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News, Where Are The Jobs?!?

Where are the Jobs?!? (Part 5 of 7) HealthCare Jobs, Growing!

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The next industry my team decided to cover for the “Where are the jobs?!?” series is healthcare. It probably doesn’t surprise you that it is on our list of booming fields, as the need for healthcare is rapidly rising with the aging baby boomers entering their retirement years. Even with the uncertainty of healthcare reform there is still projected growth in many healthcare occupations.

Many find careers in healthcare rewarding and take great pride in helping others make their way through tough physical and mental challenges. It also doesn’t hurt that the healthcare profession has some of the highest-paying positions in the country, even when you factor out those that require medical degrees! Of the jobs on CNN Money’s “20 Highest-Paying Jobs” list, almost half are in healthcare.

THE FACTS ABOUT HEALTHCARE JOBS

According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook wage and salary employment will increase in the healthcare industry by 22 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is substantially greater than the projected 11 percent growth for all other industries combined. More specifically, the BLS projects employment growth of 41 percent in home health care services, 39 percent for outpatient care, and 21 percent for nursing during the next decade. To amplify matters, a 2009 article in Health Affairs by Dr. Peter Buerhaus and company found that even in the face of the Great Recession the nursing shortage in this country is projected to grow to 260,000 registered nurses by 2025. This is a strong signal that there is definitely high earning potential here!

HOT POSITIONS

The following is a list of some of the hottest healthcare positions out there:

  • Patient advocates
  • Health informatics technician
  • Physical therapy assistants
  • X-ray technician
  • Fitness nursing (similar to dietician)
  • Holistic nursing
  • Gerontological nursing
  • Medical and public health social worker
  • Lab technician
  • Dental hygienist
  • Occupational therapist

HOT SPOTS

Where can you go to find these positions? Here are some options:

GET OUT OF THE HOT SEAT

After researching this industry, there is no doubt some potential for solid career paths here. So if you’re in a rut and have the urge to go back to school or get a certification, it’s never too late in the name of job security. But if school isn’t an option, they have lots of administrative jobs that range from human resources to billing and even jobs in maintenance. Growth in the healthcare industry is going to require a lot of non-health related jobs because these are complex operations which will require a lot of support. Definitely keep your eyes open for opportunities in healthcare!

Michael “Dr. Woody” Woodward, PhD is a CEC certified professional coach who holds a PhD in organizational psychology. Dr. Woody is founder of the consulting firm HCI and author of the new book: The YOU Plan: A 5-step Guide to Taking Charge of Your Career in the New Economy.

News, Where Are The Jobs?!?

Where are the Jobs?!? (Part 4 of 7) Science Jobs of the Future that Will Surprise You

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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.

News, Where Are The Jobs?!?

Where are The Jobs (Part 2 of 7) Social Media: The New Marketing Vehicle

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The Upward Trend in Social Media Jobs

The first stop on this 7-part blog series titled “Where are the jobs?!?” is going to be social media. The world of marketing has changed dramatically with the rise of social media sites like LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. These days, companies are looking for people who know how to create an online buzz and reach the masses as efficiently as possible!

So, if you have a respected blog, consider yourself a well-loved “Facebooker,” or have the right mix of writing and marketing skills, this may be the route for you. And if you have an educational background or experience in marketing, copywriting, or journalism, you have an even bigger edge in landing a Web 2.0 job.

THE EVOLUTION OF MASS MEDIA MARKETING

Consumer product marketing has always been at the forefront of American pop culture and is continually evolving. Keep in mind, the concept of mass media marketing was born during the Great Depression when radio was in its golden age and cinema was the latest innovation. During this time companies such as Procter and Gamble were desperately seeking opportunities to reach the most people possible, as inexpensively as possible. Radio seemed to be the innovative way to go. It provided a great new vehicle for reaching the masses!

So, it’s no wonder that the Great Recession has spawned an entirely new marketing vehicle in social media. Just as during the Great Depression, companies are seeking out innovative and cost effective ways to reach the masses. Social media is today what radio was nearly 100 years ago, a vehicle for reaching the masses. Consider that for the first time in 23 years, Pepsi did not run a commercial this past Super Bowl. Instead, they invested in a social media marketing campaign, a trend that is continuing to grow.

