The economic meltdown is forcing the economy to evolve rapidly to adapt to new conditions. Factors as diverse as global markets and global warming are catapulting new industries to the forefront and pushing others behind. Tomorrow's career opportunity will likely bear little resemblance to yesterday. Are you prepared for the new face of the job market?
Online degrees offer a chance to reinvent yourself for the new economy. Here's a look at the industries most likely to pull the U.S. economy out of the recession and put your career back on the track.
Health care
Baby boomers are heading into retirement and creating massive demand for health care services. At the same time, medical advances are expanding the scope of available services. These factors add up to a reliable source of jobs for career changers interested in health care.
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Medical assistant: A two-year associate degree in medical assisting can set you up for a job in a medical clinic or private practice, assisting a physician. Medical assistants perform a range of administrative and clerical tasks to keep the office running smoothly -- everything from answering phones to taking patient medical histories and preparing laboratory tests. Online degrees in medical assisting offer the necessary career training with courses in anatomy, physiology and medical terminology. Assistants also learn medical office administration skills such as transcription, accounting and insurance processing.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 35 percent growth in medical assistant jobs through 2016, making this occupation the eighth fastest-growing career in the U.S. Earning power is around $28,270 per year, the 2007 average.
Clean energy
The Obama administration is doing its part to jump start the clean energy industry. The federal government plans to allocate $59 billion in economic stimulus funds and an additional $150 billion over the next decade to "promote America's clean-energy future." This is good news for anyone interested in energy research, development or manufacturing.
Engineering technician: Colleges are already registering a shift from financial to engineering careers. USC engineering dean Yannis C. Yortsos comments: "In the past, very talented [students] would go into business school, to Wall Street, get big bonuses." Now the same students are "going into engineering instead."
Technician careers are among the most popular paths into engineering, since they combine opportunity with accessibility. A two-year associate degree in engineering technology will prepare you to play a crucial support role in engineering R&D. Mechanical and chemical engineering electives offer the best foundation for a clean-energy career. Many technicians continue on to earn a bachelor's degree in energy engineering while they work, increasing their design responsibility and earning power. Engineering technicians earned a median salary of $49,290 in 2007; industrial engineers brought home $73,490.
Environment
Climate change doesn't take time off for a recession. Demand for environmentally-friendly products and services is growing even as the rest of the market plummets, sustained by environmental warning signs such as global warming and melting polar ice caps. You'll find green career opportunities emerging across the economy in industries as varied as fashion design, scientific research, construction contracting and even marketing.
Laboratory scientist: Lab scientists are on the front lines of environmental issues and experiencing historic demand for their skills. Environmental scientists are among the fastest-growing occupations in the U.S., thanks to tougher environmental regulations and new funding. Lab scientists are responsible for analyzing data collected in the field, modeling possible solutions and monitoring the progress of remediation strategies.
A bachelor's degree in life sciences or environmental science is the preferred qualification for environmental research. For a shorter route into a lab coat, aim for a two-year associate degree. Both qualifications are available online. Lab scientists brought home a mean annual wage of $42,190 in 2007.
Government
As the public sector assumes a higher profile in economic affairs, look to the government to generate thousands of new jobs. Economic recovery initiatives, tightening regulations, and a new administration are creating demand for trained civil servants. With the right credentials, you can answer the call to public service.
Government auditor: Financial auditing is, for better or for worse, emerging as a growth area in accounting. Treasury secretary Tim Geithner's bank stress tests represent just one high-profile example of the vast number-crunching efforts the federal government is sponsoring. As a public sector auditor, you may work for the IRS, the Federal Reserve, or any number of other financial agencies to enforce federal regulations.
A four-year bachelor's degree in accounting offers the necessary qualification for a government auditing job. The federal government is the top-paying employer of auditors (oddly, the only private sector employer rivaling Uncle Sam's paycheck is the retail shoe industry). Federal executive branch auditors earned an impressive $81,570 in 2007.
Law enforcement and security
Crime continues to pay during a recession -- fortunately, so does fighting it. Law enforcement professionals of all stripes -- police officers, correctional facility workers, homeland security agents etc. -- are experiencing rising demand for their services.
Cyber security specialist: Information technology workers suffering from private sector cutbacks may want to consider a career in law enforcement. Network administration, systems analysis and programming skills offer a valuable foundation for a career in cyber security and computer forensics.
Professional training will depend on your work experience. Though a bachelor's degree is recommended, solid computer skills are what really matter to employers. Expand your technical background with courses in cryptography or information systems security, or sign on for a full online bachelor's degree in management information systems, computer science or a specialized cyber security or computer forensics degree. Computer specialists earned $45,300 in 2007.
The next generation of the economy is right around the corner, bringing with it new career opportunities. With an online degree, you can reinvent yourself to keep pace with the changing times.
