150 best jobs for your skills

481 Pages·2008·6.604 MB·English

by  Shatkin, Laurence;Farr, J. Michael

cover.qxp 5/24/2007 11:22 AM Page 1 150
150
Best Jobs
Careers/Reference
1
Best Jobs
™ 5 ™
0
for Your Skills B
e
for
s
Part of JIST’s Best Jobs™ Series
t

“Once you understand your skills…you can explore new work opportunities…
and make a powerful case in your resume, cover letter, and interview.” J Your Skills
Linda Kobylarz, President, Kobylarz & Associates Career Consultants, from the foreword
o
Best Jobs Require Skills You May Have or Can Learn How This Book Works b
The best jobs in today’s economy demand high skill levels. But many In Part I, read about skills and why they’re impor-
people find it difficult to identify the skills they have or could devel- tant. Then take a look at Part II for a self-assessment s
op. In this book, you discover your three strongest skills and the 50 to find out your top three career skills. Part III con-
best jobs that require each one. With this information, you can find tains 90+ best jobs lists you can browse to find the
f
careers that you are likely to excel at; train for high-demand, high- best jobs for your top skills. Turn to Part IV to look
wage jobs; and explain your value to employers. at their descriptions for details on earnings, growth, o
job tasks, education and training needed, and much
Part of JIST’s Best Jobs™ Series
Helpful Facts About the Best Jobs for Your Skills more. Simple. r
The authors used the most up-to-date facts from government WWhhoo CCaann BBeenneeffiitt ffrroomm TThhiiss BBooookk??Want to find a job 250+ Job Descriptions
sources throughout this volume. Besides the best jobs lists, the that’s a good match for the skills you already have? Y
book includes information-packed descriptions of more than 250 Researching and planning your future education )
occupations that met the best jobs criteria. Among this book’s many and career options? Interested in gaining the skills o 90+ Best Jobs Lists, Including Jobs with the
helpful facts: needed for better-paying or more-interesting jobs?
Best Pay, Fastest Growth, and Most Openings
)The best job using mathematics skills is Pharmacists. It has This book is ideal for people making important u
career plans and decisions, as well as for the edu-
earnings of $89,820, is growing at a rate of 24.6 percent, and
cators, counselors, and others advising them. ) Reveal the best career match for your three top skills,
has 16,000 openings per year. r
such as communication, math, technology, science, and
AAbboouutt tthhee AAuutthhoorrss..MMiikkee FFaarrrrhas written more than
)Among the best jobs using communications skills with the high-
management.
20 books on career and job search topics and is S
est percentage of part-time workers are Medical Assistants
one of the most respected and popular authors in
(number 3), Paralegals and Legal Assistants (number 7), and ) “Best jobs” lists for each skill, organized by pay, growth,
the field. LLaauurreennccee SShhaattkkiinnhas more than 25 years
Public Relations Specialists (number 11). k openings, education, self-employed and part-time workers,
in the career information field and is the author of
)The three industries with the highest concentration of occupa- several career books. and much more.
i
tions that use social skills are Educational Services, Software
Publishers, and Health Care. l ) Job descriptions packed with details on wages, demand,
l responsibilities, and required training.
s
More than 200,000
Best Jobs books in print!
Based on the latest
$16.95 Higher in Canada
government data
Farr
8902 Otis Avenue
Shatkin
Indianapolis, IN 46216-1033
1-800-648-JIST
Fax 1-800-JIST-FAX
and Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D.
J4178 www.jist.com
00FM.qxp 5/29/2007 10:26 AM Page i
and Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D.
Foreword by Linda Kobylarz, President, Kobylarz & Associates Career Consultants
Also in JIST’s Best Jobs Series
) Best Jobs for the 21st Century ) 40 Best Fields for Your Career
) 200 Best Jobs for College Graduates ) 225 Best Jobs for Baby Boomers
) 300 Best Jobs Without a Four-Year Degree ) 250 Best-Paying Jobs
) 250 Best Jobs Through Apprenticeships ) 175 Best Jobs Not Behind a Desk
) 50 Best Jobs for Your Personality
00FM.qxp 5/29/2007 10:26 AM Page ii
150 Best Jobs for Your Skills
© 2008 by JIST Publishing, Inc.
