Laurence Shatkin, PhD

May 25, 2011

Connecting Your Skills to College Majors

With more than a hundred college majors to choose from, how can you possibly pick the one that’s right for you?

According to Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D., author of Panicked Student’s Guide to Choosing a College Major, it helps to consider your top skills and how they relate to specific majors and related jobs. “Based on your experiences in school, you probably have a good idea of which skills you learn easily and which come harder. You may also have work experience that indicates some of your skills,” he explains.

In his book, Shatkin identifies which college majors relate to the skills that are included in the U.S. Department of Labor’s O*NET database. The list below pinpoints some of these skills and the majors that Shatkin connects to them. To generate some ideas about your college major options, scan this list for your strongest skill(s).

Skill: Writing

Shatkin’s skill summary: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Related majors: African-American Studies; American Studies; Anthropology; Archeology; English; Journalism and Mass Communications; Law; Political Science; Sociology; Urban Studies; Women’s Studies

Skill: Speaking

Shatkin’s skill summary: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Related majors: International Relations; Law; Philosophy; Political Science; Religion/Religious Studies; Sociology; Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology; Zoology

Skill: Social Perceptiveness

Shatkin’s skill summary: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react the way they do.

Related majors: Elementary Education; Hospital/Health Facilities Administration; International Relations; Law; Marketing; Public Relations; Social Work; Special Education; Transportation and Logistics Management

Skill: Service Orientation

Shatkin’s skill summary: Actively looking for ways to help people.

Related majors: Dietetics; Health Information Systems Administration; Hospital/Health Facilities Administration; Law; Library Science; Medicine; Nursing (RN Training); Optometry; Pharmacy; Psychology; Religion/Religious Studies; Social Work; Special Education; Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

Skill: Repairing

Shatkin’s skill summary: Repairing machines or systems, using the needed tools.

Related majors: Agricultural Business and Economics; Agronomy and Crop Science; Animal Science; Computer Engineering; Computer Science; Electrical Engineering; Environmental Science; Management Information Systems; Mechanical Engineering; Medical Technology; Operations Management

Skill: Negotiation

Shatkin’s skill summary: Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

Related majors: Advertising; Architecture; Business Management; Hospital/Health Facilities Administration; Hotel/Motel and Restaurant Management; Insurance; International Business; International Relations; Law; Marketing; Operations Management; Psychology; Public Relations

Skill: Mathematics

Shatkin’s skill summary: Using mathematics to solve problems.

Related majors: Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering; Agricultural Engineering; Architecture; Astronomy; Bioengineering; Materials Science; Mathematics; Mechanical Engineering; Metallurgical Engineering; Physics; Statistics

Skill: Installation

Shatkin’s skill summary: Installing equipment, machines, wiring or programs to meet specifications.
Related majors: Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering; Agricultural Business and Economics; Animal Science; Art History; Computer Engineering; Computer Science; Dentistry; Electrical Engineering; Forestry; Graphic Design, Commercial Art and Illustration; Operations Management; Soil Science

Skill: Critical Thinking

Shatkin’s skill summary: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions and approaches to problems.

Related majors: Actuarial Science; African-American Studies; American Studies; Anthropology; Area Studies; Law; Medicine; Microbiology; Physics; Religion/Religious Studies; Urban Studies; Women’s Studies

Skill: Management of Financial Resources

Shatkin’s skill summary: Determining how money will be spent to get the work done and accounting for these expenditures.

Related majors: Hotel/Motel and Restaurant Management; Industrial and Labor Relations; International Business; International Relations; Marketing; Operations Management; Public Administration; Transportation and Logistics Management

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May 16, 2011

New Book Helps Panicked Students Choose a College Major

Young people are often plagued with uncertainty about their future. Many have no idea what they want to study in college or what kind of career they’d like to pursue. Without help, this indecision can cause students to panic—particularly when academic advisors and parents are pressuring them to define their college major.

Laurence Shatkin’s new book, Panicked Student’s Guide to Choosing a College Major, helps students plan their education and make other important decisions about their future with confidence and ease. Shatkin addresses the problems many undeclared students have, including the fear of making the wrong decision, little awareness about their skills and interests, and a lack of information about majors and careers.

Readers will learn about the key parts of a college major decision. Then they'll quickly and systematically pinpoint the best majors for their skills and personality type. Next, they’ll be able to narrow their options into a personal “hot list.” Finally, readers will learn all about the majors that interest them most, as well as careers that relate to them.

