Where The Jobs Are -- Even Now!

Vera Gibbons On Industries, Regions Where Work Is Easier To Find, Even In This Climate

(CBS)  It's hard not to think about jobs in this tough economy - how to keep the one you have, or how to find one if you're unemployed.

On The Early Show Saturday, financial journalist and contributor Vera Gibbons filled viewers in on the fields that are putting up "Help Wanted" signs, and on where in the country you have the best shot at finding work.

According to Gibbons:

The job outlook in the near-and-medium-term isn't very good, with the unemployment rate expected to tick up to over six percent early next year, and about 500,000 job losses for this year in all.

But there are some bright spots; you just have to know where to look.

Most openings this year, and through the next decade, for that matter, are in the two largest sectors of the economy - the professional and service categories.

Education is one of the recession-proof industries. There's a big demand for post-secondary school teachers. Some 38,000 post-secondary jobs are expected to be created this year. By 2016, nearly 400,000 jobs will be created, if you look at the ten-year projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Another field to consider: healthcare. It's expected to generate three million jobs between 2006 and 2016. The demographics are certainly on the side of this field: There's a growing population of elderly people. We're living longer, into our 80s and 90s, and we're going to need everything from new hips to prescription drugs to long-term care. So there's a big demand in healthcare.

In fact, almost half of the 30 fastest-growing occupations are concentrated in health services at all levels, from physical therapists to pharmaceutical sales reps to pharmacists and nurses. More than 50,000 nursing positions are expected to be created this year alone.

Another of the fastest-growing jobs is veterinarian. Employment of vets is expected to increase 35 percent from 2006 to 2016. That's much faster than the average for all occupations. Pets, like humans, are living longer and getting treatment for their ailments.

Financial services is a sector to mull. We've got 77 million boomers. They're starting to retire, and not only will they need health services, but also help managing their money. That means job opportunities for financial analysts and advisers. Wealth management and financial services are still strong places to build a career.

"Green" jobs are hot. Job listings on green-centric sites sustainablebusiness.com, environmentalcareer.com and idealist.org are steadily growing.

Among the top green careers: solar installers (for someone who likes physical work), sustainable design architects, fuel cell entrepreneurs (Ph.D.-types), environmental engineers, and environmental lawyers. Corporations everywhere need their help. This is a field that's expected to grow as much as 25-percent in the next decade.

Despite the economic turndown, there are parts of the country that still have some job growth, beginning in Texas. It's generating a lot of jobs, from Forth Worth to San Antonio. Education and healthcare are among the top growth industries there, all the way to Austin. Austin is home to Dell. The University of Texas largely expanded its economy to include digital media, green energy and biotech. Houston is the energy capital of the world. There are also jobs in aerospace, tech, and medical companies there. Last year, there were 10,000 jobs added in Houston.

Also, Atlanta. There are jobs in transport, distribution and financial services. There is also growth in education and healthcare. Raleigh, N.C. has one of the most highly-educated work forces in America. It's the top area for tech jobs, and is expected to expand much faster than other tech hubs. Salt Lake City is also attracting a highly educated labor pool, with jobs in tech and international business.

In Omaha, businesses are hiring and recruiting young professionals, especially in finance, healthcare, information technology. Entrepreneurs are also setting up shop there.

[eggy1620]

The best occupation to have, if you can put up with the odd hours and poor work conditions, is a registered nurse. In what other field can you earn wages approaching $100K two years out of high school?

[jw218389]

CHINA is where the jobs are....

[dls3221]

Opportunities inFinancial and IT services ? I worked for a Fortune 500 lending institution and lost my job. Finance and IT were either going overseas, or companies were moaning for the need for more green cards -- "they couldn''t find any Americans to do the work".
This reporter should be asking for more concrete details. Or just read the news on thousands of Americans losing jobs in the tech and finance sectors.

[endofempire]

Unions are the reason why manufacturing went abroad. It was very straight forward: Pay $40/hour here or $6.95 abroad for the same unskilled line worker at the car factory. Success stories? They abound, and they all have to do with factories in the U.S. that excluded unions. Unions, needed during the heyday of the industrial revolution to control sweatshop working environments and infra-human wage levels, are an anachronism that must go away, if we are to get back to full employment.

[rktsci3127]

In the United States, NAFTA was able to secure passage after Bill Clinton made its passage a major legislative priority in 1993.

[summarex]

01 We ask them to lead us.
02 We beg then for jobs.
03 We thank them for hiring us.
04 We believe they are better than us.
05 We work five days a week so they don''t have to.
06 We thank them for keeping us on.
07 We smile when we see them and act happy.
08 We try to be like them.
09 We report anyone who says bad things about them.
10 They reward us with green IOUs
11 One day we will kill them, each and every one.
12 Then we will have freedom for awhile.
13 GOTO 01

[babooph]

The article did not mention the openings cutting grass in the gated communities-many Mexicans are deoported,leaving the vacuum.The old middle class now can do this ,no longer needing the education they cannot afford,or fund-A SILVER LINING!!

[vnveteran72]

The Oil Fields in Wyoming and Montana are hiring and Big Oil will pay you real good. After all, it''s just a pittance compared to the Massive Profits they''ve enjoyed under 8 years of the Bush/Cheney Crime Cartel.
They''re Profits are Guaranteed to grow under a Pappy Administration........

[jw218389]

Where the jobs are?!

CHINA of course...

Thanks GW Bush!!!!!

[beehive21-2009]

The Unions are the reason your not all slaves.Yes ,you have or had money to invest or buy drugs,all because the Unions fought and won a 40 hour week,some are working more and,like that,too.No Unions no nothing what is it you don''t understand ? You are now witnessing Big Oil with the blessing of the White house, take what you have fought for so long, and leave you with nothing.You are Subsidizing Big Oil ,right now and they are making 50 billion profit in three months, yes,you have a big problem,however,it''s not Unions,Fools.50 Billion profits means hundreds,if they say 50 ,its many times more.