Great New Jobs That Didn't Exist 10 Years Ago

Think about what you were doing 10 years ago: You might not have even had an e-mail address, and it's a certainty that your mother didn't.

If you did, you were probably using a dial-up connection, and hadn't yet purchased anything online. Even if you had cable, it's likely you didn't have access to more than 50 channels, and you might not have been quite sure how exactly to define reality TV.

No one had ever "friended" you, and you might have thought "Groupon" discounts were something mountain climbers got.

 Just think about all the new jobs mentioned in the industries above. Kiplinger columnist Liz Ryan recently came up with a fascinating list of jobs that didn't even exist 10 years ago, and we added a few of our own. Ryan suggests that if you're hoping to be employed for the next 10 years, "perhaps you should avoid [professions in] the technologies that are dwindling, [think bookbinders, textile workers and machine-tool operators] and focus on professions whose outlook is rosier" (such as high tech, health care, financial analysis or social work).

"Technology, cultural shifts and changing demographics combine to create new career fields all the time," says Ryan. Here are some juicy new professional gigs for 2011 and beyond, that didn't even exist 10 years ago:

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1. Social Media / Online-Community Manager

Social media or online-community management developed as social networking sites like My Space and Facebook took off. More than 600 million users of all ages and nationalities now participate, sharing personal and public announcements, photos, videos, music, products, games and more.
"Social media strategists focus on building their employers' or clients' brands through the use of social media sites and tools, whereas online-community managers specialize in fostering user discussion and evangelism for the marketers they support. To succeed, a social media or online-community manager needs great written communication skills, a sense of humor, empathy, a marketing background and lots of experience with social media tools [Facebook, Twitter and YouTube among them]," according to Ryan.

• Find Social Media Jobs

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2. 3-D Animator and Technician

Ten years ago, 3-D meant donning those red-and-blue-lensed glasses. Now experts are touting it as the biggest thing to hit Hollywood since 'King Kong.' Not only are there special cameras and projectors involved, but now engineers are working on perfecting home editions, so you can watch 3-D on your big-screen TV in your own den. There are all sorts of new jobs involved in creating not only the technology, but also the content -- animation has taken a giant leap forward. A whole new curriculum is being developed in film and production schools across the country, and directors, designers and animators are having to rethink they way they do things. Why not get trained to help them out?

• Find 3-D Animator Jobs

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3. Telework Manager or Coordinator

Telework is the new telecommuting. Employers are finding it more convenient and less expensive to let employees work from their own homes, so large buildings or offices and the expenses of constructing or renting and running them are considerably less. Also, after infinite complaints about outsourcing, employers are bringing the work back home. It also enables employers to utilize the best talent from across the country without having to relocate them.
"Full-time or part-time telework program managers and coordinators manage the telework programs in place at their employers, resolving technical and communication issues that arise and writing policies to cover every imaginable telework-created sticky wicket," says Ryan. A recent Department of Commerce job listing for a combined telework / disabilities program manager offered a salary range of $89,033-$136,771 -- not bad at all for a job you can do from home.

• Find Telework Manager Jobs

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4. Sustainability Manager

If you're resourceful, thoughtful, and frequently accused of being "too green," employment in the field of "corporate sustainability" maybe be for you. Think of it in terms of a giant, organized recycling program. "These days, nearly all sizable corporations employ dedicated and highly qualified people to look after their sustainability programs, which can include recycling and waste reduction as well as supplier sustainability evaluation, carbon footprint issues associated with the business and leadership in the areas of facilities design, green manufacturing and more. Bachelor's and master's programs in environmental leadership and sustainability are booming," says Ryan, adding that corporate sustainability officers and VPs can earn as much as $200,000 per year.

• Find Sustainability Manager Jobs

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5. Blogger

Whether you're doing it for love or money, online writers who specialize in stating their opinions and giving useful information about certain topics, as well as composing reviews and stimulating online conversation, can make a living as freelancers or full-time employees. Certain "mommy Bloggers" have stimulated enough traffic and feedback on their blogsites to be able to quit their day jobs and make six-figure incomes with an advertising revenue model. Media outlets (such as AOL) are now hiring bloggers in addition to traditional journalists, and blogging classes are being offered at universities. Newspaper reporters are losing their positions and outlets right and left, but bloggers are finding more and more opportunities for online journalism as the Web expands at a lightning pace.

• Find Blogger Jobs

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6. Search Engine Optimization Specialist

SEO has indeed been around for more than 10 years, but it's grown to gigantic proportions. "Search engine optimization pros use a combination of left and right brain techniques, from analysis and experimentation to gut feel and insight, to move their clients' or employers' Web sites up the search engine rankings, thereby bringing them more traffic and, they hope, stronger revenues," says Ryan, adding that those who work in SEO often concentrate on search initiatives and "collaborate with marketing, technology and sales peers in search of the perfect search-engine-pleasing combination of site content, layout and programming." To work in SEO, you need a mix of technical and marketing skills, understanding of search-engine logic and a feeling for Web site user behavior.

• Find Search Engine Optimization Jobs

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7. Online Advertising Manager

Online advertising is capable of things print advertising never was, such as tracking clicks and steering visitors to targeted and customized landing pages. Online ad managers can work for content producers, selling ad programs and strategizing with clients (advertisers) about where on the site, when and how to run online campaigns. Or they may work for advertisers, running the online side of an advertiser's business and tracking each ad's performance. The Don Drapers of the 21st century, they're skilled marketers who merge new technology with consumer wants, needs and desires. It's both left and right brain work, and can make some people more than six figures.

• Find Online Advertising Jobs

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8. User Experience Manager

What's a user experience? Basically, it's anytime you come into contact with something someone else is running or owns -- buying a book on Amazon to downloading an app for your smartphone to putting gas in your car to buying a cupcake to using the emergency room at a hospital. "Quick-thinking corporate marketers have glommed onto the fact that every interaction with an entity, from the Department of Motor Vehicles to Macy's, is also a user experience, and they're paying close attention to those things these days," says Ryan.
"User experience managers were first widely seen in Web design firms and the marketers who employed them, focusing on a Web site in development from the viewpoint of a user who would eventually have to navigate the thing. Now, user experience is the watchword for banks, insurance companies, restaurants and virtually any company that has reason to evaluate and improve the way its customers and prospective customers encounter its people and processes."

