It's Never Too Late to Start a Fast-Growing Career

Exploring education options that make sense for people at any stage in life.

by Jessica Hanley, FindtheRightSchool.com

Do you feel pangs of regret as another group of students prepares to graduate from college in just a few weeks, wishing you were up there onstage receiving your associate's or bachelor's degree as well? With the right career training, it's never too late to transition into an in-demand career. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects the following careers to continue growing much faster than average through 2018, so there's plenty of time to earn a degree and enter a growing industry.

1. Paralegal
Paralegals and legal assistants help attorneys prepare for cases by drafting documents, doing research, and preparing written reports. Because paralegals now perform some of the tasks that were previously reserved for lawyers, the BLS expects employment of paralegals to grow by 28 percent from 2008 to 2018. In 2008, paralegals earned a median income of $46,120.

The most common way to become a paralegal is to earn an associate's degree in paralegal studies through a local college or online degree program. If you already have a bachelor's degree, a certificate in paralegal studies can help you transition into an in-demand legal career.

2. Computer Software Engineer
Computer software engineers use computer science and mathematics to develop software applications and systems. From video games to operating systems, computer software engineers design, create, and test software that responds to users' needs. According to the BLS, computer-applications software engineers earned a median salary of $85,430 in 2008, and their employment is expected to increase by 34 percent from 2008 to 2018.

Most employers prefer to hire software engineers with at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or mathematics. In addition to formal career training, computer software engineers must stay abreast of new technology and trends in the computing world, and many go on to earn a master's degree in computer science.

3. Computer Programmer
After a computer software engineer designs an application, a computer programmer writes the code that makes the program function. Computer programmers use several computing languages to write programs. In 2008, computer programmers earned a median salary of $69,620, according to the BLS.

Most computer programmers hold a bachelor's degree in computer science or information systems, but some employers will accept programmers with an associate's degree in computer science or a related field. Online degree programs in computer science and information systems can help you make the transition into a programming career without leaving your current job.

4. Network Systems and Data Communications Analyst
Network systems and data communications analysts design and evaluate network systems like the Internet, local area networks, and intranets for corporations and other organizations. In 2008, they earned a median income of $71,100, and the BLS expects their employment to grow by 53 percent from 2008 to 2018.

Most network systems and data communications analysts hold a bachelor's degree or an associate's degree in information systems, computer science, or a related field. Online degree programs in computer science and information systems can help you gain the education you need to make the transition.

5. Registered Nurse
Registered nurses work alongside doctors in hospitals, care centers, and doctor's offices, and they play a key role diagnosing and treating patients. The BLS expects employment of nurses to increase by 22 percent from 2008 to 2018. In 2008, registered nurses earned a median salary of $62,450.

Nurses can train by earning a bachelor's degree in nursing, an associate's degree in nursing, or a diploma from an accredited nursing program. Associate's degree programs generally take two to three years to complete, whereas the bachelor's degree takes four years and involves more comprehensive coursework.

6. Accountant
Accountants maintain the financial records of companies, government agencies, and individuals, and their duties often include budget analysis, tax preparation, auditing, and investment planning. Accountants earned a median income of $59,430 in 2008, and the BLS expects their employment to increase by 22 percent from 2008 to 2018.

The first step to becoming an accountant is earning a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field. Most bachelor's degree programs take four years to complete, and online degree programs in accounting are available. After earning a bachelor's degree, many successful accountants go on to become Certified Public Accountants through a series of tests.

Entering a Growing Field
Whatever your current occupation, career training and online degree programs can help you transition into one of the decade's fastest-growing jobs. Employment opportunities for the above occupations are expected to be excellent through 2018, so you have plenty of time to meet your educational goals--and don that cap and gown.

Source: 2008 mean annual salary figures reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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6 Careers That End Early

Some people strike it rich, others are forced to retire early in these careers with short life spans.

by Fleur Bradley, Investopedia.com

Are you dreaming of retiring young? Not all careers are designed to last until the golden age of 65--some people get rich and bow out early, while others are forced to pack it in while they're under forty. Whether by choice or not, here are six careers that end young.

1. Investment Banking
Government bailouts, frowned-upon employee bonuses--the financial industry doesn't exactly have the best public image, but the earnings are still substantial. The risk of failure is great, but so are the rewards if you make the right move at the right time: investment bankers make an average of $73,000 a year--a respectable number, but remember that the earning potential has a high ceiling.

