5 health-care jobs for bachelor's degree holders

By Susan Ricker, 

Getting into health care doesn't necessarily require a doctoral degree. It's possible to help people feel their best and care for their health with a bachelor's degree.
A bachelor's degree can help you form a solid career in health care or take you to the next step in pursuing a postgraduate degree. Consider the following health-care jobs that require only a bachelor's degree.

1. Athletic trainer*

What they do: Athletic trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing and treating muscle and bone injuries and disorders. They work with people of all ages and skill levels, including children, soldiers and professional athletes. Athletic trainers need at least a bachelor's degree, although both bachelor's and master's degrees are common. In most states, athletic trainers need a license or certification.

Projected job growth: Employment is expected to grow by 30 percent between 2010 and 2020, much faster than the average for all occupations. As people become more aware of sports-related injuries in children, demand for athletic trainers is expected to increase, most significantly in schools and youth sports leagues.
Median annual pay: $41,600

2. Dietitian and nutritionist
What they do: Dietitians and nutritionists are experts in food and nutrition. They advise people on what to eat in order to lead a healthy lifestyle or achieve a specific health-related goal. Although all dietitians and nutritionists do similar tasks, there are several types, including clinical dietitians, management dietitians and community dietitians. Most dietitians and nutritionists have a bachelor's degree and have participated in supervised training. Also, many states require dietitians and nutritionists to be licensed.
Projected job growth: Employment is expected to increase by 20 percent between 2010 and 2020, faster than the average for all occupations.
Median annual pay: $53,250

3. Medical and clinical laboratory technologist and technician
What they do: Medical laboratory technologists -- also known as medical laboratory scientists -- and medical laboratory technicians collect samples and perform tests to analyze body fluids, tissue and other substances. Educational requirements for technologists and technicians differ. Technologists typically need a bachelor's degree; technicians usually need an associate degree or a postsecondary certificate. Some states require technologists and technicians to be licensed or registered.
Projected job growth: Employment of technologists is expected to grow by 11 percent between 2010 and 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Employment of technicians is expected to grow by 15 percent between 2010 and 2020, about as fast as average.
Median annual pay: Medical laboratory technologists: $56,130; medical laboratory technicians: $36,280

4. Occupational health and safety specialist
What they do: Occupational health and safety specialists analyze work environments and procedures. They inspect workplaces for adherence to regulations on safety, health and the environment. They also design programs to prevent disease or injury to workers and damage to the environment. Occupational health and safety specialists typically need a bachelor's degree. All specialists are trained in the specific laws or inspection procedures through a combination of classroom and on-the-job training.
Projected job growth: Employment is expected to grow by 9 percent between 2010 and 2020, which is slower than average.
Median annual pay: $64,660

5. Recreational therapist
What they do: Recreational therapists plan, direct and coordinate recreation programs for people with disabilities or illnesses. They use a variety of techniques, including arts and crafts, drama, music, dance, sports, games and field trips. These programs help maintain or improve a client's physical and emotional well-being. Recreational therapists typically need a bachelor's degree. Most employers require therapists to be certified by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation.
Projected job growth: Employment is expected to grow by 17 percent, about as fast as average. As baby-boomers age, they will need recreational therapists to help treat age-related injuries and illnesses, such as strokes.
Median annual pay: $39,410



Source: careerbuilder

Starting pay for IT jobs expected to jump 5.3 percent

The ability to recruit and retain skilled information-technology employees is crucial for almost any organization today. Companies that can't secure enough qualified IT professionals to support their business needs risk not being able to operate effectively, let alone pursue new strategic initiatives.

However, while many employers are eager to hire more IT personnel, demand exceeds the supply of available candidates, according to research conducted for the "Robert Half Technology 2013 Salary Guide."

To improve their chances of securing skilled IT employees this year, leading businesses are prepared to offer higher starting pay, more benefits and professional-development opportunities. In fact, starting pay for technology jobs is expected to show the largest increases among all fields researched by Robert Half: an average of 5.3 percent.

Chief information officers surveyed for this year's Salary Guide expect the following jobs will be among those seeing the greatest boost in average starting salaries in 2013.

Mobile applications developer: The number of mobile Internet users will grow by a compound annual growth rate of 16.6 percent between 2010 and 2015, according to research by market-research firm IDC. As a result, many companies want to expand their mobile presence and build mobile applications and websites. However, professionals with deep mobile expertise are particularly hard to come by in this relatively new and rapidly evolving field.

Mobile applications developers who possess in-demand knowledge and skills can expect to see starting pay between $92,750 and $133,500. This represents a 9 percent increase over 2012 figures and is the biggest projected increase for any position tracked in the Salary Guide.

