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Table of Contents Doing What You Love – Loving What You Do 4 Choosing The Right Degree 6 Working Out Your Strengths & Weaknesses 8 Career Assessment Quiz 12 Career Types 16 Industry Lowdown 19 The Arts 19 Business 21 Education 23 Engineering 26 Health & Medical 28 Legal 30 Sales 32 Services 34 Science 36 There Is Always A Way 39

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Doing What You Love – Loving What You Do What do you want to be when you grow up? It’s a question you probably

heard a hundred times when you were a kid. Chances are you answered with

something like an astronaut, a movie star, or maybe a truck driver. While all

of those are perfectly reasonable choices when you are eight, things tend to

change as you get older. Your choices alter to fit the shape of your learning,

skills and experience although the passion that drives your real interests

remains undiminished.

It is that passion that you need to tap into when making that all important

career choice. Yes, we live in tough times but that is no excuse to sell

yourself and your unique abilities short. The professional marathon runner

Ryan Shay said:

“Passion is finding potential within and having the power to unleash it.”

A career is like a marathon in that, rather than taking a series of unrelated

jobs, you are in this for the long haul. It is something that is as likely to be

central to your wellbeing and happiness as your primary relationships. Just

as relationships grow and change, so do your professional aspirations and

focus. This makes it all the more essential to remain flexible while retaining

your long term career goals.

Laying solid foundations in the form of the right qualifications gives you the

freedom to retain that flexibility. In a world where there is no such thing as job

security any more, the ability to adapt and change is vital for lifelong success.

That is why a career choice based on the things that truly matter to you is a

far better bet than one that is supposedly founded on realism. The pressures

of finding a job, paying off debt or supporting a family can often cloud our

judgement so that we end up trapped in a job we hate.

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Settling for a job simply because it pays the bills is a sure fire way to sap the

passion, motivation and energy that enable you to thrive in a career situation.

Over the long term, you are far more likely to succeed in a job that you truly

enjoy, in which you utilize your talents and skills to their fullest. Find a career

that inspires you and you will be inspired. Discover a job that fuels your

passion and you will pour all of that passion back into your work. It is that

same passion that will keep you going on a day to day basis, sustaining you if

things get tough.

Of course, passions can fade and career paths that once looked promising

can turn out to be dead ends. In this case, it is all the more important that you

go back to that central issue: what is it that you now care about the most? If

asked, many people would say that they would not have chosen a particular

career had they known what it was really like.

In this situation, by using your personal passions and goals as a yardstick,

you can recalibrate your career situation so that you choose a path which is

more in line with your priorities. This means that you are in a constant

position of strength rather than merely suffering a situation which did not fulfil

your expectations.

In both cases, whether you are setting out on a career path or contemplating

changing one, it is essential that you lay those foundations mentioned earlier.

The very best way to do this is by researching and attaining the appropriate

qualifications for your chosen profession, thereby giving yourself the greatest

chance of success.

Simply studying a subject that you love will provide enormous benefits in the

form of increased self-confidence and self-esteem. It will be a far richer

experience learning about something that challenges and excites you and, by

being true to yourself, you maximise your chances of attaining excellence in

your chosen field.

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Choosing The Right Degree

But what if you have no idea what your passions are as yet? What if you are

still waiting to discover what it is that truly sets you alight? You cannot simply

tread water half your life while you wait for inspiration to strike but, as you

have already learned, it is vital that you pick a career that you find rewarding

and fulfilling rather than one that simply pays the bills.

The interesting thing is that you are far more likely to be able to pay those bills

if you are doing something that you truly enjoy. When you put your all into

your job, you reap the rewards in terms of pay and promotion. Looking at the

pay scales of college graduates who have chosen to specialize in certain

vocational degrees illustrates this point perfectly. According to the Bureau of

Labor Statistics*, these are the top ten highest paying occupations by median

hourly wage:

1. Anesthologists

2. Internists, General

3. Obstetricians and Gynecologists

4. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons

5. Orthodontists

6. Physicians and Surgeons, All Other

7. Surgeons

8. Chief Executives

9. Family and General Practitioners

10. Psychiatrists

* Taken from 2009 Occupational Employment Statistics Survey

While there is a preponderance of medical degrees here, the survey goes on

to list lawyers, astronomers and physicists among the top twenty earners.

Taken with a recent report by the US Census Bureau which shows how those

with a college master’s degree can expect to earn on average $1.3 million

more over a working lifetime than those with a high school diploma, the

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message is clear: a higher education pays off big time and those who

specialize reap the biggest rewards.

