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A Career Outlook Can Make The Difference Between A Dim Future And A Bright One 

Are You Feeling Unsure About Your Major? Having A Career Outlook Can Help 

Do you have a career outlook? If not, you may want to start planning ahead. Before you know it, college will be over and you will be entering the world of working professionals. Going to school for something you love is wonderful, but it’s not always practical if you have lofty desires or steep financial goals for your future. This is why it is very important to look at current and future job trends. What type of careers will be in demand over the next ten years? More importantly, what jobs will be on the decline? 

Top Ten Professions For 2008 And Beyond 

According to current projections the top ten jobs for the next decade and beyond are listed below, along with a brief description and the type of degree programs that are most desirable: 

• Computer Programmer (Computer Programming degree) Specialize in an area such as security, computer forensics, data warehousing, custom application development or customer relationship management systems
• Childcare Provider (Early Education Special Education degree) The demand for quality child care and strong learning programs is increasing
• Elder Care Specialist (degree programs in Health Information Technology, Nursing or Gerontology) Elder Care Specialists will be in high demand for professionally operated assisted living facilities and senior communities
• Employment Specialist (Human Resources Management degree) Employment Placement Specialists connect eager employers with qualified workers
• Environmental Engineer (degree programs in Environmental Science and Engineering) Environmental Engineers tackle the challenges of rising populations, crumbling infrastructure and environmental regulations
• Home Health Aide (Nursing degree) Home Health Aides are nurses who prefer to work in patients' homes instead of in the stressful environment of a hospital or an assisted living facility
• Management Consultant (Business and Management degree) Many companies prefer to hire consultants to solve specialized problems or challenges
• Networking Specialist (degree programs in Network Security, Network Administration and Management) A Networking Specialist must figure out how to keep all of the various devices in an organization connected to each other
• Physician’s Assistant (Physician Assistant degree) Students who enjoy medicine but do not wish to pursue a full medical degree can launch careers as physician's assistants after only a few years of training
• Social Services Coordinator (Social Services degree) Social Services Coordinators assure that residents of a community can take full advantage of assistance programs, and monitor the safety and wellness of individuals 

Career Outlook Forecast 

Other careers that are expected to be in high demand for the future are:

• Business/Life Coach Work one-on-one with clients to help them overcome obstacles in their financial, emotional and professional lives
• Continuity Planner Individuals who are trained to help prevent and manage emergency disaster situations
• Event Planner Plan corporate meetings, conferences, parties, retreats and special events
• Forensic Science Technician Collect and analyze criminal evidence
• Graphic Designer
• Healthcare Specialist/Technician
• Nurse
• Paralegal
• Pharmacy Technician Help pharmacists prepare prescriptions and insurance paperwork
• Technical Writer Translate technology-heavy language into layman’s terms 

Industries That Are Declining 

Your career outlook needs to include a list of jobs that are expected to decline in demand. Below are some of the industries that are currently on the decline in the United States, and related jobs that are expected to decrease in demand: 

• Manufacturing (industrial engineers, product designers, production managers)

• Mining (geologists, researchers)
• General Office and Administrative Support
• Real Estate (realtors, mortgage and financial specialists)
• Transportation (commercial aircraft pilots, travel agents, railroad and trucking professionals) 

Even though these industries are losing jobs they are still operational and may be in a transitional phase due to economic or other factors. If you have passion and skill, you can make a name for yourself in a diminishing industry by using your talents and new ideas to compete. 

Having a career outlook is a great way to pinpoint what your strong points are. Once you know where your talent resides, you can find a job that works for you.