Laurence Shatkin, PhD

Career information expert, author, interactive system developer

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Here are some Web pages that mention my books.
 
My books have been mentioned and quoted on the CNN, MSN, and AOL Web sites, among others. I've been interviewed on network news, radio shows, and podcasts. Click on the links to see what people are saying.



YouTube Interview


Okay, this isn't about any specific book, but this interview by Bill Vick gives me the chance to talk about a lot of issues that Baby Boomers and others face when making career decisions and career moves. Because it was shot via YouTube, it shows my home office. If you look carefully toward the end, you'll see my cat creep into the office and jump up on the desk.




250 Best-Paying Jobs, Second Edition


The Yahoo! HotJobs page featured this book and cited ten occupations in which even beginners earn high pay: "'Within these occupations, the workers who earn at the 10th percentile--meaning that 90 percent of the workers in the occupation earn more than they do--still earn at least $51,540,' explains Shatkin. In other words, the lowest-earning 10 percent of workers in these careers earn more than 75 percent of all American earners. (Slatkin's salary figures are based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment Survey released in May 2008.)"

The Secrets of the Job Hunt blog carried the same story.





250 Best Jobs for Renewing America


IEEE-Today's Engineer featured a write-up about what the book had to say about environmental engineers: "In his book, Shatkin cites research from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) which foresaw a 25.4 percent increase in environmental engineering jobs over the ten years from 2006 to 2016. That's not bad at all, but Shatkin says the actual prospects are even better.  'The outlook for environmental engineers has actually improved since I wrote the book,' he says. 'The BLS now projects 30.6% growth between 2008 and 2018.'  This translates to an additional 16,600 environmental engineering jobs expected to be created in the United States during that decade."

The Boston Globe
cited this book in an article about the top jobs in green technology. "
'I looked at jobs that had to do with energy efficiency, with renewable energy, with saving money through recycling and other practices like that,' he said. 'We can't have a green economy without these people involved.'"

Graduating Engineer & Computer Careers Magazine noted the good news for high-tech workers: "
In his book,...Shatkin forecasts 20% job growth with average annual earnings slightly above $70,000 for environmental and industrial engineers as businesses look for ways to reduce energy and operational costs, particularly in construction industries."
 

The California Job Journal profiled this book: "In order to succeed in the 21st 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."

The Yahoo HotJobs site referred to this book in an article about high-paying green jobs.

Joyce Lain Kennedy cited the 10 best Green Technologies jobs from this book in her column.

Hire Ground, a blog on the NWJobs Web site maintained by the Seattle Times, posted a feature about green jobs that are highlighted in this book. "In the green technology sector, Shatkin found that many of the new jobs can be found in the construction industry as property owners look for ways to reduce energy and operational costs."

Boston.com posted a feature on the same subject, but it includes a lot of quotes from an interview with me, such as this one: "'Industrial engineers are efficiency experts, safety experts, and quality control experts,' Shatkin said. They can apply these skills to any process, making it more green, more efficient, and more sustainable in terms of resource use."



200 Best Jobs Through Apprenticeships


I've created a YouTube presentation about the major themes of this book. It's a slide show with voice-over narration.

The AOL Jobs site featured an article by Carol Tice about this book: "There are three advantages to participating in an official apprenticeship program, says Laurence Shatkin, co-author of 200 Best Jobs Through Apprenticeships (JIST Publishing, 2009). With a formal program, you'll complete a training course of a required length, and potential employers will know you've demonstrated a specific skill level. The rules of the apprenticeship will protect you from being exploited on the job, as they define the wages you should be paid. And finally, you'll make valuable industry contacts."



 

300 Best Jobs Without a Four-Year Degree


The Yahoo! HotJobs page features an article that quotes from this book: "[Clinical Laboratory Technologists] is expected to grow as new diagnostic tests continue to be developed, says Shatkin. Entry into the field requires at least a two-year training course from either a technical college or hospital." The AOL Find a Job site itemized seven blue-collar jobs that will be hot in 2010. The same site also ran an article about the best part-time jobs for moms that quoted me in connection with this book: "About a third of public transit and school bus drivers work part time, Shatkin says. And according to the BLS, split shifts are common. Job requirements include a clean driving record, a commercial driver's license, and several weeks of on-the-job training, Shatkin cautions. On the plus side, he says, 'It's more recession proof than a lot of jobs. Even if the teachers get laid off, the kids still have to ride to school.'"




Your $100,000 Career Plan


24 Hours Vancouver quoted me: "Employers often ask for your salary expectations or salary history very early, perhaps even as part of the job application form or letter. This makes it easy for them to screen out a large number of applicants who don't match the salary figure they have in mind. Don't screen yourself out by giving this information," warns Shatkin.