According to Jennifer Eastman Day, co-author of the US Census Bureau

report: "At most ages, more education equates with higher earnings, and the

payoff is most notable at the highest educational levels.” The report goes on

to demonstrate that more Americans are staying in school longer than ever

before, recognizing the economic value of an education.

A college degree can also help protect you from the ever lurking possibility of

unemployment, cutting the chances of this happening to a graduate by a

remarkable margin. With an increasingly educated workforce, there has

never been a better time to ensure your place within its highest paid ranks by

investing in a degree course that will pay you back a hundredfold over your

working lifetime.

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Working Out Your Strengths & Weaknesses So now you know that a college education is a guaranteed entry ticket into the

highest paid careers available but you’re still not sure which course to pick.

No problem – simply work through the guidelines and exercises below and

you’ll emerge with a clear idea of your particular strengths and weaknesses

which, in turn, will enable you to choose the perfect degree for you.

The first thing to do is to work out what really matters to you and in which

areas you excel in. You can begin to do this by taking a personal inventory of

your:

Core Values

Aptitude

Interests

Your core values the things that are important to you in life. Our actions are

driven by our core values and it is therefore vital that you clarify yours so that

you can use this information to correctly identify a course that will help you

fulfil them. To work out what yours are, choose your three top values from the

following table:

Core Values

Achievement Altruism Charity Cooperation Creativity Dignity Economic Security Emotional Well-being Equality Excellence Fame Faith Family Freedom Friendship Generosity

Happiness Health Honesty Honor Hope Humility Independence Inner peace Integrity Joy Justice Kindness Knowledge Love Loyalty Nobility

Pleasure Positive attitude Power Recognition Relationships Respect Safety Self-worth Service Simplicity Trust Truth Wealth Wholeness Wisdom

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If a particular core value is not on this list, simply add it to your choices. Now,

from your three chosen core values, select your primary core value, i.e. the

one which is most important to you and fill in the appropriate spaces below:

1. _________________________________________

2. _________________________________________

3. _________________________________________

4. Primary core value: _______________________________________

Once you have worked out your core values, you need to focus on where

these best fit. Are there specific causes in which you believe? Is there a

particular group with whom you identify or support? Are you committed to

serving an individual organization? Where and with whom do your passions

lie?

By carrying out this part of the exercise, you help pinpoint the ‘tribe’ to which

you belong which, in turn, highlights your particular passions. Some

examples of these passions include:

Children – including such areas as child care, pediatrics and child

protection

Justice & Law

Politics

The sick and disabled

Non-profit organizations

Alternative energy

Art

Literature

Scientific research

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Next you need to look at your aptitude, or ability to perform particular tasks

well. You will examine this in more detail in the Career Assessment Quiz that

follows this section but, for now, write down the top five things you are good at

using the following suggestions to help you come up with ideas:

Academic ability – science (chemistry, biology, physics), English,

humanities, mathematics, foreign languages, ancient languages, economics,

law

Creative ability – art (fine art, graphics, sculpture, textiles, design), music,

drama, dance, writing, photography

Sporting ability – team sports, athletics, tennis, swimming, gymnastics

People skills – communication, empathy, team-building, team work,

leadership, ability to work unsupervised

Business skills – innovation, entrepreneurialism, marketing, accounting,

analysis

Finally, you need to look at your interests which could include anything from

reading to travel to playing online computer games. Make a note of all of your

major interests and compare these to your aptitude list. Is there some

overlap? Do your interests reflect your aptitudes? Often, we most enjoy the

things we are good at so it is highly likely there will be some crossover in your

answers.

Bearing all of the information you have gathered in mind, start to draw

parallels between your values, aptitude and interests and the possible career

openings these might suggest. Are you an outdoor enthusiast, for instance, in

which case you might be miserable locked away in an office for the next

however many years? Do you prefer to work on your own or with other

people? Are you more of a leader or a team person? Are you analytical and

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precise or more creative? Does making a difference matter to you or are you

more motivated by money?

The more honest you have been with your answers, the clearer the pointers

will be to the perfect career or careers for you. In order to really narrow it

down, however, you need to move on to the next section and take the Career

Assessment Quiz.

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Career Assessment Quiz This quiz is loosely based on the famous Myers-Briggs questionnaire and

looks at aspects of your personality that affect your possible career choices.

It is meant to be enjoyable as well as informative so grab a pen, keep an open

mind and have fun!

Question 1: How Do You Relax & Refresh?

At the end of a busy week I like to:

A. Take a quiet stroll somewhere I can appreciate nature, light some candles

and take a bath or settle down with a good book.

