to a viral meme on the internet. And a meme agent will represent and advocate for the latest sensation.

6. Big Data Doctor

Job Description: Providing a proper diagnosis is as old a medical process as the taking of the Hippocratic oath. But with the rise of "big data," a new class of doctors will seek to treat patients by focusing more on their their biographic profile and personal data points than their latest ailment.

7. Crowdfunding Specialist

Job Description: This expert will provide advice on how to promote and attain funds for a project through crowd funding on websites like Kickstarter and IndieGoGo.

8. Jobs of the Future Specialist/Recruiter

Job Description: Perhaps the only constant of the future job market is that there will be no constant, as jobs and tasks will be in constant flux. This specialist will provide continuing advice on how to remain relevant in the workforce.

9. Disorganizer/Corporate Disruptor

Job Description: This expert will be called in to shuffle existing systems in companies to create start-up culture and welcome, organized chaos.

10. Privacy Consultant

Job Description: This consultant will help provide solutions to holes and dangers in an individual's digital presence.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

11 Surprisingly Dangerous Jobs In The New Economy

With the economy changing, so are the risks.

INDIA-ENERGY-ELECTRICTIY
AFP/Getty Images
It used to be that everyone knew which jobs were good or bad, which were tough or easy, and which were dangerous or safe. If you were a logger or made a living fishing in open waters, you were more likely to find yourself injured, or even dead. But the economy has changed. Expanded use of high tech, a need to find new sources of energy, realities of health care, and a trend toward service-based economy have ignited booms in these areas, and a growth of jobs in them.

There's often an assumption that jobs in some of these areas can be cushy, high-paying and no more risky than sitting in a cubicle. However, that isn't the case. Any of these industries rely at least in part on people who will put themselves into unpleasant, unhealthy or even deadly situations -- new types of danger that will likely multiply as the number of such positions grows.

We checked with a variety of sources, including government agencies and trade and specialty publications, to find the top 11 riskiest occupations of the new economy. Here they are by sector:

High Tech

Tower technician: You can't have cellular communications, radio, cable TV or even electrical power without towers to carry cables and hold antennas. At the top of OSHA's list are jobs that have you climbing towers, including communications towers. And what causes all those deaths? Falls in which the climber isn't tied to a safe point or the safety equipment is faulty. Although the last detailed statistics are from 2006, back then there were 183.6 deaths per 100,000, a rate that makes the risks to commercial fishers look mild. Here's some advice: Stay on the ground and you won't have to fall to get there.

E-waste recycler: Recycling seems like a safe, earthy-crunchy activity. However, as people break down those old cell phones, tablets and television sets for such precious metals as gold, silver and palladium, the processes often release heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium and beryllium -- substances that can cause neurological problems. Much of the work is done by children in India, but also by inmates in U.S. prisons, notes PC World. According to the BLS, refuse and recyclable material collectors saw 22.8 deaths per 100,000 in the U.S., making even collecting the materials risky.

Internet content moderator: Big tech companies that help convey messages and other information inevitably end up having to deal with those whose communications are not only rude and repulsive but might be illegal. At the very least, content moderators are on guard against insults and libel, but it can get much uglier. A Google employee reportedly spent a year screening the search engine for disturbing things such as child pornography and images of beheadings -- then was let go. The child porn reportedly ran to 15,000 images a day, which he said put him into a "really dark place."

Energy

Mining worker: Whether it's extracting coal, oil or gas on land or at sea, mining is a dangerous task. According to OSHA, the overall occupation saw 15.8 fatalities per 100,000 workers in 2011. It trailed only agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting. More specifically, according to the BLS, oil and gas extraction saw 15.5 deaths per 100,000 in 2011. For coal mining, the figure was 29.5.

Electrical power line workers: Install or repair, you're at risk when you're high off the ground and eye-to-eye with high voltage lines. The BLS says that in 2011, this occupation saw 29.1 deaths per 100,000 workers. With a national push to create a so-called "smart" electrical grid, expect the amount of work, and chances of injury, to increase.

Health Care

Nurse: According to Health magazine, nurses see high rates of depression, as do all health care workers. The BLS suggests that problems are also physical and not just emotional. When out from work because of non-fatal injuries or illness (135.7 cases per 10,000), 42.3 percent of the cases lasted longer than 10 days.

Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants: If you think nurses get sick and injured frequently, this group is out far more often: an incident rate of 443.9 per 10,000 in 2011, with a median number of days away from work of 5. About 20 percent of the time it was for falls, trips and slips, while 56 percent of the time was for "overexertion and bodily reaction."

Nursing home workers: Nursing home workers are also susceptible to depression, according to Health Magazine, with 11 percent reporting major depression within the past year, compared to 7 percent in the general population.

Service

Cashier: Cashiering is hazardous? According to the BLS, cashiers are remarkably high up -- 20th out of all jobs -- for non-fatal injuries and illnesses requiring days off from work. In 2011 (2012 figures aren't out yet), 27.8 percent of the cases lasted 31 days or more, and the median number of days off was 7. That's a lot of time without pay. Maybe it's the double threat of carpal tunnel syndrome, which often affects people who perform repetitive motions such as running a register, and whatever viruses people breathe on you when they buy something. If you've ever heard a cashier saying, "This job is making me sick," it could literally be true.

Fast food workers: There are two types of problems that fast food workers face. First, consider the emotional toll. According to Health magazine, food service positions are, in general, among the most depressing in the country. Everyone is telling you what to do, often under time pressure. According to Health's study, about 10 percent of food service workers experienced serious depression within the previous year. If you just look at women in the field, the rate climbs to 15 percent. Now for the kicker: It pays really poorly. Although it's the third most common job in the country, fast food workers in 2012 had the lowest annual mean wage of $18,720. Even wait staff and cashiers average more at $21,000 annually. No wonder fast food workers get depressed.

Financial advisers and accountants: This is another job with a high rate of depression, according to Health magazine, although the publication did not indicate the incidence rate. What's to be depressed about when looking at money? First of all, it's someone else's dough. If you deal with prosperous clientele, you're got details that from a materialistic standard put you thoroughly in your place. And, as mental health counselor Deborah Legge told Health, "There is so much responsibility for other people's finances and no control of the market."

Fastest Growing Industries In America

These are the five industries that are expected to grow the fastest between 2013 and 2016.

Job Fair At Hanyang University Ahead Of GDP Numbers
Getty Images
By Debra Auerbach

If you created a list of factors that would make for an ideal job, chances are that job security would be one of the top items on the list. One way to measure job security is by the growth of that occupation.

Coming out of the recession, certain industries have been struggling to recover and may never get back to where they were, while others have re-emerged even stronger than they were before. Looking ahead, industries that continue to see growth will provide more job stability for those workers currently part of or looking to enter occupations within those sectors.

Below is a list, compiled by Economic Modeling Specialists Intl., with the five industries that are expected to grow the fastest between 2013 and 2016, along with examples of the projected fastest-growing occupations within those industries. If you're looking for a career that is growing and can offer job security, one of these occupations may be the right fit for you.

Industry: Mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction
1. Rotary drill operators, oil and gas
Projected employment change from 2013-2016: 16 percent
Education level: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Median hourly pay: $24.24

2. Industrial machinery mechanics
Projected employment change from 2013-2016: 14 percent
Education level: Long-term on-the-job training
Median hourly pay: $22.59

3. Petroleum engineers
Projected employment change from 2013-2016: 13 percent
Education level: Bachelor's degree
Median hourly pay: $63.67

Industry: Health care and social assistance
1. Personal care aides
Projected employment change from 2013-2016: 18 percent
Education level: Short-term on-the-job training
Median hourly pay: $9.77

2. Home health aides
Projected employment change from 2013-2016: 17 percent
Education level: Short-term on-the-job training
Median hourly pay: $9.97

3. Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
Projected employment change from 2013-2016: 14 percent
Education level: Doctoral degree
Median hourly pay: $36.95

Industry: Educational services (private)
1. Educational, guidance, school and vocational counselors
Projected employment change from 2013-2016: 13 percent
Education level: Master's degree
Median hourly pay: $26.16

2. Training and development specialists
Projected employment change from 2013-2016: 11 percent
Education level: Bachelor's degree
Median hourly pay: $27.14

3. Education, training and library workers (all other)
Projected employment change from 2013-2016: 11 percent
Education level: Bachelor's degree
Median hourly pay: $18.02

Industry: Professional, scientific and technical services
1. Logisticians
Projected employment change from 2013-2016: 19 percent
Education level: Bachelor's degree
Median hourly pay: $35.08

2. Software developers, systems software
Projected employment change from 2013-2016: 17 percent
Education level: Bachelor's degree
Median hourly pay: $47.64