• Find User Experience Manager Jobs

Source: AOL

7 Great Second Careers If You're Over 40

You're too young for retirement, too experienced for entry-level positions and too fed up with your job to stay any longer. Have you considered starting a second career? Beginning a new profession can be an exciting way to change how you feel about your work life, and the shifting economy offers more opportunities for change than you might think. Whether you've never before thought of switching careers, or if it's been a recurring dream of yours, here are some ideas for getting started.
Create An 'Open Ideas' List

If you're ready to leave your first career behind and move on to what's next in life, it's time to ask what's next. Keep a running list of ideas for your future -- hobbies you enjoy, your areas of expertise, business ideas you've previously passed on, childhood dreams. This list can include every pipe dream you've had. Then, narrow it down to what interests you most, what you can make happen and what you want to learn more about. Try out different fields by volunteering, taking classes and talking to those who have the position you want. Transitioning successfully to a second career depends on how much research and preparation you can do to ensure it'll be the right fit.


Use Economic Advantages

Making a career switch can be intimidating at any point in life, but a tepid economy and family responsibilities can hinder even the biggest risk-takers. Rather than starting off on your own, take advantage of newly created roles that are growing in demand. CareerBuilder's midyear job forecast shared hopeful news for job seekers and career changers. More employers are reporting that, within their organizations, new jobs are emerging that didn't exist five years ago, including positions tied to:

• Social media
• Storing and managing data
• Cybersecurity
• Financial regulation
• Promoting diversity inside and outside the organization
• "Green" energy and the environment
• Global relations

Employers are hiring in large numbers in some key areas, including those impacting revenue and innovation. To gain experience before launching an independent career, here are some areas where employers are hiring first:

• Customer service
• Information technology
• Sales
• Administrative
• Business development
• Accounting/finance
• Marketing

Consider Secure Jobs

Still not convinced there's a second career in your future? "150 Best Jobs for a Secure Future" author Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D., shares a variety of secure-job lists based on different demographics. Switching careers during economic uncertainty is actually more common and practical than it may seem. "People tend to lose recession-sensitive jobs when economic downturns strike and the jobs they find during those hard times tend to be available because they're secure," Shatkin says.

Among Shatkin's many lists of secure jobs, here are seven examples of the best secure jobs with a high percentage of mature workers:

1. Athletic trainers*

• Growth between 2010-20: 30 percent (much faster than average)
• Median annual salary: $41,600

2. Clinical, counseling and other school psychologists

• Growth between 2010-20: 22 percent (faster than average)
• Median annual salary: $68,640

3. Instructional coordinators

• Growth between 2010-20: 20 percent (faster than average)
• Median annual salary: $58,830

4. Interpreters and translators

• Growth between 2010-20: 42 percent (much faster than average)
• Median annual salary: $43,300

5. Management analysts

• Growth between 2010-20: 22 percent (faster than average)
• Median annual salary: $78,160

6. Occupational therapy assistants

• Growth between 2010-20: 33 percent (much faster than average)
• Median annual salary: $72,320

7. Technical writers

• Growth between 2010-20: 17 percent (about as fast as average)
• Median annual salary: $68,280

Source: AOL

9 Best Outdoor Jobs

Summer is frequently the season when many workers gaze longingly through office windows, wishing they had a job that would allow them to spend more time in the fresh air and sunshine. Of course, many workers do just that every day in any number of professions that require them to be outdoors.

With that in mind, AOL Jobs -- along with CareerBliss and Bureau of Labor Statistics data -- has compiled a list of nine jobs with high rankings of satisfaction among those working in fields that require at least some work outdoors.

Though some of these positions earn only modest wages, "our data shows it's not necessarily salary that impacts overall happiness, but company culture," says CareerBliss CEO Heidi Golledge. "Co-workers, senior management, the work that one does, and company environment tend to often have a greater influence on workplace happiness than just a paycheck."

And for those employed in these jobs, those other factors appear to be worth the sacrifice in earnings. Listed below, the top nine outdoor jobs are ranked lowest-to-highest by "Overall Bliss Score," a measurement devised by CareerBliss that includes 10 factors, such as company culture, environment and senior management, by workers in the these fields. Each of the nine positions is rated on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest possible score. (Since two of them tied for second, we are starting with eighth place.)

8. Lifeguard: 

Though often viewed as a short-term gig for high-school and college students on summer break, lifeguards are nonetheless required to have certain skills to perform their jobs adequately. Those frequently include an ability to swim a specific distance within a specified time; knowledge of life-saving techniques, such as CPR; and good vision. The need for recreation workers, an occupational category that includes lifeguards, is expected to grow by 19 percent through 2020 -- about average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

• Median annual pay: $22,260 ($10.70 hourly)*

Overall Bliss Score: 3.72 Looking for a job as a lifeguard? Click here to get started.

7. Surveyor: 

Surveyors frequently can be seen along roadsides or in new housing developments, using distance-measurement tools to establish property boundaries. Their work isn't limited to land however, and includes surveying airspace and water limits. The job is typically full-time and generally requires a bachelor's degree. Certification is also required should a surveyor's job involve filing legal documents. Projected job growth, at 25 percent through the end of the decade, is faster than average.

• Median annual pay: $54,880 ($26.39 hourly).

Overall Bliss Score: 3.76 Looking for a job as a surveyor? Click here to get started.

6. Zoo Keeper: 

Most zoo keepers, who are included in a broader category of animal caretakers, learn their professions on the job, meaning that there's little formal training. The job typically involves feeding, watering, grooming, bathing and exercising animals, but tasks can vary considerably. The work can be both physically and emotionally demanding, and the BLS notes that injury rates among animal caretakers are higher than the average of all professions.

• Median annual pay: $19,780 ($9.51 hourly).

Overall Bliss Score: 3.81 Looking for a job as a zoo keeper? Click here to get started.

5. Landscape Architect: 

Though landscape architects spend most of their time in comfy offices, the job can involve frequent visits to job sites, including commercial, residential and industrial projects. The job, which includes planning and designing land use, requires a bachelor's degree and every state requires certification. Further, the BLS notes that landscape architects frequently work long hours. Openings in this field are expected to grow about as as fast as average.

