UnemploymentData.com

Your Source for Employment and Unemployment Data

Unemployment
You are here: Home / Archives for Employment / Careers

Careers

College Not for You? 4 Promising Alternatives to Earning a Four-Year Degree

by

For generations, parents have scrimped and sacrificed to provide a college education for their kids believing that it was the only way for them to get ahead. Yet the last few years have seen a much greater understanding that college isn’t for everybody, and that there are other options out there that will still produce the income and security that was once only considered possible with a college degree. There are plenty of alternatives to four years of college, and many of them are a proven better investment than a degree.

A Military Career

It seems that America is still adjusting to a post-draft military. [Read more…] about College Not for You? 4 Promising Alternatives to Earning a Four-Year Degree

Unique Position: 4 Career Options for Adventurous Individuals

by

If you enjoy being adventurous and the idea of being stuck in an office day-in and day-out makes you cringe, you can turn your passion for adventure into a career. There are many jobs that are suited for adventure lovers, and certain positions are known to pay hefty salaries and make great long-term careers. Here are four career options that are ideal for adventurous individuals.

Photojournalist

Taking pictures is a hobby for most people, but you can make it a career if you have the right skills and equipment. Many newspapers, magazines and online publications rely on photojournalists to capture images of newsworthy events. You can also choose to specialize in fashion, sports or entertainment photojournalism. Some new organizations and media outlets hire photojournalists as permanent staff members, but there is also the option of working as a freelancer. If you work as a permanent staff member for someone else, your photography equipment may be provided, but you’ll need to purchase your own if you choose to freelance.

https://youtu.be/O-3HiLyjUy8?t=1

Tour Guide

You can teach others about the history, culture and other interesting aspects of certain places by becoming a tour guide. You can lead tours around your city or town or take tour groups to other destinations in the country or international locations. Being an adventure tour guide is another option and will allow you to take tourists through vast wilderness areas, on mountain hikes or to other regions that are off the beaten path. Tour guides usually don’t need to fulfill any formal education requirements but should be highly knowledgeable in their tour specialties. [Read more…] about Unique Position: 4 Career Options for Adventurous Individuals

5 Types of Jobs That Are Perfect for When You Can’t Decide Which Degree to Pursue

by

One of the biggest challenges that people have after they finish their education is picking a career or job to pursue. While some people know exactly what they want to do by the time they’re done with school, there are others that simply have no idea. For those that do not have an idea of what they want to do, there are several types of jobs to consider getting.

Sales

If you have recently finished school and do not know what type of job to get, one great thing to consider would be to go get a job in sales. Even if you do not know exactly what you want to sell, getting experience as a salesperson is always very beneficial. Ultimately, many of the people that have good careers are going to be in sales or relationship management in some capacity. If you start your career in sales, it could be a great first professional step.

Shipping and Transportation

Another great job to consider when you [Read more…] about 5 Types of Jobs That Are Perfect for When You Can’t Decide Which Degree to Pursue

Careers for Animal Lovers

by

You can turn your love for animals into a career that’s both fun and fulfilling. Every day can be an exciting adventure with new experiences when you work with animals. Any of these careers may be perfect for you if you’re an animal lover.

Animal Trainer

Animal trainers train animals for obedience, performance, riding, security, or assisting people with disabilities. They familiarize animals with human voices and contact, and they teach animals to respond to commands. Most animal trainers work with dogs and horses, but some work with marine mammals, such as dolphins. Trainers teach a variety of skills. For example, some may train dogs to guide people with disabilities; others teach animals to cooperate with veterinarians, or they train animals for a competition or show.

Dog Walker

Although it might sound too good to be true, you can actually make money walking other people’s dogs. Some people who work a lot or have mobility impairments hire people to walk their dogs. Depending on where you live, you may be able to start your own dog walking business and have a steady clientele.

There are no education or training requirements that are needed to become a professional dog walker. However, it’s best to have some prior experience walking other people’s dogs. You can even ask these people for their permission to use them as references.

Pet Groomer

People want their dogs and cats to look their best, and you can help by becoming a professional pet groomer. You’ll be hired to bathe and trim the hair and nails of pets. You can choose to groom just dogs, just cats or both.

Working for a company in the beginning stages can help you get your foot in the door. However, if you want to earn a higher salary, The Richest recommends starting your own company eventually. Just make sure that you have enough money in your budget to purchase hair and nail clippers, pet shampoos and other essential products.