THE FACTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA JOBS

According to a 2009 study of social media marketers, 95% of respondents said they were going to increase, or at least maintain, their social media spending in the coming year.

A quick glance at Indeed’s job trending tool shows that job postings including the phrase “social media” have grown almost 2,000% over the last four years (see imbedded the chart).

If you’re still not convinced, The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ “Occupational Outlook Handbook” predicts that “the recent emergence of social media in the public relations is expected to increase job growth as well. Many public relations firms are expanding their use of these tools, and specialists with skills in them will be needed.”

HOT POSITIONS

The following is a list of some of the hottest social media positions out there:

  • Social Media Strategist/Digital Strategist
  • Community Manager
  • Blogger
  • Social Media Marketing Specialist
  • Search Engine Marketing Associate
  • Online Customer Service Representative

HOT SPOTS

Where can you go to find these positions? Here are some options:

HOT TIPS

Do Your Homework: Read up on your target companies and don’t just go to their websites. Research any relevant news, press releases, and industry publications that will help you understand their pain. Your job is to show them what you can do to make their pain go away. Companies are looking for problem solvers, so your job is to show them how your social media savvy will help make them stronger.

Engage Your Targets: Comment on their blog to get their attention. Be sure to provide thoughtful insights that also show your knowledge. Get your name out there and show that you know their brand. Here’s a real social media success story about a job seeker who used social media to land a job as marketing manager.

GET OUT OF THE HOT SEAT!!!

As the facts show, social media is a growing sector in the marketing world. So, if you want to change careers or you’re a recent grad looking to leverage your on-line skills, consider social media as a potential vocation! One perk to this industry is that you can often work remotely. On the flip side, make sure you can do more than just talk the talk, because your on-the-job results are very measurable and companies will be looking for actual results!!!

For more on Career Planning in the New Economy check out Dr. Woody’s new book: The YOU Plan on Amazon.com

News, Uncategorized

Transcend in Twenty-Ten: Intrinsics – Why Personality Matters

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One of the commonly missed steps in the career re-engagement process is introspection. I’m a firm believer in the power of stepping back to gain perspective on where you are presently, where you are actually going, and where you really want to go. As part of this introspective process I firmly believe you need to take stock in what you bring to the table. In other words, you have to get to know your intrinsics.

As I mentioned in my previous blog, I use the word intrinsics as a catch-all to describe what you bring to the table as a unique individual. We all have our own mix of personality, experiences, training… that combine to create a unique value proposition in terms of what we are able to bring to bear in our career endeavors.

In my last blog post I also outlined the six elements that make-up what I refer to as your career intrinsics. I call these six elements your career pacers: Personality, affiliations, contributions, experience, relationships, and SKAs.

In this post I’m going to focus on personality.

Although there are many influences on human behavior, I believe that personality is one of the most significant. Other influences include experience, culture, upbringing, education, religion, social norms, expectations, and trauma. The reason I believe personality is so critical is that your personality is really responsible for driving how you respond to those other influences. It shapes how you act and interact within your environment.

Personality is really about your natural inclinations. We all have natural leanings and comfort zones. Quite simply, you have certain actions and activities that you tend to be comfortable performing. Having a good sense of what these are is critical to your success. The last thing you want to do is put yourself in a position that requires you to spend most of your time operating outside of your comfort zone. When you are in your element, you are going to be at your best.

In my upcoming book, The YOU Plan, I talk about the role of personality in my work as an executive coach:

“Whether I’m working with corporate executives or personal clients, I always begin by assessing their personality and natural strengths. I’m certainly not unique in this approach. The study of personality and its application to the world of work has enjoyed a substantial resurgence, with many theories and approaches. What’s important is this: Personality does matter.”

When it comes to assessing personality, there are literally thousands of personality assessments on the market. The unfortunate reality is that the majority of these assessments likely provide as much intellectual insight as reading your daily horoscope or taking the latest quiz in Cosmopolitan magazine. So, when looking for a good assessment, consider the source. Simple on-line assessments can sometimes do more harm then good.

