Career choices you make today affect your earning
capacity in the future
Don’t learn the hard way. Career choices you make now can affect your future
earning potential. How? Statistics show that people’s starting salaries affect
how much they’ll earn over the years.
Work out your career plan as much as possible before the
interview
Your career path often dictates how much you can make in your life. Once you
get on a specific career track, it doesn’t matter how hard you work, that work
will only be worth so much. So even though a particular job might sound
interesting during an interview, consider the long
term impact that job will have on your career. Don’t let a convincing
interviewer make you take a job that isn’t right for your career. It’s your
choice where you go with your own career. Only your choices are going to be the
best for you.
Once you get going in one career, you’ll find it a lot harder to switch later.
Not because it’s hard to switch careers but because
later in life you usually have other responsibilities (i.e. bills and kids) that
make it very undesirable to take a pay cut to make that career switch.
But don’t ever think it’s too late. With education
so much more available to the “non-traditional” student, you’re sure to find a
distance learning program that can help you switch careers if you want to. Even
if you decide not to switch careers, going back to school has never hurt one’s
career. By not doing anything, you are in effect making a choice about your
career.
Some sample choices you can take...
Architect
- Job Description: Architects design buildings and other structures. Most jobs
were in architectural firms with fewer than five workers.
- Education: There are three types of professional degrees in architecture
offered through colleges and universities:
5-year Bachelor of Architecture programs intended for students entering programs
from high school or with no previous architectural training
2-year Master of Architecture programs for students with a preprofessional
undergraduate degree in architecture or a related area
3 or 4-year Master of Architecture programs offered to students with degrees in
other disciplines
- Job Outlook: average
- Earnings: Median annual earnings of wage and salary architects were $56,620 in
2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $44,030 and $74,460. The lowest 10
percent earned less than $36,280, and the highest 10 percent earned more than
$92,350
Athletic Coach
- Job Description: Coaches organize, instruct, and teach amateur and
professional athletes in fundamentals of individual and team sports.
- Job Outlook: average
- Earnings:
Colleges, universities, and professional schools: $36,170
Other amusement and recreation industries: $25,900
Elementary and secondary schools: $24,740
Other schools and instruction: $22,570
Audiologist
- Job Description: Audiologists work with those who have ear problems including
hearing and balance difficulties.
- Education: About 107 colleges and universities offer graduate programs in
audiology in the United States. Coursework includes: anatomy, physiology,
physics, genetics, normal and abnormal communication development, auditory,
balance, and neural systems assessment and treatment, diagnosis and treatment,
pharmacology, and ethics. Admission requirements include courses in English,
mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, psychology, and communication
sciences.
- Job Outlook: Employment of audiologists is expected to grow faster than the
average for all occupations through the year 2012.
- Earnings: Median annual earnings of audiologists were $48,400 in 2002.
Broadcast or Sound Technician
- Job Description: install, test, repair, set up, and operate the electronic
equipment used to record and transmit radio and television programs, cable
programs, and motion pictures.
- Education: technical school, community college, or college training in
broadcast technology or in engineering or electronics.
- Job Outlook: average
- Earnings: Median annual earnings of broadcast technicians were $27,760 (U.S.)
in 2002*. Median annual earnings of sound engineering technicians in 2002* were
$36,970 (U.S.). Television stations usually pay higher salaries than radio
stations; commercial broadcasting usually pays more than public broadcasting;
and stations in large markets pay more than those in small ones.
Cashier
- Job Description: total bills, receive money, make change, fill out charge
forms, and give receipts at supermarkets, department stores, gasoline service
stations, movie theaters, restaurants, and many other businesses.
- should be able to do repetitious work accurately;
- need basic mathematics skills;
- need good manual dexterity;
- should be neat in appearance;
- should be able to deal tactfully and pleasantly with customers
- Job Outlook: average
- Earnings: Median Annual Earnings in the Industries Employing the Largest
Numbers of Cashiers (U.S., 2002*)
Department stores: $7.55
Grocery stores: $7.57
Gasoline service stations: $7.18
Health and personal care stores: $7.08
Cosmetology Careers
- Job Description: manicures, hair cutting, styling, shampooing, makeup or other
cosmetology services, Hairstylist/Hairdresser, Manicurist/Pedicurist, and
Shampooer are job titles that all fall under the umbrella of cosmetology
although licensing and training requirements are different for each.