The Yahoo! HotJobs page features an article inspired by this book. "Here are six jobs in thriving industries that, according to career experts and data from the online salary database PayScale.com, can prime you for a six-figure salary (once you've paid your dues)."


In the Entry Level Career Examiner, Heather Huhman interviews me about how to deal with employer's requests for salary requirements: "On the job application, it’s best to write 'Negotiable.' If the employer refuses to interview you unless you indicate your salary expectations, give only a large ballpark estimate and make clear that you expect both parties will be flexible as you learn more about each other."




200 Best Jobs for College Graduates

Yahoo! HotJobs referred to the book in a story about entry-level jobs: "The beauty of sales is that you can enter the field even if you majored in art history, Shatkin says. 'With a lot of products, you can learn what you need to know from a short training program,' he explains. 'And sometimes you'll work with a more experienced salesperson your first few days out.'"

The AOL Find a Job site featured a story that references this book: "Fancy yourself the next Don Draper or Peggy Olson from 'Mad Men'? Why not try your hand at writing ad copy? 'Here's something for the English major to be doing now that journalism doesn't seem to be such a prospect,' Shatkin says. Although you might start by contributing text to lower-profile agency projects, in time 'you can be involved to the point where you're developing entire ad campaigns,' Shatkin says.

FOXBusiness.com interviewed me about jobs for college grads. See the video here.

The Washington Times quotes me
about prospects for this year's grads: "Some industries like high-tech and health care are still doing very well. Engineering careers tend to fluctuate with the economy, but over the long haul they can be a very good choice."

CNBC quotes me in an article on the Web: “The health-care industry is very reliable even in bad times, with nursing being the most obvious [area of opportunity]" due to the nationwide shortage of trained nurses."

A blog at the University of Chicago site features an interview with me (recipient of a master's from that distinguished institution): "I would say in general about careers, it helps to have a back-up plan. While you’re still in school, you should have a Plan B in mind. When you applied to a college, you probably had a safety school that you applied to, and you might also have a safety career in mind, and take a few courses so you’ll be ready for that one as well."

 !


Great Jobs in the President's Stimulus Plan

 
The Triangle Tribune (NC) quoted me: "Computer-security experts who can help keep electronic medical records locked away from computer hackers and other unauthorized users will be in high demand as the health-care sector modernizes."

The BusinessWeek Web site refers to this book in an article about stimulus jobs: "
Shatkin also points to the development of a smarter electric grid, the computerization of medical records, and the development of a larger broadband network, as initiatives chock full of opportunities for educated workers."

A story on the Monster site (which quotes me) focuses on high-paying jobs in information technology: "Another area targeted by stimulus spending -- extending broadband Internet access to rural areas -- will also generate jobs for network systems and data communication analysts (both earning $68,000) as well as information security specialists ($71,000), Shatkin says."

Roxanne Ravenel interviewed me on her BlogTalk Radio show, The Savvy Jobseeker.

A story on Yahoo! HotJobs quotes me: "The ARRA included an extension of medical benefits for workers laid off in the recent downturn, Shatkin points out. That will keep business brisk for medical professionals, including physical therapy assistants."

I was interviewed about this book on Weekend All Things Considered:
"It's one of the ironies of what I do that it does better when times are bad."

Chris Russell devoted a Secrets of the Job Hunt
podcast to the book.

The Career Key Blog
covered the book: "If you’d like to know more about what career options and opportunities the new stimulus package offers, I just came across an excellent, timely book for your career research."

Yahoo! Hot Jobs mentions the book in an article about the stimulus plan: "In some newer fields, such as solar power, you can get in on the ground floor this year and be an 'old hand' in as little as three years."

Yahoo! Finance quotes me on the specific matter of tech jobs that will be created by the push to digitize health records: "There's little doubt that switching the medical profession over to computers will create tens of thousands of new high-tech jobs."


 
150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs

The Forbes Web site did a feature about job security that quoted me and referred to this book.

The AOL "Find a Job" site by CareerBuilder featured the book: "For boosted job security, Shatkin suggests looking for work not only in a recession-resistant occupation, but also within a recession-resistant industry."

I get cited on The Real College Guide site: “We need people in liberal arts who understand science and math, and engineers and scientists who can write.”

The Community College Times quoted me: “Old jobs go by the wayside and new ones appear when an economy is going through major changes.”

I was referenced in an article by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services
: "Be cognizant of the risks of what you're doing, particularly if you're going into something where there's a lot of competition."

The book and a brief interview with me were featured in a story on the CBS Evening News. I was also featured in a story on CNN (see still below). It also got a mention on Amarillo's Channel 10. (See the picture below of the reporter holding up the book.)

I was interviewed about this book on the Fox Business Network
: "A recession-proof job serves some essential function, is something that everybody needs, something without a great deal of fluctuation in demand.” "To recession-proof your job, you can try to get in an industry where there's less sensitivity to economic ups and downs."