B. Hit the gym or my favorite exercise class, text a bunch of friends to meet up

in a club or bar or head off to my regular committee meeting.

Answers:

A. You are probably an introvert which means that you work best when alone.

You like to think before you speak and learn best by ingesting information

before thinking it through some more. You like to take your time to consider

new ideas and have excellent powers of concentration. All of this makes you

an ideal candidate for our burgeoning information economy which demands

your kind of focus and ability to get on with the job unsupervised.

Letter to write down: I

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B. You are a sociable extrovert who thrives in a job that involves plenty of

contact with other people. You prefer to come up with ideas through

discussion and enjoy juggling a variety of tasks. You are spontaneous and

tend to speak before you think which makes you an excellent candidate for

today’s fast-paced business world.

Letter to write down: E

2. Your Communication & Learning Style

I prefer to communicate and learn by:

A. Getting specific answers to particular questions. I like to work through

something step by step, following an established process. I prefer to deal with

facts rather than supposition and base my outlook upon this preference.

B. Feeding my imagination. I enjoy looking at all the different possibilities and

prefer to deal with these rather than hard facts. I use my gut to solve

problems and would rather be inspired than have to follow someone else’s

lead.

Answers:

A. You are a fact-oriented realist who prefers to deal with the here and now.

A practical person, you like to receive specific answers to your questions and

to work according to processes and patterns.

Letter to write down: R

B. You are a dreamer who prefers the theoretical to the practical and enjoys

coming up with new ideas and visions. You are excellent at spotting trends

and at working with future possibilities.

Letter to write down: D

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3. What Is Your Decision Making Style?

I like to make decisions based on:

A. Human interaction – I believe taking into account the needs of the people

concerned in the decision making process is paramount.

B. Facts and logic – I believe that objectivity is best and I prefer to make a

decision based on the information I have to hand as well as any rules that

come into play.

Answers:

A. You are an empathic Sympathiser who prefers to make decisions

subjectively, taking the people concerned into account. You like to create

harmony and to support others which means that others generally see you as

supportive and approachable. You try to avoid criticism and are diplomatic in

your dealings with others.

Letter to write down: S

B. You are a Factual type who prefers to deal with these rather than emotions,

thinking rather than feeling your way through a decision. You are seen as fair

and reasonable and not averse to giving constructive suggestions. Truth is

important to you and you are not afraid to tell it like it is which wins you the

respect of others.

Letter to write down: F

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4. How Do You Like To Spend Your Vacations?

It’s vacation time and you are planning your dream trip. Do you:

A. Head off to a place you’ve long planned to visit, guide book in hand and

internet research bookmarked on your laptop so you already know where to

go and what to do?

B. Throw a bag into the car and hit the open road with no idea of where you

are going or what you are doing other than it’s going to be someplace you

have never been before?

Answers:

A. You are an Organizer. You like to live a structured life according to a plan

or schedule. You are methodical, making lists to help you achieve goals and

to complete projects. You prefer to evaluate a situation and make decisions

accordingly.

Letter to write down: O

B. You are an Adaptor who feels hemmed in by structures and schedules.

You like to do things at the last minute and to put off making decisions for as

long as you possibly can, preferring to wait until you have gathered all the

information you feel you need.

Letter to write down: A

Next you need to look at the letters you have written down and see which

combination they form, e.g. IRFO. Use this to find out which career types fit

you best as outlined in the next section.

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Career Types

1. IRFO, IRSO, ERFO and ERSO:

RO or Realist Organizer Type

You learn and take in information based on the facts conveyed to you by your

senses without subjecting them to too much analysis. You thrive in a calm,

organized environment and prefer routine to adventure. You are, however,

good at handling unfamiliar situations thanks to your excellent memory and

ability to learn from past experience.

Possible careers: Paralegal, Teacher, Librarian, Physical Therapist, Lawyer,

Human Resource Manager, Accountancy, Auditor, Court Reporter, Attorney,

Science Technician, Medical Scientist, Pharmacist, Biologist, Project

Manager, Surgical Technician, Education Administrator, Financial Planner,

Medical Practitioner, Civil Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Computer

Programmer or Analyst, Insurance Agent, Video Game Programmer, Web

Designer, Nurse, Veterinary Technician, Pharmacy Assistant, Ultrasound

Technician

2. IDFO, IDFA, EDFO and EDFA:

DF or Factual Dreamer

While you prefer to take in information primarily based upon your intuition, you

like to process that information using logic and facts. This makes you a very

special analytical sort of person who seeks knowledge while remaining firmly

rooted in the rational.