Take 31-year-old Fabrice Pierre Tourre (dubbed Fabulous Fab), who saw the housing bust coming and hedged against it. Though questions are now being raised about the legality and morality of these actions, right now he could retire at 31 off his prediction that the housing bubble was about to bust.

2. Acting
You may have heard how top-earning actress Angelina Jolie makes $27 million a year, and that Jennifer Aniston comes in at second place at $25 million--according to Forbes. These paychecks sound great, but Hollywood is a tough employer. Those high earnings are the exception to the rule, and careers can flunk overnight.

Actresses are at particular risk of forced early retirement, since the industry likes its female talent under 40 and wrinkle-free. Still, if you make it big like Ms. Jolie and Ms. Aniston, you'll be able to retire comfortably in your Malibu mansion and let the younger crowd take over while you take in the California sun.

3. Military
The training is brutal; the hours, long; and the deployments, wrenching. But a career in the military can be a great way to ensure an early retirement. Say you joined at 18--you can draw a (modest) retirement when you've served 20 years, at the age of 38.

Medical and education benefits add to the perks. Many military careerists go on to well-paying jobs working for contractors, or continue to build their retirement payout by working as government employees. When you add job security and tax perks, those combat boots start to look pretty tempting.

4. Sports
If you've ever watched a football quarterback take a brutal hit, or watched a baseball player hit that perfect home run, you know the skill to take the heat on the field is rare. Athletes can be paid millions for their talent, like the Indianapolis Colts' Peyton Manning's rumored $50 million long-term deal, once his current contract expires.

These kinds of paychecks require great commitment, however, and end when the athlete's body no longer performs at optimum--which is most certainly a few decades before the standard retirement age of 65.

5. Modeling
Their beauty is dazzling, but it also fades faster than any other job attribute. To gain success, models often start working during their teens, and are considered at the peak of their careers before they're even legally allowed to drink. Pay can be high for those in couture or with a famous supermodel image, like top-earning Gisele Bundchen, who--according to Forbes--makes $25 million a year.

To earn these types of salaries, models have to snag endorsement deals or branch out into television, like Heidi Klum, number two on the list of top-earning models. Many older models go on to work in fashion or design, or find lucrative endorsement deals, like Cindy Crawford and Christie Brinkley.

6. Dancing
Being a ballet dancer sounds so romantic, but to dance professionally does mean to be young. Often said to be harder than any sport, dancing requires that you be in top physical condition (and keep your weight down), practice, travel and generally be devoted to your profession beyond your average career. To be successful, dancers must start training at a young age, with first professional auditions at the age of 17.

Pay is generally low, with top-earning performers making just over $15 an hour. Dancers often stop performing by their late 30s; some go on to work as choreographers or teachers.

The end of the employment road?
Although these careers have short runs, many who retire from these jobs go on to branch out as consultants or teachers or to do contract work. Some, like famous actors, top athletes, and investment bankers, just strike it rich and can spend their young years spending their fortune--giving us doing the 9-to-5 something to dream about.

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How to Ask Tough Questions at Work

by Caroline M.L. Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs

Sometimes getting what you want (or need) is as simple as asking. But when it comes to work matters, asking isn't always that simple. More than courage, career strategist Cynthia Shapiro believes that you must first build trust at the office--with your boss--before you make any of these requests. "You cannot ask for a raise, a promotion, a better desk or shift, or sometimes even help, without a solid foundation in place. The way you build that foundation is by putting your boss's priorities ahead of your own. Finding out what is most important to him or her and embracing those things are paramount to your success."

Asking for a raise
If you want a raise, you'll likely have to ask for it. But Shapiro advises that you be mindful of exactly why you're asking. "People will ask for a raise because of something that's happened in their personal life. Wrong! Or they'll ask for a raise because they 'deserve it'--also wrong! You need to prove you're worth more to the company."

Shapiro, the author of the bestseller "Corporate Confidential: 50 Secrets Your Company Doesn't Want You to Know," suggests doing homework before you ask. Build your case by justifying the added expense of an increase in payroll. Take note of your accomplishments, your increased workload, and when you've increased revenues or cut expenses. Make sure your request is within salary parameters for your region and your level of expertise.

Then, Shapiro says, "Pick your timing. Wait until the company is feeling flush--when it just got a big new contract or client, or when you just did something wonderful that the company recognized you for."

When you do ask, be direct and stay on your message. Shapiro adds, "You are asking for a raise because you are worth more to the company, not because you want one or generally feel you deserve one."