Published by JIST Works, an imprint of JIST Publishing, Inc.
8902 Otis Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46216-1033
Phone: [phone]-JIST Fax: 1-800-JIST-FAX
E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.jist.com
Some Other Books by the Authors
Michael Farr Laurence Shatkin
The Quick Resume & Cover Letter Book 90-Minute College Major Matcher
Getting the Job You Really Want
The Very Quick Job Search
Overnight Career Choice
Quantity discounts are available for JIST products.Have future editions of JIST books automatically delivered to you on publication
through our convenient standing order program. Please call 1-800-648-JIST or visit www.jist.com for a free catalog and more informa-
tion.
Visit www.jist.comfor information on JIST, free job search information, book excerpts, and ordering information on our many prod-
ucts.
Acquisitions Editor: Susan Pines Interior Layout: Aleata Howard
Development Editor: Stephanie Koutek Proofreaders: Linda Seifert, Jeanne Clark
Cover and Interior Designer: Aleata Howard Indexer: Cheryl Lenser
Cover Illustrations: Image Zoo
Printed in the United States of America
12 11 10 09 08 07 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Farr, J. Michael.
150 best jobs for your skills / Michael Farr and Laurence Shatkin.
p. cm. -- (JIST's best jobs series)
Includes index.
ISBN 978-1-59357-417-8 (alk. paper)
1. Vocational guidance--United States. 2. Vocational interests--United States. 3. Occupations--United States. 4. Job hunting--United
States. I. Shatkin, Laurence. II. Title. III. Title: One hundred and fifty best jobs for your skills.
HF5382.5.U5F3634 2007
331.7020973--dc22
2007011236
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system,
without prior permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in articles or reviews. Making copies of any
part of this book for any purpose other than your own personal use is a violation of United States copyright laws. For permission
requests, please contact the Copyright Clearance Center at www.copyright.com or [phone].
We have been careful to provide accurate information throughout this book, but it is possible that errors and omissions have been intro-
duced. Please consider this in making any career plans or other important decisions. Trust your own judgment above all else and in all
things. Results provided from the skills assessment are part of a whole-person approach to the assessment process. They provide useful
information that individuals can use to identify their strengths and to identify training needs and occupations that they may wish to
explore further. The skills assessment should never be used by businesses or organizations to screen applicants for jobs or for programs of
education or training.
Trademarks: All brand names and product names used in this book are trade names, service marks, trademarks, or registered trademarks
of their respective owners.
ISBN 978-1-59357-417-8
00FM.qxp 5/29/2007 10:26 AM Page iii
This Is a Big Book, But It Is
Very Easy to Use
How do you earn a paycheck? With your skills. An impressive degree, personal contacts, and the
slickest resume in town can only suggestyour skills. They may get you hired, but to keep a job you
need to ownthe relevant skills. That’s why, when you are making career plans, you should think in
terms of the jobs that match your skills—the skills you already have or believe you can develop.
This book can help you identify your top skills and learn about jobs that use those skills. It guides
you through an exercise that makes you think about your skills in greater depth than you may
have ever done before. Then you can browse lists of jobs in which your top skills are used at a
high level. The jobs on the lists are selected and ordered to emphasize those with the highest
earnings and the highest demand for workers. Specialized lists arrange these jobs by the level of
education or training required and by interest fields. You can also see lists of jobs that have high
percentages of part-time or self-employed workers.
Every job is described in detail later in the book, so you can explore the jobs that interest you the
most. You’ll learn the major work tasks, all the important skills, educational programs, and many
other informative facts.
Using this book, you’ll be surprised how quickly you’ll get new ideas for career goals that can use
your top skills and can suit you in many other ways.
Some Things You Can Do with This Book
) Identify jobs for your skills that don’t require you to get additional training or
education.
) Develop long-term career plans that may require additional training, education, or
experience.
) Explore and select a training or educational program that relates to a career objective
suited to your skills.
