Through the Job finding Glass

True, the 21st Century promises growth in technology careers. But jobs also are cropping up in places that may be surprising to many students.

New fields create wider options

The question is no longer "where can I find an employer who will hire me?" but instead, "where can I find a job I will enjoy and that suits me well?"

With current economic growth and the emergence of new job markets, college students are presented with another dilemma. Choices. But, that's not such a bad dilemma to have.

KIMITSU YOGACHI/Daily Instructor Ian Williamson teaches an LSAT preparatory class yesterday at Princeton Review on South University Avenue.

Growing fields

Between graduate schools, career opportunities, often financing themselves entirely for the first time and simply figuring out what to do for the summer, students nearing graduation certainly have a lot of choices.

And although many jobs based in computers and Web-based technology are shaping the job market of the 20th Century, other fields are planting themselves at the head of lists labeled as "top jobs for the future."

One of those fields is health care. Judy Lawson, the senior assistant director of Recruitment Services for the Career Planning and Placement Center on campus, said that although technology is a huge growth area, any aspect of the health care system is a close second place.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers that are growing quickly are those that supplement other careers.

One occupation in higher demand than previously is a nurse practitioner, who performs the same tasks as physicians and can hold private practices. Nurse practitioners should expect to have a high paying job, although they typically earn an average of $30,000 a year less than a physician.

Nurse practitioners do not have to attend medical school, but they prescribe drugs, examine patients and refer patients to specialists. A nurse practitioner must be a registered nurse and then receive advanced education and clinical training in a health care specialty area.

Two other growing fields are physical therapy and chiropractors.

Physical therapy, one of the fastest growing occupations in the country according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, offers a wide range of jobs in schools, professional sports and rehabilitative care.

A physical therapist must have a graduate degree from a physical therapist program, such as Kinesiology, and then get a state-approved license. They can expect to earn an average of $42,000 per year.

LSA sophomore Reeba Varghese said a career in physical therapy appeals to her for several reasons.

"I really want to be a physical therapist or a pharmacist." Varghese said. "I want to work in the medical field and help other people to be able to do things, like walk, that they weren't able to do without my help."

The field of chiropractic therapy also is experiencing a fast rate of expansion. Chiropractors can expect to make anywhere from $30,000 to start to $170,000 a year with a private practice.

In addition to careers in the health care field, several others are experiencing steady job increase. The paralegal profession is expected to rank among the 20 fastest growing occupations as employers recognize that paralegals perform many of the same tasks as attorneys do for less money.

While a typical attorney may earn an average of $60,000 per year - typically more if in a private firm - a paralegal is more cost efficient at an average yearly salary of $30,000. Also, a paralegal does not have to attend law school but instead must have a bachelor's degree with some emphasis on legal issues.

Although the job market is currently being positively affected by a prosperous economy, not all jobs are on the rise. Many are leveling out in terms of availability.

One of the most difficult occupations for a recent college graduate to pursue is a postal worker position. Very few people under the age of 25 are hired as career postal workers.

Applicants must fulfill strict qualifications for the job. A potential employee must take a written exam that measures speed and accuracy of checking names and numbers and the ability to memorize mail distribution procedures. Candidates also must take a physical exam and may have to be able to lift 70 pounds.

Likewise, aerospace engineering and architecture prove to be a very competitive employment environments.

Higher hopes

Annual University studies of recent graduates, show consistently that about 35 percent of graduates continue their educations in graduate school. Of the remaining 65 percent, 95 percent of them find employment related to their field of interest within several months of graduation.

Lawson from CP&P said technological jobs are not just for students with technological degrees but also for students with liberal arts degrees.

"People with liberal art degrees are needed in the technology field for a various number of growing jobs. For examples, non-technological degrees are needed for advertising, company literature and even company Websites."

CP&P publishes career guides for students focusing in the humanities and social sciences - among other majors - with a long list of possible occupational opportunities for various concentrations.

The career guide indicates that some of the potential careers for a history of art graduate are a public relations specialist, an appraiser and book or journal editor.

"A liberal arts major does not define the job they are pursuing," Lawson said. "Liberal arts students are in a good position in terms of the job market."

Jackie Calahong, a 1997 University graduate is proof that a liberal arts degree can lead to jobs outside of liberal arts fields. She is now studying environmental policy at Tufts University, although she graduated with a degree in political science.

"Environmental policy is a great field with many new things coming out," Calahong said. "The field is so interdisciplinary, so my well-rounded education really helps out."

Helpful hints

One of the most important, and sometimes overlooked factors to acquire a good job after graduation is getting experience in the field. This kind of experience can come in the form of either an internship or previous work experience.

"It is very valuable to gain an internship in an area. It is one of the best ways to build skills. Employees want you to have skills in the position they're hiring for," Lawson said.

"Internships are the only way to get job skills. Extra-curricular activities should not be overlooked," she said.

CP&P offers many resources in the way of internships and job opportunities, including lists of potential employers and job and internship fairs.

The center is scheduled to host Job Fair '99 on Oct. 5. More than 145 companies are expected to participate and CP&P organizers estimate that about 1,000 students will attend.

The center also offers walk-in advising, job and interest assessment tests, research materials and workshops to help students land summer internships and post-graduation jobs.

In addition to resources at CP&P, the University offers programs such as the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program.

UROP is a program for students - regardless of grade - who are in their first or second year of school at the University. It allows students to work directly with a faculty member on specific projects.

Participants are either given class credit or work study money for their involvement. The program gives them a chance to become involved with a faculty researcher, gain work experience and help define their plans for the future.

"I was involved in a cellular biology project my first year," said a University junior who wished to remain anonymous. "I hated it so much, but I'm glad I had this experience because I was thinking of going into that field and now I know that it doesn't really interest me.

"My next year I participated in a different project, which I loved," she added.

KIMITSU YOGACHI/Daily Alana Jardis, a Career Planning & Placement counselor and programmer, looks through the CP&P Website yesterday.

09-24-99