PLANNING YOUR FUTURE

Schooling is still the
basic key to progress
and a better job.

A recent survey showed that many companies are planning to hire more people this year and next. Very few companies said they are planning to reduce their staff. Where the U.S. economy leads, many other countries are sure to follow. The U.S. job scene is the best it has been in more than a decade. The economy is healthy and people looking for jobs can feel hopeful.

In order to find a job in an increasingly competitive labour market, one needs to know what careers are most needed as well as what training is required. Historically, the majority of jobs have been in manufacturing. These jobs helped workers afford a better life. But, now, people need higher paying jobs just to help their families and themselves. Many of the fastest growing job categories are now in service industries. Most require special skills. Statistics from around the world show that there is always more work for those who are educated.

Five of the ten fastest-growing occupations in North America are health-related. Professional organizations in this area are expected to add the most jobs. The health field is a good area for anyone to gain training. Some jobs require at least two years of college education. These more complex jobs will grow faster than average.

Computers and business services are also among the most popular and best-paying fields. Tertiary education is needed to get a job in these fields. A four-year college degree, a Bachelor of Arts degree or a Bachelor of Science degree provide an entrance to jobs in this segment of the market.

But advanced college degrees are not the only way. Those who train at two-year community colleges or technical institutes for such occupations as dental hygienists, nuclear medical technicians and respiratory therapists will also do well.

Those who have a job in a technical field may want to continue studying. People with degrees continue to earn the highest salaries in most countries. It is obvious, then, that a college degree remains a valuable investment.

Whatever the field, most experts and counsellors agree that job applicants should know as much as possible about the given company and should relate their skills, talents and education or training to that company’s current needs.

TOP 10 FUTURE JOBS

According to the U.S. Department of Labour’s Occupational Outlook Handbook, these are the 10 fastest growing occupations in the States. This trend is predicted to last to 2010 and to spread to other countries.

schooling is still: education goes on being (la educación continúa siendo)
survey: research study (estudio, análisis de mercado)
to hire: to give employment (contratar)
healthy: (here) solid, strong (sólida, fuerte)
in order to find: to find (para encontrar)
afford: have the financial means to do something or buy something (abordar, enfrentar)
fastest growing: fastest developing (de mayor crecimiento o desarrollo)
health-related: connected with health services (relacionadas con la salud)

to gain training: to train in (se entrene, gane en experiencia)
best-paying fields: areas with high incomes (las ocupaciones mejor pagadas)
will also do well: will be in a favourable position (estarán asimismo bien posicionados)
counsellors: professionals who give advice about personal problems (los consultores, los asesores)
applicants: (in this context) people requesting or seeking an employment (los postulantes)
current needs: present requirements (necesidades o requerimientos actuales
trend: tendency (tendencia)
to spread: to expand (extenderse)
aide: (French word) assistant (asistente)