3. Market research analysts and marketing specialists
Projected employment change from 2013-2016: 16 percent
Education level: Bachelor's degree
Median hourly pay: $29.10

Industry: Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services
1. Correctional officers and jailers
Projected employment change from 2013-2016: 12 percent
Education level: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Median hourly pay: $20.55

2. Billing and posting clerks
Projected employment change from 2013-2016: 10 percent
Education level: Short-term on-the-job training
Median hourly pay: $16.21

3. Customer service representatives
Projected employment change from 2013-2016: 9 percent
Education level: Short-term on-the-job training
Median hourly pay: $14.91

Sunday, September 22, 2013

12 Of The Most Underrated Jobs In 2013

These undervalued jobs need a little more love.


By Vivian Giang

There are a lot of rewarding jobs that may not seem glamorous, but the pay is great and the job growth high.

These factors put them at the top of job site CareerCast.com's list of the most underrated jobs of 2013 published Tuesday. The company used survey data that "weighed stress, physical demands, and both the current and future employment outlook," combined with data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The list also takes into account data from the company's Jobs Rated report, which includes the competitiveness and growth potential of specific fields.

"Perception is not reality in this case," Tony Lee, publisher at CareerCast, tells Business Insider. "There are some really great jobs on this list that you may not have considered because they don't seem so exciting."

Take an emergency medical technician, for example. The job doesn't require a college degree, but the job growth is a whopping 33%. Plus, it's a great way to break into the health-care industry.

"People who are EMTs love it," Lee says. "They are passionate about it, and we find that most of them wouldn't want to do anything else."

Many of these professions also made last year's list of the most underrated jobs, except EMTs and librarians. And three jobs on the list - EMT, plumber, and electrician - don't even require a college degree.

A stable hiring outlook, competitive pay, and life-enriching work are the common themes of many of the professions on CareerCast's most undervalued jobs list.

12. Librarian
Median Salary: $55,370     
Projected Growth: 7%
Why: "Competition for jobs can be stiff — librarian scored No. 148 in the 2013 Jobs Rated outlook metric — but the field can be rewarding, evident in its ranking in both stress levels and workplace environment. Managerial qualities are important to overseeing a smoothly operating library."

11. Electrician
Median Salary: $49,840       
Projected Growth: 23%
Why: "Similar to plumbers, electricians are in increased demand despite the slow construction market." At 23% projected growth through 2020, the BLS estimates a total of 133,700 jobs.
"Homes and businesses need more wiring than ever before, and electricians will be needed to install the necessary components," the BLS reports.

10. Plumber
Median Salary: $49,140
Projected Growth: 26%
Why: "Despite slowed growth in the construction sector, specialty trades have provided opportunities for those seeking good jobs. Few are as accommodating as plumbing, which has seen strong hiring growth in the last year and is projected to swell another 26% by 2020."
"Demand for plumbers is expected to come from new building construction and stricter water efficiency standards for plumbing systems, such as low-flow toilets and showerheads," the BLS reports. With stability and the position’s low stress level score, it's a more valauble job than many might imagine.





Saturday, September 21, 2013

The 12 Most Overrated Jobs In 2013

High stress is a recurring theme among these jobs.

Man is busy answering lots of phone calls
By Vivian Giang

Some jobs just get all the attention. Take event planner, for example: The idea of working alongside famous people and handling big money accounts may seem like an exciting job, but the reality is often a very different picture.

Job search site CareerCast used survey data that "weighed stress, physical demands, and both the current and future employment outlook" across occupations and data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to create a list of the most overrated jobs of 2013, released on Tuesday. The list also takes into account data from the company's Jobs Rated report, where a lower score signifies a higher rating, which includes the competitiveness and growth potential of specific fields.

Topping the list are advertising account executive, surgeon, stockbroker, and public relations manager, which all require long, stressful hours. Many of these professions also made last year's list of the most overrated jobs, except economists and computer programmers, which are new this year.

"People don't realize the baggage these jobs come with," Tony Lee, publisher at CareerCast, tells Business Insider. "The perception is cool; the reality is a dog-eat-dog world."

Consider surgeons. Although they make a median salary of $311,078, they deal with high stress levels daily and have a lot of pressure on their hands. "When you're a surgeon, your life is not your own," Lee says. "You cannot go anywhere without your phone. It's also very physical demanding because you stand on your feet all day."

