5 Best Occupations for 2008 College Grads
Got your degree? Find the fields with the most opportunities.
It’s no secret that earning your college degree can open a lot of doors. Actually, make that 6.9 million doors. According to a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), that’s how many pure-college occupations will open up between 2004 and 2014. “Pure-college” means at least 60 percent of workers between the ages of 25 and 44 have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher, giving college grads a significant edge over the competition.
And although pure-college occupations include the usual lineup of medicine and law, where a doctorate degree is par for the course, a few surprise contenders offer far more opportunities for job seekers. According to the BLS, the fields of education, accounting, and computer engineering are quickly joining the roster of vocations that require a college degree and comprise five fast-growing fields expected to outpace all other pure-college occupations. Apply for one of these positions, and your degree could make all the difference.
1. Post-Secondary Teachers
As college degrees become increasingly essential in the workplace, so do the instructors who provide those degrees. With the most recent Census reporting that nearly half of the nation’s high school grads are continuing on to college, it’s no surprise that professors are in high demand -- the field of postsecondary education is projected to grow at twice the national average. In fact, the BLS reports that postsecondary education will offer more job opportunities than any other pure-college occupation over the next few years.
A college degree is an absolute requisite for anyone who wants to take advantage of the ample opportunities. Kristina Quay, an early childhood instructor at Sampson Community College, attests that her master’s degree was vital to her attaining a coveted faculty position: “There’s no way you’ll get hired without it,” she says.
EXPECTED OPENINGS: 892,000
MEDIAN INCOME: $51,800
2. Elementary School Teachers
More than half a million elementary school teachers will be hired through 2014, and the BLS reports that 92 percent of elementary school teachers hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Teaching the ABCs is serious business -- a key component of the No Child Left Behind Act made it mandatory for all teachers to complete a bachelor’s degree and certification. (This is especially true for entry-level candidates; the eight percent of teachers without degrees are generally armed with decades of experience.) Even after the core requirements for NCLB are met, teachers have plenty of incentive to further their education. Those who hold a master’s degree often qualify for a higher salary, so many teachers choose to pursue an M.A. through online learning and/or summer classes.
EXPECTED OPENINGS: 587,000
MEDIAN INCOME: $43,160
3. Accountants and Auditors
Of the top five fields on the BLS report, accounting has the most wiggle room for non-grads, with 75% of workers holding a bachelor’s degree. Because the field of accounting encompasses a wide range of job titles, the need for a degree depends on the desired position and the employee’s long-term ambitions.
“If you were seeking an entry-level position as a bookkeeper or accounts payable, you don’t necessarily need a degree,” says Ralph Diaz, a senior recruiter with Accountants One, an accounting and financial placement team in Atlanta. But completing your degree -- or going back to school -- is recommended if you’re looking to improve your career potential. “If you’re looking for growth in your career, you absolutely have to have a degree,” Diaz adds. This is especially true for certified public accountants, since aspiring CPAs are required to have 150 college credits before taking the exam.
The payoff? Job opportunities in accounting and auditing far outnumber other business and finance positions -- almost double the projected need for sales reps, the runner-up in the business field.
EXPECTED OPENINGS: 486,000
MEDIAN INCOME: $50,770
4. Secondary School Teachers
According to the BLS report, national efforts to reduce class size have translated into increased job opportunities for high school teachers. And with thousands of teachers retiring every year, secondary education is expected to be one of the most stable and promising career fields for college graduates. Ninety-five percent of teachers have completed a bachelor’s degree, but the field is open to graduates in various majors.
Like postsecondary professors, high school teachers are typically encouraged to pursue a degree in the subject they wish to teach before completing their required education courses and certification program. Want to improve your chances of landing a position? Earn your degree in one of the most sought-after areas of expertise -- math, science, and bilingual studies.
EXPECTED OPENINGS: 436,000
MEDIAN INCOME: $45,650
5. Computer Applications Software Engineers
Computer software is continually updated and innovated, so it’s no surprise that computer applications software engineering is one of the fastest-growing fields in the job market. It’s also one of the most elite.
“To get a position in the software field without a degree, you’d have to be a genius,” says Dean Clairmont, a project manager with EES, an engineering executive search firm based in San Diego. “There are people who are self-taught, but very few.”
Even though the occasional college dropout might land an enviable position (ahem, Bill Gates), most software engineers will need to master the nitty-gritty coding knowledge provided by a four-year curriculum. And for go-getting computer geeks, grad school is strongly recommended.
“The bachelor’s degree barely gets you in the door; you really want to pursue at least a master’s,” Clairmont stresses. This field was practically made for online learning, so engineers can improve their employability while simultaneously working an entry-level position.
EXPECTED OPENINGS: 268,000
MEDIAN INCOME: $74,980
by Kara Wahlgren
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