Military Careers, Second Careers - Army Times

Jobs expected to boom over the next decade

Ever wish you had a crystal ball to reveal what your work life will be like after the military?

Well, look no further.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2008-09 Occupational Outlook Handbook, released Dec. 18, takes the guesswork out of preparing for your second career by offering a detailed projection of America’s future labor market.

“From my position, looking at the projections ... the U.S. is a vibrant, dynamic economy,” said James Franklin, chief of the bureau’s division of industry employment projections. “There are opportunities for all people to thrive.”

Projections call for an average of more than 1.5 million new jobs per year over the next 10 years, with some of the greatest gains in the technology and health care occupational groups.

Among occupations growing fastest, look for IT jobs such as the fastest-growing occupation, network systems and data communications analyst, expected to grow 53 percent — adding 140,000 jobs — by 2016.

James suggested the future could be even brighter for those with military experience because of attributes that make veterans particularly employable, no matter what the market. Chief among them: discipline, willingness to work and the recognition that team effort is key to personal success.

Technology

Computer-related jobs make a strong showing in the Labor Department’s assessment of the fastest-growing occupations, as companies and consumers continue to invest in more sophisticated information and communication technologies — and require the specialists to operate and/or maintain them.

“What we are finding is that the IT discipline is one that is really in demand right now,” said Liz Miller, Booz Allen Hamilton principal and recruiting director. “My concern as a recruiting professional is ... that the demand for these IT professionals is going to far outweigh supply.”

Although training and education tend to be more intensive for IT jobs — a minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required for most — salaries generally are good.

Network systems and data communications analysts, for example, earned a median annual wage of $64,600 in 2006. The median annual wage for all occupations was $30,388.80.

And listen up, transitioning service members: Having a security clearance sweetens your appeal in computer-related occupations.

Former Army Sgt. Eric Linzie said his military experience and clearance served him well when he became a Booz Allen Hamilton associate nearly two years ago. He leads systems engineering on a Defense Department contract.

“Supporting a DoD client like I do, if that client knows you have the mindset to understand that mission, that makes their life that much easier,” Linzie said.

Health care

The Labor Department projects more than 4 million new jobs in the health care and social assistance industry through 2016. Registered nurses alone are expected to account for 587,000 new jobs — more numeric growth than any other occupation.

Training and education for the hottest jobs range from short-term, on-the-job training for personal and home care aides and home health aides to associate degrees for registered nurses and advanced degrees for physician assistants and physical therapists.

Salaries vary as widely as job requirements, with home health aides, for example, earning a median annual wage of $19,420 in 2006, while registered nurses and physician assistants had median annual wages of $57,280 and $74,980, respectively. Surgeons earned a median annual wage greater than $145,600, the highest amount for which the Labor Department publishes median wage data.

“What we see is, for minimally trained individuals, home health care is a great place to start,” said Jim Lindsay, vice president of business development for Adult Companion Care, a Virginia-based provider of assisted care for seniors and the disabled.

Although personal and home care aides and home health aides come in second and third among fastest-growing jobs, Lindsay said you should be aware of some facts regarding these careers, particularly the low pay.

Further, Lindsay said 95 percent to 97 percent of his company’s labor pool is female, and that’s because of demand.

“For the most part, the clients in home care don’t want a male [caregiver],” Lindsay said. “They want a female.”

Those caveats aside, “we have a great market for a female service member looking for employment and the spouses of male service members who are putting together their family’s post-military employment budget,” Lindsay said.

And because home care requires little training to get started and there’s traditionally high turnover in the field, there’s excellent potential for advancement. Here’s a detailed look at the 11 occupations expected to gain the greatest percentages of new jobs through 2016, as projected by BLS:

1. Network systems and data communications analyst

Analyzes, designs, tests and evaluates network systems; performs network modeling, analysis and planning; researches and recommends network and data communications hardware and software.

• Projected growth: 53.4 percent.

• Growth by number: 140,000.

• Median annual wage: $64,600.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree.

2. Personal and home care aide

Assists elderly or disabled adults with daily living activities at the person’s home or in a daytime nonresidential facility; may advise families, the elderly and the disabled on such topics as nutrition, cleanliness and household utilities. Duties may include housekeeping.

• Projected growth: 50.6 percent.

• Growth by number: 389,000.

• Median annual wage: $17,770.

• Training: Short-term, on-the-job training.

3. Home health aide

Provides routine personal health care, such as bathing, dressing or grooming, to elderly, convalescent or disabled people in their homes or in residential care facilities.

• Projected growth: 48.7 percent.

• Growth by number: 384,000.

• Median annual wage: $19,420.

• Training: Short-term, on-the-job training.

4. Computer software engineer, applications

Develops, creates and modifies general computer applications software or specialized utility programs. Analyzes user needs and develops software solutions. Designs software or customizes software to optimize efficiency.

• Projected growth: 44.6 percent.

• Growth by number: 226,000.

• Median annual wage: $79,780.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree.

5. Veterinary technologist and technician

Performs medical tests in a laboratory environment for use in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases in animals; prepares vaccines and serums for prevention of diseases; prepares tissue samples, takes blood samples and executes laboratory tests.

• Projected growth: 41 percent.

• Growth by number: 29,000.

• Median annual wage: $26,780.

• Education: Associate degree.

6. Personal financial adviser

Advises clients on financial plans using tax and investment strategies as well as securities, insurance, pension and real estate knowledge; duties include assessing clients’ assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status and financial objectives to establish investment strategies.

• Projected growth: 41 percent.

• Growth by number: 72,000.

• Median annual wage: $66,120.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree.

7. Makeup artist, theatrical and performance

Applies makeup to performers to reflect period, setting and situation of their role. May work in motion pictures or broadcasting.

• Projected growth: 39.8 percent.

• Growth by number: 1,000.

• Median annual wage: $31,820.

• Education: Vocational school.

8. Medical assistant

Performs administrative and some clinical duties under the direction of a physician, including scheduling appointments, maintaining records, billing and coding for insurance purposes, taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood and administering medications.

• Projected growth: 35.4 percent.

• Growth by number: 148,000.

• Median annual wage: $26,290.

• Training: Moderate on-the-job training.

9. Veterinarian

Diagnoses and treats diseases and dysfunctions of animals; may engage in a particular function, such as research, consultation, administration, technical writing, sale or production of commercial products. Category includes veterinarians who inspect livestock.

• Projected growth: 35 percent.

• Growth by number: 22,000.

• Median annual wage: $71,990.

• Education: Professional degree.

10. Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselor

Counsels and advises individuals with alcohol, tobacco, drug or other problems, such as gambling and eating disorders; may counsel individuals, families or groups or work in prevention programs.

• Projected growth: 34.3 percent.

• Growth by number: 29,000.

• Median annual wage: $34,040.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree.

11. Skin-care specialist

Provides skin-care treatments to face and body.

• Projected growth: 34.3 percent.

• Growth by number: 13,000.

• Median annual wage: $26,170.

• Education: Vocational school.

(Editor’s note: Projected growth by percentage and number are from 2006 to 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Mean annual wage data are as of May 2006. Training and education are minimum requirements.)