High turnover is also a common theme for many of the professions on CareerCast's most overrated list.

12. Psychologist
Median Salary: $67,650
Projected Growth: 22%
Why: "Psychologists tend to work with difficult clients, and the field’s median pay scale and hiring outlook are slightly below comparable positions in the health care industry. Aspiring psychologists also face a crowded market, as The Princeton Review says psychology is one of the top three current college majors by enrollment."

11. Economist
Median Salary: $91,860
Projected Growth: 6%
Why: "Economist is great work – if you can get it. While the median salary is among the top 25 of all careers measured by the 2013 Jobs Rated report, the hiring outlook is low."

10. Computer programmer
Median Salary: $74,280
Projected Growth: 12%
Why: "Careers in technology are typically winners, but the outlook for computer programmers lags behind other paths in the industry. The BLS reports that many American companies opt to send their computer programming work overseas at lower rates, thereby diminishing job prospects domestically."




Wednesday, September 11, 2013

8 jobs that pay $50 an hour

By Debra Auerbach,
 
While salary isn't always the main reason why someone looks for a job, it's usually at least a factor. People like to know that the money they'll be making will cover their financial obligations and allow them to live comfortably.
Everyone has a different idea of what their ideal salary would be, but many people would likely be very happy making $100,000-plus. If you have a job that pays $50 an hour, and you work the standard 40-hour workweek for 52 weeks, you can make around $104,000. If that sounds appealing, consider the following eight jobs that can provide that paycheck.

1. Advertising, promotions and marketing manager*
Job description: Advertising, promotions and marketing managers plan programs to generate interest in a product or service. They work with art directors, sales agents and financial staff members.
Typical education level: Bachelor's degree
Median hourly pay: $52.05
2. Physicist and astronomer
Job description: Physicists and astronomers study the fundamental nature of the universe. They develop new technologies, methods and theories based on the results of their research that deepen our understanding of how things work and contribute to innovative, real-world applications.
Typical education level: Doctoral or professional degree
Median hourly pay: $50.69
3. Top executive
Job description: Top executives devise strategies and policies to ensure that an organization meets its goals. They plan, direct and coordinate operational activities of companies and public or private-sector organizations.
Typical education level: Bachelor's or master's degree
Median hourly pay: $48.68
4. Computer and information research scientist
Job description: Computer and information research scientists invent and design new technology and find new uses for existing technology. They study and solve complex problems in computing for business, science, medicine and other uses.
Typical education level: Doctoral or professional degree
Median hourly pay: $48.39
5. Financial manager
Job description: Financial managers are responsible for the financial health of an organization. They produce financial reports, direct investment activities and develop strategies and plans for their organization's long-term financial goals.
Typical education level: Bachelor's degree
Median hourly pay: $49.96
6. Nuclear engineer
Job description: Nuclear engineers research and develop the processes, instruments and systems used to get benefits from nuclear energy and radiation. Many of these engineers find industrial and medical uses for radioactive materials -- for example, in equipment used in medical diagnosis and treatment.
Typical education level: Bachelor's degree
Median hourly pay: $48.04
7. Political scientist
Job description: Political scientists study the origin, development and operation of political systems. They research political ideas and analyze the structure and operation of governments, policies, political trends and related issues.
Typical education level: Master's degree
Median hourly pay: $51.65
8. Pharmacist
Job description: Pharmacists dispense prescription medications to patients and offer advice on their safe use.
Typical education level: Doctoral or professional degree
Median hourly pay: $53.64

Sunday, September 8, 2013

11 Jobs From 1850 That Are Totally Extinct

Once stable, commonplace jobs that have vanished.

The recent recession may have turned the job market on its head, but larger economic factors have drastically changed the U.S. market over the last century. The Industrial Revolution has all but eliminated once stable, middle-class jobs that were commonplace for your great-grandparents living in rural farmlands.

To find out what types of jobs were around before the Industrial Revolution, we combed through the occupational classification list from 1850, the first year the government collected data on what Americans do for work, provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. We then compared it to a part of today's Census called the Standard Occupational Classifications, which identifies 31,000 active occupations in America.

Below are jobs from the past that are no longer recognized by the BLS:

Saturday, September 7, 2013

20 Companies Hiring In September

These employers are staffing up now.

