Get Real
All careers have ups and down. Our global economy and rapid technology changes mean you can never stop learning and growing. There are no guarantees, so the key to surviving and thriving in the career game is to pursue a career you enjoy. And then, be sure to keep your talents and skills current.
Get Flexible
No matter the job title, employers want flexible workers. That means problem-solvers with good work habits, positive attitude, communication, and teamwork skills.
Many jobs want employees to do more than one role, which means employees need skills in multiple areas or a willingness to learn.
Some jobs are literally "dream jobs" — they’ve been dreamed of and don’t even exist yet. Other jobs, like green technology and alternative energy are still in the early stages of growth.
Jobs with the Most Openings
Education and training to prepare for nearly any of these careers can be completed or
started at a community or technical college. And for those that require a bachelor's
degree or higher, you can first earn an associate of arts or associate of science degree
and then transfer to a university or to one of the applied baccalaureate programs.
Click on job title to see which colleges have programs
in this area. Earnings Key:
$ (less than $21,550) $$ (less than $32,380)
$$$ (less than $41,450)
$$$$ (more than $52,580)
| Job Title |
Earnings |
Education Level |
| Source: Occupations with the Most Openings, Career
One Stop
http://www.careeronestop.org/. The latest available data are
projections for 2008 to 2018.
|
| Accountants and auditors |
$$$$ |
Bachelor's degree |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics |
$$$ |
Certificate |
| Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists |
$$$ |
Certificate or Associate degree |
| Chief executives |
$$$$ |
Bachelor's or higher degree, plus work experience |
| Civil engineers |
$$$$ |
Bachelor's degree |
| Computer software engineers, applications |
$$$$ |
Bachelor's degree |
| Computer software engineers, systems software |
$$$$ |
Bachelor's degree |
| Computer support specialists |
$$$ |
Associate degree |
| Computer systems analysts |
$$$$ |
Bachelor's degree |
| Construction managers |
$$$$ |
Bachelor's degree |
| Dental hygienists |
$$$$ |
Associate degree |
| Elementary school teachers, except special education |
$$$ |
Bachelor's degree |
| Emergency medical technicians and paramedics |
$$ |
Certificate |
| Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists |
$$$ |
Bachelor's degree |
| Financial managers |
$$$$ |
Bachelor's or higher degree, plus work experience |
| Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors |
$$ |
Certificate |
| Gaming dealers |
$ |
Certificate |
| General and operations managers |
$$$$ |
Bachelor's or higher degree, plus work experience |
| Graphic designers |
$$$ |
Bachelor's degree |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists |
$$ |
Certificate |
| Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers |
$$$ |
Certificate |
| Insurance sales agents |
$$$ |
Certificate |
| Legal secretaries |
$$$ |
Associate degree |
| Library technicians |
$$ |
Certificate |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses |
$$$ |
Certificate |
| Management analysts |
$$$$ |
Bachelor's or higher degree, plus work experience |
| Market research analysts |
$$$$ |
Bachelor's degree |
| Medical and clinical laboratory technicians |
$$$ |
Associate degree |
| Medical records and health information technicians |
$$ |
Associate degree |
| Network and computer systems administrators |
$$$$ |
Bachelor's degree |
| Network systems and data communications analysts |
$$$$ |
Bachelor's degree |
| Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants |
$$ |
Certificate |
| Paralegals and legal assistants |
$$$ |
Associate degree |
| Preschool teachers, except special education |
$$ |
Certificate |
| Public relations specialists |
$$$ |
Bachelor's degree |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians |
$$$$ |
Associate degree |
| Real estate sales agents |
$$$ |
Certificate |
| Registered nurses |
$$$$ |
Associate degree |
| Respiratory therapists |
$$$$ |
Associate degree |
| Sales managers |
$$$$ |
Bachelor's or higher degree, plus work experience |
| Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education |
$$$ |
Bachelor's degree |
| Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents |
$$$$ |
Bachelor's degree |
| Surgical technologists |
$$$ |
Certificate |
| Veterinary technologists and technicians |
$$ |
Associate degree |
| Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers |
$$$ |
Certificate |