Top Job Markets

If you are in the market for a new job, you may actually want to take some time to consider the face of the job market before jumping in and searching for jobs. This can help to eliminate the frustration of not finding a job that suits your skills or your interests and will give you the opportunity to consider options for acquiring skills either through a training course, on the job experience or college classes.

Medical Field

This doesn’t necessarily mean going through years of schooling to become a doctor, as the most sought after professionals in the medical profession include nurses and physician assistants. Many outside of the field confuse medical assistants with physician assistants but these are two completely different jobs.

A PA, as they are called, will actually practice medicine under the careful eye of a certified doctor, whereas a medical assistant simply performs clerical and clinical work. The training can last anywhere from 2-4 years at the university or community college level and will usually end up offering a salary between $40-$70 thousand a year. The job prospect for PAs is excellent and they are expected to continue growing in need over the next ten years.

Nurses are also extremely sought out at this time, as there is often a shortage of nursing staff in many hospitals and towns. With this in mind nurses are being offered bonuses and above average salaries, which is increasing the incentive to become certified as an RN.

There are two different RN programs, one that will last two years and allow a student to acquire an Associate’s degree while the other will require nursing students to attend a 4-year program, but this will result in a Bachelor’s degree. The Bachelor’s degree will afford nurses the opportunity to become managers and directors in the medical field.

Computer Technology

The use of computers and computer technology does not look to be slowing down anytime in the near future. This makes a career in the field of computers exceptionally good. The two most promising careers are software engineering and computer IT analysts.

The difference between the two is that software engineers will work on the side of developing, designing and testing the use of computer programs, while IT stands for Information Technology and is based around the needs of Internet users. These jobs include technical troubleshooting, webmasters and database designers.
Of course a job as either a software engineer or a computer IT specialist will almost always require at least a 2-year program at a technical college, although some will require upwards of a 4-year degree or even a Master’s degree. The upside is that these jobs can include nearly a six figure salary, although many will start around $40-$50k annually.

Real Estate

Although the real estate business has become saturated with real estate agents and brokers, there is a reason. This is a steady market, as people will always be looking to buy, sell or even rent homes. Especially recently with excellent mortgage rates, the market has been doing well and this means more people getting into the real estate business.

Another upside to the business is the ease of acquiring a licensure to become an agent or broker. This usually includes a real estate license program that will take between 6 months to a year to complete. As well, many agents work part time in the business meaning more time at home with family.

Of course other sectors of the industry that are booming include the jobs of a real estate appraiser and investors. Real estate appraisers are responsible for producing the value of the home for sale and this will require a 4-year degree. The upside to real estate investment is that anyone who is able to secure a mortgage or can pay for the purchase of a property can invest. These investments include rental properties, commercial real estate and even purchasing old homes, fixing them up and reselling them for a profit.