Wireless network engineer: Research by Cisco Systems Inc. suggests that the number of mobile-connected devices exceeded the number of people on Earth at the end of 2012. Obviously, with that many devices in use, the demand for wireless networks -- and specialists who can build and maintain them -- is only going to increase.

The Salary Guide reports that employers are prepared to pay wireless network engineers an average of 7.9 percent more in 2013 ($85,500 to $117,000) compared with 2012.

Business intelligence analyst: Increasingly, companies are looking to extract more value from the data they generate and collect so they can use it in their decision-making. But turning raw data into information that can be used to further business goals requires specialized skills.

Companies need professionals who can review and analyze data from multiple internal and external resources, communicate the results to senior management and make recommendations on how to apply this newfound insight -- such as developing new products and services. Average starting pay for business intelligence analysts is expected to rise 7.4 percent to a range of $76,000 to $105,750 in 2013.

Using big data to see the big picture
Business intelligence analyst is just one role that will be in greater demand next year due to the increasing focus on big data -- large and complex data sets that are hard to manage but also are a gold mine of information for today's businesses. Now that more powerful and cost-effective computing solutions are available to help companies unlock the value of data more efficiently, many businesses are working to assemble dedicated big-data teams.

Other positions expected to see growth in 2013 because of big-data demands include database administrators, data modelers and data warehouse engineers. Most companies specifically seek candidates with a combination of business and technical acumen and an eye for innovation. In a field where skilled workers are already hard to come by, this expertise, in particular, will likely take time to locate.

BYOD presents new opportunities for IT
This year, expect more employers to embrace the "bring your own device" trend and allow their workers to access the company network with personal devices. As the Salary Guide reports, sophisticated technology is making it easier for IT to control employees' access to company assets while ensuring that network and data security are maintained.

Most employers recognize that technology alone cannot accommodate the move to BYOD. It will also take skilled professionals, and this means new job paths in the IT field. For example, many organizations are creating mobile-device management teams and implementing mobile help-desk services to support their workforce. 

Source: careerbuilder

America's noisiest professions

By Beth Braccio Hering, 

A loud work environment isn't just annoying and stressful -- it can have long-term consequences. According to Audicus Hearing Aids, an estimated 30 million Americans are exposed to hazardous noise on the job, and up to 60 percent of workers in certain fields experience hearing loss by age 50.

Audicus Hearing Aids compiled a list of high-risk occupations. Some are what you'd expect -- anyone who has ever passed a worker using a jackhammer has wondered how that person tolerates the noise -- but quite a few may surprise you.

Agriculture: Tractors, forage harvesters, silage blowers, chainsaws, skid-steer loaders, grain dryers and squealing pigs can make farm life quite noisy. Adding to the risk is the fact that many farmers have been exposed to these sounds since childhood. Sound-reducing cabs can help, as can keeping machine parts lubricated and in good shape in order to reduce friction and decibel levels.

Pay: Median hourly pay is $9.12 for agricultural workers and $29.21 for farmers, ranchers and agricultural managers.*

Construction/carpentry: The Center for Disease Control claims the average 25-year-old carpenter has the ears of a 50 year old. Wearing hearing protectors on a more regular basis may be key in this profession, as less than 20 percent of carpenters report using them "most of the time" when working in loud conditions. Other construction employees at risk include laborers, operators, ironworkers and sheet metal workers. Hammer drills top the list of noise-making culprits, followed closely by chain saws, chop saws, miter saws and impact wrenches.

Pay: Median hourly pay is $19.25 for carpenters, $14.60 for construction laborers and $20.94 for equipment operators.

Firefighting: If you think that siren is loud as it passes your house, imagine the impact on the workers riding in the vehicle. Frequent exposure to the sounds of air horns, power tools and high-intensity water pumps adds to the potential for hearing problems.
Pay: Median hourly pay for firefighters is $21.76.

Manufacturing: Manufacturing is one of the largest fields in the U.S. -- and one of the noisiest. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupational hearing loss is the most commonly recorded occupational illness in manufacturing (17,700 cases out of 59,100 cases), accounting for one in nine recordable illnesses. From food processing plants to textile industries, consistent exposure to noise over time can be problematic in virtually all places that make goods. High levels are particularly common in metal fabrication plants and other industries where metal-on-metal impact occurs.
Pay: The average hourly pay for workers in this field is $24.17.

Military: The Department of Veteran Affairs reports that nearly 10 percent of all disabilities among veterans receiving disability compensation at the end of 2003 were problems of the auditory system, including hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Likewise, a recent study by the Deafness Research Foundation showed that more than 65 percent of returning combat troops from Afghanistan suffer from noise-induced hearing loss or sustained acoustic trauma. Sources of noise include weapons systems (such as handguns, rifles, artillery pieces and rockets), wheeled and tracked vehicles, fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, ships and communication devices. Combat-related noise can be unpredictable in onset and duration, though military personnel also encounter noise during training and standard military operations.
Pay: Basic pay is based on rank and time in service. Pay bands are the same for all branches of service. Members of the Armed Forces receive additional pay for foreign duty, hazardous duty, submarine duty, flight duty and for being medical officers.