Jobs to consider: Lawyer, Doctor, Medical Scientist, Interior Designer,

Science Technician, Paralegal, Pharmacist, Physician Assistant, Surgical

Technician, Culinary Arts, Real Estate Agent, Nurse, Physician, Writer,

Librarian, Court Reporter, Financial Planner, Insurance Agent, Accountancy,

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Civil Engineer, Project Manager, Mechanical Engineer, Computer

Programmer, Video Game Designer, Veterinary Technician, Ultrasound

Technician, Education Administrator, Web Designer, Graphic Designer

3. IDSO, IDSA, EDSO and EDSA:

DS or Sympathetic Dreamer

You prefer to rely on your feelings rather than logic when making decisions

and depend on your intuition to guide you when weighing up people and

situations. You have an excellent imagination and would do best in a job that

utilises it to the full.

Jobs to consider: Interior Design, Animation, Web Design, Video Game

Design, Graphic Design, Fashion Design, Culinary Arts, Massage Therapist,

Poet, Writer, Playwright, Actor, Musician, Entertainer, Journalist, Comedian,

Politician, Diplomat, Cosmetologist, Nurse, Physician, Surgical Technician,

Real Estate Agent, Librarian, Social Worker, Teacher, Translator, Scientist,

Science Technician

4. IRFA, IRSA, ERFA and ERSA:

RA or Realistic Adaptor

You take in and trust information gained through your five senses and much

prefer adventure to routine. You adapt to new situations with ease and enjoy

careers that offer you the chance to be flexible while challenging you enough

so you do not get bored.

Jobs to consider: Teacher, Physical Therapist, Fashion Designer, Pilot, Social

Worker, Real Estate Agent, Culinary Arts, Travel Agent, Radiologist, Massage

Therapist, Psychologist, Musician, Insurance Agent, Surveyor, Civil Engineer,

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Mechanical Engineer, Project Manager, Financial Planner, Financial Manager,

Education Administrator

As you will have seen, some careers can fit into more than one category and

it is likely that you may feel that you also fit into more than one personality

type. While this quiz offers an accurate snapshot of your traits and

corresponding career paths, it is an abridged version of the much longer

Myers-Briggs type questionnaires used by careers and college advisors.

What your results will give you are guidelines to help you consider your next

course of action. It is a good idea to make a list of the possible careers that

interest you and then to shorten that to your top five or ten choices. To further

aid you in making that vital next step, read on to discover the vital facts about

the industries that suit you best.

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Industry Lowdown The following summaries provide a snapshot of a selection of particular

industries which, taken as a whole, reflect a range of the choices thrown up by

the Career Assessment Quiz. If you would like to learn more about a

particular career or industry, simply click on the relevant links.

The Arts While the Arts are traditionally considered to be among the lower paid

professions, perhaps because they are seen to be decorative rather than

functional, that trend is now reversing thanks, in part, to the internet. Video

game and web designers, in particular, are benefiting from the unprecedented

growth of online activity and that upswing shows no sign of abating, resulting

in higher salaries for those with the appropriate skills. What were once seen

as frivolous areas are, correspondingly, now taken enormously seriously and

arts graduates in other, interrelated disciplines are also reaping the benefits.

Here are some fast facts about hot careers in the Arts:

Video Game Designer/Programmer

Quiz Types: DS, RO

Video game designers work within the software publishing sector, an

area which is projected to grow by 30% over the next few years.

Thanks to the growing demand for the requisite skills, career

opportunities within this sector are excellent.

Earnings within the sector are well above the national average with

game designers and programmers among the most highly

compensated.

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Web Developer/Designer

Quiz Types: DS, RO

Computer systems and web design is anticipated to be among the

fastest growing sectors of the economy

Employees within this sector are more highly educated than in many

other industries thanks to the greater proportion of professional

positions

Thanks to this demand for specialist knowledge, earnings are

significantly higher than the national average

Graphic Design

Quiz Types: DF, DS

Graphic designers often work within fast-paced sectors such as

advertising, PR, publishing or television.

Competition for entry level positions is keen thanks to the perception

that this is a glamorous occupation.

Graphic designers create work for both print and online media and

therefore need an excellent all-round training to compete in today’s job

market.

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Business This is an enormously varied industry which services any number of sectors,

gaining excellent remuneration in return for the relevant expertise. One of the

largest areas of growth is within the consultancy sector which takes a

problem-solving approach to a client’s needs and often works behind the

scenes to influence governments and institutions. This is often seen as a high

stress industry with its emphasis on effective teamwork and tight deadlines

but this is offset by the associated benefits and the array of opportunities for

professional advancement that are available.