• Median annual pay: $62,090 ($29.85 hourly)

Overall Bliss Score: 3.84 Looking for a job as a landscape architect? Click here to get started.

4. Mail Carriers/Delivery Services: 

This job title often conjures up images of the local postal carrier delivering the daily mail, but other employers, such as Fedex and United Parcel Service, also have workers in this field. Those employed by the U.S. Postal Service tend to be the best paid of the bunch, though their numbers are forecast to decline rapidly through 2020. Jobs outside the Postal Service are forecast to experience average growth during the same period. Regardless of the employer, the job involves much the same work: sorting and delivering letters and parcels. It can be physically demanding, requiring lots of lifting, carrying and walking.

• Median annual pay: $27,050, or $13 hourly (non-Postal Service workers); $53,090, or $25.52 hourly (U.S. Postal Service).

Overall Bliss Score: 3.94 Looking for a job in delivery services? Click here to get started.

3. Garbage Collector: 

A perhaps surprising addition to this list, those employed in garbage collection nonetheless appear to be a happy bunch, according to CareerBliss' calculations. The job requires little work experience and minimal on-the-job training. Most workers in this field are employed full-time and routinely work an eight-hour day. Still, it can require lots of heavy lifting and, although outdoors, it can be quite odorous. Projections for hand laborers and material movers, a larger category that includes garbage collectors, show average job growth in the coming years.

• Median annual pay: $22,560 ($10.85 hourly).

Overall Bliss Score: 4.00 Looking for a job as a garbage collector? Click here to get started.

2. (tie) Construction Worker: 

The title "construction worker" covers all kinds of jobs, including those that involve a skilled trade. For purposes of this list, we've narrowed the description to laborers and helpers, positions that require minimal if any experience and involve basic tasks. It can be tedious, physically demanding and sometimes dangerous work, but the pay is above average compared to most entry-level jobs. Further, there's the potential to move into higher paying professions with minimal additional training, such as drywall installation, painting and plastering. Despite the current economic slump, the need for construction laborers and helpers is expected to grow by 25 percent through 2020, a faster-than-average pace.

• Median annual pay: $28,410 ($13.66 hourly)

Overall Bliss Score: 4.11 Looking for a job as a construction worker? Click here to get started.

2. (tie) Physical Education Teacher: 

Recent cutbacks in state and local budgets have left many teachers either unemployed or working less than full-time. But forecasts nonetheless show average growth in the field due to increased enrollment, though growth will vary by region. In addition to working outdoors, phys-ed teachers also benefit -- as others do -- by a decent salary and getting summers' off to pursue other interests or careers. A bachelor's degree is required, and public-school teachers must also be state-certified.

• Median annual pay: $51,380 (kindergarten, elementary school); $53,230 (high school)

Overall Bliss Score: 4.11 Looking for a job as a physical education teacher? Click here to get started.

1. Camp Counselor: 

There must be something about sitting around campfires and roasting marshmallows that makes this job the most "blissful" among the jobs listed here. (In fact, CareerBliss notes, camp counselor outranked even the happiest "indoor" job: doctor.) Of course, camp counselors do much more, leading outdoor activities of all kinds and assisting children in learning new skills. Education and training requirements for this position, included in the larger group of recreation workers, often vary, but many in this field hold a bachelor's degree. Job growth in the coming years is forecast to be about as fast as average for all professions.

• Median annual pay: $22,260 ($10.70 hourly)

Overall Bliss Score: 4.26
Looking for a job as a camp counselor? Click here to get started.




Source: AOL

7 Growing Jobs That Pay $75,000 A Year

A few years back, researchers from Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School shed some light on the long-debated topic of money and its link to happiness. The study revealed a correlation between earning a specific dollar amount and reaching one's highest happiness level. According to the study, as people earn more money, their day-to-day happiness increases.

Yet once they hit a $75,000 income, their happiness plateaus. Happiness means different things to different people. For some, happiness is reached by being successful. Yet success, just like happiness, also comes with a price. A recent CareerBuilder survey found that 49 percent of workers would feel successful earning a salary of $70,000 or more.

These studies show that there's something about an income of around $75,000 that strikes a chord with Americans. If that income is something you wish to achieve, here's a list of seven fast-growing jobs that pay around $75,000 a year:

1. Financial examiner

• What they do: Financial examiners oversee the compliance of laws governing financial institutions and transactions. They are responsible for reviewing balance sheets, assessing bank management and evaluating the risk levels of loans.
• Projected job growth between 2010-20: 27 percent (faster than average).
• Median annual pay: $74,940.

2. Health and safety engineer

• What they do: These engineers develop systems and procedures that prevent sickness or injury and keep property from being damaged. In this job, workers ensure that chemicals, machinery, software and other products won't cause harm or injury to people or structures. Having a background in both systems engineering and health/safety is important.
• Projected job growth between 2010-20: 13 percent (about as fast as average).
• Median annual pay: $75,430.

3. Hydrologist

• What they do: Hydrologists study water and the water cycle. They use their expertise to solve problems in the areas of water quality or availability. They spend their time in the field on assignment or in an office or laboratory.
• Projected job growth between 2010-20: 18 percent (about as fast as average).
• Median annual pay: $75,690.

4. Information security analyst, Web developer and computer network architect

• What they do: These workers all use information technology in different ways to help a company achieve its goals. Security analysts help prevent cyberattacks that might compromise a company's information. Web developers create websites for companies or entities. Computer network architects create internal networks used by workers within an organization.
• Projected job growth between 2010-20: 22 percent (faster than average).
• Median annual pay: $75,660.

5. Medical scientist

• What they do: Medical scientists conduct research to help improve overall human health. Clinical trials and other investigative methods are commonly used to help in their findings.
• Projected job growth between 2010-20: 36 percent (much faster than average).
• Median annual pay: $76,700.

6. Physical therapist

• What they do: Physical therapists help people with injuries and illnesses regain and improve movement. They also help with pain management. These therapists are also an important part of the rehabilitation and treatment of patients with chronic conditions.
• Projected job growth between 2010-20: 39 percent (much faster than average).
• Median annual pay: $76,310.

