Working: Taking Charge of Your
Career
The Next Hot Jobs
By
Chris
Taylor
May 14, 2002
… Intellectual-Property Attorney
… Odd Jobs
SOME THINGS never change: death,
taxes, Dick Clark's hairline. But one that certainly does: the hot profession
of the moment. About the time you jump on the bandwagon and switch fields, things have cooled off in
that industry. (You don't see many DeLorean salesmen these days, do you?)
The trick, then, is to stay
ahead of the curve, to spot the next big profession before it really takes off.
That's where we come in. This being
our 10th anniversary year, we thought it was a good time to look ahead to the
next decade and figure out which fields are destined for growth. Maybe you're a
recent grad ó or have a kid who is. Or maybe you've been laid off or are simply
sick of your current field. Here are the jobs that could save your bacon for
years to come.
Though our list gives you a
glimpse of the future, it is grounded in the real. We'll show you why these
jobs will be in demand, how much you can expect to make and, most important,
what steps you need to take to break in. You can thank us later.
Bioinformatician
The fusion of biology and computer science is the hottest of the hot in science
right now, and it's going
to heat up even more. Bioinformaticians, also known as computational bi-
ologists, use computer modeling
to predict which drugs will work on which illnesses, shaving the time and cost of getting new products to
market. No wonder drugmakers are salivating over these professionals, especially in
the wake of human-genome mapping.
Chris Smith, who works as a bioinformatician at the San Diego Supercomputer
Center, predicts that "there will be a 100 percent increase per year in
the field for the next five years at least." Even now a bioinformatician
with three to five years of experience can command $120,000.
How to become one: You'll need graduate training in a biological
science such as chemistry, biochemistry or molecular biology, and familiarity
with computer technologies. Even better: a bioinformatics degree from one of
the dozen universities now offering
it.
Wireless Engineer
Palms, Pocket PCs, pagers, cell phones, BlackBerries-the wireless revolution
shows no sign of slowing up. In fact, the market for wireless data is expected to
nearly triple in the next three years alone. And as companies set up customized
networks and the government beefs up its wireless snooping post-Sept. 11, engineers who can
set up such systems will be the most popular kids on the block. Already those
with five-plus years of experience are demanding salaries of $80,000 and up.
How to become one: As a general rule, you'll need at
least a master's in electrical engineering. Computer science classes and experience
in Java and C++ programming
are a plus.
Forensic Accountant
While traditional number-crunchers-or at least those at Arthur Andersen-may be
feeling sheepish
these days, forensic accountants are almost too cool for school. They're the
ones who ferret out fraud and shady practices at corporations. And with SEC
investigations and shareholder lawsuits spreading like a bad rash, any court cases will
involve reams of these guys poring
over the numbers. Experienced forensic accountants can easily earn more than
$100,000 a year, says Journal of Forensic Accounting editor Larry Crumbley.
How to become one: In addition to getting a degree in accounting and CPA creds,
you'll need experience in auditing
and risk assessment.
Speech Pathologist
In the old days, kids with speech or language problems were just considered
slow. But as understanding
of disorders such as stuttering,
autism and language delays grows, so does the need for people who can treat
them. At last count, 14 million Americans were afflicted with such
disorders-nearly 6 million of them under 18. Back in 2000 the Bureau of Labor
Statistics projected a 39 percent growth for the profession through 2010.
Though the starting
pay isn't great-$38,000 median-that can double once you rise to the
administrative ranks.
How to become one: Get a two-year master's in
speech-language pathology, then a nine-month clinical fellowship.
Data Miner
You've no doubt heard by now that your personal info is just sitting out on the Web, waiting for marketers to
capitalize on it. But how exactly do they sift through the info glut? Enter the
data miner, who uses software to comb through huge databases, crunch numbers
and identify trends. For years to come, data miners will be needed not only for
market research but for everything
from spotting
bioterrorism threats and money-laundering rings to helping astronomers find new stars. Industry
analyst IDC projects that the market will grow by nearly 30 percent a year.
Salaries start at $60,000 to $70,000, but managers can make $120,000 or more.
How to become one: Most data miners have a master's in
computer science, statistics or physics.