Asking for a promotion
Asking for a promotion is similar to asking for a raise--but unlike a raise, which you have to ask for, promotions should rarely be directly asked for! Assuming that you've built trust with your boss (that is, the gatekeeper to your success), he or she will view you as an ally, according to Shapiro. And, she says, "Only allies move up. Make it known to your boss that you may be interested in other opportunities that come up."

And even if you have a lot to do, make it look easy: "No one will recommend you for advancement if it looks like you can't handle the work you currently have," Shapiro explains. Volunteering for new duties can also send a signal that you're ready to move to the next level.

Asking for a layoff
If you've heeded Shapiro's advice and established a healthy, respectful bond with your boss, you can probably ask for a layoff and get it. However, she says, "This is the only request that does not require a solid foundation with your gatekeeper. If you really hate your job and have a problem with your boss, you can ask for a layoff, and the boss will most likely give it to you just to get rid of you."

If this is the situation you're in, she recommends, "Let your boss know, confidentially, that you've enjoyed working for the company and the department, but due to a variety of circumstances, you would like to be considered for a layoff if one were to occur."

Leave out the real reasons you want to leave, so you can ensure that your exit occurs on good terms. If you know layoffs are definitely looming, Shapiro says, "You should always let the organization know that you'd volunteer. It will help them make the right decision and may save someone's job."

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6 Hot Tips for Career Growth Now

by Mary Fineday, FindtheRightSchool.com

The U.S. Department of Labor has recently been reporting rising job numbers in several sectors of the economy--including manufacturing, retail, transportation, restaurants, and hotels. Here are six job tips will help you ride this new wave of economic recovery and job growth.

1. Train smarter. Instead of enrolling in a general liberal arts associate's degree, consider degree and training programs that are aligned to careers with a lot of potential growth. Value specific training over general education.

2. Connect the dots. Seek out growing career fields that appeal to your interests and skills, and connect your existing experience to education. Management training plus retail experience could lead to a retail management job, for example.

Career Spotlight: Hotel Manager
A hospitality and tourism MBA combines business training with the specific challenges of hospitality work. Lodging managers earned mean annual wages of $52,550 in 2008. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that hotels and restaurants have added nearly 50,000 new jobs in the past two months. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that management trainees for large hotel chains almost always need a bachelor's or master's degree, preferably in hospitality or hotel management.

3. Look up, not out. Consider the future potential of your current line of work. Think about what kind of education you could use to move up the career ladder instead of changing jobs completely. If your future path doesn't appeal to you, consider a change.

Career Spotlight: Retail Manager
While you likely don't need any formal training for an entry-level sales jobs, supervisor positions may require an associate's or bachelor's degree in business administration or a similar field. Retailers listed 320,000 job openings, the U.S. Labor Department reports. Additionally, Kronos Inc. reports that retailers boosted hiring by 9 percent in March, to the highest level since fall of 2008. The BLS notes that retail salespersons earned $25,050 in 2008, while salesperson supervisors earned $39,910.

4. Seek out experts. If you have a dream job in mind, seek out individuals who hold the same position and ask them how they got there. Ask about their degree or training path and what they would do differently along the way.

Career Spotlight: Machinist
Become the expert of a set of machines in this highly skilled position. Machinist training programs are found in apprenticeship programs, community or technical colleges, or vocational schools, and can include up to four years of hands-on training. Machinists are an important part of the manufacturing industry, which saw 17,000 more job openings in February 2010. Machinists earned mean annual wages of $37,490 in 2008, the BLS notes.

5. Get local--or branch out. Even if you're not ready to apply yet, check out employment listings in your area to find out who's looking. Consider job markets in other cities by looking at local employment ads, and pay special attention to educational requirements.

Career Spotlight: Registered Nurse
Registered nurses still hold the top spot for fastest projected job growth, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Over 581,000 new jobs are expected to enter the market between 2008 and 2018. What's more, you can train for the career with a two-year associate's degree program in registered nursing, or a broad-based four-year nursing degree that will allow you to specialize down the road. Nurses earned mean annual wages of $65,130 in 2008, the BLS reports.

6. Reorganize. No amount of job growth will be satisfying if you don't enjoy your job. Think about what other type of work could make you happier, and reset your goals if need be.

Invest in career training for valued jobs
Although no career training program can guarantee a particular job or salary, training gives you the opportunity to prove your interest in a field while developing knowledge and skills. Prepare to take advantage of job growth during this economic upswing by training in a career that values skilled workers.

Mary Fineday is a freelance writer in Austin, Texas.

