Hot Jobs – Cool Professions

This month I’m returning to a topic I’ve discussed in earlier blogs, and that is “Hot Jobs.” In the past, I’ve shared information about career areas where women can quickly join (or rejoin) the workforce and earn a decent income.There are, however, career opportunities that take a bit more preparation as well as some strategic thinking. Pragmatism mixed with passion can balance your career dreams with reality. Start with what you know you want and need from work and then take the time to research the practicality of those ideas.

Suppose your goal is a college degree. You have to ask yourself if there’s a market for the degree you want, and is the demand projected to continue over the next decade or more. Also, research how well jobs requiring that degree pay, and will you be able to live on what you can earn. It’s a thinking and planning process that can be well worth the effort if you’re looking for a rewarding professional career and the lifestyle that goes with it. But be creative. If you are struggling to come up with “out of the box” ideas, think “inside the box” instead.  What skills or experience do you already have?  Is there an area where you have expertise?  Perhaps your current qualifications can be used in a new way or transferred to a new field.  Also, think about the jobs that are traditionally held by men. Do any of them appeal to you?  Understanding your existing strengths and interests, and how they apply in the workforce can be one of your greatest assets in career management.

By tackling your job situation creatively and with an open mind, you may find that there are lots of opportunities in areas you might not have otherwise considered.

Here’s a sampling of interesting and worthwhile careers on our “Hot Jobs” list right now:

Biomedical Engineering, according to the University of Connecticut, is extremely attractive to women as a degree program and career. They earn a greater percentage of college degrees in Biomedical Engineering than in any other engineering discipline.

The field is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2018 (Bureau of Labor Statistics - BLS). Population aging and the focus on health issues will increase the demand for better medical devices and equipment, and rehabilitation and orthopedic engineering specialties are growing quickly.

Landscape architects make outdoor places more beautiful and useful. They decide where to put flowers, trees, walkways, and other landscape details. They work with architects, surveyors, and engineers to find the best place to put roads and buildings. They work with environmental scientists to find the best way to conserve or restore natural resources. According to the BLS, jobs for landscape architects are expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2018.

Systems analysts figure out how to use computers to get things done. They tell businesses and other organizations which computers and software to buy, and they decide how to get those tools to work together. According the BLS, the number of computer systems analysts is expected to grow much faster than average through 2018.

I recommend that you visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics once you’ve selected a career area. Its Career Information  page is a great place to start your search for a career path or an occupation that responds to your inner needs and that fits your lifestyle.