Dr Woody » career coaching http://drwoody.com Fri, 24 Mar 2017 13:15:35 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.40 Where are the Jobs?!? (Part 7 of 7) All (Dollar) Signs Point to Accounting http://drwoody.com/where-are-the-jobs-part-7-of-7-all-dollar-signs-point-to-accounting/ http://drwoody.com/where-are-the-jobs-part-7-of-7-all-dollar-signs-point-to-accounting/#comments Thu, 18 Nov 2010 16:04:36 +0000 http://drwoody.com/blog/?p=157 Continue reading Where are the Jobs?!? (Part 7 of 7) All (Dollar) Signs Point to Accounting →]]> If you are already in the field of finance or are looking to make a career change, becoming a CPA is a promising career path. CPAs fill a variety of positions, from tax advisory services, to auditing and international financial reporting. There are also wide differences between working in the private, public and governmental sectors. It seems there’s something for everyone in this field, but it does entail passing the notoriously challenging CPA exam—so not just anyone can do it.

THE FACTS ON ACCOUNTING JOBS

Why go into accounting? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, accounting and auditing positions are “expected to grow by 22 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.” In fact, they predict that over the course of the next decade the accounting field will produce roughly 279,400 jobs.

The BLS claims that the reason for this strong growth is “an increase in the number of businesses, changing financial laws and corporate governance regulations, and increased accountability for protecting an organization’s stakeholders.” Another reason, as seen in other fields we’ve profiled in this series, is the retirement of baby boomers and the slew of positions that are opening up because of this.

HOT SPOTS

Here are some accounting-focused job boards and resources:

HOT TIPS

When it comes to standing out from the competition, here are three ways to set yourself apart in the finance field:

Computer skills:  Become proficient in the accounting and auditing software relevant to the types of positions you are targeting.

Advanced degree: Earn your master’s degree in accounting or an MBA with an emphasis in accounting to allow for greater Advancement opportunities.

Specialization: Find a way to specialize in a certain kind of accounting. For instance, globalization has resulted in the need for accountants who have an expertise in services related to international trade, mergers, and acquisitions. There are also “forensic” accountants who focus on catching individuals and companies committing fraud. Many state and local law enforcement agencies hire forensic accountants.

GET OUT OF THE HOT SEAT

If you are you good with numbers and like paying attention to detail, accounting may be for you. It’s a prestigious field with a variety of specialties and a lot of room for advancement. It’s not too late to consider a change and get some career (and financial) stability in return.

Michael “Dr. Woody” Woodward, PhD is a coach and author of The YOU Plan: A 5-step Guide to Taking Charge of Your Career in the New Economy. Dr. Woody is president of the consulting firm HCI, sits on the Academic Advisory Board of the Florida International University Center for Leadership, and holds a PhD in organizational psychology.

]]> http://drwoody.com/where-are-the-jobs-part-7-of-7-all-dollar-signs-point-to-accounting/feed/ 0 Where are the Jobs?!? (Part 4 of 7) Science Jobs of the Future that Will Surprise You http://drwoody.com/where-are-the-jobs-part-4-of-7-science-jobs-of-the-future-that-will-surprise-you/ http://drwoody.com/where-are-the-jobs-part-4-of-7-science-jobs-of-the-future-that-will-surprise-you/#comments Wed, 27 Oct 2010 23:35:40 +0000 http://drwoody.com/blog/?p=136 Continue reading Where are the Jobs?!? (Part 4 of 7) Science Jobs of the Future that Will Surprise You →]]> In the next decade or so, major technological advancements are going to lead to some exciting new career paths for those in the field of science and technology. Although seemingly far-fetched, Popular Science predicts that by 2020 there will be a need for space pilots to fly commercial airlines for chartered space “expeditions.” With Virgin Galactic’s plans for a 2012 launch, this seemingly science fiction fantasy may became reality sooner than we think. Keeping with the sci-fi theme, another emerging field will be that of human-robot interaction specialists. As robotic technology advances, highly trained individuals will be needed to remotely operate machines that will be used in place of actual humans in dangerous environments. the bottome line: advancement may be coming faster than you think!   

Getting back down to planet earth, and the the more immediate future, many are also predicting there will be an increased need for more traditional positions in biological and forensic sciences. Most of these opportunities are expected to be best for graduates of applied science technology programs who are well trained on the latest equipment being used in laboratories and production facilities. the reality is simple, technology is continuing to advance. So, if you are looking to play in the science/technology space keep reading for some tips on how to focus your search.

THE FACTS ON SCIENCE JOBS

According to the job trending tool on Indeed.com, job postings related to “science” have increased steadily over the past five years for a total of about 3% growth. This is evidence that the field of science in general seems to have survived the long-lasting slump in the economy and has potential to be a bright spot as we begin the road to recovery.

When it comes to specific occupations in the scientific field, biotechnology certainly stands out. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of biological scientists will grow 21 percent between now and 2018; a percentage of growth that is much higher than the average for all other US occupations. With an aging population and continued competition among pharmaceutical companies, the demand and drive for innovative health technologies should continue to expand.