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Emerging Jobs in Social Media

Blog and tweet your way to a new career.

by Carol Tice, PayScale.com

The world of marketing has changed with the rise of social media sites such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. Now companies are seeking their customers' attention with tweets, videos, blog posts, pictures--online content designed to create buzz and attract a following. And this means more and more companies are looking for employees who know how to create and distribute this kind of content.

Growing numbers of job hunters are turning their blogging skills or Facebook savvy into new careers in social media. A background in marketing, computer technology, copywriting, or journalism is often a plus in landing Web 2.0 jobs.

This is an emerging field, so pay rates are all over the place right now--but good pay is already to be found, with full-time jobs ranging from $45,000 to six figures.

"My rule of thumb is, you get paid in social media for what you've done in the past," says Jim Durbin, who operates the niche job site JobsInSocialMedia. "A fresh college grad may make $25,000 as a social media marketer, but if you already have a marketing job where they pay you $80,000 a year, your employer might move your duties over to social media marketing and keep that salary."

Many ad agencies that assist major corporations with social media campaigns are hiring, but the majority of jobs in social media are freelance rather than full-time. On the upside, hourly rates can be high--$200 an hour and more, says copywriting coach Chris Marlow.

"The lowest rate anybody should charge for social media marketing work is $50 an hour," she says. "Many are charging $100 an hour."

Here's a look at some of the most common jobs in social media, and the skills they require:

Social media strategist or digital strategist
Chris Marlow calls this job "the top of the heap" in social media. These experienced marketing strategists understand how to create social media marketing campaigns and measure their success. At larger companies, they may oversee a social media team.

"They're the people who put together a plan," she says.

Community manager
At Spherion subsidiary Mergis Group, recruiting practice director Greg Bennett says he recently filled a $120,000-a-year community manager position with a major company. Community managers oversee company blogs and forums, keeping visitors coming to the site through outreach on social sites, and moderating conversations to make sure nothing libelous or insulting is being said.

The job calls for marketing experience, as well as work in Web publishing, copywriting, project management, and social media. Bennett says his recruiting research turned up several similar positions already earning in the same range.

"Everyone I see wants the same thing," he says. "Someone who is a marketing person but has been heavily involved in social media--they know how to run online symposiums, draw people into the company's community, and keep them in."

Blogger
Posting short articles filled with links to related sites has become a popular technique for improving rankings in search engines. Marlow says $35 to $75 an hour is typical pay for a corporate blogger. Many bloggers have journalism training, but others who enter the field have their own personal blogs and use them to audition for corporate blogging jobs.

Social media marketing specialist
The virtual-world version of a marketing specialist, this job entails taking existing company marketing materials and circulating them effectively in various social-media channels, says Durbin.

Search engine marketing associate
A lower-level position than a social-media strategist or marketer, search engine marketing (SEM) associates work on building a company's results in "natural search," the unpaid results delivered by search engines.

Online customer service representative
A growing number of companies are watching social sites for customer complaints--prominent examples on Twitter include Comcast Cares. "There's a lot of work here, because it's so expensive to take calls," says Durbin of JobsInSocialMedia. Workers who have call-center experience and who write well are ideal candidates to cross over into this field.

Business writer Carol Tice is a regular contributor to Entrepreneur, The Seattle Times, and other major publications.

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Office tips: workstation design and layout

The set up of your office space either at home or in a physical office is important because it aids in productivity. The best workstations allow you to focus, have necessary items close at hand, and minimize distractions.

If you are setting up a home office, you may want to consider the following:

If possible, set up your work station in a separate room of your home that is to be used solely for working. If there is limited space and this is not a possibility, it may be possible to use decorative screens to divide your space and allow you to feel as if you are in an environment for work rather than at home. The key is to minimize distractions so that when you need to work you have the space and quiet that you need.

Purchase a good chair and lighting. This may sounds logical, but oftentimes people forget these essentials. A good chair allows you to work comfortably for long periods of time. Good lighting not only will help your eyes, but can be used to help create an atmosphere that is focused, bright, and different than any other room in your home. Have a computer, printer, Internet connection, and phone line that are dedicated to your home office. This will ensure that you do not have to share the phone or computer with other family members when you need to be working. Also, this will help you get into the mindset that when you are working with these items that you are working, not surfing the Internet or chatting on the phone with friends.