Home-Care Nurse
Demographics are on this field's side. Of all the people ever to reach 80, half
are alive right now. Throw in boomers nearing retirement, technologies that allow for
more care at home, a shortage of nurses, and you see why there'll be a huge
need for home-care pros. "Those with special skills-cardiac care,
diabetes, oncology and working
with the terminally ill-will be in especially high demand," says Marcie Barnette,
education director at the National Association for Homecare. The median income
for home-care nurses in 2000 was just $43,600, but that should rise. And those
with specializations can demand a 15 percent premium or more. With fewer
patients and better shifts, it's also a nice alternative to hospital work.
How to become one: It takes an associate or a
bachelor's degree to become a nurse, and certification from the American Nurses
Credentialing
Center or a master's will boost your resume for working as a specialist.
A.I. Programmer
Artificial intelligence used to be the stuff of sci-fi novels. Now it has
spread from androids into all sorts of everyday fields, each of which is booming. Smart homes.
Airport surveillance. Voice-recognition software. ATMs. Joanna Alexander,
co-CEO of Seattle videogame producer Zombie, says demand for more A.I.
programmers in her industry alone will be boundless. "You have to build in
a personality, responses and realistic behavior for any characters you
encounter," she says. "And games are only going to become more complex and more
realistic." Salaries start at $50,000 and climb to $70,000 to $80,000
after a few years.
How to become one: You'll need a four-year degree in
either computer science with an A.I. specialty or in mechanical or electrical
engineering with
a focus on robotics.
Adventure Travel Guide
Who spends the most on adventure travel? People with discretionary income who
have time on their hands. Can you say, boomers nearing retirement age? "Adventure travel is
going
to see a huge bump," says trendspotter Joyce Gioia. Guides set up and lead
trips to exotic locales, arranging all the sticky details including visas and hotel stays. And as
developing nations realize the importance of tourism, they'll need more of these
folks. Ask tour operator Jerry Mallett, who has consulted in Azerbaijan and
Armenia. "It has phenomenal potential," he says. "Every country
is trying to get in on it." While a staff guide might be lucky to make
$40,000, those who run their own operation can make much more.
How to become one: There's no blanket certification
required, but guiding certain activities (river rafting or rock climbing, for instance) often demands local
accreditation.
Fuel-Cell Engineer
They may not be as jazzy as the hovercrafts on The Jetsons, but
fuel-cell-powered cars are the wave of the future. No surprise why: They
produce one-tenth the emissions of gas engines. Most automakers will be rolling out fuel-cell
vehicles and more hybrids (which use a combination of electricity and gas) in
coming years, and
even the oil-friendly Bush administration is on board, helping fund their
research. All this means that the engineers who design these vehicles can write
their own paychecks. Senior specialists are already demanding $100,000 to
$120,000. Uses aren't limited to cars; fuel cells may one day be used in PDAs,
cell phones and laptops.
How to become one: All types of engineering are involved in the
design and production process, so a variety of degrees are welcome-chemical,
mechanical, electrical. A computer science background is a bonus.
Intellectual-Property
Attorney
America has been called the most litigious society in history, so there's no
doubting the need
for lawyers. But intellectual-property attorneys-specifically, patent
lawyers-have the sunniest prospects of all. Every burgeoning biotech firm has to patent its research,
weave through regulations and fend off competitors trying to steal its work.
Intellectual-property-related squabbling is rising in the software and engineering worlds, too.
"Legal recruiters are saying demand is going to remain high in the future,"
says William Seaton, founder of legal careers site Emplawyernet.com. Starting pay for business lawyers ranges
from $60,000 to $86,000. Intellectual-property attorneys, says Seaton, can make
20 percent more.
How to become one: In addition to your JD, it's good
to have a technical bachelor's, such as chemical engineering. And for patent work, you must pass
a special federal bar exam.
Odd Jobs
Degree in English Preferred
"Seriously seeking a slammin' Sales Dude/Dudette for the greatest production
music company in the world ever. Great package for a cool 'n' vibey hard workin'
tune pimp!...No posers, we need closers!"
Extreme Production Music
Santa Monica, Calif.
Monster.com, Feb. 28
And Requesting a Plumber Will Require Using a Telephone
"Custodian. Sweeps, scrubs, scrapes, mops, waxes and polishes
floors and stairways; cleans carpets and rugs with available cleaning equipment....While performing duties such as cleaning of restrooms, custodians
may use plunger in an attempt to unclog commode, sink or urinal. Failure to
unclog will result in custodian requesting a plumber."
Raytheon
Tucson, Ariz.
TrueCareers.com, Apr.
2