Hot Careers for 2009

By Bigg Success Staff
12-15-08

There is no question that it is a tough market to be looking for work. However, there will be opportunities in 2009. To find one that’s right for you, think news lines and trend tracks.

News lines

If you want to know what will be the hottest careers next year, look at the headlines this year. Related jobs may not be in the highest demand in the long run, but there certainly will be plenty of opportunities in 2009.

Many of these jobs are specialties within a larger job category. Therein lies a lesson for all of us – think about what you do and how it relates to the news. Then look for opportunities within that niche area.

Foreclosures and bankruptcy
Professionals who can help companies work through the financial and legal morass left by the housing bubble will do well in 2009. Banks, law firms, accounting firms, and large corporations are already ramping up workout departments, creating a need for both the professionals themselves and people who assist them.

Collection agents will also be in demand as businesses turn to outside firms to collect money they haven’t been able to collect themselves.

On the consumer side, credit counseling is an old industry with a new reputation. It is now considered mainstream and occupations in this industry were growing rapidly even before the last quarter of 2008. For more information:

National Association of Certified Credit Counselors 

International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators 

Center for Financial Certifications

Energy costs
Oil hit new highs in 2008 only to recede to prices not seen for years. However, it is fully expected that oil prices will rebound. Alternative energy companies are expected to do well, especially if expected development incentives from the U.S. government come through.

Since this is a relatively new industry, not many people have direct experience. So the industry will recruit from outside for all areas of the business. If you have transferable skills, consider companies in the emerging industry. This field should have traction for some time as the developed world moves from its dependence on oil.

Layoffs
The last couple of jobs reports have been dismal. Companies are cutting back on their workforce with a vengeance. Career coaches should be in demand as more people become disillusioned with their current career and seek more fulfilling alternative. You can learn more about coaching from the dominant certifying body, The International Coach Federation.

In tough times, many people think about starting their own business so they can have more control over their lives. One of the best ways to do that is to buy into a franchise system. Expect franchisors – those companies who offer franchises for sale – to do well. For more information about the franchise industry, check out the International Franchise Association. You might even decide to be your own boss and buy into a system yourself.

Trend tracks

There are careers that play off major trends that should still do well in 2009 and beyond. We took a two-step approach to developing this list. First, we turned to the Occupational Outlook by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These are careers expected to be in demand through 2016 because they play off of major trends – the aging population, the growth in education, technology, and more.

Then we refined the list by looking at industry predictions for 2009. If an industry was still projecting growth, we kept it on the list. If not, we culled it. Here’s our final group, organized by level of education required:

Professional degree
Dentists
Lawyers
Optometrists
Pharmacists
Physicians and surgeons
Veterinarians 

Doctoral degree
Biochemists and biophysicists 
Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists 
Computer and information scientists, research
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
Teachers (postsecondary)

Master’s degree
Counselors (educational, marriage and family, mental health, rehabilitation, school, vocational)
Mental health and substance abuse social workers
Physical therapists
Physician assistants

Bachelor’s degree plus work experience
Actuaries 
Computer and information systems managers
Education administrators, preschool and child care center/program
Medical and health services managers

Bachelor’s degree
Accountants and auditors
Computer software engineers, applications
Computer system analysts
Financial analysts and personal financial advisors 
Network systems and data communications analysts
Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors
Teachers (elementary school, except special education)

Associate degree
Cardiovascular technologists and technicians
Computer support specialists
Dental hygienists
Environmental science and protection technicians, including health
Paralegals and legal assistants
Physical therapist assistant
Registered nurses
Secretaries (legal)
Veterinary technologists and technicians

Vocational degree
Automotive service technicians and mechanics
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants
Teachers (pre-school, except special education)

Experience in related field
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
Self-enrichment education teachers 

On-the-job training (long-term)
Automotive glass installers and repairers
Electricians
Interpreters and translators
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
Police and sheriff’s patrol officers

On-the-job training (moderate-term)
Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks
Dental assistants
Maintenance and repair workers, genera
Medical assistants
Pharmacy technicians
Social and human service assistants

On-the-job training (short-term)
Home health aides
Personal and home care aides
Physical therapist aides

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Great guide

We found a great resource that may be unfamiliar to you. It’s called Career Voyagers. While it seems designed for career choosers, rather than career changers, we still think there is a great deal of value in spending some time with it.

You can look at industries in which you have a particular interest. For a more general view, check out their Top 50 In-Demand Occupations and Other In-Demand Occupations.

Hear today’s lesson and laugh on The Bigg Success Show. 

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(Image in this article by -MISHA)