- Job Outlook: average
- Earnings: Median annual earnings for those employed in the cosmetology field,
including tips and commissions (U.S., 2002*)
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists: $18,960
Barbers: $19,550
Skin Care Specialists: $22,450
Manicurists And Pedicurists: $17,330
Shampooers: $14,360
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Crime Scene Investigator
- Job Description: investigate crimes by collecting and analyzing physical
evidence.
- Education: at least two years of specialized training or associate degrees in
applied science or science-related technology/ bachelor's degrees in chemistry,
biology, or forensic science.
Forensic Nurse
- Job Outlook: average
- Earnings: Median hourly earnings for forensic science technicians were $19.72
(U.S.) in 2002*
Culinary Arts Careers
- Job Description: prepare, season, and cook a wide range of foods in a variety
of restaurants and other food services establishments.
- Job Outlook: plentiful
- Earnings: Earnings vary geographically and by type of establishment. Median
hourly earnings of chefs and head cooks were $13.43 in 2002. Median hourly
earnings of restaurant cooks were $9.16 in 2002.
Dental Assistant
- Job Description of Dental Assistants: provide different types of patient care,
office duties, and laboratory duties.
- Job Outlook for Dental Assistants: much faster than the average. This field is
expected to be one of the fastest growing occupations through that year.
- Earnings of Dental Assistants: Median hourly earnings for dental assistants
were $13.10 in 2002 (U.S.*).
Desktop Publisher
- Job Description: use computer software to format and combine text, numerical
data, photographs, charts, and other visual graphic elements to produce
publication-ready material. Requirements: Most employers prefer to hire people
who have at least a high school diploma and
good communication skills;
basic computer skills;
a strong work ethic;
the ability to compute ratios to estimate job costs;
good manual dexterity;
the ability to pay attention to detail and work independently;
good eyesight, including visual acuity, depth perception, field of view, color
vision, and the ability to focus quickly; and
artistic ability.
- Job Outlook: faster than the average for all occupations through 2012.
- Earnings:
Median Annual Earnings for Desktop Publishers were $31,620 (U.S., 2002*).
Dietitian and Nutritionist
- Job Description: plan food and nutrition programs, and supervise the
preparation and serving of meals. They help prevent and treat illnesses by
promoting healthy eating habits and suggesting diet modifications.
Dietitians run food service systems for institutions such as hospitals and
schools, promote sound eating habits through education, and conduct research.
Major areas of practice include clinical, community, management, and consultant
dietetics.
- Job Outlook: average
- Earnings: Median annual earnings of dietitians and nutritionists were $41,170
(U.S., 2002*).
Editor
Job Description of Writers and Editors: communicate through the written word.
Writers and editors can be divided into three categories — writers and authors
(including nonfiction writers and creative writers), technical writers / science
and medical writers, and editors (those working in the publishing industry and
those working for newspapers or magazines)
- Earnings of Writers and Editors: Median annual earnings for salaried writers
and authors were $42,790 in 2002. Median annual earnings for salaried technical
writers were $50,580. Median annual earnings for salaried editors were $41,170.*
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Engineer
Job Description: Engineers research and develop solutions to technical problems
by applying the theories and principles of science and mathematics. The branches
of engineering include:
Aerospace
Agricultural
Biomedical
Chemical
Civil
Computer Hardware
Electrical and Electronics
Environmental
Industrial
Materials
Mechanical
Mining and Geological
Nuclear
Petroleum
Employment Facts: In 2002 engineers held 1.5 million jobs:
Electrical & Electronics: 292,000
Civil: 228,000
Mechanical: 215,000
Industrial: 194,000
Aerospace: 78,000
Computer Hardware: 74,000
Environmental: 47,000
Chemical: 33,000
Materials: 24,000
Nuclear: 16,000
Petroleum: 14,000
Biomedical: 7,600
Mining & Geological: 5,200
Marine Engineers: 4,900
Agricultural: 2,900
All other engineers: 243,000
- Education: Those interested in entry-level engineering jobs should have a
bachelor's degree in engineering. Sometimes a bachelor's degree in physical
science or mathematics may qualify one for some engineering jobs, especially in
high-demand specialties.
- Job Outlook: expected to grow more slowly than the average
- Earnings: Median Annual Earnings for Various Branches of Engineering(U.S.,
2002*)
Electrical & Electronics: $68,180
Civil: $60,070
Mechanical: $62,880
Industrial: $62,150
Aerospace: $72,750
Computer Hardware: $72,150
Environmental: $61,770
Chemical: $72,490
Materials: $62,590
Nuclear: $81,350
Petroleum: $83,370
Biomedical: $60,410
Mining & Geological: $61,770
Agricultural: $50,700
Flight Attendant
Job Description of Flight Attendants: ensure that safety regulations on
airplanes are followed. In addition to this, they try to make flights
comfortable and enjoyable for passengers.