Here are some fast facts about hot careers in Business:

Accounting

Quiz Types: RO, DF

The majority of jobs demand at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting

or the recognized equivalent – some employers prefer candidates with

a master’s degree in accounting and professional certification, such as

a CPA, is also considered an asset.

As laws change and greater scrutiny is placed upon company finances,

enormous growth is expected in the demand for good accountants

who, in turn, are expected to constantly refresh and expand their

knowledge so that they keep up with legislative demands.

The development of software packages designed to complement and,

in some cases, cut down on an accountant’s work has meant that

many accountants now specialize in helping to develop or de-bug such

software, resulting in ever more exciting advances and opportunities

within the sector.

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Financial Planner

Quiz Types: RO, DF, RA

Financial planners and managers are employed within almost every

organization, firm or government department.

A bachelor’s degree is a minimum requirement with many candidates

also possessing a master’s degree and relevant professional

certification.

Thanks to technological advancements that have cut down on the time

required to produce financial reports, financial planners and managers

now carry out increasing amounts of data analysis which allows them

to act as advisors to senior management, offering them ways to

increase profit and maximise their margins.

Personal financial planners also act in an advisory capacity, helping

clients with their tax, insurance and investment decisions while also

helping them plan for life events such as college and retirement.

Project Manager

Quiz Types: DF, RA

Project managers work across a vast range of sectors, including

engineering and architecture, planning, organizing and managing

resources to bring about the successful completion of a particular

project.

As these projects are, by definition, finite in length, project managers

often work as consultants or for a consultancy firm.

A bachelor’s degree is a minimum entry requirement and the American

Academy of Project Management Board of International Standards was

the first to establish post-graduate qualifications such as MPM (Master

Project Manager) to promote and maintain excellence within the field.

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Education Educational services comprise the second largest industry within the United

States, being responsible for over 13 million jobs. Of these, nearly half are

teaching positions which have a minimum entry requirement of a bachelor’s

degree although some also demand a master’s or doctor’s degree. Education

has benefited in recent years from a national emphasis on producing a well

trained and educated workforce with the result that many government and

private organizations are involved in improving standards. These

improvements extend to staff and academic job opportunities and satisfaction

although serious teacher shortages remain a problem in certain inner city

areas. Wages are better than average thanks to the higher levels of

educational attainment by teachers and other education sector workers who

also tend to be older than the norm.

Here are some fast facts about hot careers in Education:

Teaching

Quiz Types: DS, RO, RA

Within teaching there are any number of specialities encompassing

special education, post-education, adult literacy, remedial and

vocational teachers as well as those covering levels such as

kindergarten, elementary, middle and secondary school.

The industry employs some of the most highly educated people in the

workforce with 64% holding at least a bachelor’s degree and all

teachers in public schools above preschool level required to complete

an additional approved training program complete with supervised

teaching practice.

Job prospects are good with higher than average salary and

employment growth expected over the next few years thanks to

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increased overall demand, population growth and high retirement rates

thanks to a large number of teachers being in the upper age bracket.

Librarian

Quiz Types: DS, DF, RO, RA

The majority of librarians have a master’s degree in library science and

many States require school librarians to be licensed teachers as well.

As well as helping people find the information they need, librarians are

responsible for the implementation of programs and systems and the

overall selection and organization of books and materials.

Working hours can be flexible with part-time positions being fairly

common although night and weekend work is often a requirement,

particularly among librarians who work in the post-secondary

educational sector.

Education Administrator

Quiz Types: DF, RO, RA

Education administrators such as principals and vice-principals have

generally taught before entering administration and therefore hold

teaching qualifications as well as a master’s or doctorate in educational

administration or supervision.

The demands placed upon educational establishments by governments

and private sponsors have forced education administrators to become

more businesslike and flexible in their approach and institutions such

as Charter schools require their principals and vice-principals to

interact at boardroom level.

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Opportunities for advancement are good with some educational

administrators moving on to larger institutions to further their careers

while others use their managerial skills to transfer into other industries.

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Engineering Engineering is another sector which covers an array of industries ranging from

construction to electronics, aerospace and computing. A bachelor’s degree is

the minimum entry level requirement for most engineering jobs although some

positions require a master’s in addition. Engineers solve technical problems

using scientific and mathematical principles and, as such, they provide the link

between scientific discoveries and their commercial applications. Within the

industry as a whole, increasing demand means that biomedical and civil

engineers will experience the greatest employment growth. Wages vary a

great deal within the sector, with petroleum engineers being the highest paid.