7. Radiation therapist

• What they do: Radiation therapists treat cancer and other diseases in patients via radiation treatments. They usually work in hospitals or cancer treatment centers.
• Projected job growth between 2010-20: 20 percent (faster than average).
• Median annual pay: $74,980.

Source: AOL

10 Most Stressful Jobs Of 2012

For many Americans, stress is an integral part of work. Whether caused by looming deadlines, balancing demands of job and family, or a career that routinely involves risks to life and limb, stress can both help us do our jobs better -- by keeping us on our toes -- and take a toll on our overall health by putting us at increased risk for disease.

Not surprisingly, some of the most stressful jobs involve protecting others from harm, according to a survey by CareerCast, a job-search website. They include firefighters, who in addition to fighting fires frequently come in contact with hazardous materials and poisonous gases, and police officers, who battle crime and deal with dangerous criminals.

Similarly, CareerCast notes, military generals, who are in charge of defense strategy, and maintaining troop strength and morale, have one of the most stressful jobs, as do airline pilots, who are responsible for the safety of scores of passengers as well as their crew.

In its evaluation of job-related stress, CareerCast looked at 11 factors that invoke stress. Each were assigned points, with the highest scores given to those factors that were a major part of the job.

Jobs that are in dangerous settings, have demanding deadlines or involve repetitive detailed work can increase stress levels, CareerCast says. But stress isn't limited to a particular job, industry, salary or education level.
"Not all jobs are created equal when it comes to stress levels," says CareerCast Publisher Tony Lee in a statement accompanying the survey's results. Avoiding workplace stress isn't as difficult as it might seem, he says. There are many career options for those looking to keep stress levels at a minimum.

Fortunately, stress and pay don't go hand in hand. In other words, workers don't necessarily have to have the most demanding, stressful job in order to bring home a handsome paycheck.

In fact, says Lee, "The most stressful job from our research this year pays about the same as the least stressful job."

CareerCast's 10 Most Stressful Jobs of 2012:
10. Taxi Driver -- Average Income: $22,440

9. Photojournalist -- Average Income: $40,000

8. Corporate Executive (Senior) -- Average Income: $165,830

7. Public Relations Executive -- Average Income $91,810

6. Event Coordinator -- Average Income $45,260

5. Police Officer -- Average Income $53,540

4. Military General -- Average Income $196,300

3. Airline Pilot -- Average Income $103,210

2. Firefighter -- Average Income $45,250

1. Enlisted Military Soldier -- Average Income $35,580





Source: AOL

9 Well-Paying Jobs That Don't Require A Degree

Richard Branson, Rachael Ray, Mark Zuckerberg and Lady Gaga all have two things in common: 1) They are incredibly successful; 2) They are college dropouts. While it's a common belief that in order to be successful and make a lot of money you need to have a college degree, those four prove that's not necessarily true.

Sure, college-educated workers may have access to more opportunities and, on average, make more money than workers without degrees, but college isn't for everyone. Some people just don't want to take that direction in life, while others may have financial or personal reasons for foregoing higher education. And just because someone doesn't have a college diploma hanging on his or her wall doesn't mean he or she can't find a fulfilling job with a steady income.

While we can't all be the founder of a ubiquitous social network or an international pop star, there are still a variety of jobs available that pay well, no college diploma required. These jobs may offer extensive on-the-job training or value real-life experience over a college education.

While every company is different, and some employers may prefer that employees attain certain degrees or certifications, here are nine jobs that don't require a degree in order to get hired:


1. Administrative services manager*

• What they do: Administrative services managers plan, direct and coordinate supportive services of an organization. Their responsibilities vary and may include keeping records, distributing mail, and planning and maintaining facilities. Experience in managerial and leadership roles is often required or preferred.
• Typical education level that most workers need to enter this occupation: High-school diploma or equivalent.
• Average annual pay: $86,720.

2. Claims adjuster, examiner and investigator

• What they do: Workers employed in this occupation evaluate insurance claims. They decide whether an insurance company must pay a claim, and if so, how much is owed. Employers may prefer that workers have some prior insurance experience or vocational training in a related subject.
• Typical education level that most workers need: High-school diploma or equivalent.
• Average annual pay: $61,110.

3. Crane and tower operator

• What they do: These material moving machine operators use machinery, such as cranes and forklifts, to transport objects. Some workers in this role move construction materials around building sites or earth around a mine, while others transport goods around a warehouse or onto and off of container ships. Machine repair and inspections may also be part of the job. These workers usually get about a month's worth of on-the-job training.
• Typical education level that most workers need: Less than high school.
• Average annual pay: $50,040.

4. Derrick operator, oil and gas

• What they do: These oil and gas workers execute drilling plans designed by petroleum engineers. They operate equipment that digs wells and removes oil or gas. Most companies require that workers be at least 18 years of age and in good physical condition. Workers may also need to pass a drug test.
• Typical education level that most workers need: Less than high school.
• Average annual pay: $47,120.

5. Elevator installer and repairer

• What they do: Elevator installers and repairers install, fix and maintain elevators, escalators, moving walkways and other moving/transportation machinery. Some states may require licensure in order to work in this role. Most workers in this field participate in a formal apprenticeship before entering this field full time.
• Typical education level that most workers need: High-school diploma or equivalent.
• Average annual pay: $73,560.

6. Electrical and electronics installer and repairer, transportation equipment

• What they do: These workers install, repair or replace various types of electrical equipment in telecommunications, transportation, utilities and other industries. While a high-school diploma may be enough for workers to find employment, some do gain voluntary certification to learn the required skills.
• Typical education level that most workers need: Postsecondary non-degree award.
• Average annual pay: $52,080.

7. Loan officer

• What they do: Loan officers evaluate, authorize or recommend approval of loan applications for people and businesses. Most workers in this field gain on-the-job training within the first few months of employment.
• Typical education level that most workers need: High-school diploma or equivalent.
• Average annual pay: $67,960.

8. Nuclear power reactor operator

• What they do: As a nuclear power reactor operator, you're tasked with moving control rods, starting and stopping equipment, monitoring and adjusting controls and recording data. You may also have to implement emergency procedures when needed. Many companies require potential employees to take the Edison Electrical Institute's Power Plant Maintenance and Plant Operator exams to gauge whether they have the right aptitudes to succeed in this occupation.
• Typical education level that most workers need: High-school diploma or equivalent.
• Average annual pay: $77,550.