Packed with information, this book covers 120 majors that link to 250 careers. Shatkin provides an overview of each major and additional information about specializations, the typical sequence of high school and college courses, and related CIP program codes—everything students need to know to overcome panic and lay the foundation for a rich and rewarding future.

Panicked Student’s Guide to Choosing a College Major is available at Amazon.com, major bookstores, and jist.com.

Praise for Panicked Student’s Guide to Choosing a College Major

“This bible for choosing the right major will help guide you figure out what you might like to do with the rest of your school life as well as what field of work you could step into.”
—Campus Circle

“I really liked how this book helped me discover the careers and majors that I'd be good at and enjoy. There was also some very helpful research—especially the part about predicted job openings and salaries....I'd recommend this book to anyone who's planning to go to college or is searching for a satisfying career.”
—Hilary L., age 17, for School Library Journal’s e-newsletter SLJTeen

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May 3, 2011

Five Factors to Consider When Selecting a College Major

Declaring a major is one of the most pivotal decisions students make during their college career. Yet, many make frivolous choices because they don’t put enough thought or effort into assessing which college major is a good fit. Others panic because they are afraid that they won’t enjoy the coursework associated with the major or the career that it eventually leads to.

In his new book Panicked Student’s Guide to Choosing a College Major, Dr. Laurence Shatkin gives students the information they need to research their options, make practical choices, and overcome the anxiety associated with the college major decision. Shatkin explains that before choosing a college major, students should first consider the following factors:

Time and expense required. “Some majors take longer than others to bear fruit as a career,” says Shatkin. “Before you commit to a career goal, you have to be sure you have the determination and ability to go through the long preparatory process. College tuition keeps getting more and more expensive. Also, you need to be confident that you will enjoy the major itself, not just the rewards at the end of the road.”

Competition. According to Shatkin, “Rewarding careers often attract large numbers of job seekers. The competition can begin in college or, for some careers, even earlier. As part of the decision about a major and a career, you need to get a realistic sense of your chances of entering and succeeding in school.”

Personality type. “The most widely used personality theory about majors and careers was developed by John L. Holland. The theory rests on the principle that people tend to be happier and more successful in jobs where they feel comfortable with the work tasks and problems, the physical environment, and the kinds of people who are co-workers,” explains Shatkin. “Holland identified six personality types that describe basic aspects of work situations: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional.”

Skills. “Part of a good career decision, which will shape your decision about your major, is matching your skills with a career’s demands for skills. Your past experiences in school and work can help you understand which skills you are good at and enjoy using,” says Shatkin.

Favorite high school courses. According to Shatkin, “A good way to predict how well people will like college courses is to ask them how much they liked similar high school courses. In addition, most people earn their highest grades in college courses that are similar to the high school courses in which they did well. Your high school experiences can help you predict your satisfaction and success in various careers.”

Additional advice for selecting a college major and career can be found in Panicked Student’s Guide to Choosing a College Major. The book is available at Amazon.com, in major bookstores, and from JIST Publishing.

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April 22, 2011

Seven Areas to Stage Your Sequel Career

If you’ve been grappling with the idea of making a career change, but have been too afraid to move forward, you’re not alone. Many people assume that a career change implies “starting from scratch,” and that they’ll have to invest thousands of dollars and years of their time to obtain the education and training needed to launch their new career.

Do you count yourself as one of these people? If so, abandon your assumptions and consider the advice of occupational expert Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D. In his new book The Sequel: How to Change Careers Without Starting Over, he explains how a “sequel career” enables you redefine your role in the work world, while leveraging the knowledge and skills you already possess. According to him, “A sequel career has a different use for the knowledge and skills you’ve acquired in your old job. Like a movie sequel, it carries over much that is familiar from your first effort.”

Shatkin further explains that in a sequel career you’ll already be familiar with key considerations every worker should be aware of, such as industry terminology, trends, problems, products and standards—just to name a few.

So where can you find a job that requires this knowledge, yet feels like a new and exciting career change? Here are seven areas Shatkin encourages you to consider.

Management

“Management is probably the most common sequel career of them all. Every industry has managers, and competent workers are often encouraged to make a career move to management,” explains Shatkin.

Teaching

Schools, colleges and universities aren’t the only places to earn a living while educating others about the knowledge you possess. According to Shatkin, you can also launch a teaching career in the following settings: career-oriented postsecondary schools, corporate training centers, seminars and night classes.