As in many other sectors, it pays to specialize, with the next highest paid

being nuclear, computer hardware and aerospace engineers.

Here are some fast facts about hot careers in Engineering:

Civil Engineer

Quiz Types: DF, RO, RA

Thanks to the need to improve the national infrastructure due to the

upsurge in population, civil engineers will enjoy an unprecedented rate

of employment growth over the next few years.

Civil engineers need a special combination of analytical and

communicative skills as well as the ability to translate a creative vision

into reality while working as part of a team.

Most civil engineering courses also include a design element and many

courses require students to undertake study in an unrelated discipline

such as social science or humanities.

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Petroleum Engineer

Quiz Types: DF, RO, RA

Petroleum engineers work alongside geologists to design methods,

including equipment and processes, for extracting oil and gas from

beneath the earth.

They also research and develop technology to maximise the profitable

extraction of oil and gas, only a small percentage of which is recovered

despite the use of the best techniques available to us today.

Petroleum engineers can expect to enjoy and employment growth rate

of around 18 percent over the next decade.

Mechanical Engineer

Quiz Types: DF, RO, RA

Mechanical engineering is amongst the broadest of engineering

disciplines and involves the design and development of tools, engines

and machines.

There are many opportunities for career changes and moves into such

areas as manufacturing, maintenance, sales or management and

administration.

Emerging technologies such as biotechnology and nanotechnology

offer new opportunities for mechanical engineers who can effectively

apply their skills to a range of disciplines.

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Health & Medical

The health and medical industry is one of the largest, employing over 14

million people. In addition, ten of the top twenty fastest growing occupations

are within the sector. This is partly due to the rapid increase in the numbers

of elderly people requiring care and also to the rapid technological advances

that have prolonged life and made new procedures possible. Around 76

percent of jobs within the industry are professional and service occupations

with almost all professionals having a minimum of a bachelor’s degree.

Approximately 40 percent of all workers within the sector are employed by

hospitals, 21 percent in nursing and residential care facilities and around 16

percent in physicians’ offices.

Here are some fast facts about hot careers in the Health industry:

Nursing

Quiz Types: DF, DS, RO

Nurses form the largest workforce within the clinical healthcare industry

with over 2.5 million employed in a variety of roles.

While registered nurses used to enter through either a bachelor’s

degree or diploma course, the latter is increasingly less popular as

associate or bachelor’s degrees offer a candidate more flexibility of

choice.

Job prospects within nursing are excellent as the average age of

current employees increases and institutions across the country report

difficulties in recruiting and retaining suitable candidates.

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Surgical Technician or Technologist

Quiz Types: DF, DS, RO

Surgical technicians or technologists are another group whose

employment growth is predicted to be far more rapid than average with

the best opportunities going to those who are certified and flexible

when it comes to relocation.

Surgical technicians assist surgeons and nurses during surgery and

undertake training which lasts between 9 and 24 months, resulting in a

certificate, diploma or associate’s degree.

With additional training, a certified surgical technician is permitted to

act as a surgical first assistant, providing vital support during

operations by, for example, controlling the blood flow of the patient and

thereby ensuring that the procedure is undertaken safely.

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Legal While competition for job openings for lawyers remains keen, other jobs within

the industry offer increasing opportunity. As some law graduates parlay their

skills into related areas such as management positions within banks,

insurance firms and government agencies, others take on short-term attorney

positions that allow them to add to their knowledge and experience. Within

the legal sector, trained paralegals have some of the best prospects and, for

them, employment growth is expected to be far faster than average. The

majority of those taking up entry level positions as paralegals have a

bachelor’s degree and a certificate in paralegal studies or an associate

degree in paralegal studies.

Here are some fast facts about hot careers in the Legal industry:

Paralegal

Quiz Types: DF, RO

Paralegals carry out many of the same tasks as lawyers and their role

is expanding leading to a wider range of experience gained along with

greater job satisfaction.

The majority of paralegals are employed within private law firms but an

increasing number of other organizations such as corporate legal

departments, banks and insurance companies have need of their

services.

There is an increasing demand for paralegals that specialize in

particular areas such as medical malpractice, divorce, bankruptcy, real

estate and product liability. Coupled with explosive job growth for

paralegals in general this means that job prospects are excellent

although competition for the best positions remains keen.

- 31 -

Court Reporter

Quiz Types: DF, RO

Court reporters are vital not only during court proceedings but also at

every legal meeting where a written record must be taken of every

spoken word.