) Find skill information to emphasize on your resume.
) Prepare for interviews by learning how to connect your skills to your career goal.
These are a few of the many ways you can use this book. We hope you find it as interesting to
browse as we did to put together. We have tried to make it easy to use and as interesting as occu-
pational information can be.
When you are done with this book, pass it along or tell someone else about it. We wish you well
in your career and in your life.
(continued)
00FM.qxp 5/29/2007 10:26 AM Page iv
(continued)
CCrreeddiittss aanndd AAcckknnoowwlleeddggmmeennttss::While the authors created this book, it is based on the work of many others. The occupational information is based on
data obtained from the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Census Bureau. These sources provide the most authoritative occupational information
available. The job titles and their related descriptions are from the O*NET database, which was developed by researchers and developers under the
direction of the U.S. Department of Labor. They, in turn, were assisted by thousands of employers who provided details on the nature of work in the
many thousands of job samplings used in the database’s development. We used the most recent version of the O*NET database, release 10.0. We
appreciate and thank the staff of the U.S. Department of Labor for their efforts and expertise in providing such a rich source of data.
iv 150 Best Jobs for Your Skills ©JIST Works
00FM.qxp 5/29/2007 10:26 AM Page v
Table of Contents
Summary of Major Sections Detailed Table of Contents
Introduction. A short overview to help you better
understand and use the book. Starts on page 1. Part I: Overview of Skills and Careers ............13
Part I. Overview of Skills and Careers.Part I defines What Exactly Isa Skill?....................................13
what a skill is and discusses various ways you can How Can I Develop My Skills? ......................14
develop your skills. It clarifies the relationship
between skills and career choice, as well as the role Informal Learning........................................14
skills play in the hiring process. Finally, it explains Formal Learning..........................................15
which skills are included in this book and how this
book can help you focus on your skills. Starts on How Are Skills and Career Choice Related?....15
page 13. How Important Are Skills in the Hiring
Part II. What Are Your Top Skills? Take an Process? ........................................................16
Assessment. This part helps you identify your
What Do I Need for a Job Besides Skills?........17
strongest skills with an in-depth assessment. Starts on
page 21. What Skills Are Covered in This Book? ..........17
Part III. The Best Jobs Lists: Jobs for Each of the 10 What Skills Are NotCovered in This Book?....19
Skills. Very useful for exploring career options! Lists How Does This Book Help Me Identify My
are arranged into easy-to-use groups based on skills.
Outstanding Skills?........................................20
The first group of lists presents the 50 best jobs with
a high level of each skill. These jobs are selected to be
Part II: What Are Your Top Skills? Take an
outstanding in terms of earnings, job growth, and job
openings. Another series of lists gives the 20 best- Assessment....................................................21
paying jobs with a high level of each skill, the 20 Step 1: Rate Your Skills ..................................21
fastest-growing jobs with a high level of each skill,
and the 20 jobs with the most openings with a high Communication Skills..................................22
level of each skill. More-specialized lists follow, pre- Computer Programming Skills ......................24
senting the best jobs with a high level of each skill
with high percentages of part-time and self-employed Equipment Use/Maintenance Skills................26
workers, the best jobs by level of education or train- Equipment/Technology Analysis Skills............28
ing (with their top skills identified), and the best jobs
with a high level of each skill by interest area, as well Management Skills ......................................30
as several bonus lists. The detailed table of contents Mathematics Skills........................................32
starting at right presents all the list titles. Starts on
page 47. Quality Control Skills ..................................34
Science Skills................................................36
Part IV. Descriptions of the Best Jobs for Your Skills.
Provides complete descriptions of the jobs that appear Social Skills..................................................38
on the lists in Part III. Each description contains
Thought-Processing Skills..............................40
information on skills, education and training
required, earnings, projected growth, job duties, relat- Step 2: Decide on Your Top Skills....................42
ed knowledge and courses, and many other details.
Step 3: Find Jobs That Match Your Top
Starts on page 167.
Skills..............................................................45
Appendix A. Resources for Further Exploration.