Advocacy

If you want a job that matters, you may want to pursue a career in advocacy. This path will allow you to fight for a cause that’s important to you, while leveraging your past experience and skills. As an advocate you can interact with all kinds of professionals: legislators, lobbyists, stakeholders, individuals who oppose the cause you support and even the media.

Standards Enforcement

“From your experience in a previous job, you understand the difference between good work and hack work in your field. Perhaps you know harmful results that substandard business practices or products can produce. This knowledge can be the basis for your next job,” explains Shatkin.

He describes some standard enforcers as cops, because they protect the public from illegal acts such as hiring discrimination, air pollution and buildings that are firetraps. He adds, “Not all standards enforcers are responsible for upholding the law; some help a business to ensure the quality of its products or services. They make certain that your food will not make you sick, that your car will run properly and that your pants will not split the first time you wear them.”

Communications

Shatkin says this area overlaps with two that have already been mentioned: teaching and advocacy. “If you’re communicating to help people master new skills, you’re engaged primarily in teaching. If you’re communicating to express a point of view, the job may fall into the category of advocacy,” he explains. Regardless of the message, Shatkin says communicators must be able to increase people’s understanding, without boring and confusing their audience.

In communications, you one may be able to find work in journalism, editing, analysis, interpreting, translating and advertising.

Sales

Selling products and services you’re already familiar with is a practical way to refocus the knowledge and experience you possess. In fact, this knowledge may even give you an advantage over other sales workers. According to Shatkin, “The basic function of a sales worker is to convince the buyer that a product of service meets the buyer’s needs. That means a good sales worker has a thorough knowledge of the product or service being sold, is able to determine what the buyer’s needs are, and has the persuasive skill to sway the buyer to value the benefits of the product or service.”

Brokerage

If you’re in-the-know when it comes to the process of buying and selling within your industry, brokerage may be a viable career option. Shatkin asks, “Through your work experience, have you become well informed about how these deals get made? Do you know how the main sellers are, what they have to offer, how much they’re likely to ask for in a payment, and what makes the difference between a good deal and a bad one?” If so, he believes you may be able to make a career of bringing buyers and sellers together and earning a commission on the sales.

The Sequel: How to Change Careers Without Starting Over is available on Amazon.com, from JIST Publishing, and at major bookstors.

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April 7, 2011

Redefine Your Work Life in a Sequel Career

INDIANAPOLIS—If you’re stuck in a dead-end job, longing for more fulfillment in your career, or are struggling to find work in your occupation or industry, it may be time to make a major change. But before you jump to the conclusion that “changing careers” implies “starting from scratch,” know this: There are many opportunities to reroute your career without starting over.

In his new book The Sequel: How to Change Careers Without Staring Over, Dr. Laurence Shatkin explains how a “sequel career” can help you redefine your career, while leveraging the skills, knowledge and education you already possess. Shatkin defines a sequel career as a “Career that is a different use for the knowledge and skills you’ve acquired in your old job. Like a movie sequel, it carries over much that is familiar from your first effort.” 

Throughout the book, Shatkin pinpoints seven major career groups where you can stage your career sequel. These groups include Management, Teaching, Advocacy, Standards-Enforcement, Communications, Sales, and Brokerage. Additional paths you may pursue in your sequel career include Recruitment and Agency, New Product Development, Entrepreneurship, Management Analyst, and Forensic.

Before pursuing one of these paths, Shatkin says you must appreciate why a sequel career may be the right move for your future. Here are a few of advantages he says you can bring to a sequel career.

• You know the terminology of your industry and can “speak the language” of people in the field.
• You know common problems that workers deal with, along with shortcuts and resources that help get the job done.
• You know the standards of quality in the industry and can tell the difference between good and bad output.
• You know the features that purchasers look for in the products and services of the industry.
• You know who and where the major buyers and sellers are: where the industry gets its inputs and where it markets its outputs.
• You know the typical range of prices in the industry.
• You know which organizations dominate the industry and who the up-and-coming outfits are.
• You know how and why the industry is changing, both in its yearly cycle and in its long-term trends.
• You know the regulatory and infrastructure environments of the industry.
• You know what kinds of workers the industry employs and what backgrounds they tend to come from.
• You know the channels of communication that the industry uses.
• You know a lot of people in the industry.

“That’s a lot of useful knowledge,” says Shatkin. “Any one of these types of knowledge could serve as the foundation for a new job—a job that’s different from your old job but that carries over a lot of this knowledge that is familiar to you. In other words, it could be the basis of a sequel career.”