Job Fair At Hanyang University Ahead Of GDP Numbers
Bloomberg via Getty Images
By Debra Auerbach

Autumn begins on Sept. 22, and if you've been less than motivated this summer in your job search, fall is the time to kick things into high gear. Use the milder weather as a reason to stay inside and focus on pursuing your next career.

Don't know where to start? Here's some help -- check out these 20 companies hiring in September:

1. 21st Mortgage Corporation
Industry: Mortgage/banking/finance
Sample job titles: Financial counselor
Location: Knoxville, Tenn.

2. AnnieMac Home Mortgage
Industry: Mortgage
Sample Job Titles: Mortgage loan officer, branch manager
Location: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania

3. Client Services
Industry: Collections
Sample job titles: Account manager -- sales
Location: Lenexa, Kan.; St. Charles, Mo.

4. Electrolux
Industry: Appliances
Sample job titles: Product manager, engineer, marketing
Location: Anderson, S.C.; Charlotte, N.C.; Memphis, Tenn.

5. FCi Federal
Industry: Government contractor
Sample job titles: General office worker, file clerk
Location: Nationwide

6. Fishnet Security
Industry: IT security
Sample job titles: Account executive, inside sales, security consultant, director of strategic services, security engineer
Location: California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Texas, Utah, Washington

7. Groendyke Transport
Industry: Transportation
Sample job titles: Commercial driver's license hazmat driver
Location: Nationwide

8. Harden Healthcare
Industry: Health care
Sample job titles: Registered nurse, nurse manager, administrator, director of nursing, physical therapist, occupational therapist, executive director, social worker, case manager
Location: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia

9. Matrix
Industry: Staffing
Sample job titles: .Net developer, senior mobile app developer, senior Java developer, project manager
Location: Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Phoenix

10. Monterey Marketing
Industry: Sales and marketing
Sample job titles: Sales representative, account manager
Location: Baton Rouge, La.; Dallas; El Paso, Texas; Knoxville and Memphis, Tenn.; New Orleans; Oklahoma City; Wichita, Kan.

11. Pioneer Human Services
Industry: Nonprofit
Sample job titles: Assistant vice president, program manager, behavioral health clinician, residential treatment specialist, CNC machinist, manufacturing support, resident monitor, food service worker
Location: Seattle/Tacoma, Spokane and Sedro-Woolley, Wash.

12. PLS Logistics Services
Industry: Logistics/transportation
Sample job titles: Account executive trainee, talent recruiting specialist, logistics coordinator, Java developer, branch manager, pricing manager, financial analyst, billing clerk, customer service representative
Location: Houston; Jacksonville, Fla.; Pittsburgh

13. Progressive Insurance
Industry: Insurance
Sample job titles: Claims adjuster, customer service representative
Location: Nationwide
 
14. Ryder Transportation and Logistics
Industry: Transportation
Sample job titles: CDL driver, diesel technician, sales
Location: Nationwide

15. Ryerson
Industry: Manufacturing
Sample job titles: Inside sales, Autocad, admin., credit analyst
Location: Greensboro, N.C.; Lisle, Ill.; Odessa, Texas; Philadelphia

16. Spirit Airlines
Industry: Airline
Sample job titles: Director, network planning, communications specialist, senior financial analyst
Location: Nationwide
17. Titlemax
Industry: Financial services
Sample job titles: Call center representative, store manager, district manager, general manager, customer service rep., bilingual customer service rep.
Location: Nationwide

18. Vaco
Industry: Technology, finance and accounting, operations
Sample job titles: Salesforce developer, interim CIO, Web developer, software developer, operations manager, operations analyst, call center manager, help desk, senior accountant, CPA, senior tax manager
Location: Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia

19. Winn Dixie
Industry: Grocery
Sample job titles: Produce lead, store manager, center store area manager, cashier associate, pharmacist
Location: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi

20. Yelp
Industry: Internet/advertising
Sample job titles: Inside sales account executive
Location: Greater Phoenix area (Scottsdale)