I was a guest on NPR's Talk of the Nation to discuss this book and the current problems of job-seekers: "It's unfortunate that a lot of the jobs that people fall back on, like in retail or waiting tables...those jobs are particularly hard-hit right now."
 
The Associated Press featured the book in an article that was syndicated in many cities: "Technology jobs such as computer systems analysts -- who deal with organizing and presenting data such as financial information -- are hard to send overseas because their work is a collaborative process, Shatkin said. Networking can focus on different aspects of technology, such as smart phones or the Internet, but the common thread is a need for people to set up and maintain the networks, along with develop products that use them."

Another syndicated article came from the McClatchy-Tribune News Service:
“Each recession is a little different than the one before in terms of sectors of the economy. The technology bubble in 2001 affected a lot of technology jobs. But construction was going well. This time, the tech jobs are doing fairly well.”
 
The book also got coverage at the Time.com site. "I'm not a fortune teller, and nobody's job is 100% secure, but I identified these based on information from the U.S. Department of Labor. I developed a pool of 180 occupations that are resistant to economic downturn and then sorted them according to their economic rewards — income, job openings and job growth. These are the best of the recession-proof jobs."
 
An article in Newday referred to this book: "[Shatkin] also recommends keeping an eye out for positions that may lack the glamour factor but are 'essential to everyday life': water and liquid waste treatment; pest control; funerals; tax collection, and adult education, the last being in higher demand as people look to upgrade skills."
 
Mildred Culp discussed the book in an article about surviving downsizing: "Government and utilities are also good bets for riding out future recessions," [Shatkin] adds, "although right now the competition for jobs [especially in government] is going to be intense because of people out of work in the private sector."
 
This book is also cited in an article in the Buffalo News: “There are certain jobs that serve basic needs and those needs aren’t going to change. That makes them less sensitive to changes in the economy.”
 
A Reuters blog written in September 2008 reflected indications that a recession was coming: "The book hits the shelves in November. Publisher JIST Works might want to bring that date forward."
 
An entry on the Encarta site by Christina Couch features this comment about going back to school during a recession: "Using short-term programs to work your way into a 'recession-proof' career -- one that's unlikely to collapse as individual industries tank -- is one way to beat the job market, says Dr. Laurence Shatkin, author of 150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs." 
 
 
 
    





150 Best Low-Stress Jobs

Vicki Salemi profiled this book on the AOL Find a Job site: "People should look for a job situation or niche that’s less stressful than the norm. For instance, stress levels are related to the impact of your decisions in life or death situations and consequences of your actions on the job.”
 
Dr. Mildred Culp noted this book in her column and added: "A low-stress occupation for one person could be just the opposite for another. Ask yourself what makes you fly off the handle. "

 

 

10 Best College Majors for Your Personality

I was quoted on the subject of this book on the Library Journal Web site: "The connection between personality and a successful and satisfying career seems to be generally understood in the culture, and the six Holland personality types in particular are widely used in career counseling but, of course, many young people are not yet facing a career decision and instead need to make the shorter-horizon decision about a college major.”

  
 

 

200 Best Jobs for Introverts

This book was endorsed in a blog on the Psychology Today Web site: "The book includes a wealth of information including descriptions of the jobs, annual earnings, percent growth, and annual openings for each type of job. It also rates each position for its level of solitary work and its level of contact with others." There was also a link to my YouTube video on the subject.


The book was the center of considerable discussion on the Web site of the ABA Law Journal. It was featured on the CareerBuilder site, with a front-page link at MSN.com. It was profiled in the blog JobsInTheMoney. The California Job Journal mentions it. Here is an excerpt from the extensive interview at the CV Tips Web site: "If you really are very introverted, then use your strengths when you are making career decisions and career moves, because you have many strengths you can bring to the task: the ability to do in-depth research, weigh many factors thoughtfully, and prepare excellent documentation (resumes and portfolios)." 

 

Salary Facts Handbook

 The CNN Web site ran an article citing this book: "Look for sites that have local salary data and offer specific job descriptions or data on jobs with multiple levels of experience. If you're an accountant, for example, salary ranges should be available for entry- to senior-level positions."

 

The research for this book was reflected in a quote on the PayScale blog, in an article written by Kristina Cowan:  "'I just think historically there's a tradition that women shouldn't be interested in [careers in math and science]. It's a shame and I've seen this happen with people I know who were very good in math and science and just moved away from that in their high school years,' says Dr. Laurence Shatkin, a career information expert. He says that because of the given history of women in the workplace, women can be discouraged from these fields by teachers, employers, and even themselves."


 

 

150 Best Jobs for a Better World

 The MSN Careers Site ran a story about this book. I discuss my criteria for jobs in the book in a Career Jam posting on the NewWork News site. "“Different people have different opinions about which jobs make the world a better place, but typically the jobs should involve a lot of helping people, teaching people, improving people’s health and well-being, protecting people from harm, or enriching people’s lives.”  