9. Subway and streetcar operator

• What they do: Subway and streetcar operators transport passengers in both urban and suburban areas. The vehicles they drive travel underground, on above-ground and elevated tracks, on streets or on separate tracks. Several months of on-the-job training is usually required to perform in this role.
• Typical education level that most workers need: High-school diploma or equivalent.
• Average annual pay: $59,400.

Source: AOL

Best Jobs for Working Mothers

Are you a mom looking for a job? Would you like to have more work-life balance and spend less time scrambling for a babysitter? We’ve found eight great careers that are mom-friendly, with schedules that won’t keep you away from the kids for too long.     

 

Katie Bardaro, lead analyst at online salary database PayScale, says several characteristics make a job desirable for working mothers, but one key consideration is flexibility. “Moms have to carefully balance work demands with home demands and having a flexible schedule makes this balancing act less precarious,” Bardaro says. 

“The ability to work part time during school hours, take time off to watch over a sick child or even work from home makes for a good work-life balance.”

The following jobs are potentially desirable for working mothers, because they offer at least one of the following characteristics: well-paying, part-time employment; a flexible schedule; the ability to work from home part time; paid maternity leave; and/or good daycare benefits.

Read on to learn about eight rewarding jobs that can help you embrace motherhood -- and professional success:

Dental Hygienist
Median Annual Pay: $67,300
Dental hygienists often work part-time hours, making it possible to still make the kids’ soccer games and doctor’s appointments. But it’s this job’s well-paying potential that makes moms smile.

Find dental hygienist jobs.

Acupuncturist
Median Annual Pay: $59,900
Women are nurturers by nature, so it’s no surprise that many mothers are drawn to this career in Chinese medicine and healing. Independent practitioners often set their own hours.

Find acupuncturist jobs.

Market Research Analyst
Median Annual Pay: $59,500
Moms often must be detail-oriented to keep their children safe, healthy and on schedule. They can harness that valuable skill to help marketing firms figure out what’s important to a company based on available market data. Many contractors work from home.

Find market research analyst jobs.

Sonographer
Median Annual Pay: $58,300
Since healthcare is an around-the-clock industry, mothers can work shifts around car pools and school schedules. Maternal bonus: You can share ultrasound moments with expectant mothers.

Find sonographer jobs.

Web Developer
Median Annual Pay: $55,400
Want to tap your creativity to help build Web sites? Many people work as independent contractors in this career. Although deadlines are generally dictated by clients, stay-at-home moms can set their own work schedules.

Find Web developer jobs.

Pilates/Yoga Instructor
Median Annual Pay: $53,600
Many Pilates/yoga instructors are self-employed, so part-time and flexible schedules are a possibility. Instructors at a gym or studio may be able to swap classes to help each other tend to unexpected commitments.

Find Pilates/yoga instructor jobs.
Fitness Trainer
Median Annual Pay: $43,600
Stay in shape while helping others lose weight, in what the Bureau of Labor Statistics says is a fast-growing career. A flexible schedule and good pay potential make this an attractive job for motivated moms.

Find fitness trainer jobs.

Elementary School Teacher
Median Annual Pay: $40,600
If you’re quick-minded, creative and enjoy being around children, working as an elementary school teacher could make sense. You can keep roughly the same hours as your kids and get summers and school holidays off.

Find elementary school teacher jobs.






Source: Monster

15 Jobs the Stimulus Plan May Boost

"Our first job is to put people back to work." President Barack Obama has declared this call to action time and time again when outlining the new administration's goals for rebuilding the economy. If the president's massive economic stimulus plan succeeds as hoped, an explosion of jobs will be created and saved to help recession-weary Americans rebound into the work force and get the economy back on track.

But where can people expect to find these employment opportunities when job losses have swept nearly every industry and region across the nation?

In his recently released book, "Great Jobs in the President's Stimulus Plan," leading occupational expert Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D., reveals which sectors and jobs are most likely to benefit from the president's policies. Shatkin also debunks the myth that the government will try to accomplish its re-employment goals by hiring a large number of people to work for the federal government. Instead, 90 percent of the jobs to be created or saved are expected to be in the private sector, Shatkin says.

"It's important to understand that the Obama team wants the coming upswing to be different from the 'jobless recovery' that followed the 2001 recession, in which businesses increased their profits without taking on many additional workers. Instead, as our country emerges from our current recession, we are expected to experience an era with many opportunities for employment. You need to be aware of the fields and jobs that are likely to grow and create a rewarding career for you," Shatkin says.

Below are several sectors and occupations that Shatkin says will benefit from the stimulus plan:

1. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except enginesPercent growth: 12.3 percent
Level of education/training: Postsecondary vocational training
Sector: Energy

2. Mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineersPercent growth: 10.0 percent
Level of education/training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Sector: Energy

3. Geophysical data technicians
Percent growth: 8.6 percent
Level of education/training: Associate degree
Sector: Energy

4. Construction managers
Percent growth: 15.7 percent
Level of education/training: Bachelor's degree
Sector: Infrastructure

5. Environmental engineering technicians
Percent growth: 24.8 percent
Level of education/training: Associate degree
Sector: Infrastructure

6. Electricians
Percent growth: 7.4 percent
Level of education/training: Long-term on-the-job training
Sector: Infrastructure

7. Physical therapist assistants
Percent growth: 32.4 percent
Level of education/training: Associate degree
Sector: Health care

8. Registered nurses
Percent growth: 23.5 percent
Level of education/training: Associate degree
Sector: Health care

9. Medical assistants
Percent growth: 35.4 percent
Level of education/training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Sector: Health care

10. Special education teachers, secondary schoolPercent growth: 8.5 percent
Level of education/training: Bachelor's degree
Sector: Education

11. Adult literacy, remedial education and GED teachers and instructors
Percent growth: 14.2 percent
Level of education/training: Bachelor's degree
Sector: Education
12. Library technicians
Percent growth: 8.5 percent
Level of education/training: Post-secondary vocational training
Sector: Education

13. Industrial machinery mechanics
Percent growth: 9 percent
Level of education/training: Long-term on-the-job training
Sector: Manufacturing

14. Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging and systems assemblers
Percent growth: 12.8 percent
Level of education/training: Long-term on-the-job training
Sector: Manufacturing

15. Industrial engineers
Percent growth: 20.3 percent
Level of education/training: Bachelor's degree
Sector: Manufacturing




Source: careerbuilder

What's Hot: Human Resources

Satisfied workers and good manager/employee communication are vital to the success of businesses. However, in most large corporations, to keep the peace at work it simply isn't possible for a worker to knock on the door of the company CEO to voice a concern.