- Earnings of Flight Attendants: Median annual earnings of flight attendants
were $43,140 in 2002.*
Football Coach
- Job Description: organize, instruct, and teach amateur and professional
athletes in fundamentals of individual and team sports.
- Job Outlook: average
- Earnings: Median Annual Earnings in the Industries Employing the Largest
Numbers of coaches in 2002 (The Bureau of Labor Statistics were as follows:
(U.S., 2002*)
Colleges, universities, and professional schools: $36,170
Other amusement and recreation industries: $25,900
Elementary and secondary schools: $24,740
Other schools and instruction: $22,570
Forensic Science Technician
- Job Description: investigate crimes by collecting and analyzing physical
evidence.
- Education: at least two years of specialized training or associate degrees in
applied science or science-related technology/ bachelor's degrees in chemistry,
biology, or forensic science.
- Job Outlook: average
- Earnings: Median hourly earnings for forensic science technicians were $19.72
(U.S.) in 2002*
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Health Care Careers
Health Services Manager
- Job Description: plan, direct, coordinate, and supervise the delivery of
healthcare. Generalists manage an entire facility, while specialists manage a
department.
- Employment Facts: Medical and health services managers held about 244,000 jobs
in 2002:
37 percent worked in hospitals
17 percent worked in physicians' offices or nursing care facilities
Others worked in home healthcare services, Federal government healthcare
facilities, ambulatory facilities run by state and local governments, outpatient
care centers, insurance carriers, and community care facilities for the elderly.
- Job Outlook: expected to grow faster than the average
- Earnings: Median Annual Earnings in the Industries Employing the Largest
Numbers of Medical and Health Services Managers (U.S., 2002*)
General medical and surgical hospitals: $65,950
Home health care services: $56,320
Outpatient care centers: $55,650
Offices of physicians: $55,600
Nursing care facilities: $55,320
Human Resources Assistant
- Job Description: maintain the personnel records of an organization's
employees.
- Job Outlook: average
- Earnings: Median Annual Earnings for Human Resources Assistants are $30,410
(U.S., 2002*).
Information Technology (IT) Careers
- Job Description: plan, coordinate, and direct research and design the
computer-related activities of firms.
- Employment Facts: Computer and information systems managers held about 284,000
jobs in 2002.
- Education: bachelor’s degree for management positions/ graduate degree,
specifically a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) with technology
as a core component.
- Job Outlook: expected to grow much faster than the average
- Earnings: Median Annual Earnings in the Industries Employing the Largest
Numbers of Computer and Information Systems Managers (U.S., 2002*)
Computer systems design and related services: $94,240
Management of companies and enterprises: $91,710
Insurance carriers: $89,920
Depository credit intermediation: $75,160
Colleges, universities, and professional schools: $68,100
Insurance Sales Agent
- Job Description: help individuals, families, and businesses select insurance
policies that provide the best protection for their lives, health, and property.
Insurance sales agents sell one or more types of insurance, such as property and
casualty, life, health, disability, and long-term care.
- Job Outlook: Slower than average
- Earnings: The median annual earnings of wage and salary insurance sales agents
were $40,750 in 2002.
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International Relations Careers
- occupations include (but aren't limited to):
Archivist
Demographer
Diplomat
Foreign Affairs Analyst
Foreign Affairs Specialist
Foreign Service Officer
Immigration Specialist
Intelligence Specialist
Journalist
Language Specialist
Market Research Analyst
Internet Careers
- include;
Webmaster
Graphic Designers
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Advertising Sales Agents
Product Managers
Technical Support Specialists
Librarian
- Job Description: help people find information and use it effectively. They
select and organize library materials.
- Job Outlook: average/ Better opportunities exist outside traditional settings.
These include information brokers, private corporations, and consulting firms.
- Earnings: Median Annual Earnings in the Industries Employing the Largest
Numbers of Librarians (U.S., 2002*)
Elementary and secondary schools: $45,660
Colleges and universities: $45,600
Local government: $37,970
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Loan Officer and Counselor
- Job Description: find potential clients and assist them in applying for loans.
- Education: bachelor's degree in finance, economics, or a related field.
- Job Outlook: average/ college degrees have the best prospects.
- Earnings: Median annual earnings of loan counselors were $32,010 in 2002.