Friday, September 6, 2013

9 jobs that pay $25 an hour

Building Inspector NotesIf you make an hourly wage, you may not know how much you could potentially earn in a year. Let’s say you make $25 an hour and work 40 hours a week year-round. That comes out to about $52,000 a year, a nice amount, especially considering it’s roughly equivalent to the median annual household income in the U.S.
If getting a paycheck like that sounds good to you, consider any of these nine jobs, all of which make around $25 an hour.
1. Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanic and technician*
Job description: Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians repair and perform scheduled maintenance on airplanes and helicopters. They also inspect airplanes and helicopters as required by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Typical education level: Postsecondary non-degree award
Median hourly pay: $25.59
2. Construction and building inspector
Job description: Construction and building inspectors ensure that new construction, changes or repairs comply with local and national building codes and ordinances, zoning regulations and contract specifications.
Typical education level: High school diploma or equivalent
Median hourly pay: $25.18
3. Dietitian and nutritionist
Job description: Dietitians and nutritionists are experts in food and nutrition who advise people on what to eat in order to lead a healthy lifestyle or reach a specific health-related goal.
Typical education level: Bachelor’s degree
Median hourly pay: $25.60
4. Editor
Job description: Editors plan, review and revise content for publication. An editor’s responsibilities vary with the employer and the type and level of editorial position.
Typical education level: Bachelor’s degree
Median hourly pay: $24.75
5. Fire inspector and investigator
Job description: Fire inspectors visit and inspect buildings and other structures, such as sports arenas and shopping malls, to search for fire hazards and to ensure that federal, state and local fire codes are met. Fire investigators determine the origin and cause of fires by searching the surrounding scene and collecting evidence.
Typical education level: High school diploma or equivalent
Median hourly pay: $25.11
6. Geological and petroleum technician
Job description: Geological and petroleum technicians provide support to scientists and engineers in exploring and extracting natural resources, such as minerals, oil and natural gas.
Typical education level: Associate degree
Median hourly pay: $25.97
7. Human resources specialist
Job description: HR specialists recruit, screen, interview and place workers. They also may handle human resources work in a variety of other areas, such as employee relations, payroll and benefits and training.
Typical education level: Bachelor’s degree
Median hourly pay: $25.33
8. Property, real estate and community association manager
Job description: Property, real estate and community association managers handle the many aspects of residential, commercial or industrial properties. They ensure the property looks nice, operates smoothly and preserves its resale value.
Typical education level: High school diploma or equivalent
Median hourly pay: $24.75
9. School and career counselor
Job description: School counselors help students develop social skills and succeed in school. Career counselors assist people with making career decisions by helping them choose a career or educational program.
Typical education level: Master’s degree
Median hourly pay: $25.67

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Companies Hiring In Large Volume


By John Smith, senior vice president of enterprise sales at CareerBuilder

jobs hiring now holidays
December often becomes a transition month for job seekers. As the busy holiday season approaches, calendars get filled with parties. Relatives come into town for a visit. Children have a few weeks off from school and need to be entertained. Plus, there's probably shopping to be done.
In addition to this jam-packed schedule, many job seekers believe the myth that employers aren't hiring new workers until next year. As a result, some job seekers decide to take a step back from sending out résumés and attending networking events and instead focus on how they will revise and improve their job search in 2012. You should always be thinking about how to tweak your job search, but don't put everything on hold until next year. Employers aren't.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics just announced that 120,000 jobs were added in November, and the unemployment rate fell to 8.6 percent. Last month, the BLS also reported that in October, 36 states and Washington, D.C., saw regional decreases in their unemployment rates. In addition, Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales set records this year, and the Conference Board recently reported that consumer confidence is at its highest point in four months. The economy continues to take incremental steps toward recovery, and employers are eager to meet consumer demand now, not on Jan. 1.
Not only are companies not waiting to hire, many are currently hiring in large volume. We found eight employers that are hiring at least 400 workers right now. If you're looking for a new job, take a few minutes out of your hectic schedule and see if one of these companies is right for you:

Wells Fargo
Number of jobs: 10,000+
Sample job titles: Tellers, personal bankers, customer service representatives, underwriters

Sears/Kmart
Number of jobs: 1,000+
Sample job titles: Retail sales, repair technicians, store managers

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Number of jobs: 1,000+
Sample job titles: Financial advisers

ServiceMaster
Number of jobs: 1,100+
Sample job titles: Customer service representatives, residential and commercial sales, technicians, trainers, management positions

Chico's FAS
Number of jobs: 1,000+
Sample job titles: Retail sales, corporate positions, some seasonal

Fresenius Medical Care North America
Number of jobs: 1,100
Sample job titles: Clinical managers, acute-care registered nurses

New York Life Insurance
Number of jobs: 500
Sample job titles: Sales, management

Tango Transport
Number of jobs: 400+
Sample job titles: Truck drivers

Multiplex