Job Openings Still Out There
Even when 15 million Americans were looking for work during the darkest hours of the recession, thousands of job openings were left unfilled. Why?
Unemployed people may simply lack the skills required for the open jobs, especially as job positions evolve with new technology and consumer needs. With a few short years of education at a technical school or community college, you can open up great job possibilities. The following positions vary in job responsibilities, education required, and level of pay. In short, there are openings for nearly anyone. Read on!
Skilled trades
U.S. industries need electricians, machinists, and welders who are capable of building with new environmental and technological standards. If you have mechanical aptitude, you may want to think about attending vocational school after high school to gain specialized knowledge.
Expected growth: 12% from 2008 to 2018
Education usually required: High school diploma with vocational education
Nurses
The healthcare industry continues to expand, but nursing schools are not graduating enough students to meet future demand. This comes at a time when the Baby-Boom Generation is retiring. In other words, qualified nurses will be retiring at the same time that more patients require nursing care.
Expected growth: 22% from 2008 to 2018
Education usually required: Associate’s degree
Technicians
Technicians fill jobs in engineering, operations, manufacturing, and construction. They provide support for engineers in building and testing components for airplanes and spacecraft, constructing highways, and more. If you like math and science and can handle a couple years of school after high school, this is a great time to become a technician.
Expected growth: 5% from 2008 to 2018
Education usually required: Associate’s degree
- Electronics Engineering Technicians on O*Net
- Electronics Engineering Technicians on the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Drivers
Since most consumer goods are delivered to stores by truck, thousands of qualified drivers are needed. The jobs pay well (in the $34,000-$53,000 range), but freight and package-delivery companies now face a shortage of drivers. Training can be completed in a few months at a technical or vocational school, but negatives like long hours behind the wheel and separation from families keep the field under-populated.
Expected growth: 9% from 2008 to 2018
Education usually required: High school diploma with additional training
Engineers
Engineers apply scientific principles to solve design, manufacturing, construction, and other problems. Almost half of current professionals are Baby Boomers who are now beginning to retire. Fewer manufacturing engineers are needed, but experienced civil, biomedical, electrical, and structural engineers are intensely sought across many fields, especially those who understand green technology. If you like math and science, and have an interest in creating new systems, technology, and products, engineering may be for you.
Expected growth: 11% from 2008 to 2018
Education usually required: Bachelor’s degree
Food service and hotel workers
More people are traveling, dining out, and purchasing take-out meals than ever. Professionals with two- or four-year restaurant or hospitality degrees are highly desired. There are also thousands of lower-level positions open, many to high school students. Bakers, servers, attendants, waiters, and housekeepers are all in demand. While those jobs may provide less pay, they can lead to promotions into management roles.
Expected growth: 5% from 2008 to 2018
Education usually required: High school diploma with food service training
Customer support and service
If you have ever had to call a company with a question, you’ve probably talked with a customer service representative. Customer service reps are on the front lines, building relationships with customers and dealing with problems. While technology has taken over some customer service jobs, there’s now a need for assistance with the very same technology! The job requires strong people skills, the ability to handle stressful situations, and an in-depth understanding of company products and services.
Expected growth: 18% from 2008 to 2018
Education usually required: High school diploma with additional training and education depending on the position
- Customer service representatives on O*Net
- Customer service representatives on the Bureau of Labor Statistics