Mining: Just how bad is the noise from the double whammy of working with heavy excavation machinery and a confined environment? According to the CDC, 76 percent of mine workers are exposed to hazardous noise, the highest figure for all major industries. What's more, one out of every four mine workers has a severe hearing problem; four out of five have a hearing impairment by the time they reach retirement age. The Office of Mine Safety and Health Research and other organizations are addressing the problem by working on technological advances to reduce noise.
Pay: The average hourly pay for miners is $28.12.

Plumbing: According to the CDC, 48 percent of plumbers report having a perceived hearing loss. Plumbers often work with and around loud equipment such as power saws, drills, nail guns and hammers. While buying quieter models when purchasing new equipment can help, as can placing noisy equipment such as compressors and generators as far from the work zone as possible, continuous use of hearing protection is among the best ways to reduce noise exposure.
Pay: The mean hourly pay for plumbers is $25.46.




Source: careerbuilder

8 jobs you can do outdoors

By Larry Buhl, 

Spring has arrived, and with it comes longing glances from office windows as employees dream of a chance to work away from fluorescent lights and cubicle warrens. If you're considering a career change and want it to involve fresh air, here are eight occupations that can be done, at least partly, in the great outdoors.

1. Animal care worker: This job can be in a variety of settings, such as kennels, zoos, stables, animal shelters, pet stores, veterinary clinics and aquariums. The job can be physically demanding and the pay is generally low. Experience with animals is more important than a specific degree.

Projected job growth, 2010 to 2020: Faster than average

Median pay: $19,780 annually, $9.51 hourly*

2. Archaeologist: Although some archeologists work in offices or laboratories, others spend time in the field on duties such as assessing the significance of a potential construction site. A master's degree or Ph.D. is required.
Projected job growth, 2010 to 2020: Faster than average
Median pay: $54,230 annually, $26.07 hourly

3. Conservation scientist: Sometimes referred to as a forester, these professionals manage and monitor overall land quality of forests, parks and other natural resources. A bachelor's degree in botany or a related field is expected.
Projected job growth, 2010 to 2020: Slower than average
Median pay: $57,420 annually, $27.60 hourly

4. Construction manager: These workers oversee construction projects through organization, scheduling, budgeting and implementation. A bachelor's degree and experience in a construction-related field, plus certification, are usually expected.
Projected job growth, 2010 to 2020: About as fast as average
Median pay: $83,860 annually, $40.32 hourly

5. Environmental engineer: Environmental engineers spend much time indoors but can be in the field on construction projects. A bachelor's degree in environmental engineering or a related field -- civil, mechanical or chemical engineering -- is required.
Projected job growth, 2010 to 2020: Faster than average
Median pay: $78,740 annually, $37.86 hourly

6. Geological engineer: There are a variety of job titles associated with this profession, with duties involving surveying the characteristics of land for mining or other development sites. A bachelor's degree and a state license are required.
Projected job growth, 2010 to 2020: About as fast as average
Median pay: $82,870 annually, $39.84 hourly

7. Landscape architect: This job is primarily done inside, but it can also involve frequent visits to job sites. A bachelor's degree and state certification are minimum requirements.
Projected job growth, 2010 to 2020: About as fast as average
Median pay: $62,090 annually, $29.85 hourly

8. Surveyor: Many duties are conducted outdoors in various types of terrain. But surveyors also work indoors to prepare legal documents and other reports. A bachelor's degree is usually required, and surveyors are often licensed.
Projected job growth, 2010 to 2020: Faster than average
Median pay: $54,880 annually, $26.39 hourly



Source: careerbuilder

Jobs for introvert and extrovert personality types

By Susan Ricker,
 
A job interview is usually the time when an employer gets to know the job candidate's personality to see if he's the right fit for the job. But what if you could choose a job that's the right fit for your personality?
A new CareerBuilder study reveals the positions that are better suited for introverts and extroverts. While extroverts tend to be enthusiastic, talkative, assertive and gregarious, introverts tend to be more reserved and less outspoken in groups. Though these characteristics aren't the only factors in choosing a job, it can help to know what kind of role you could be best suited for.

The study found that extroverts were more likely to report being in management roles -- 22 percent compared with 18 percent of introverts. "The data does indicate that extroverts may be better suited for higher-level positions, many of which involve a lot of collaboration and public speaking," says Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder. "But that doesn't mean an introvert can't still rise high in a company. It may be the case that many of the respondents began as introverts and gradually became more extroverted as the situation demanded."

