David P. Helfand, Ed.D., LCPC, NCCC
Coordinator of Career Counseling
Northeastern Illinois University
Counseling Office (D-024)

 

 

Examples of Recent Job Market

& Employment Related Trends

 

 

Economic Trends

.

• low unemployment in general, but more college graduates job searching than jobs available that require a college degree.
• continued corporate restructuring with related downsizings and layoffs.
• growth of contingent workforce (temporary and part-time workers, independent contractors /consultants) and composite careers.
• growth of small businesses.
• a global economy.
• recession, deficit spending and related government cutbacks.

 

Societal Trends

 

• concern for the environment.
• attention to health and fitness.
• young adults choosing to stay single longer and those that do marry are waiting longer to have children.
• schools in crisis, growth of alternative schools.

 

Demographic Trends

 

• aging of the population.
• some of the "baby boomer" population (ages 36-54) are in the prime of their careers and others are headed toward retirement, while their children are now in high school and college (and some beyond).
• increase in the "single" population.
• couples with double incomes but no children.
• fewer young people around to fill entry level jobs.
• increased work force representation of women, minorities and the older worker.

 

Scientific & Technological Trends

 

• discoveries in the field of genetics and other scientific advancements.
• rapid advancement in high-tech machinery and computers.
• growth of the Internet and related jobs.

 

Ten Career Areas Showing Promise

 

1. Information Technology

Computer programmers, network administrators, software engineers, systems analyst, database administrators, help-desk specialists, and managers, lawyers, marketers and other professionals with a strong under-standing of technology.

 

2. Internet/New Media

Overlapping with the IT jobs above are; Webmasters, Web page designers, animators, graphic artists, HTML programmers, e-commerce specialists, sound editors, and Web content writers and editors.

 

3. Biotechnology

Geneticists, biologists, chemists, bioethicists, regulatory-affairs specialists, clinical trial managers, DNA-sequencer technicians, and in the area of bioinformatics (combination of genetic analysis and database technology expertise).

 

4. Health Care

Physician assistants, nurse practitioners, primary care physicians, long-term care administrators, physical therapists, women's health specialists, cosmetic surgeons, cosmetic dentists, acupuncturists, allergists, lactation consultants, occupational therapists, compliance officers, and grief therapists.

 

5. Education

Strongest demand for math, science, computer science, special education, and reading teachers.The need is especially strong for male, minority and bilingual teachers.

 

6. Finance

Financial planners and analysts, credit-risk managers, business valuators, CPA consultants, auditors.

 

7. Staffing/Training

Specialized job placement advisers, job training/retraining specialists, and human resource consultants.

 

8. Management Consulting

Most needed in the areas of; IT, logistics, human resources, strategic planning, finance, and legal/regulatory issues.

 

9. Travel/Hospitality

Hotel/restaurant managers, chefs, event/meeting planners, casino executives, sales managers, bed-and-breakfast/small inn operators, high-end travel agents.

 

10. "Convenience" Services

Professional organizers, personal chefs, child care and transport providers, errand coordinators, adult daycare providers, and "red-tape" expediters.