There are several main methods of court reporting including

stenographic, using a stenotype machine, electronic, which uses audio

equipment to record proceedings and voice writing where the court

reporter speaks directly into a voice silencer that prevents the reporter

being heard during testimony. In all cases, written transcripts are

prepared from these recording methods.

Some court reporters work outside the judicial system on, for example,

webcasts and at sales meetings, conferences and seminars where

they capture what is said and transmit it almost instantaneously to

participants in written form.

- 32 -

Sales In a difficult economy, opportunities for careers within sales are typically seen

to contract but the truth is that well-educated, talented candidates are more in

demand than ever. With certain sectors expected to expand rapidly over the

next ten years and increasing complexity of legal requirements and

regulations, college educated job seekers are favored over those who have

traditionally seen sales as a high school graduate entry position. Trained,

ambitious people who actually enjoy selling are sought after by firms who

increasingly recognize that professionalism is paramount if they are to thrive

as the country emerges from recession.

Here are some fast facts about hot careers in the Sales industry:

Real Estate Agent

Quiz Types: DS, DF, RA

Thanks to a growing population, job prospects for real estate agents

are excellent with the demand expected to grow by around 14 percent

over the next few years.

As real estate transactions become increasingly complex, real estate

firms increasingly prefer to hire college graduates although personality

is still considered as important as academic background.

Many real estate agents are self-employed and, once they have

obtained their broker’s license, many go on to open up their own firms.

College courses in related skills such as marketing and accounting are

therefore considered as important as those in real estate and finance.

Some States do not require those holding a bachelor’s degree in real

estate to have the usual 1 – 3 years experience requirements before

they can obtain a broker’s license.

- 33 -

Insurance Agent

Quiz Types: DF, RO

Although some areas within the insurance sector are experiencing

limited growth thanks to corporate downsizing and the increasing use

of the internet by the general public to find insurance products, the

workforce is older than average and therefore many job openings will

arise as these employees leave or retire.

While some employers hire high school graduates for insurance agent

positions, many prefer college graduates, especially those who have

majored in subjects such as finance, economics or business.

Continued on the job training is considered essential and all insurance

agents must obtain separate State licenses for each type of insurance

they plan to sell. In most States these licenses are only issued to

candidates who have passed the appropriate written examinations at

the completion of recognized courses.

- 34 -

Services The services sector extends across a multitude of industries, some of which

have suffered more than others during the economic downturn. While the

hospitality and travel industries have borne the brunt of the fall in demand as

people rein in their spending, other sectors remain evergreen. Some, in fact,

have expanded thanks to the changing economy as their clients alter their

spending habits, preferring for example to utilise the growing number of at

home services such as beauty, massage and hairdressing rather than go to

an expensive salon. Other sectors are emerging from lean times optimistic

that growth will continue as companies and clients favor excellence and

spend where they can obtain it. This means that individuals and firms that

can offer superb customer service alongside superior skills and/or product will

continue to expand and make profits while those that do not respond

appropriately will fall by the wayside.

Here are some fast facts about hot careers in the Services industry:

Massage Therapist

Quiz Types: DS, RA

In a stressed out world, more people are experiencing the benefits of

massage therapy and the employment prospects are therefore very

good with a large number of massage therapists being self-employed

and able to work flexible hours.

The majority of States required massage therapists to complete a

recognized training course and to hold professional certification as well

as the appropriate license.

Around 500 hours of training are needed to pass a massage

certification course with entrants required at minimum to be high school

graduates. As well as anatomy, physiology and massage techniques,

courses cover related skills such as business management and ethics.

- 35 -

While massage courses are generally accredited by a State board,

some are also accredited by an independent agency.

Culinary Arts

Quiz Types: DF, DS, RA

In an industry that is often considered to have a high turnover of young,

entry-level workers, excellent opportunities exist for trained chefs and

cooks who command the highest wages within the sector.

Formal training for chefs and cooks is available through independent

cookery schools as well as community colleges, trade schools, 4-year

college courses and university courses.

Most training programs in the culinary arts now include elements of

business and managerial training to complement the creative and

cookery skills they impart to their participants. This enables suitable

candidates to progress within the industry and to set up either their own

operation or to work in a managerial capacity for a large organization.

- 36 -

Science Job prospects across the sciences vary according to specialty and sector

although, in general, higher qualifications such as graduate degrees are

become increasingly essential. While many scientists are employed by the

government, there is strengthening demand within the private sector,

particularly for geoscientists with masters degrees, biological scientists who

engage in biotechnical research and physicist who can apply their skills to

emerging technologies. Medical scientists are also likely to be in high

demand over the next decade, with employment expected to increase by

around 40 percent thanks to the rapid expansion of the biotechnology

industry.