Shatkin adds that this knowledge can also help you when you hunt for a job opening in a sequel career:

• You’ll have an excellent network of people in the industry to feed you information about job openings, including those that are not yet advertised.
• You’ll know which employers are the best to work for and the most likely to be hiring.
• You’ll know what language to use in your resume and cover letter that will be most impressive to employers in the industry.

Additional information about sequel careers and the areas to stage them in can be found in The Sequel: How to Change Careers Without Starting Over. The book is now available on Amazon.com, at major bookstores, and from the publisher (www.jist.com). To request a review copy of the book or to schedule an interview with Dr. Laurence Shatkin, contact Selena Dehne.

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February 25, 2011

Green Careers: What's Hot (Besides the Planet)?

Did you miss Laurence Shatkin’s webinar on green jobs last week? If so, you can now view the presentation on YouTube. To check out the entire presentation, you’ll need to view the following four clips.

Watch part 1.
Watch part 2.
Watch part 3.
Watch part 4.

About the Presentation

You'll learn what qualifies as a green job and the type of education or training required to get one in this presentation by labor market expert Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D. Also, you'll learn about new careers based on emerging technologies and which existing careers are being repurposed.

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November 16, 2010

In-Demand Jobs with Above-Average Pay

Given the economic turmoil that has hammered the job market over the past few years, many people still assume that there are no jobs available or that only low-paying employers are hiring workers.

While it’s certainly true that the job market is still working toward recovery, job seekers should know that there are, indeed, plenty of jobs to be had that need many workers and pay above average.

In his book 250 Best-Paying Jobs, Laurence Shatkin features 100 such occupations and explains why jobs with a high number of openings can be particularly appealing in today’s economy. He says, “Jobs with many openings present several advantages. Because there are many openings, these jobs can be easier to obtain. If part-time work is your goal, the odds of achieving that work arrangement are better when there are more openings.”

Here are 10 great-paying jobs with a high number of openings featured in Shatkin’s book:

Registered Nurses
Average annual earnings: $62,450
Average annual openings: 233,499

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Average annual earnings: $49,330
Average annual openings: 181,612

Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
Average annual earnings: $51,330
Average annual openings: 156,215

Accountants and Auditors
Average annual earnings: $59,430
Average annual openings: 134,463

Management Analysts
Average annual earnings: $73,570
Average annual openings: 125,669

General and Operations Managers
Average annual earnings: $91,570
Average annual openings: 112,072

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Vocational Education
Average annual earnings: $51,180
Average annual openings: 93,166

First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
Average annual earnings: $58,140
Average annual openings: 82,923

Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Vocational Education
Average annual earnings: $49,700
Average annual openings: 75,270

Computer Systems Analysts
Average annual earnings: $75,500
Average annual openings: 63,166

250 Best-Paying Jobs is available at Amazon.com, in all major bookstores and from the publisher (www.jist.com or 1.800.648.JIST).

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September 28, 2010

How to Become the Employee No One Can Afford to Lose

At one time, workers were often rewarded for staying with their employer for several years. Many felt secure in their jobs and didn’t worry about factors beyond their control dictating their employment status.

In today’s work world, that sense of job security is a luxury few people possess.

According to Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D., author of 2011 Career Plan, today’s workers can’t expect the kind of widespread job security past generations enjoyed during most of the preceding century.

“Nowadays, very few employers feel any kind of loyalty toward their workers,” explains Shatkin. “When your work is no longer the best way to contribute to the company’s bottom line, you’re history. If your job can be done by a robot, a slick computer app, a worker on some foreign shore, a part-timer, a temporary worker or a fresh-faced graduate with the latest book learning and low wage expectations—look out!”

Although these circumstances sound disheartening, there are many steps you can take to become immune to them. According to Shatkin, “The best way to hang on to your job is to be irreplaceable. You need to be so vital to the business that it can’t go on without you.”

To help you implement this job-saving strategy, Shatkin offers the following advice:

• Focus on the core mission of the business. Many businesses diversify and serve several functions, but usually there’s a central mission that makes money and determines whether the business will succeed or fail. Identify that central function and play a role in it. Identify the skills the business needs for future development of this function and acquire them.

• Be exceptionally productive. This doesn’t necessarily mean working longer hours. It’s more important to find a task or role you can handle that goes beyond your job description. Here again, skills are important because they are the key to productivity.