Allow for enough room to spread out and have all your necessary papers and office supplies conveniently at hand. For example, if you have room, it is nice to use a desk with a wrap-around side or two. There are a variety of U- or corner-shaped desks available for purchase. This allows you to have easy access to your work papers, as well as having ample space to spread out when working on a project. Shelves will allow you to set out your books, papers, and office supplies in an organized way that makes them easy to find yet unobtrusive.

Use a filing system. In a physical office building, there usually are many filing cabinets that it is easy to take them for granted. In a home office, it is essential to create a filing system that works best for you. An office supply store offers many options including stand alone cabinets or simple folding files that can keep papers organized by date, subject, or other categories. Plants add to the beauty of your workspace and add oxygen to the air. If possible, adding a plant or two to your home office is a nice touch. Not only does it make your space seem welcoming by adding color and life, but the plant will add oxygen to the air -- something that may help you breathe easier when the pressure mounts.

If you have children, hire a caregiver during your working hours. Working from home is a great perk, but if you fill all your time with taking care of the children or cleaning, you never will be as productive as you and your employer would desire. If you have children and can afford to do so, it's best to hire a nanny or place the children in day care for part of the day so that you can get work done. This allows you to work during a set amount of time, then be a great parent when the work-day is done and it is family time.

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Career Tips: Mystery shopping

What is a Mystery Shopper?

We are ordinary people who visit businesses to evaluate them. We do all the things everyone else does, go to the movies, out to dinner, get our car fixed, see a doctor or look for an apartment, but we get paid for it. In return we write one or more reports – usually for a middle-man – that tells how well the business did.

How Much Does it Pay?

The actual pay varies and may be partly “in kind.” That is to say, if you go out to dinner, the dinner may be your pay or you might get a small amount of money for doing the paperwork, as well. When you evaluate an oil-change company or an eyeglass retailer, it is probably that your payment will be “in kind”. On the other hand, you may get paid $15 or $20 for going to the bank and applying for a loan or and account, or for counting a whole rack of products in a drugstore. Our average cash payment is between $7 and $10 per job.

Can you really make money at it?

Some people are full-time mystery shoppers. In most cases that means working for multiple companies. With careful planning you can make money, but you should expect to put in full-time hours. Being organized is essential. After a time you will find out what jobs work for you. For instance, there are 5 chain drugstores in my town. If I go to all of them in 2 hours and I make $7 per store, that is $35.00, or $17.50 per hour. If I have to fill out a one page form for each one and that process takes another hour, the pay drops to $11.66 per hour. If I also have lunch at a restaurant then I need to factor that in and if I also get my oil changed then my pay will be much higher because I can now add in the price of those things (the lunch and the oil change) to my pay.

A mojor problem, too, is that many companies pay slowly (6 or 8 weeks later). If you spent money for a meal, you will not get it back until they pay you, so make sure that you can wait and then keep accurate records of what you expect to receive. You will need the records later for your taxes too.

How Do You Get Started?

There are websites that list many “marketing companies” who are the ones actually hired to do the work. In turn, those companies contract with shoppers all over the country. Essentially, you are working for yourself as an independent contractor, contracted with by the marketing firm to do a specific job. Apply to several mystery shopping companies (or many, if you wish). When you get a job offer, it will include directions. Do it exactly the way you are told. Don’t go on Tuesday if you agreed to be there on Saturday. Read the report over before you go, so you know what to look for. Some reports can be filed online and some are on paper. Write neatly and concisely. Stick to facts, but give enough details to draw a picture of what happened. Not “the salesman was rude” but “he ignored me for 10 minutes while he was talking to his girlfriend on the telephone.”

DO NOT SPEND MONEY ON BOOKS THAT SAY YOU CAN MAKE $30 PER HOUR. Such jobs are rare and random. You can find everything you need to know online or at the library. There are many many chat groups and bulletin boards available.

What will You be Doing?

Many assignments are in restaurants. They depend on customer service and it is important that customers be pleased so that they will come back again. Such jobs generally pay for one or two meals with little or no extra cash included. Retail stores and banks are equally dependent on good service and those jobs tend to pay more in cash, although the payments vary greatly. In addition, you may find jobs such as checking apartment rentals, oil changes, real estate agents and even doctors. As you gain experience, you will learn which types of jobs work for you and which companies you enjoy working for.

Above all, have fun! That is what most of us do it for . . . a little extra income and a lot of “dates” that we couldn’t have afforded otherwise. Gotta’ go now! We are having pizza tonight one restaurant and then ice cream at another. Then we will come home and watch the movie we rented this afternoon. Yes! All paid for by someone who wants to know if the service is good and the floors are clean. I can’t wait to find out!

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