Fastest Growing Occupations

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) offers the most reliable and comprehensive employment data available. The BLS projects the fastest rate of growth for these occupations that require a bachelor's degree :

· computer support specialists (490,000 new jobs by 2010 over 2000)
· computer software engineers, applications (380,000 new jobs)
· general and operations managers (363,000)
· computer software engineers, systems software (284,000)
· computer systems analysts (258,000)
· elementary school teachers (not special ed) (202,000)
· secondary school teachers ((187,000)
· network and computer systems administrators (187,000)
· accountants and auditors (181,000)
· computer and information systems managers (150,000)
· special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school (86,000)
· database administrators (70,000)
· physician's assistants (31,000)
· desktop publishers (25,000)

The following are some of the high-growth jobs requiring an associate degree or equivalent:
· registered nurses (561,000)
· computer support specialists (490,000)
· medical records and health information technicians (66,000)
· fitness trainers and aerobics instructors (64,000)
· dental hygienists (54,000)
· physician's assistants (31,000)
· physical therapist assistants (20,000)
· veterinary technologists and technicians (19,000)
· occupational therapist assistants (7,000)

The following high-growth jobs generally require on-the-job training :
· customer service representative (631,000)
· home health aides (291,000)
· personal and home care aides (258,000)
· medical assistants (187,000)
· social and human service assistants (147,000)
· dental assistants (92,000)
· pharmacy technicians (69,000)
· veterinary assistants (22,000)
· physical therapist aids (17,000)
· occupational therapist aids (4,000)

 So, does this mean that you should definitely go into computers or health care simply because they are high-growth fields? No, you must also consider your talents, skills and desires, which we cover inour book series.

The Impact of 9/11/2001
 While the Bureau of Labor Statistics offers the most reliable data, that data does not reflect unprecedented events that may affect the job market, such as the historic "Attack on America." After that event, there has been greater emphasis on the military and defense, on security and safety (from computers data protection and Web security to personal security), and even insurance, which saw an increase in demand after the attacks.

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