• Be visible. In many businesses, the person whose office is next to the boss’s tends to get the best performance appraisals. If you don’t have that office, find ways to make your accomplishments known; don’t wait for performance-appraisal season. For example, start an in-house Web page, newsletter or bulletin board showcasing the project you’re working on and soliciting suggestions from people outside the project. This will encourage them to buy into the project and make your efforts look not purely self-promotional. If you have a work-at-home arrangement, find reasons to show up at the office regularly or make lunch dates.

• Acquire a mentor. Find someone who really knows the business; be helpful; and ask a lot of very specific questions, including questions about how to improve your work. Give public credit to the mentor for the advice you get.

• Be pleasant. Back-stabbing may seem like a way to get ahead, but it can hurt you in the long run. Abrasiveness may make you stand out, but for the wrong reasons. If you really can’t get along with some people in your work group, try to be transferred to one where you’ll fit in better.

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September 23, 2010

The Recession is Over, but You Should Still be Concerned about Job Security

Although the National Bureau of Economic Research recently announced that the recession ended last year, job uncertainty continues to plague people across the nation.

According to Dr. Laurence Shatkin, author of the recently released book 2011 Career Plan, people have every right to be concerned about losing their job.

“During the worst months of the Great Recession, hundreds of thousands of workers were losing their jobs each month. We’ve moved past those dark days, but you’re never going to see the kind of widespread job security that your grandparents came to expect during most of the previous century,” he explains.

“Nowadays, very few employers feel any kind of loyalty toward their employees. When your work is no longer the best way to contribute to the company’s bottom line, you’re history. If your job can be done by a robot, a slick computer app, a worker on some foreign shore, a part-timer, a temporary worker or a fresh-faced graduate—look out!”

Simply put, job loss can happen to anyone—in good and bad economies. According to Shatkin, the resilient workers, those who take steps to prepare for unemployment before it hit them, are the people who rebound the quickest.

To become a resilient worker and, therefore, better prepared to bounce back from sudden unemployment, Shatkin offers the following tips:

• Specialize and focus on a specific goal. After a few years in an occupation or industry, find a niche that is not overcrowded and is related to your core skills; then, acquire the specialized skills to excel in that role. In a tight job market, employers are more interested in someone with the perfect fit of skills than in a generalist. Your niche may be at the intersection of two very different skills; for example, you may be the chemist who is an ace computer programmer or the police officer who is an inspiring teacher.

• Be visible beyond your workplace. Join a professional organization, find something missing from their services, and put yourself in that key role. Start a blog or be active in commenting on a prominent blog; this is a readily available way to become known by people with connections in your industry. Start a Twitter feed that spreads news about your industry and specialization (and not where you went for lunch).


• Keep your resume up to date. Do more than list your current job title. Be sure to include a recent accomplishment so you don’t look as though your career has been coasting. Make sure that your skills are easy to identify.


• Keep your skills up to date. The particular skills needed by your industry and for your targeted role will vary, but almost everybody needs to be familiar with productivity software such as spreadsheets.


• Believe in yourself. Every job you hold is just one scene in the drama that is your life. If one episode is going badly or ends suddenly, it doesn’t have to turn the whole arc of your career into a tragedy. Instead, think of the setback as a plot complication or as an adventure.

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September 14, 2010

Occupational Expert Laurence Shatkin Identifies 2011's Hot Fields for Hiring

Occupational experts like Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D., say that America is climbing out of recession and job opportunities are better now than they’ve been for a long time. But what does this mean for people hoping to advance their career? What can they do in 2011 to be strong candidates in the future job market?

Shatkin answers these essential questions in his newest book, 2011 Career Plan: The Best Moves Now for a Solid Future. In it, he explains that the recovery is a steady upswing, not a hiring boom, and that people will need to be strategic about how and where they pursue employment.

“Jobs are not expected to be plentiful in 2011—or for several years afterward. In fact, we may see a repeat of what happened after the recession of 2001, when 39 months passed before employment rose back to prerecession levels. This recovery is also a patchwork affair, with some industries bouncing back much faster than others. For example, in March 2010, while manufacturers were adding jobs, the news and information business was still losing jobs,” says Shatkin.

“That’s why ‘I’ll find something’ is not an adequate career plan for 2011. You need to choose a specific goal and develop a smart strategy to take advantage of the opportunities that 2011 does have to offer.”

One career strategy Shatkin recommends is to focus on fast-growing fields, where job opportunities tend to be more plentiful than in fields where jobs are slow-growing or disappearing. According to Shatkin and information from the U.S. Department of Labor, the following 11 fields are projected to grow fastest through 2018.