One of the most well researched models of personality is the Big Five. The Big Five consists of five high-level factors that can be remembered as OCEAN: Openness to experience, Conscientiousness, Extraversion/introversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism or emotional stability. The model states that we all have varying levels of each factor that operate together to create our individual personalities. The model has gained such wide acceptance that even the psychologists at e-Harmony use it as part of the matching system. Thus, when looking for simple personality assessments, keep the big five in mind.

For more information on the Big Five and one of the more popular Big Five assessments see: http://www3.parinc.com/products/product.aspx?Productid=NEO_FFI

Some other well-known models include:

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: https://www.cpp.com/products/mbti/index.aspx

The DISC assessment: http://www.thomasinternational.net/1/Resources/DISCAssessmentTheory/tabid/4012/Default.aspx

Both have enjoyed a tremendous amount of popularity and use in the business world.

The bottom line is that career success requires really knowing the value you bring to the table and how to leverage and communicate that value in a way that helps others want to utilize it. Really knowing your personality is a good start.

Over the next couple of weeks I will address each of the other career PACERS in more depth, so stay tuned!

Cheers,

Dr. Woody

To find out more about Dr Woody’s upcoming book, The YOU Plan, check out www.TheYouPlan.com

News, Uncategorized

Transcend in Twenty-Ten: Intrinsics – What You Bring to the Table

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In my January 11 blog post I spoke about the importance of introspection in the career planning process. I focused on how assessing your values can play a role in the career choices you make. The next step in the introspective process is examining your intrinsics.

I use the word intrinsics as a catch-all to describe what you bring to the table as a unique individual. We all have our own mix of personality, experiences, training… that combine to create a unique value proposition in terms of what we are able to accomplish in the marketplace. Spending the time to really understand your intrinsics is a critical component to successful career planning. 

In my upcoming book, The YOU Plan, I describe intrinsics in the following way:

“Think of your intrinsics as a deck of cards. All of our lives are shuffled differently, which means our cards are all spread across our life decks in very different ways. Some of your cards are close to the top and readily accessible whereas others are buried somewhere near the bottom and haven’t been played in a while.”

In other words, your intrinsics are that which you have within you that can be leveraged for value by potential customers, partners, or employers. However, in order for others to be able to see the value you bring to the table, you have to be able to articulate it in a way that is meaningful. Having a good handle on your intrinsics is an important part of career planning, particularly in a tough economic environment.  

For the sake of simplicity, I have broken intrinsics down into six factors. I believe these six factors impact the pace of your career development, thus I refer to them as your career PACERS.
• Personality
• Affiliations
• Contributions
• Experiences
• Relationships
• Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities (KSAs)

Career success requires really knowing the value you bring to the table and how to leverage and communicate that value in a way that helps others want to utilize it.

Over the next couple of weeks I will address each of the career PACERS in more depth, touching on how to really identify and leverage them. So, be sure to stay tuned!

Cheers,

Dr. Woody

To find out more about Dr Woody’s upcoming book, The YOU Plan, check out www.TheYouPlan.com

News, Uncategorized

How to Shine in 2009: Dealing with Job Loss

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We are entering a time of great uncertainty. Scare words like recession, downturn, crisis, and turmoil all evoke fear and pose challenge. With all of this uncertainty abound, it’s easy to fall prey to the trap of hopelessness and desperation. The purpose of this blog series is to help you cerate your own certaintly through planning! If you want to shine in 2009 it’s time to take control!  

  

As an organizational psychologist, I believe there are three ways you can react to the challenge of uncertain times: 

 

          – you can cower and hide,

          – you can buckle down and survive, or

          – you can step-up and thrive

 

For those looking to step-up and thrive, it’s time to start planning. Planning begins with assessing your values, intrinsics, passions, and then leveraging your essence (brnad) and creating a roadmap. I like to refer to this as the VIPER approach to re-establishing your career in the new economy. So, look out for more information on the VIPER model in upcoming blogs! 

         

Remember, if you want to shine in 2009, it’s time to step-up and start planning.

 

 

-Dr. Woody

 

To see my Shine in ’09 speech go to www.DrWoody.com