Preparing for a career is serious business. You don't want to graduate after several years' work only to find that your industry has relocated off shore to China or India. Jobs that can't be done from overseas include doctors, hair stylists, teachers, nurses, auto-repair specialists, physical therapists, writers, and marketers. Here are five careers that are most likely to offer interesting work, loads of opportunity, nice paychecks, and job security.
Physical therapy~ Physical therapists are health professionals who help people restore physical function and movement, often in consultation with doctors. Jobs are expected to grow by 30 percent from 2008 to 2018, much faster than average. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), those at the top earn six-figure incomes. The highest salaries require a master's or doctoral degree from an accredited physical therapy program.
Automotive specialties~ Auto specialists do mechanical work, collision repair, artistic auto painting, and antique-vehicle restoration; some even work on high-performance race cars. Pay varies widely, but according to the BLS, the best opportunities go to people with formal career training, which can range from two-year associate's degree programs to bachelor's degrees in mechanical engineering. Top auto-repair specialists earn over $50,000 a year, and those who add mechanical engineering degrees can earn nearly $80,000.
Writing~ Most working writers have bachelor's degrees in English, journalism, or communications, but other degrees are acceptable with good writing skills. Many write marketing, instructional, and technical materials; online journalism is popular, too. Many writers work as freelancers, so business courses can come in handy as well. In-demand professional writers and editors can earn six-figure incomes. There are many opportunities, but competition is keen because many people want to enjoy this career.
Legal careers~ Legal careers allow you to work in any area that interests you, including environmental law, estate planning, personal injury, and politics. And there is a career for every education level—from legal-assistant certificate programs to bachelor's degrees in paralegal studies to Juris Doctor (JD) degrees for attorneys. Despite excellent growth in these professions, the BLS states that competition will be tough, and you'll need formal training to grab the best jobs. Earning potential for top-level pros ranges from about $60,000 for legal secretaries and assistants to about $75,000 for paralegals, to hefty six-figure salaries for excellent lawyers.
Advertising~ Advertising is a highly coveted profession, according to the BLS, so there's a lot of competition. Advertising, marketing, public-relations, and sales managers are responsible for their companies' market research, marketing strategies, public image and print, online, and TV ads. This job is creative but also brings pressure, long hours, and frequently a lot of travel. Most employers prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree in business, an MBA, or a degree in communications, public relations, or journalism. If you can take the heat, you can pull in a cool salary--top people earn over $120,000 a year.
Adapted from an article by Gina Pogol, FindtheRightSchool.com for Yahoo.com
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