1. Management, Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
2. Computer Systems Design and Related Services
3. Social Assistance, Except Child Day Care
4. Software Publishers
5. Scientific Research and Development Services
6. Health Care
7. Employment Services
8. Construction
9. Child Day Care Services
10. Advocacy, Grantmaking and Civic Organizations
11. Educational Services

Shatkin reminds people to “keep in mind that these 11 fields are not the only fields where job opportunities will be available in 2011. They’re fast-growing, but jobs can still be found in many fields that are not growing as fast—even shrinking.”

More information about the hottest fields for 2011 and building a career strategy can be found in 2011 Career Plan. The book published this month and is available at Amazon.com, in all major bookstores and from the publisher (www.jist.com or 1.800.648.JIST).

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May 18, 2010

Best-Paying Jobs Based on Career Clusters

It’s no secret that some of the highest-paying, most rewarding careers are in health care. But what if you have little to no interest in that type of work? What if your interests pertain to other things, like government, food, architecture or information technology? Can you actually achieve high pay working in such fields?

Absolutely, says Dr. Laurence Shatkin. In his book 250 Best-Paying Jobs, Shatkin connects high-paying occupations to 16 career clusters, helping individuals identify which occupations are most likely to pay well in the fields and industries that interest them.

“The 16 career clusters I reference in my book were developed by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Vocational and Adult Education around 1999. Many states rely on these career clusters to organize their career-oriented programs and career information,” explains Shatkin.

In his book Shatkin provides lists of the best-paying jobs within each of these 16 career clusters. Below are a few of the top occupations featured on those lists:

Best-Paying Jobs for People Interested in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

Economists
Average Annual Earnings: $83,590

Biochemists and Biophysicists
Average Annual Earnings: $82,840

Veterinarians
Average Annual Earnings: $79,050

Best-Paying Jobs for People Interested in Architecture and Construction

Engineering Managers
Average Annual Earnings: $115,270

Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
Average Annual Earnings: $82,810

Construction Managers
Average Annual Earnings: $79,860

Best-Paying Jobs for People Interested in Arts, Audio/Video Technology and Communications

Art Directors
Average Annual Earnings: $76,980

Producers and Directors
Average Annual Earnings: $64,430

Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers and Athletes
Average Annual Earnings: $62,940

Best-Paying Jobs for People Interested in Business, Management, and Administration

Chief Executives
Average Annual Earnings: $158,560

Natural Sciences Managers
Average Annual Earnings: $112,800

Computer and Information Systems Managers
Average Annual Earnings: $112,210

Best-Paying Jobs for People Interested in Education and Training

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
Average Annual Earnings: $84,390

Education Administrators, Elementary and Secondary School
Average Annual Earnings: $83,880

Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
Average Annual Earnings: $82,810

Best-Paying Jobs for People Interested in Finance

Financial Managers
Average Annual Earnings: $99,330

Actuaries
Average Annual Earnings: $84,810

Financial Analysts
Average Annual Earnings: $73,150

Best-Paying Jobs for People Interested in Government and Public Administration

Chief Executives
Average Annual Earnings: $158,560

Political Scientists
Average Annual Earnings: $104,130

General and Operations Managers
Average Annual Earnings: $91,570

Best-Paying Jobs for People Interested in Health Science

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Average Annual Earnings: $166,400+

Orthodontists
Average Annual Earnings: $166,400+

Prosthodontists
Average Annual Earnings: $166,400+

Best-Paying Jobs for People Interested in Hospitality and Tourism

Gaming Managers
Average Annual Earnings: $68,570

*Only one occupation was featured in this list in 250 Best-Paying Jobs.

Best-Paying Jobs for People Interested in Human Service

Sociologists
Average Annual Earnings: $68,570

Home Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
Average Annual Earnings: $64,210

Clinical, Counseling and School Psychologists
Average Annual Earnings: $64,140

Best-Paying Jobs for People Interested in Information Technology

Engineering Managers
Average Annual Earnings: $115,270

Computer and Information Systems Managers
Average Annual Earnings: $112,210

Computer and Information Scientists, Research
Average Annual Earnings: $97,970

Best-Paying Jobs for People Interested in Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security

Lawyers
Average Annual Earnings: $110,590

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
Average Annual Earnings: $110,220

Law Teachers, Postsecondary
Average Annual Earnings: $93,210

Best-Paying Jobs for People Interested in Manufacturing

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
Average Annual Earnings: $73,320