Therefore, companies rely on human resource managers to be that liaison and keep things running smoothly.

If you have strong communication skills and enjoy helping others in a corporate setting, here are some facts about human resource managers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Overview
Human resource managers have stepped into the limelight in many companies in recent years. Historically, human resource managers performed administrative tasks that include handling employee benefits and recruiting and interviewing new hires. Today, these workers perform these tasks, but also increasingly consult top executives about strategic planning.

These managers attempt to improve morale and productivity by providing training opportunities to boost employee skills and helping to increase employees' overall job satisfaction. Dealing with people and resolving problems are essential aspects of this career.

Training and Education
The duties and amount of responsibility assigned to human resource managers vary - and thus, so do the educational requirements. Many employers seek out entry-level candidates who majored in human resources, personnel administration, or industrial and labor relations; other employers look for grads with business, technical or liberal arts backgrounds.

Some jobs are increasingly requiring advanced degrees in disciplines including industrial and labor relations. Experience in the field is also important for those seeking more advanced positions, but entry-level workers often enter formal training programs.

Jobs in the human resources field require exceptional people skills. They must be good writers, able to handle conflicting points of view, fair-minded, discreet and have a persuasive, yet congenial personality.

Opportunities
Human resources workers' duties vary considerably by the size and type of organization. In a small organization, a human resources generalist might handle all aspects of the human resources work.

In larger corporations, human resources duties are much more divided:

The director of human resources may oversee several departments, each headed by an experienced manager.

Employment and placement managers oversee the hiring and firing of employees. Employment, recruitment and placement specialists recruit and place workers.

Recruiters travel extensively, often to college campuses, in search of promising candidates.

EEO officers, representatives or affirmative action coordinators examine their company's Equal Employment Opportunity practices and handle grievances.

Compensation, benefits and job analysis specialists conduct programs for employers, specializing in specific areas like position classifications or pensions.

Occupational analysts conduct research about occupational classification systems and industry trends.

Compensation managers establish and maintain a firm's pay system.

Employee benefits managers and specialists are the company employee benefits experts.

Training and development managers and specialists conduct and supervise training and development programs for employees.

Training managers provide classroom or on-site worker training.

The director of industrial relations forms labor policy and coordinates grievance procedures.

Pros and cCns
Human resources jobs are usually in clean, pleasant settings, and many arbitrators and labor relations managers work at home. Many jobs have traditional 9-to-5 hours. Due to the somewhat hierarchical nature of the profession, there are many opportunities for advancement.

However, they must be prepared to work long hours in the case of a major dispute - especially arbitrators, when new contracts are being prepared and negotiated. Some human resources workers must travel extensively, spending time away from their families.

Salary
Salaries for human resources workers fluctuate in accordance with their occupation, level of experience, training, location, size of firm and union status. Median annual earnings of human resources managers were $64,710 in 2002. Employment, recruitment and placement specialists earned $39,410 that same year. Compensation, benefits and job analysis specialists were paid $45,100.

Job Outlook
There is a steady supply of qualified college graduates interested in human resources work; therefore competition will be tight for jobs. But overall, human resources workers will enjoy faster-than-average job growth through 2012, according to the BLS.

This demand will be spurred in part by new laws regulating the workplace, health, pensions and family leave. In addition, demand will be strongest for certain specialists (those who specialize in older job seekers, for example).

 

 

 

 

Source: careerbuilder

10 jobs for people who love to talk

If you're a talker, picking a job where you spend your days quietly behind a computer can make you absolutely miserable. Just imagine Kelly Ripa or Katie Couric crunching numbers in a cubicle. Talkers don't need to be constantly engaged in conversation.

However, having a social aspect to their roles will make them more successful, because it taps into their natural talents. Choosing the right job is key, and it's important to understand the social attributes of a position before you start.

If you love to talk, here are 10 fields to consider:

Marketing
Whether you're an account executive or work for a marketing agency, your people skills are often on display. Most marketers need to convey a convincing pitch -- whether within the company or to outside vendors -- and use their talking skills to cement existing relationships and build new ones.

News anchor or reporter
Great speaking skills are a large part of news anchors' and reporters' jobs, because they need to be able to relate to their audience. Those eager to gather and disseminate the news via television, radio, websites or newspapers can build careers by being successful speakers.

Sales
It's well-known that those in sales love to talk. There's a reason for that: Salespeople must develop trusting relationships with customers before going in for the pitch and getting them to make purchases. Even after a sale, staying upbeat is a huge part of the job, so nontalkers need not apply.

Teaching
No matter how old your students are, your speaking skills are crucial to being a successful mentor and inspiring your students. Teachers are some of the best communicators around and spend a large part of their job talking for the benefit of the class.

Fitness instructor
Pilates instructors, yoga teachers and personal trainers must communicate with their clients. Motivating them through speech is important, so fitness instructors of any kind must have stellar speaking skills. For clients, an upbeat voice is key and helps get them through all those torturous push-ups.

Publicist
Most public relations executives need to spend a great deal of time communicating their clients' messages to media. Pitching journalists is a large part of the job, which is perfect for talkers.

Social worker
Understanding the problems of others and helping them cope requires impressive communication skills. Not only do social workers need to speak with clients, they also need to explain how to deal with troubling relationships, diseases or even psychological issues.

Entrepreneur
While becoming an entrepreneur doesn't necessarily require speaking skills, being able to sell your business to those around you is key. When launching a business, it's important that entrepreneurs can clearly convey their new venture to others.