Horse Groom

Grooms care for horses. Grooms work at stables and are responsible for feeding, grooming, and exercising horses. They saddle and unsaddle horses, give them rubdowns, and cool them off after a ride. In addition, grooms clean stalls, polish saddles, and organize the tack room, where they keep harnesses, saddles, and bridles. They also take care of food and supplies for the horses. Experienced grooms sometimes help train horses.

Kennel Attendant

Kennel attendants care for pets while their owners are working or traveling. Basic attendant duties include cleaning cages and dog runs, and feeding, exercising, and playing with animals. Experienced attendants also may provide basic healthcare, bathe animals, and attend to other basic grooming needs.

Nonfarm Animal Caretaker

Nonfarm animal caretakers typically work with [Read more…] about Careers for Animal Lovers

Sports Management and Other Non-Athletic Sports Careers

by

According to Forbes, the sports market in North America is expected to be worth more than $73.5 billion by 2019. While that number pales in comparison to the global tech market – at $3 trillion – or the U.S. real estate market – at $30 trillion – sports is growing at a noteworthy clip.

To those interested in sports entertainment, this isn’t much of a surprise. For years, sports teams and athletics enterprises have taken in massive profits thanks to rabid fans and active consumers. You might already own memorabilia from your favorite teams and athletes – but there is another way for you to get involved in this engaging and growing market: make it your career.

Just as growth in the health care sector often encourages more people to become doctors, nurses and medical technicians, the ongoing growth in sports should drive you toward a career in an industry you’ve always been passionate about. Here are a few careers in sports that don’t require top running speeds or impeccable hand-eye coordination:

Sports Reporter

Sports reporters cover sports events – it’s that simple. It isn’t important what media you use to comment on sports, nor does it matter what events you prefer to discuss; sports reporters might write for major newspapers or social media, they might be featured on television or host a radio show. This job is solely focused on spreading the news of and to the sports world. According to Payscale, the average salary for this career hovers around $35,000, but reporters with larger followings can earn much more. [Read more…] about Sports Management and Other Non-Athletic Sports Careers

School Counseling Through the Ages: How the Job Changes as Students Grow Up

by

Most adults hardly remember their school counselors – if their schools offered any counseling services at all. In the past, school counselors did little more than proffer college brochures and chastise “problem” students. Yet, as educational institutions progressed, so did the school counseling position.

These days, school counselors take much more active roles in students’ academic and personal lives. However, how school counselors function – their daily and year-long responsibilities – vary depending on the age of their student populace. If you are on the verge of earning your master’s in school counseling online, you should consider which grade levels you are interested in serving and how that could affect your career.

Elementary School

Grades K Through 6 or 8 / Ages 4 Through 11 or 15

School CousnselorBecause younger children don’t often have academic concerns – on the level of “What courses should I take to prepare me for this career?” or “How will my college application benefit from this extracurricular activity?” – elementary school counselors often only see students when there are emotional or behavioral concerns from teachers and parents.

Usually, a counselor’s workload will depend largely on the socio-economic status of the district. Students coming from families of lower income tend to have more trouble at home, perhaps lacking essentials like electricity or regular access to food and clean water as well as experiencing drug and alcohol use, the incarceration of relatives, and noisy environments preventing study or even sleep. However, there are some issues that arise regardless of income, such as physical and sexual abuse, depression and anxiety, self-harm and peer pressure.

Counselors at this level tend to have more autonomy than counselors at more advanced educational institutions. You will likely be the only counselor serving a school, and you might serve several schools at once. Though you will answer to school administrators, like vice principals and principals, you will likely be able to schedule your own day.

Middle School/Junior High

Grades 6 or 7 Through 8 / Ages 11 Through 15

What is true of children at elementary schools is also true of middle school kids – with the added complexity of burgeoning hormones. Puberty begins for most modern adolescents between the ages of 10 and 14, so almost all students in these grade levels will begin experiencing physical and emotional changes that often translates to more trips to the school counselor. In addition to troubles seen at younger grade levels, social, romantic and sexual issues begin to appear as does experimentation with various substances. [Read more…] about School Counseling Through the Ages: How the Job Changes as Students Grow Up

Tips for Kicking Off Your Trucking Career

by

Starting a new career as a truck driver can be pretty exciting. It’s a respectable choice, and for many truckers it’s really more of a way of life than just another job. So how do you get started? Do you need to go to college or spend a lot of money on training programs? Here are three tips to help you get going as a truck driver in no time.

Get Your CDL

You will need to take some actual driving courses in order to get your commercial driver’s license (CDL) and drive large vehicles. It all starts with a written test to get your CDL permit. Your local DMV might offer testing at their main offices, but in some states you’ll need to go to a specific location designated for CDL testing. Be sure to study online before your testing date. And study all of the extra material for driving passenger trucks and tankers, even if you don’t expect to drive those types of vehicles. The more endorsements you can qualify for, the more opportunities will be open to you to advance your career.