Lists several helpful resources for researching the facts
Part III: The Best Jobs Lists: Jobs for Each
about jobs and for learning how to conduct a suc-
of the 10 Skills ..............................................47
cessful job hunt. Starts on page 451.
Best Jobs Overall for Each Skill: Jobs with
Appendix B. The GOE Interest Areas and Work
the Highest Pay, Fastest Growth, and
Groups. This list of the 16 GOE Interest Areas and
their related Work Groups can help you narrow down Most Openings..............................................47
your career interests. Starts on page 453.
00FM.qxp 5/29/2007 10:26 AM Page vi
Table of Contents______________________________________________________________________
The 50 Best Jobs with a High Level of The 20 Fastest-Growing Jobs with a
Communication Skills................................48 High Level of Communication Skills ..........72
The 40 Best Jobs with a High Level of The 20 Fastest-Growing Jobs with a
Computer Programming Skills....................50 High Level of Computer Programming
The 50 Best Jobs with a High Level of Skills..........................................................73
Equipment Use/Maintenance Skills ............51 The 20 Fastest-Growing Jobs with a
The 50 Best Jobs with a High Level of High Level of Equipment
Equipment/Technology Analysis Skills..........53 Use/Maintenance Skills ..............................73
The 50 Best Jobs with a High Level of The 20 Fastest-Growing Jobs with a
Management Skills ....................................54 High Level of Equipment/Technology
Analysis Skills............................................74
The 50 Best Jobs with a High Level of
Mathematics Skills ....................................56 The 20 Fastest-Growing Jobs with a
High Level of Management Skills................75
The 50 Best Jobs with a High Level of
Quality Control Skills ................................58 The 20 Fastest-Growing Jobs with a
High Level of Mathematics Skills................76
The 50 Best Jobs with a High Level of
Science Skills..............................................59 The 20 Fastest-Growing Jobs with a
High Level of Quality Control Skills............76
The 50 Best Jobs with a High Level of
Social Skills................................................61 The 20 Fastest-Growing Jobs with a
High Level of Science Skills ........................77
The 50 Best Jobs with a High Level of
Thought-Processing Skills............................63 The 20 Fastest-Growing Jobs with a
High Level of Social Skills..........................78
The 20 Best-Paying Jobs with a High Level
of Communication Skills............................65 The 20 Fastest-Growing Jobs with a
High Level of Thought-Processing Skills ......78
The 20 Best-Paying Jobs with a High
Level of Computer Programming Skills........65 The 20 Jobs with a High Level of
Communication Skills with the Most
The 20 Best-Paying Jobs with a High Level
Openings ..................................................80
of Equipment Use/Maintenance Skills ........66
The 20 Jobs with a High Level of
The 20 Best-Paying Jobs with a High Level
Computer Programming Skills with
of Equipment/Technology Analysis Skills......67
the Most Openings......................................80
The 20 Best-Paying Jobs with a High Level
The 20 Jobs with a High Level of
of Management Skills ................................68
Equipment Use/Maintenance Skills
The 20 Best-Paying Jobs with a High Level
with the Most Openings..............................81
of Mathematics Skills..................................68
The 20 Jobs with a High Level of
The 20 Best-Paying Jobs with a High Level
Equipment/Technology Analysis Skills
of Quality Control Skills ............................69
with the Most Openings..............................82
The 20 Best-Paying Jobs with a High Level
The 20 Jobs with a High Level of
of Science Skills..........................................70
Management Skills with the Most
The 20 Best-Paying Jobs with a High Level Openings ..................................................83
of Social Skills............................................70
The 20 Jobs with a High Level of
The 20 Best-Paying Jobs with a High Level Mathematics Skills with the Most
of Thought-Processing Skills........................71 Openings ..................................................84
vi 150 Best Jobs for Your Skills ©JIST Works
00FM.qxp 5/29/2007 10:26 AM Page vii
________________________________________________________________________Table of Contents
The 20 Jobs with a High Level of Quality Best Jobs with a High Level of Computer
Control Skills with the Most Openings........84 Programming Skills with a High
The 20 Jobs with a High Level of Science Percentage of Self-Employed Workers............97
Skills with the Most Openings ....................85 Best Jobs with a High Level of Equipment
The 20 Jobs with a High Level of Social Use/Maintenance Skills with a High
Skills with the Most Openings ....................86 Percentage of Self-Employed Workers............98
The 20 Jobs with a High Level of Thought- Best Jobs with a High Level of
Processing Skills with the Most Openings ....87 Equipment/Technology Analysis Skills
with a High Percentage of Self-Employed
Best Jobs Lists by Work Arrangement..............88
Workers ....................................................98
Best Jobs with a High Level of
Best Jobs with a High Level of Management
Communication Skills with a High
Skills with a High Percentage of
Percentage of Part-Time Workers ................89