Actor, producer or director
Most occupations in the drama field use speech to convey ideas and draw out the viewer's emotions, so if you're a talker this could be your dream job. Most great actors, producers and directors understand the effect their speech can have on the production and how to use it to their advantage.

Interior designer
If you love combining your artistic flair with talking, interior design may be a perfect career opportunity. Some designers are hired on a contract basis to bring an aesthetic to a specific indoor space, while others work as part of large corporations or design firms. Designers work on anything from private homes to hotels and offices, so communication skills are a must.




Source: careerbuilder

America's best- and worst-paying jobs

The size of your paycheck will depend largely on the line of work you choose -- or qualify to do. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics offers a look at where you can expect to earn the most and the least.

The biggest paychecks

Though top-level executives are infamous for what many consider to be their excessive pay, it turns out those sporting scrubs and white coats in the operating room bring in bigger paychecks, on average, than those wearing suits and neckties in the corner office. That's according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates survey. (Chief executives did turn up in the top 10 -- the only nonmedical occupation to do so.)

The BLS survey reflects May 2011 salary and employment data gathered from nearly 1.2 million businesses. The annual wages for all occupations were calculated by multiplying the hourly mean wage by 2,080 hours, a year-round, full-time hours figure.

No. 5 best-paying: Orthodontist

• Average annual pay: $204,670
• Employees in field: 5,040

The state with the most orthodontists is California, with 760. But orthodontists earn the most in Virginia.

No. 4 best-paying: Oral and maxillofacial surgeon

• Average annual pay: $217,380
• Employees in field: 5,800

The state with the most oral and maxillofacial surgeons is New York, with 790. The top-paying state is Washington.

No. 3 best-paying: Obstetrician/gynecologist

• Average annual pay: $218,610
• Employees in field: 20,540

The state with the most obstetricians and gynecologists is California, with 2,840. The top-paying state is Idaho.

No. 2 best-paying: Surgeon

• Average annual pay: $231,550
• Employees in field: 42,340

The second highest-paying job in America: general surgeon. These high-earning medical professionals bring in $111.32 an hour, for an average annual salary of $231,550. That's an increase of about $6,000 from the year before.

California has 4,830 surgeons, more than any other state. The top-paying state is Wyoming.

No. 1 best-paying: Anesthesiologist

• Average annual pay: $234,950
• Employees in field: 33,310

In operating rooms across the country, anesthesiologists, the highest-paid workers in the U.S., earn an average of $112.96 an hour, for a mean annual salary of $234,950, according to the BLS. That's about $15,000 more than they made last year -- but anesthesiologists, like others in medical work, can pay well into six figures a year in medical malpractice premiums.

The 33,310 anesthesiologists in the U.S. also work long shifts and play an integral role in keeping patients alive during surgery to earn their sizable salaries. According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the high pay reflects the responsibility and risk involved in their jobs.

California has the most anesthesiologists, with 5,030. The top-paying state is Wyoming.

The worst-paying jobs in America

At the other end of the wage spectrum, employees in the food-service industry dominate. Six of the 10 lowest-paying jobs are food preparation and serving-related occupations, while three are personal care and service occupations, according to BLS data. (The other occupation among the 10 lowest-paying is farm worker.)

No. 5 worst-paying: Cafeteria, food concession and coffee shop counter attendant

• Average annual pay: $19,450
• Employees in field: 441,830

The state with the most counter attendants is California, with 61,040. The top-paying state is Nevada, where they earn $23,030 a year, on average. The bottom 10% of these workers in the United States make $7.73 an hour, or $16,080 a year.

No. 4 worst-paying: Shampooer

• Average annual pay: $19,130
• Employees in field: 13,240

The state with the most people working in this occupation is New York, with 2,130 shampooers. The top-paying state is Massachusetts, where shampooers earn $26,840 a year, on average. The bottom 10% of these workers earn $7.70 an hour, or $16,020 a year.

No. 3 worst-paying: Dishwasher

• Average annual pay: $18,840
• Employees in field: 504,280

California, with 67,990 dishwashers, has the most people working in this occupation. The top-paying state is Hawaii, where dishwashers earn $24,590 a year, on average. The bottom 10% of these workers in the United States make $7.71 an hour, or $16,040 a year.

No. 2 worst-paying: Food-preparation and serving worker

• Average annual pay: $18,790
• Employees in field: 2,799,430

The state with the most workers doing this job is California, with 269,310 combined food-preparation and serving workers (including fast food). Such workers earn the most in Washington, D.C., where they make $23,470 a year, on average. The bottom 10% of these workers make $7.68 an hour, or $15,960 a year.

No. 1 worst-paying: Fast-food cook

• Average annual pay: $18,720
• Employees in field: 502,450

The lowest-paid workers, fast-food cooks, earn an average of $9 an hour. The state with the highest employment level in this occupation is California, with 103,230 fast food cooks. The top-paying state is Connecticut, where fast-food cooks earn an average $23,360 a year, on average. The bottom 10% of these workers make $7.74 an hour, or $16,090 a year.








Source: msn

Top 10 Companies Hiring This Week

AOL Jobs Staff

A job search can get quite frustrating these days, with so many people competing for too few openings. To ease the burden, AOL Jobs tracked down the 10 top companies that are hiring this week. From sales jobs to finance positions, full-time to part-time, these employers have a plethora of openings they're looking to fill.    

Good luck job hunting!

1. Catholic Health Initiatives: 3,136 openings

Catholic Health Initiatives is a national, faith-based nonprofit health system with headquarters in Englewood, Colorado. Formed in 1996 through the consolidation of four Catholic health systems, CHI operates in 19 states and comprises 105 hospitals, including four academic health centers and major teaching hospitals and 30 critical-access facilities.
Employee Review: "Great recruiting team and culture. Friendly environment for all employees and visitors. Efficient processes."*

Find a job now with Catholic Health Initiatives


2. UnitedHealth Group: 2,693 openings

UnitedHealth Group currently provides health insurance services to more than 75 million people worldwide and is the largest insurance company of its kind in the U.S. With the onset of states' participation in the Affordable Care Act, the Minnesota-based insurer "has remained especially vague on the number of systems in would participate in," says The Motley Fool, "placing the number somewhere between 10 and 25."