Elevator Installers and Repairers
Average Annual Earnings: $69,380

Nuclear Technicians
Average Annual Earnings: $67,890

Best-Paying Jobs for People Interested in Marketing, Sales, and Service

Marketing Managers
Average Annual Earnings: $108,580

Sales Managers
Average Annual Earnings: $97,260

Sales Engineers
Average Annual Earnings: $83,100

Best-Paying Jobs for People Interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Engineering Managers
Average Annual Earnings: $115,270

Natural Sciences Managers
Average Annual Earnings: $112,800

Petroleum Engineers
Average Annual Earnings: $108,020

Best-Paying Jobs for People Interested in Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

Air Traffic Controllers
Average Annual Earnings: $111,870

Airline Pilots, Copilots and Flight Engineers
Average Annual Earnings: $111,680

Transportation, Storage and Distribution Managers
Average Annual Earnings: $79,000

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May 11, 2010

Best-Paying Jobs Based on Levels of Education and Training

Most people agree that good pay is very important to them. Unfortunately, many don’t know where to find information about jobs that pay well and offer other important rewards.

In his recently released book 250 Best-Paying Jobs, Second Edition, Laurence Shatkin gives readers an in-depth look at hundreds of the most-rewarding, best-paying jobs in the world of work. He even pinpoints the best-paying jobs based on levels of education and training to demonstrate that many opportunities exist to achieve a great-paying job without having to obtain a college degree.

Below are a few examples:

Best-Paying Jobs Requiring Short-Term On-the-Job Training

Postal Service Clerks
Average Annual Earnings: $55,920
Percent Growth: 1.2 percent

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
Average Annual Earnings: $50,600
Percent Growth: -8.4 percent

Postal Service Mail Carriers
Average Annual Earnings: $50,290
Percent Growth: 1.0 percent

Best-Paying Jobs Requiring Long-Term On-the-Job Training

Air Traffic Controllers
Average Annual Earnings: $111,870
Percent Growth: 10.2 percent

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
Average Annual Earnings: $73,320
Percent Growth: 10.6 percent

Elevator Installers and Repairers
Average Annual Earnings: $69,380
Percent Growth: 8.8 percent

Best-Paying Jobs Requiring Work Experience in a Related Occupation

Industrial Production Managers
Average Annual Earnings: $83,290
Percent Growth: -5.9 percent

Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
Average Annual Earnings: $79,000
Percent Growth: 8.3 percent

First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Police and Detectives
Average Annual Earnings: $75,490
Percent Growth: 9.2 percent

Best-Paying Jobs Requiring Postsecondary Vocational Training

Commercial Pilots
Average Annual Earnings: $65,340
Percent Growth: 13.2 percent

Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay
Average Annual Earnings: $61,040
Percent Growth: -4.7 percent

Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers
Average Annual Earnings: $55,600
Percent Growth: 2.5 percent

Best-Paying Jobs Requiring an Associate Degree

Computer Specialists, All Other
Average Annual Earnings: $75,150
Percent Growth: 15.1 percent

Radiation Therapists
Average Annual Earnings: $72,910
Percent Growth: 24.8 percent

Nuclear Technicians
Average Annual Earnings: $67,890
Percent Growth: 6.7 percent

Best-Paying Jobs Requiring a Bachelor’s Degree

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Average Annual Earnings: $111,680
Percent Growth: 12.9 percent

Petroleum Engineers
Average Annual Earnings: $108,020
Percent Growth: 5.2 percent

Computer Hardware Engineers
Average Annual Earnings: $97,400
Percent Growth: 4.6 percent

Best-Paying Jobs Requiring Work Experience Plus Degree

Chief Executives
Average Annual Earnings: $158,560
Percent Growth: 2.0 percent

Engineering Managers
Average Annual Earnings: $115,270
Percent Growth: 7.3 percent

Natural Sciences Managers
Average Annual Earnings: $112,800
Percent Growth: 11.4 percent

Best-Paying Jobs Requiring a Master’s Degree

Political Scientists
Average Annual Earnings: $104,130
Percent Growth: 5.3 percent

Economists
Average Annual Earnings: $83,590
Percent Growth: 7.5 percent

Physician Assistants
Average Annual Earnings: $81,230
Percent Growth: 27.0 percent

Best-Paying Jobs Requiring a Doctoral Degree

Physicists
Average Annual Earnings: $102,890
Percent Growth: 6.8 percent

Astronomers
Average Annual Earnings: $101,300
Percent Growth: 5.6 percent

Computer and Information Scientists, Research
Average Annual Earnings: $97,970
Percent Growth: 21.5 percent

Best-Paying Jobs Requiring a First Professional Degree

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Average Annual Earnings: $166,400+
Percent Growth: 9.1 percent

Orthodontists
Average Annual Earnings: $166,400+
Percent Growth: 9.2 percent

Physicians and Surgeons
Average Annual Earnings: $166,400+
Percent Growth: 14.2 percent

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May 2, 2010

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November 19, 2009

Earn a Living While Making a Difference

More and more of today’s workers want to do more than just earn a paycheck. They want jobs that make a difference—in their communities, in the environment, and in the lives of people around them.