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

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

Types of roles extroverts are drawn to:

• Construction worker
• Pharmacist
• Therapist (occupational, physical, speech)
• Event planner
• Nurse
• Advertising professional
• Police officer
• Firefighter
• Sales representative
• Accountant
• Financial analyst
• Customer service representative
• Entertainer/performer

Types of roles introverts are drawn to:

• Artist/designer
• Engineer
• Chef
• Physician
• Information technology -- computer programmer/software developer
• Machine operator/assembly/production worker
• Mechanic
• Editor/writer
• Scientist
• Veterinarian
• Truck driver
• Lawyer
• Teacher

Source: careerbuilder

6 jobs that are in demand now

After years of disappointing employment news, it looks like the job market has finally made a definitive turn in the right direction.

Over the past three months, the economy has added 721,000 jobs, or an average of 245,000 jobs per month, marking one of the greatest periods of job growth since before the recession. Additionally, in the six-month period from August 2011 to March 2012, the unemployment rate fell 0.8 percent. The current unemployment rate, 8.3 percent, is the lowest it's been in three years.

So where are all of these new jobs coming from? Here's a look at six occupations that are currently in high demand.









Source: careerbuilder

In love with love? 7 romantic jobs

For some people, romance is signified by a candlelit dinner and a bouquet of roses. For others, it's about sexy lingerie and racy reads. Here's a list of jobs that allow you to enjoy a life of year-round romance. Go ahead and spread some love.

1. Chocolatier

"Not only is chocolate itself sensual, but so is the process of making it," says Tish Boil, editor-in-chief of Chocolatier magazine, a publication for those who make, sell or just love chocolate. "Your body gets into a rhythm as you stir and temper the warm, oozing chocolate and pour it over the soft filling, using precise, gentle movements." According to the National Retail Federation, half of all celebrants (50.5 percent) will buy candy this Valentine's Day. "There's something about giving chocolate that's romantic; it assumes an expectation of intimacy," Boil explains. "After all, it melts in your mouth and intoxicates the senses in a very sensual way."

2. Romance novelist

What could be more romantic than spending your days writing love stories? Romance novelists create characters filled with passionate impulses. "For me, this is the best part of my job: I get to fall in love, again and again, with every new set of characters," says romance novelist Debra Salonen. The profession is not only romantic, but also potentially lucrative: The Romance Writers of America, a national writers association, reports that romance titles generate $1.36 billion in sales each year.

3. Lingerie salesperson
For some couples, nothing says romance more than a silky garment meant only for the boudoir. Lingerie salespeople help customers make the perfect purchase, thereby playing a hand in orchestrating countless amorous trysts. Naturally, lingerie sales spike around Valentine's Day as lovers and would-be-lovers hunt for sexy gifts.

4. Romance expert
L.A. Hunter, a romance expert and the author of "Romeo's Playbook," a romance guide for men, offers tips and relationship advice to people looking to ignite (or reignite) the passion in their relationships. In other words, as Hunter says, her days are spent helping others "spice up their love lives." "I just love romance," Hunter says. "The feeling I get when I feel warm and loved, sexy and wanted, mysterious and playful ... [I want] to have everyone experience these feelings."

5. Florist
Pun intended: Romance blooms in floral shops. From small sweetheart bouquets to elaborate wedding arrangements, flowers are a universal sign of affection. According to the NRF, consumers will spend $1.8 billion on flowers this Valentine's Day. So if you really want to interact with people in the throes of love, it pays to have a green thumb.

6. Wedding planner
What better way to make a career out of romance than by planning weddings? "Being around people in love who are about to make a major commitment to one another is very romantic," says Ali Phillips, professional wedding coordinator and founder of Engaging Events by Ali Inc. in Chicago. While Phillips admits that the wedding planning process -- setting up meetings with bands and caterers, researching design elements and settling the occasional dispute between a bride and her mother -- isn't always romantic, the actual wedding day is inevitably full of many tender moments. "There's nothing better," Phillips says, "than looking at a bride right before she goes down the aisle, telling her to take a deep breath, and puffing the train of her dress."

7. Wedding officiant
If you're swept up by the romance of weddings, but planning isn't your cup of tea, consider becoming a wedding officiant. An officiant performs the ceremony itself, legally uniting a couple in marriage. The Universal Life Church Monastery (www.themonastery.org) is a non-denominational organization that ordains ministers and is open to people of all religious backgrounds. After filling out an instant online ordination form, you can legally officiate a marriage anywhere in the U.S. A career built around hearing the words "I do" should be music to your romantically-inclined ears.




Source: careerbuilder