Median annual earnings of loan officers were $43,980 in 2002.
Nutritionist
- Job Description: plan food and nutrition programs, and supervise the
preparation and serving of meals. They help prevent and treat illnesses by
promoting healthy eating habits and suggesting diet modifications.
Dietitians run food service systems for institutions such as hospitals and
schools, promote sound eating habits through education, and conduct research.
Major areas of practice include clinical, community, management, and consultant
dietetics.
- Education: bachelor's degree in dietetics, foods and nutrition, food service
systems management, or a related area. College students in these majors take
courses in foods, nutrition, institution management, chemistry, biochemistry,
biology, microbiology, and physiology. Other suggested courses include business,
mathematics, statistics, computer science, psychology, sociology, and economics.
- Job Outlook: average
- Earnings: Median annual earnings of dietitians and nutritionists were $41,170
(U.S., 2002*).
Occupational Therapist
Job Description: help people who have conditions that are mentally, physically,
developmentally, or emotionally disabling improve their ability to perform tasks
in their daily living and working environments.
- Education: bachelor’s degree/ in 2007 master’s degree or higher will be
the minimum educational requirement.
- Job Outlook: expected to increase faster than the average
- Earnings: Median Annual Earnings in the Industries Employing the Largest
Numbers of Occupational Therapists (U.S., 2002*)
Offices of other health practitioners: $53,660
Nursing care facilities: $53,930
General medical and surgical hospitals: $53,210
Elementary and secondary schools: $45,740
Occupational Therapist Assistant and Aide
- Job Description: help clients with activities and exercises specified in a
treatment plan developed with an occupational therapist. OT Aides prepare
materials and equipment used during treatment. They also perform clerical
duties.
- Education: associate degree or a certificate from an accredited community
college or technical school.
- Job Outlook: expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations
through 2012.
- Earnings: Median annual earnings of occupational therapist assistants were
$36,660 in 2002. Median annual earnings of occupational therapist aides were
$22,040 for the same year.
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Optometrist
- Job Description: provide primary vision care. They are also called Doctors of
Optometry or ODs.
- Education: must complete a four year program at an accredited optometry
school, following at least three years of study at an accredited college or
university.
- Job Outlook: average
- Earnings: Median annual earnings of salaried optometrists were $86,090 in
2002.
Performing Arts Careers
includes:
Actors, Directors, and Producers
Dancers and Choreographers
Musicians
Pharmacist
- Job Description: dispenses drugs prescribed by physicians and other health
practitioners and provides information about medications and their use to
patients.
- Education: Pharm.D. degree; a four year program that follows at least two
years of college study.
- Job Outlook: grow faster than the average
- Earnings: Median Annual Earnings in the Industries Employing the Largest
Numbers of Pharmacists (U.S., 2002*)
Grocery stores: $78,270
Health and personal care stores: $76,800
General medical and surgical hospitals: $76,620
Physical Therapist
- Job Description: help patients, including accident victims and individuals
with disabling conditions such as low-back pain, arthritis, heart disease,
fractures, head injuries, and cerebral palsy, by providing services that restore
function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent
physical disabilities. They restore, maintain, and promote overall fitness and
health.
- Education: graduate with a master's or doctoral degree, from an accredited
physical therapist educational program.
- Job Outlook: expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations
through 2012.
Earnings: Median Annual Earnings in the Industries Employing the Largest Numbers
of Physical Therapists (U.S., 2002*)
Home health care services: $62,480
Offices of other health practitioners: $58,510
Offices of physicians: $57,640
Nursing care facilities: $57,570
General medical and surgical hospitals: $57,200
Physical Therapist Assistant and Aide
- Job Description: perform a variety of tasks under the direction and
supervision of physical therapists. Physical therapist aides, under the
supervision of a physical therapist or a physical therapist aide, help make
therapy sessions productive.
- Education: complete an accredited physical therapist assistant program earning
an associates degree.
- Job Outlook: expected to grow much faster than the average through the year
2012.
- Earnings: Median annual earnings of physical therapist assistants were $36,080
in 2002. Median annual earnings of physical therapist aides were $20,670 in
2002.
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Psychologist
- Job Description: study the human mind and human behavior. Research
psychologists investigate the physical, cognitive, emotional, or social aspects
of human behavior. Psychologists in health service provider fields provide
mental health care in hospitals, clinics, schools, or private practice.
Psychologists who work in applied settings such as business, industry,
government or non-profits provide training, conduct research, design systems,
and act as advocates for psychology.