Employee Review: "Good, steady work. Great learning opportunities. Very little favoritism, you get ahead based on your own work. Work at home opportunities help on commuting costs. Great work-life balance, ample vacation time."*

Find a job now with UnitedHealth Group.


3. Advantage Sales & Marketing: 2,548 openings

Advantage Sales & Marketing provides outsourced sales, merchandising, and marketing services to consumer goods and food product manufacturers and suppliers. Owning more than 65 offices in the US and Canada, ASM does merchandising for 1,200 clients -- including Johnson & Johnson, Mars, Unilever, and Energizer.

Employee Review: "Long-lasting business, able to adapt to changes in market. Well thought-out benefits plan, and flexible time off for both vacation and illness."*

Find a job now with Advantage Sales & Marketing.


4. UPS: 2,218 openings

Known by its large brown delivery trucks, United Parcel Service delivers over 15 million packages per day. Headquartered in Sandy Springs, Ga., UPS competes with other carriers, such as FedEx and the U.S. Postal Service. The company employs approximately 350,000 in the United States, with another 67,000 around the world.

Employee Review: "I love getting to meet new people all the time and seeing all the different things that we import as a country. I also love the challenges of solving the problems of supply chain and getting items to the good old U.S. of A.."*

Find a job now at UPS.


5. Firestone Complete Auto: 2,026 openings

Firestone Complete Auto Care is a car maintenance chain that's part of one of the oldest American tire companies. There are more than 1,600 locations nationwide that, along with selling and servicing tires, also do repairs and other kinds of work on cars.

Employee Review: "Higher-than-average compensation for retail, good camaraderie with co-workers. Nice working for large company that you know will be there tomorrow."*

Find a job now with Firestone Complete Auto.


6. The Vitamin Shoppe: 1,981 openings

The Vitamin Shoppe is a New Jersey-based retailer of nutritional supplements. They also operate stores in Canada under the name "VitaPath". The company provides approximately 8,000 different skus of supplements through its retail stores and over 20,000 different skus of supplements through its online retail websites.

Employee Review: "Good growth opportunities and stores opening all over the US all year 'round. Company based out of NJ, so more progressive policies on employment and benefits. Good vacation, health, and dental benefits. Above average pay from minimum wage. Good policies on customer service interaction as well. Focus on Customer service vs. pushing products."*

Find a job now with The Vitamin Shoppe.


7. SAS Retail Services: 1,962 openings.
SAS provides in store retail merchandising services for retailers and suppliers by delivering in store solutions for any merchandising need. The results come from retail experts delivering services through innovation, superior personnel, and integrated technology.
Employee Review: "Get to travel to different stores and doing something different everyday. Meet great people and some great managers."*

Find a job now at SAS Retail Services.


8. Chipotle: 1,841 openings.

Chipotle is known for its use of organic meats throughout its more than 1,500 restaurants, which are located in 45 states. Since having been founded in 1993, the chain has since exploded and now counts some 37,000 employees. It is a pioneer in the "fast casual" dining movement.

Employee Review: "The people I work with are awesome and the food is good. It pays my bills and makes me laugh. The schedule is super flexible but It's a lot of work. If you're looking for something easy and laid back, keep looking."*

Find a job now at Chipotle.


9. Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 1,742 openings

Enterprise is the largest rental care company in North America and operates over 900,000 vehicles worldwide, earning it the 15th rank on Forbes' "America's Largest Private Companies" list.

Employee Review: "Great experience and recognized as an excellent training program by outside companies. Can advance quickly if you hit your goals."*

Find a job now at Enterprise Rent-A-Car.


10. Bankers Life and Casualty: 1,681 openings

Founded in 1879, Bankers is a life and health insurance company that services the retirement market. It is based in Chicago, Ill., and operates in 275 offices nationwide. The financial company is a subsidiary of CNO Financial Group.

Employee Review: "For someone who wants a second career after the first big one, with more freedom, flexibility, etc., this is the place!"*

Find a job now with Bankers Life and Casualty.

5 industries that are hiring

1Is it possible that the job market is finally looking up? U.S. unemployment figures are showing signs of moderate recovery, with the unemployment rate decreasing to 8.2 percent in March, the sixth straight monthly decline. If you're looking for a new job or career path, here are five industries that experts tell us could be on the upswing:

1. Health care services

With the aging baby boomer population, the health care services industry is likely to keep growing for a long time. "Not necessarily in hospitals, but in areas like home health care, such as assisted-living services, jobs where you are helping people who have health issues and [who] are declining — those types of services are booming," explains Sandra Abbey, who teaches in the MBA program at the University of Phoenix Southern Arizona Campus.

2. Knowledge and information services

Given the abundance of smartphones and tablets, Abbey also sees tremendous growth in the information-services sector. "People who can deal with knowledge and create applications so that everyday people can find out what they want to know at a moment's notice" will find more job opportunities in the computer technology industry, she says. "Everyone is so connected these days. Having the skills to manage and use that information is a valuable resource."

3. Boutique retail and food

With Internet commerce making many products available worldwide, traditional department store retail has shrunk. But Abbey sees growth in many small niche markets for specialty retail and food outlets, both in physical stores and online. "There has been such a strong trend for buy local, eat local," says Abbey, who also works as senior director of administrative services for the Tucson Airport Authority. "It's important to have a niche today. I've seen a lot of development of specialty shops and small boutique restaurants."

4. Renewable or green energy

Although solar power took a hit when Solyndra went bankrupt last year, Nancy Wood, who teaches undergraduate human resource management courses for University of Phoenix online and has worked in human resources retail management for 20 years, thinks the green energy sector is continuing to expand. "Eventually alternative energy is going to really take off, because that's where we're heading, away from fossil fuels," she says. "So if you are an engineering technician who specializes in electronics or electricity, or thinking of becoming one, you're going to be in business for a long time."

5. Human resources

Once upon a time, HR was just the department that issued paychecks, but as the world has gotten more complex, so too has the HR field. "This is a hugely growing industry because it's become very diverse and requires more staff," Wood explains.
Today HR departments oversee training and development, organizational management, benefits and compensation, labor relations, diversity needs, international issues, employee relations, ethics, safety, and security. Not to mention, says Wood, "keeping tabs on what employees are tweeting about your company online."






Source: phonex