For you CSI buffs out there, good news, because jobs in forensic science are expected to increase by 20 percent over the next decade, which is also much faster than the average growth for other US occupations. Although state and local governments have taken quite a hit, the BLS is projecting increases in applications for forensic scientists across the board.

HOT SPOTS

Here are some links to resources that will help you on your way to finding a career in science:

  • NatureJobs  (Job search engine, career fairs, list of popular employers, etc.)
  • Science Careers (Information and job search engine produced by the journal Science)
  • NewScience (A bridge between the younger generation and the scientific world)
  • USA Jobs (Science jobs in government)

HOT POSITIONS    

Here is a list of some of the more promising and/or up and coming science-related career paths and positions:

  • Simulation developer
  • Animal migration engineer
  • Human/robot interaction specialist
  • World watcher (via satellites)
  • Hydrologist
  • Meteorologist
  • Fusion worker
  • Forensic scientist
  • Thought hacker (advanced lie detector)
  • Food scientist
  • Conservation Biologist

GET OUT OF THE HOT SEAT!

Overall, science has always been a great field to get into for those with a proclivity for being at the forefront of innovation and progress. Overall, most science-related jobs provide you the opportunity to choose between working in an office, a lab, or out in the field. But you have to have at least a Bachelor’s for these mentally intensive jobs, and often a Master’s or PhD for mid to high level positions. For more information on the specific jobs positions and the experience and education needed for them, check out these articles from U.S. News and Popular Science.

Michael “Dr. Woody” Woodward, PhD is a coach and author of The YOU Plan: A 5-step Guide to Taking Charge of Your Career in the New Economy. Dr. Woody is president of the consulting firm HCI, sits on the Academic Advisory Board of the Florida International University Center for Leadership, and holds a PhD in organizational psychology.

]]> http://drwoody.com/where-are-the-jobs-part-4-of-7-science-jobs-of-the-future-that-will-surprise-you/feed/ 0 Transcend in Twenty-Ten: Start with Values http://drwoody.com/transcend-in-twenty-ten-start-with-values/ http://drwoody.com/transcend-in-twenty-ten-start-with-values/#comments Mon, 11 Jan 2010 21:37:37 +0000 http://drwoody.wordpress.com/?p=50 Continue reading Transcend in Twenty-Ten: Start with Values →]]> As I mentioned in my last blog post, any good career plan starts with introspection. You have to know yourself, before you can effectively pick a direction, market yourself, and get back on track. As a coach trained in the field of organizational psychology, I am a big believer in introspection as a starting point. All too often, I come across transitioning professionals who have jumped out ahead of themselves only to outrun their coverage. If you want to stand out from the herd, you are going to have to be thoughtful and deliberate in your actions. This requires knowing yourself first.

When it comes to knowing yourself, you have to start with values. The values you espouse are vital to the choices you make and ultimately dictate the way you live. Values can be thought of as the principals you hold near and dear. Your values are the code you live by. They are the rules you follow and the ethics you adhere to when dealing with others.

The following is an excerpt from my upcoming book The YOU Plan:

“Who you are drives how you work, play, live, and ultimately shine. Your experiences, upbringing, and culture have acted to shape the person you have become and the values you espouse. The values you espouse ultimately influence the decisions you make and the path you choose to follow. Your values are the lens you view the world through… There is no doubt that our personal values play a critical role in the choices we make and the careers we pursue. Yet, the unfortunate reality is that most of us can’t articulate our values. Often this leads us to making bad decisions. These bad decisions tend to land us on career paths that aren’t truly fulfilling and sometimes, even toxic.”

When resetting your career focus and re-engaging in your career journey, you have to be mindful of how your values play into your decisions. Every organization has its own unique culture driven by a set of core values. It’s up to you to understand what these values are and determine how well they match with yours. However, before you can do this you must be sure to have a good handle on your values.

So, how do you assess your values? Doing a quick web search for values checklists will provide a lot of results. The following are some on-line values assessments:

http://www.career-test.biz/values_assessment.htm

http://career-advice.monster.com/job-search/Career-Assessment/Work-Values-Check-List/article.aspx

The key to using any adjective checklist effectively is taking the time to narrow down your values to your top five. This is a much tougher challenge than it seems because it requires making tough choices. Whenever I have taken groups through values exercises they always struggle with this, so take your time.

Regardless of the checklist you use, you really need to ask yourself if the values you chose are really yours. A good way to test whether or not you truly value something is to ask yourself the following questions:

• Are you willing to fight for it?
• Are you willing to sacrifice for it?
• Are you willing to pay for?

Any good career plan starts with introspection. A critical component to the introspective process is assessing values. Keep in mind, values are a major driver in decision making. We are in uncertain times and successfully navigating these times will require using your values as a compass. When it comes to stepping back and creating a YOU Plan, be sure to start with assessing your values.

Good luck,

Dr. Woody

To learn more about Dr. Woody’s upcoming book, The YOU Plan, go to www.TheYouPlan.com

]]> http://drwoody.com/transcend-in-twenty-ten-start-with-values/feed/ 0