Here are some fast facts about hot careers in the Science industry:

Medical Scientist

Quiz Types: RO, DF, DS

Medical scientists work within hospital, university or government

laboratories as well as within private industry, searching for ways to

understand diseases as well as developing new treatments and drugs

to combat them.

Most medical science positions require candidates to possess at least

a PhD in a biological science although some medical scientists also

need a medical degree if they are to perform clinical work.

Pay and prospects are excellent, with many medical scientists being

engaged on long-term projects and therefore far less likely to lose their

jobs during cutbacks or a recession.

- 37 -

Agriculture & Food Scientist

Quiz Types: RO, DF, DS

Agriculture and food scientists play a vital part in maintaining the

national food supply and in ensuring its safety.

Job prospects are good as faster than average employment growth is

expected within this sector with emerging technologies and advances

in genetics driving biotechnology and opening up research and

development opportunities.

Most jobs for agricultural scientists require a bachelor’s degree

although a master’s or doctoral degree is demanded for research

positions. Those possessing degrees in related disciplines such as

biology or chemistry may also be able to obtain jobs within the

agricultural sciences industry. Food scientists take specialist courses

in food analysis, chemistry, microbiology, engineering and processing

in addition to the broader scientific disciplines.

Science Technician

Quiz Types: RO, DF, DS

Science technicians assist scientists in research laboratories. Their

jobs are more practical than those of scientists as they set up, operate,

observe and maintain laboratory equipment and experiments.

The majority of science technicians have an associate degree or a

certificate in applied science or science related technology. Those who

work in biological or forensic applied sciences are usually required to

hold a bachelor’s degree.

Job prospects are expected to be best for well trained graduates of

applied science programs who are adept at using laboratory

equipment.

- 38 -

Employment growth is anticipated for biological science technicians

thanks to the increased demand driven by advances in biotechnology.

- 39 -

There Is Always A Way Now that you have come to the end of this report, you might be brimming with

ideas about new career paths and directions. If you have followed the

directions given and taken the Career Assessment Quiz you should now have

a shortlist of possibilities, some of which you may have never even

considered before.

The important thing now is to take action. You need to set goals for yourself if

you are to take those vital first steps towards a career that you will truly love

and that you will find fulfilling on every level. You can do this by formulating a

Plan of Action that balances your passions with the realism necessary to

make things happen.

Follow these steps and you will be well on your way to the career and lifestyle

of your dreams:

1. Take the core values you identified and the list of possible careers you

formulated through this report. Try to narrow down the list of possible

careers to just two or three, referring to your core values to prioritize.

2. For each career, find out which institutions offer the appropriate

courses, referring back to the sections on individual industries if

necessary to ensure that they meet current career criteria.

3. Identify the institutions that are suitable for you, taking into account

location, tuition fees and any bursaries or grants that are available.

4. Consider whether or not you also need some relevant experience or on

the job training – if so, look at internships, co-op programs, summer

camps, volunteer activities or part-time jobs as possibilities.

5. Apply to those institutions you have identified, making sure you include

all the relevant information so that they know you are the best

- 40 -

candidate for their course. Keep in mind that complementing college

courses with relevant experience is the ideal way to land a great job on

graduation so keep honing your skills at every opportunity.

6. Above all, never give up! If at first you don’t get into a particular

program, reapply, having taken time to brush up on or add to your

qualifications, skills and experience so that you become an even better

candidate than before. Remember that persistence is seen as a

strength and that interviewers and potential employers will see your

determination as an asset when it comes to considering you as a

candidate.

7. Keep re-setting goals for yourself, calibrating them according to your

needs and situation. Carve out your own path rather than letting life or

others decide for you and you will find that being master of your own

fate is far more fulfilling than simply settling for what is on offer.

Remember that learning is a lifelong process. Your passions may shift with

time and that is absolutely fine so long as you change course with them. Very

few people nowadays stick with one career for a lifetime. If they do, they

inevitably find that it radically alters as society advances, placing new

demands on individuals and industries.

Keep flexible and you will be able to flow with these changes, perhaps finding

something new and exciting that you would rather do along the way. The key

to it all is to engage with your heart and your mind, feeding both so that you

are able to meet any challenge that comes your way.

Never forget that:

“A goal is just a dream with a deadline.”

Stay true to your dreams, set your goals and you can achieve anything you

desire.