Hot Careers Through 2018 and Beyond

What are your top priorities for a new career?
-Good pay?
-Stability?
-Job security for the foreseeable future?

Hot Career #1: Accountant/Auditor

Hot factors:

• There were 1.3 million accountant and auditor jobs in 2008...
• And the Department of Labor projects about 279,400 new positions to be added through 2018.
• Changing financial laws, evolving regulations, and more detailed scrutiny of company finances mean fast job growth for accountants.

Training options:
Bachelor's degree in accounting
Bachelor's degree in finance
Median salary: $59,430

Hot Career #2: Medical Assistant

Hot factors:

• Medical assistants held a whopping 483,600 jobs in 2008, and that number is projected to grow...
• In fact, medical assisting is one of the fastest growing jobs out there. The Department of Labor projects a 34 percent growth rate from 2008-2018.
• More health care facilities are employing people who can do administrative as well as clinical work, which means more opportunities for medical assistants with the right training.

Training options:
Associate's degree in medical assisting
Medical assistant certificate program
Median salary: $28,300

Hot Career #3: Financial Examiner

Why it's hot:

• This job should grow much faster than average (41 percent more job openings) over the next few years.
• Businesses are increasingly aware of the need to follow financial regulations.
• More government oversight of the financial sector means more jobs.

Training options:
Bachelor's degree in accounting
Median salary: $70,930

Hot Career #4: Dental Assistant

Why it's hot:

• This in an in-demand job with 36 percent more openings predicted.
• Population growth and increasing dental health for older people will drive the need for dental workers.
• Dental patients are demanding flexible hours, so evening and weekend appointments mean more assistants will be needed.

Training options:
Associate's degree in dental assisting
Dental assistant certificate
Median salary: $32,380

 

Hot Career #5: Physical Therapist Assistant

Why it's hot:

• As the baby boomers age, there will be more demand for physical therapy to recover from illness and injury.
• Insurance companies are starting to cover more procedures, so more workers will be needed.
• In fact, the Department of Labor expects to see fast growth in job openings for this position.

Training options:
Associate's degree in physical therapy
Physical therapy certificate
Salary: $46,140

 

Hot Career #6: Registered Nurse

Why it's hot:

• More emphasis on preventive care and aging baby boomers will drive demand.
• Health care reform means more people will be insured, so more nurses will be needed.
• Half a million new nurses will be needed by 2018.

Training options:
Associate's degree in nursing
Bachelor's degree in nursing
Nursing diploma
Median salary: $62,450

 

Hot Career #7: Computer Software Engineer, Applications

Hot factors:

• It's one of the fastest growing careers... and with technology continually evolving, that's no surprise.
• The Department of Labor predicts a 34 percent increase in jobs between 2008 and 2018.
• They number of new jobs to be created: 175,100.

Training options:
Bachelor's degree in computer programming
Bachelor's degree in computer engineering
Median salary: $85,430