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5 Best Occupations for '08 College Grads by Kara Wahlgren |
These days, it's basically a given that you'll need a college degree in order to land a job with a reasonable paycheck. In fact, over the next several years, 6.9 million new jobs are expected to spring up for degree-wielding professionals. According to a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, that's how many pure-college occupations will have opened up between 2004 and 2014. "Pure-college" means at least 60 percent of workers between the ages of 25 and 44 have earned a bachelor's degree or higher, giving college grads a significant edge over the competition. Pure-college occupations include the usual lineup of medicine and law, where a doctorate degree is par for the course. But while competition in those fields is notoriously stiff, opportunities abound in other pure-college fields. 1. Postsecondary teachers As college degrees become increasingly essential in the workplace, so do the instructors who provide those degrees. With the most recent census reporting that nearly half of the nation's high school grads are continuing on to college, university-level professors are in high demand. A college degree is an absolute requisite for anyone who wants to take advantage of the ample opportunities. Kristina Quay, an instructor at Sampson Community College, attests that her master's degree was vital to her attaining a coveted faculty position: "There's no way you'll get hired without it," she said.
2. Elementary school teachers More than half a million elementary school teachers will be hired through 2014, and 92 percent of current elementary school teachers hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Even after the core requirements for NCLB are met, teachers have plenty of incentive to further their education. Those who hold a master's degree often qualify for a higher salary, and many schools allow working teachers to pursue postgraduate degrees while still actively employed. EXPECTED OPENINGS: 587,000 3. Accountants and auditors Of the top five fields on the BLS report, accounting has the most wiggle room for non-grads, with 75 percent of workers holding a bachelor's degree. Because the field of accounting encompasses a wide range of job titles, the need for a degree depends on the desired position and the employee's long-term ambitions. "If you were seeking an entry-level position as a bookkeeper or accounts payable, you don't necessarily need a degree," said Ralph Diaz, a senior recruiter with Accountants One, an accounting and financial placement team in Atlanta. But completing your degree -- or going back to school -- is recommended if you're looking to improve your career potential. "If you're looking for growth in your career, you absolutely have to have a degree," Diaz added. This is especially true for certified public accountants, since aspiring CPAs are required to have 150 college credits before taking the exam. The payoff is that job opportunities in accounting and auditing far outnumber other business and finance positions.
4. Secondary school teachers National efforts to reduce class size have translated into increased job opportunities for high school teachers. And with thousands of teachers retiring every year, secondary education is expected to be one of the most stable and promising career fields for college graduates. Ninety-five percent of teachers have completed a bachelor's degree; like postsecondary professors, high school teachers are typically encouraged to pursue a degree in the subject they wish to teach before completing their required education courses and certification program. Want to improve your chances of landing a position? Earn your degree in one of the most sought-after areas of expertise -- math, science or bilingual studies.
5. Computer applications software engineers Computer software is constantly evolving through industry innovations. Consequently, computer applications software engineering is one of the fastest growing fields in the job market. It's also one of the most elite. "To get a position in the software field without a degree, you'd have to be a genius," said Dean Clairmont, a project manager with EES, an engineering executive search firm based in San Diego. "There are people who are self-taught, but very few." "The bachelor's degree barely gets you in the door; you really want to pursue at least a master's," Clairmont said. This field was practically made for online learning, so engineers can improve their employability while simultaneously working in an entry-level position.
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