With the recession now but over, unemployment rates are
steadily dropping. In fact, the end of the fiscal crisis has opened the door to
a wealth of new opportunities for job seekers. With so many positions available,
however, how does one select the right field or industry to venture into?
According to a CompuStaff Canada executive, “you have to find a job that
challenges your inner strength, while financially providing for you and your
loved ones.” In terms of the current outlook, trends, and forecast for
2014, “It feels to me like the job market is humming,” says Mark Zandi,
Chief Economist at Moody’s Analytics. Even with all the positive news, however,
there are certain jobs that clearly offer more security and chances to climb
that ladder of success
As technology continues to evolve, the medical sector is in
great demand for registered and especially ER nurses. From triage to post-op
care units, nurses truly lead demanding lifestyles with hectic schedules. Their
work, however, usually results in promising and rewarding careers. With an
annual average salary of $67,720, nurses provide the utmost and professional
care for patients of all ages. This includes accident and gunshot victims,
along with patients that have sustained falls or been severely burned. Trauma
nurses also tackle life and death situations everyday. Suffice to say, this
fast paced and growing profession requires nurses to help patients remain calm
in even the most stressful of situations. Professional nurses also assist
physicians with every aspect of patient care. This includes medication
allocation, along with analyzing diagnostic and blood tests.
To secure your place in this burgeoning and expanding field,
you will need some or all of the following credentials:
- Associate’s Degree in Nursing
- Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing
- Nursing Diploma
- Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) Certification – For registered nurses seeking ER or triage positions (Offered and validated by the Board of Certification in Emergency Nursing (BCEN).
According to Forbes Magazine, meeting and convention
planners play a vital role in a number of concierge-based services. With an
annual average salary of $48,870, these individuals must have true people
skills, along with bubbly personalities. They must also possess the ability to
mult-task, as well as meet all client needs within time and budget. As one of
the fastest growing fields in the nation, these positions usually require
degrees in marketing, hospitality, business, and especially HRM. Typical duties
include setting up meetings, corporate gatherings, and conventions for clients
and companies. Duties also include finding affordable hotels, guest speakers,
and negotiating contracts on behalf of clients and firm.
To enter this fast paced and challenging field, you should
possess the following:
- Mental alertness – ability to multi-task and make quick and lasting decisions.
- Be able to juggle several duties and tasks at one time.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel and Hospitality Management – Business/Business Administration – Marketing and/or Consumer Research.
With an annual average salary of $44,780, executive chefs
work at the finest restaurants and dining establishments in the nation. This
includes five-star hotels, along with elegant and lavish eateries. With years
of extensive culinary experience, chefs and head cooks have the tools and
expertise to propel any restaurant to new heights. As the demand for new and
exciting chefs continues to grow, more culinary enthusiasts are tapping into
new cooking opportunities across the board. This includes supervising kitchen
staffs and meal preparation, along with developing menus, serving sizes, and
ordering food supplies. From hotels to the hottest nightspot venues, head cooks
also run entire kitchen operations.
If creating culinary works of art and world class cuisine is
for you, you will need:
- Certification/Diploma from an accredited culinary school or college
- The ability to plan menus, prepare menu items, oversee delivery of foodstuffs, and remain professional during hectic dining times.
With cyber crime and theft identity on the rise, more
workers are needed to effectively combat and counter cyber criminals. As
another fast paced and challenging position, workers will employ cutting edge
techniques that offer timely protection of data and computer systems connected
to the Internet. They will also monitor a range of systems, while offering
insight and knowledge on how to improve existing security measures and
protocols. With an annual average salary of $69,570, potential employees will
need the following:
- Be able to be on call 24/7 for network security breaches and increased cyber attacks.
- Computer Science, Software Engineering, or Computer Information Systems degrees.
There is still a burgeoning market and great need for court
reporters. With an annual average salary of $53,270, court reporters are
required to have high degrees of speed and accuracy. This helps them create
transcripts of legal proceedings via stenographic means.