- Education: must have a doctoral degree/ usually requires five to seven years
of graduate study.
- Job Outlook: expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations
through 2012.
- Earnings: Median Annual Earnings in the Industries Employing the Largest
Numbers of Clinical, Counseling and School Psychologists (U.S., 2002*)
Offices of other health practitioners: $59,600
Elementary and secondary schools: $54,480
Offices of physicians: $51,140
Outpatient care centers: $44,010
Individual and family services: $37,490
Public Relations Specialist
- Job Description: serve as advocates for businesses, nonprofit associations,
universities, hospitals, and other organizations. They build and maintain
positive relationships with the public. Public relations specialists who work in
government may be called press secretaries, information officers, public affairs
specialists, or communications specialists. They keep the public informed about
the activities of government agencies and officials.
- Job Outlook: expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations
through 2012.
- Earnings: Median Annual Earnings in the Industries Employing the Largest
Numbers of Public Relations Specialists (U.S., 2002*)
Advertising and related services: $48,070
Local government: $42,000
Business, professional, labor, political, and similar organizations: $39,330
Colleges and universities: $36,820
Publishing: Writing and Editing
Job Description of Writers and Editors: communicate through the written word.
Writers and editors can be divided into three categories — writers and authors
(including nonfiction writers and creative writers), technical writers / science
and medical writers, and editors (those working in the publishing industry and
those working for newspapers or magazines.
- Job Outlook for Writers and Editors: average
- Earnings of Writers and Editors: Median annual earnings for salaried writers
and authors were $42,790 in 2002. Median annual earnings for salaried technical
writers were $50,580. Median annual earnings for salaried editors were $41,170.*
Check out a jobs board and Post your resume :: Over 900,000 Jobs Available
Retail Careers
- Job Description: help customers find what they are looking for and try to
interest them in buying the merchandise.
- Job Outlook: average
- Earnings: Median Annual Earnings in the Industries Employing the Largest
Numbers of Retail Salespersons (U.S., 2002*)
Automobile dealers: $18.25
Building material and supplies dealers: $10.41
Department stores: $8.12
Other general merchandise stores: $7.84
Clothing stores: $7.77
Social Change Careers
Speech-Language Pathologist
- Job Description: assess, diagnose, treat, and help prevent speech, language,
cognitive, communication, voice, swallowing, fluency, and other related
disorders.
- Education: graduate programs in speech-language pathology
- Job Outlook: average
- Earnings: Median annual earnings of speech-language pathologists were $49,450
in 2002.
Sports Industry Careers
Teacher
- Job Description: helps students learn and apply concepts in subjects such as
science, mathematics, or English.
- Employment Facts: Preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, middle school,
and secondary school teachers held about 3.8 million jobs in 2002.
- Education: bachelor’s degree
- Job Outlook: vary from good to excellent, depending on the locality, grade
level, and subject taught.
- Earnings: Median annual earnings of kindergarten, elementary, middle, and
secondary school teachers ranged from $39,810 to $44,340 in 2002.
Technical Support Careers
Travel Agent
- Job Description: assess individual's and business people's needs to help them
make the best possible travel arrangements. An agent may specialize by type of
travel, such as leisure or business, or destination, such as Europe or Africa.
- Job Outlook: expected to decline through 2012.
- Earnings: Median annual earnings of travel agents were $26,630 (U.S., 2002*).
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Veterinarian
- Job Description: provide healthcare for pets, livestock, and zoo, sporting,
and laboratory animals.
- Education: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M. or V.M.D.) from an accredited
college of veterinary medicine.
- Job Outlook: expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations
through 2012.
- Earnings: Median annual earnings of veterinarians were $63,090 in 2002 (U.S.,
2002*)
Wedding Consultant
- Earnings; according to an article in iVillage, earnings are generally 10 to 15
percent of the cost of the wedding or $1900 to $2850.
Writer
- Job Description of Writers and Editors: communicate through the written word.
Writers and editors can be divided into three categories — writers and authors
(including nonfiction writers and creative writers), technical writers / science
and medical writers, and editors (those working in the publishing industry and
those working for newspapers or magazines)
- Job Outlook for Writers and Editors: expected to grow about as fast as the
average for all occupations through the year 2012.
- Earnings of Writers and Editors: Median annual earnings for salaried writers
and authors were $42,790 in 2002. Median annual earnings for salaried technical
writers were $50,580. Median annual earnings for salaried editors were $41,170.*
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