Self-Employed Workers................................99
Best Jobs with a High Level of Computer
Best Jobs with a High Level of Mathematics
Programming Skills with a High
Skills with a High Percentage of
Percentage of Part-Time Workers ................89
Self-Employed Workers..............................100
Best Jobs with a High Level of Equipment
Best Jobs with a High Level of Quality
Use/Maintenance Skills with a High
Control Skills with a High Percentage of
Percentage of Part-Time Workers ................90
Self-Employed Workers..............................101
Best Jobs with a High Level of Equipment/
Best Jobs with a High Level of Science Skills
Technology Analysis Skills with a High
with a High Percentage of Self-Employed
Percentage of Part-Time Workers ................91
Workers ..................................................102
Best Jobs with a High Level of Management
Best Jobs with a High Level of Social Skills
Skills with a High Percentage of Part-
with a High Percentage of Self-Employed
Time Workers ............................................91
Workers ..................................................103
Best Jobs with a High Level of Mathematics
Best Jobs with a High Level of Thought-
Skills with a High Percentage of Part-
Processing Skills with a High Percentage
Time Workers ............................................92
of Self-Employed Workers..........................104
Best Jobs with a High Level of Quality
The Best Jobs for Your Skills Sorted by
Control Skills with a High Percentage of
Education or Training Required..................104
Part-Time Workers ....................................93
Descriptions of the Education Levels............105
Best Jobs with a High Level of Science Skills
with a High Percentage of Part-Time Another Warning About the Data................106
Workers ....................................................93 Best Jobs Requiring Short-Term On-the-Job
Best Jobs with a High Level of Social Skills Training..................................................107
with a High Percentage of Part-Time Best Jobs Requiring Moderate-Term
Workers ....................................................94 On-the-Job Training ................................107
Best Jobs with a High Level of Thought- Best Jobs Requiring Long-Term On-the-Job
Processing Skills with a High Percentage Training..................................................109
of Part-Time Workers ................................95
Best Jobs Requiring Work Experience in a
Best Jobs with a High Level of Related Occupation..................................111
Communication Skills with a High
Percentage of Self-Employed Workers............97
150 Best Jobs for Your Skills ©JIST Works vii
00FM.qxp 5/29/2007 10:26 AM Page viii
Table of Contents______________________________________________________________________
Best Jobs Requiring Postsecondary Best Jobs for People Interested in Retail and
Vocational Training..................................114 Wholesale Sales and Service......................154
Best Jobs Requiring an Associate Degree ......116 Best Jobs for People Interested in Scientific
Best Jobs Requiring a Bachelor’s Degree........118 Research, Engineering, and Mathematics ..155
Best Jobs Requiring Work Experience Plus Best Jobs for People Interested in
Degree ....................................................125 Transportation, Distribution, and
Logistics ..................................................158
Best Jobs Requiring a Master’s Degree..........127
BonusLists About Skills................................159
Best Jobs Requiring a Doctoral Degree ........129
Skills Used by the Best-Paid Jobs, Ordered
Best Jobs Requiring a First Professional
from Highest to Lowest ............................160
Degree ....................................................129
Skills Used by the Fastest-Growing Jobs,
The Best Jobs for Your Skills Sorted
Ordered from Highest to Lowest................160
by Interest ..................................................131
The 10 Industries with the Highest Level
Descriptions for the 16 Interest Areas ..........131
of Communication Skills in Their
Best Jobs for People Interested in
Workforce................................................161
Agriculture and Natural Resources ............135
The 10 Industries with the Highest Level
Best Jobs for People Interested in
of Computer Programming Skills in
Architecture and Construction ..................135
Their Workforce ......................................162
Best Jobs for People Interested in Arts and
The 10 Industries with the Highest Level
Communication ......................................137
of Equipment Use/Maintenance Skills
Best Jobs for People Interested in Business in Their Workforce ..................................162
and Administration..................................139
The 10 Industries with the Highest Level
Best Jobs for People Interested in Education of Equipment/Technology Analysis Skills
and Training............................................141 in Their Workforce ..................................163
Best Jobs for People Interested in Finance The 10 Industries with the Highest Level
and Insurance..........................................143 of Management Skills in Their
Best Jobs for People Interested in Workforce................................................163
Government and Public Administration....144 The 10 Industries with the Highest Level
Best Jobs for People Interested in Health of Mathematics Skills in Their Workforce ..164