 


 

175 Best Jobs Not Behind a Desk

See a video featuring a brief interview with Laurence Shatkin about this book at the CareerTV site. CareerBuilder profiles this book in an article that has been posted on the AOL Find a Job site, the CNN U.S. site, and the MSN Careers site. I also devoted one of my Career Jam postings to this subject. "Fortunately, there are plenty of high-activity jobs for people who prefer them. And these are not just menial jobs that are likely to be phased out as soon as someone invents the right kind of robot to do them," Farr and Shatkin say. "Many active jobs have good earnings and are expected to have good job opportunities. They allow you to use your brains as well as your muscles and involve the kinds of people and problems that can keep you interested in your work." 

40 Best Fields for Your Career

The AOL Find a Job site features an article about the industries with the highest percentage of female workers. This is one of many topics covered in this book. "Men have had more problems than women in adapting to an economy dominated by service and information-based fields. Many women may simply be better prepared for these fields, possessing more appropriate skills for the fields that are now growing rapidly and have more job openings."  
 
 
 
225 Best Jobs for Baby Boomers

The MSN Careers site and the AOL Find a Job site feature the book in an article called "25 Best Jobs for Boomers." The Free Library gives the book a favorable write-up. A blogger who styles herself Ms. Meacham: Money Maven also mentions the book. "For reasons that vary from being under less financial stress to being able to consider part-time work for the first time, boomers now have the option of making another career move instead of retiring."

 

Newsday ran a feature about part-time jobs mentioned in the book: "For the first time since you were a teenager, part-time work may be financially feasible even though you will be paid for fewer hours and probably at a lower hourly rate," Shatkin says. "Social Security, a pension, a 401(k) or some combination of these may cover a major fraction of your income needs. Plus, Medicare or a retirement medical plan may provide healthcare benefits that previously had been affordable only through a full-time job."

 

 

 

Today's Hot Job Targets

This book was the focus of a series of career profiles in a fast-paced video at the Fox News Web site. The Orlando Sentinel noticed that the book ranks their metropolitan area second nationally for growth of wage-earning population. The Birmingham News mentioned that many of the hot jobs in the book are also good prospects in their metro area. (To help the interviewer, I did a custom ranking of the jobs there.) The book is also mentioned at the MSN Careers site and at  FinanceVisor site: "In the location where you now live, you probably have a better network of contacts, a resume that is more effective with employers, and a better familiarity with the culture than you would have in a distant location. Nevertheless, depending on your career goal and where you live now, your best chances of finding work may be in another city or town."  

 

250 Best-Paying Jobs

College Central ran a feature about this book. California Job Journal features this book in an article called "Lucrative Jobs for Young Careerists": "You thought your first few years in the workforce would be blessed with a salary generous enough to provide you with a flashy new car, a chic apartment and plenty of extra money for a killer wardrobe or a plasma TV. Instead, you dined on Ramen noodles every day, took the bus to work, and barely scraped savings together while living paycheck to paycheck." 

   

  

50 Best Jobs for Your Personality


The AOL Find a Job section featured an article about careers and personality, based partly on an interview with me. Listen to the Jon Bartos "Talent Wins" radio show in which I discussed this book. "For many professionals--from Hollywood superstars and entrepreneurs to chefs and personal trainers-- working in a career that suits their personality is the key to enjoying their jobs and being successful." 

 

  

 

Transferable Skills Scale 

Read about the TSS assessment at the blog KeytoSuccessResumes.com and also at JobBank USA: "Transferable skills represent the skills nearly every employer desires. Knowing your best transferable skills can not only help you research possible careers, but it can give you a better sense of the strengths you possess and can offer an employer." 

 

  

 

 

150 Best Jobs for Your Skills

The CareerBuilder site featured this book. Some lists from the book are included in an article by Associated Press. Marvin Walberg of the Scripps Howard News Service recommends the book in his column. It also got a favorable reference by a blogger on CollegeRecruiter.com. "Focus on what aspects of your work you truly enjoy every day, and then ask yourself why. Do the same exercise with any volunteer work that you do, and hobbies. Concentrate on those things in life that you do well and truly enjoy doing, then try to transfer those skill sets to jobs that might be out there." 


 

 

 

150 Best Jobs Through Military Training

 

This book received a favorable notice from Joyce Lain Kennedy. It has also been mentioned at the JobBank USA site, in the Army Times, and in the Navy Times. Book News gave a brief description. "According to the Current Population Survey in August 2005, veterans working in the same occupations as nonveterans earned an average of about $4,800 more per year." The Employers 4 Veterans blog was enthusiastic about it: "Provides a wealth of information that helps readers discover how 75 military occupations connect to 150 promising jobs in the civilian work world."