Everything from national tragedies such as September 11 to a growing “green movement” across the nation have influenced millions of people to dedicate a significant part of their lives—their careers—to making the world a better place to live.

“Some people throw up their hands and say, ‘What can one person do to improve the world?’ But others make plans to do what they can, however small, to contribute to improving the lives of others or the environment. And what better way than through work? After all, you’re going to be devoting a major chunk of your life to your career. Why not use that time and energy in a way that makes the world a better place?” asks Laurence Shatkin, co-author of 150 Best Jobs for a Better World.

In the book, Shatkin helps readers discover meaningful jobs that do good for others and the world while still offering many rewards including good pay. They created a list of the best jobs for a better world based on an occupation’s annual earnings, percent growth, and annual openings. They also considered jobs that rated high on one or more of the following characteristics: value of Social Service, knowledge of Education and Training, knowledge of Fine Arts, knowledge of Medicine and Dentistry, knowledge of Public Safety and Security, and knowledge of Therapy and Counseling. The following ten occupations topped the list of best jobs for a better world:

1. Computer Security Specialists
Annual Earnings: $59,930

2. Teachers, Postsecondary
Annual Earnings: $53,590

3. Registered Nurses
Annual Earnings: $54,670

4. Physicians and Surgeons
Annual Earnings: $145,600

5. Dental Hygienists
Annual Earnings: $60,890

6. Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Annual Earnings: $61,730

7. Physician Assistants
Annual Earnings: $72,030

8. Physical Therapists
Annual Earnings: $63,080

9. Personal Finance Advisors
Annual Earnings: $63,500

10. Pharmacists
Annual Earnings: $89,820

150 Best Jobs for a Better World is available at all major bookstores and from the publisher (www.jist.com or 1.800.648.JIST).

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September 22, 2009

Occupational Expert Reveals 10 Best Jobs in Green Technologies

INDIANAPOLIS—The movement to rebuild and modernize America is gaining momentum, creating a wealth of solid job opportunities in a variety of fields and industries

“In order to succeed in the 21^st century, we’re working to improve education, expand health care, fix the infrastructure, overhaul our manufacturing industries, adopt green technologies, and continue our leadership in high-tech innovation,” says Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D., one of the nation’s leading occupational experts and author of the recently released book 200 Best Jobs for Renewing America.

 

Throughout his book, Shatkin explores the six industries that are at the center of America’s shift toward a forward-looking economy: Education, Infrastructure, Health Care, Information and Telecommunication Technologies, Green Technologies and Advanced Manufacturing. He also identifies the best overall jobs, best-paying jobs, fastest-growing jobs and more within each of the six renewal industries.

Of these industries, Green Technologies, in particular, has gained a great deal of interest among individuals hoping to secure a solid job as the economy continues to shift and become more competitive in the upcoming decades. Below is a sample list from 200 Best Jobs for Renewing America, identifying the 10 best Green Technologies jobs overall.

1.      Construction Managers
Annual Earnings: $76,230
Percent Growth: 15.7 percent

2.       Industrial Engineers
Annual Earnings: $71,430
Percent Growth: 20.3 percent

3.       First-line Supervisors/Managers of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
Annual Earnings: $55,950
Percent Growth: 9.1 percent

4.       Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
Annual Earnings: $58,380
Percent Growth: 25.1 percent

5.       Construction and Building Inspectors
Annual Earnings: $48,330
Percent Growth: 18.2 percent

6.       Environmental Engineers
Annual Earnings: $72,350
Percent Growth: 25.4 percent

7.       Plumbers, Pipefitters and Steamfitters
Annual Earnings: $44,090
Percent Growth: 10.6 percent

8.       Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
Annual Earnings: $75,800
Percent Growth: 21.9 percent

9.       Carpenters
Annual Earnings: $37,660
Percent Growth: 10.3 percent

10.   Electricians
Annual Earnings: $44,780
Percent Growth: 7.4 percent