Science ....................................................144 The 10 Industries with the Highest Level
Best Jobs for People Interested in Hospitality, of Quality Control Skills in Their
Tourism, and Recreation ..........................148 Workforce................................................164
Best Jobs for People Interested in Human The 10 Industries with the Highest Level
Service ....................................................148 of Science Skills in Their Workforce ..........165
Best Jobs for People Interested in The 10 Industries with the Highest Level
Information Technology............................149 of Social Skills in Their Workforce ............165
Best Jobs for People Interested in Law and The 10 Industries with the Highest Level
Public Safety............................................151 of Thought-Processing Skills in Their
Workforce................................................166
Best Jobs for People Interested in
Manufacturing ........................................152
viii 150 Best Jobs for Your Skills ©JIST Works
00FM.qxp 5/29/2007 10:26 AM Page ix
________________________________________________________________________Table of Contents
Part IV: Descriptions of the Best Jobs for Bill and Account Collectors ........................198
Your Skills....................................................167
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary....199
Accountants................................................169 Biological Technicians ................................201
Actuaries....................................................170 Biomedical Engineers..................................202
Administrative Services Managers................171 Budget Analysts..........................................202
Advertising and Promotions Managers ........172 Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Engine Specialists ....................................203
Technicians..............................................173 Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity................204
Aerospace Engineers....................................174 Business Teachers, Postsecondary..................205
Agricultural Engineers................................175 Cardiovascular Technologists and
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Technicians..............................................206
Postsecondary ..........................................176 Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers ......208
Air Traffic Controllers ................................177 Chemical Engineers....................................209
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary ..............210
Technicians..............................................178
Chemists....................................................211
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight
Chief Executives ........................................212
Engineers ................................................179
Chiropractors..............................................213
Anesthesiologists..........................................180
Civil Engineers ..........................................214
Anthropology and Archeology Teachers,
Clinical Psychologists..................................215
Postsecondary ..........................................181
Coaches and Scouts ....................................216
Appraisers, Real Estate................................182
Commercial and Industrial Designers..........217
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval......183
Commercial Pilots......................................218
Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary ............184
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary ....219
Archivists ..................................................185
Compensation and Benefits Managers..........220
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies
Teachers, Postsecondary ............................186 Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis
Specialists................................................221
Art Directors..............................................188
Computer and Information Systems
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers,
Managers ................................................222
Postsecondary ..........................................189
Computer Hardware Engineers....................223
Assessors ....................................................190
Computer Programmers..............................224
Astronomers................................................191
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary....225
Atmospheric and Space Scientists ................192
Computer Security Specialists......................227
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space
Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary................193 Computer Software Engineers,
Applications ............................................228
Auditors ....................................................194
Computer Software Engineers, Systems
Automotive Master Mechanics ....................195
Software..................................................229
Automotive Specialty Technicians ................196
Computer Support Specialists......................230
Aviation Inspectors......................................197
Computer Systems Analysts..........................231
150 Best Jobs for Your Skills ©JIST Works ix