Environmental Scan: Career Markets

Fastest growing Occupations in 2000-10)-Listed only those requiring Bachelors and above

(US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections)

• Computer software engineers, applications.

• “The demand for IT workers in MD is expected to double, and IT skills will be demanded in virtually every field.” (USM in 2010)

• Computer software engineers, systems software
• Network and computer systems administrator
• Network systems and data communications analysts
• Database Administrator
• Computer System analyst
• Physician Assistant
• Special education, preschool, kindergarten and elementary school teachers
• Maryland faces a shortage of certified teachers…20 of 24 Maryland counties are already acute in the following: career/technology education, computer science, ESOL, German, Spanish, Math, Chemistry, Physics, special education, speech. (USM in 2010 Plan)

Masters

• Audiologist
• Speech Language pathologist
• Mental health and substance abuse social workers

Who’s in Demand? Demand focuses on Technical degrees at Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral level. (National Association of Colleges and Employers, Job Outlook, 2002)

• Electrical Engineering
• Accounting
• Mechanical Engineering
• Management Information Systems
• Marketing/marketing management

Other Shortages

“Maryland faces a…severe shortage of nurses and pharmacist.” (USM in 2010)

Top 10 personal qualities/ skills employers seek. (National Association of Colleges and Employers, Job Outlook, 2002)

1. Communications skills (verbal and written)
2. Honesty/integrity
3. Teamwork skills (work well with others)
4. Interpersonal skills (relates well to others)
5. Strong work ethic)
6. Motivation/initiative
7. Flexibility/adaptability
8. Analytical skills
9. Computer Skills
• “It is also important to consider that the need for technically competent workers is not limited to high-tech fields. IT is increasing pervasive component…(of the) workplace.” (USM in 2010)
10. Organizational Skills

Career Earnings by Educational Attainment (American Council on Education, Center for Policy Analysis)

*Don’t know if this belongs here but is interesting.

• The earnings of those with advanced degrees have skyrocketed, growing by 28% in inflation-adjusted dollars

• In 1998, BA holders earned 86% more that high school graduates. Twenty years ago, college graduates earned 55% more.
• The average earnings of workers 18 years old and older, by educational attainment is:
• No high school-$16,053
• HS-$23,594
• Bachelors-$43,782
• Advanced Degree$-64,473

Job Prospects in Nonprofit/Government (College Journal, Wall Street Journal, 2000)

Combined, the nonprofit and government sectors account for 20 percent of all economic activity in the United States. Most opportunities are civil service positions at the many government agencies, which exist at federal, state, and local levels. This sector has shrunk in recent years, thanks to tighter

Federal budgets, but there are still plenty of government and nonprofit jobs.

The government/nonprofit sector offers the best prospects for employment—they plan to maintain hiring close to last year's levels according to a new survey of employers conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (reported in Job Web, September 2002).