First Year Trucker

Get Hired by a Local Company

In some cases, you might not even [Read more…] about Tips for Kicking Off Your Trucking Career

4 Tips for Young Professionals Just Starting out

by

It’s important to arm yourself with the right knowledge when starting out as a young professional. Knowing what to expect in the workplace will help prepare you to face certain challenges that may arise. Here are four pieces of advice to guide you as you begin your career.

Try to Appear Relaxed and Confident

Even if you feel nervous and not very confident as you start your job, it’s important to maintain an air of assurance. Your boss and coworkers may not take you as seriously if you exhibit excessive nervousness or a lack of confidence. Letting these feelings get the best of you might also cause you to make silly mistakes on the job. Maintaining good body posture and eye contact when you converse with people in the workplace can make you appear more in control. Excessive chatting, fidgeting and other nervous habits should be avoided.

Diversify Your Work Experiences

Since you’re still young, [Read more…] about 4 Tips for Young Professionals Just Starting out

5 Things You Can Do with a Degree in Special Education

by

Special education is one of the most in-demand specialties for teachers today. According to the CDC, about one in every six children has some type of developmental disability. Not all children requiring special education have a cognitive or physical delay or other challenge, as an increasing number of students are considered gifted or talented and need special education to meet their needs.

Earning a degree in special education opens the doors to a range of career opportunities, all of which are growing swiftly. As you think about your career in education, consider some of these paths to helping all students access the education they deserve.

Special Education Teacher

The most obvious path with a special education degree is to become a classroom teacher. Opportunities abound, as there are significant shortages of special education teachers in nearly every state. The expected growth in the field varies according to location and age group, with special education preschool and early childhood educators expected to see the most growth (9 percent) over the next six years. However, even elementary and secondary educators will see demand increase, with the expected growth rate at 6 percent.

Special education teachers may work with a full class of students, with individual students or with small groups. Some specialize in a specific subject area, such as reading, while others are generalists. Regardless, working as a special education teacher requires a higher-than-average degree of flexibility and patience, as well as a willingness to manage the paperwork that comes along with special education and to work as part of a team of parents, counselors, administrators and other teachers.

Special Education Specialist

Some schools or districts hire specialists to work with a specific population of students. For example, you might work with hearing-impaired students as an ASL interpreter or earn an autism certification online to work specifically with students with autism. In fact, autism is on the rise, with the CDC reporting rates of 1 in 68 children, and many of these children are being mainstreamed into traditional classrooms. Often, they need one-on-one assistance, and a special education specialist fills that role. In some cases, the specialist will work with the same student throughout their time in the school, allowing them to build a special bond and relationship with the student and his or her family. Specialists often face many of the same challenges as classroom teachers, though, in terms of needing patience and flexibility and managing the intricacies of special education.

Student Advocate

When a student requires special education services, they generally have an Individual Education Plan, or IEP. IEPs are developed with the input of teachers, counselors, healthcare providers, social workers school administrators and parents. The process isn’t always easy, and many parents find that they aren’t fully prepared to advocate for their child. That’s where a student or family advocate comes in. They serve as an objective third party for the family, putting their knowledge of the ins and outs of special education to work to ensure that the student receives all necessary services and that the IEP is thorough and effective. Most student advocates work on a freelance or contract basis and have at least a few years of experience working in a school or program before they become an advocate.

Early Intervention Specialist

Some children present signs of cognitive or physical delays or disabilities early in life – sometimes as early as infancy. Early intervention specialists work with infants, toddlers and preschoolers to deliver interventions that will have a positive effect on their growth and development. Early intervention specialists often work with social workers and medical providers to provide services in the home, medical setting or a center or classroom. This role also requires a great deal of patience, as well as a thorough understanding of child development and developmental milestones.

Special Education Diagnostician

For many children, [Read more…] about 5 Things You Can Do with a Degree in Special Education

Want to Be a Mechanic? Top Tips for Success

by

As a mechanic, you have a lot of opportunities in your future. After all, most people drive cars on a daily basis. Additionally, most people tend to need an auto mechanic once or twice a year (at least). Business will always be good for a mechanic. However, business can be greater when you’re an honest mechanic. Unfortunately, this is an industry where people experience a lot of unfair prices and fraud and many mechanics complain about the practices employed by dealerships. There are a variety of options available to qualified auto mechanics including working for dealers, private shops or starting your own shop. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: The median annual wage for automotive service technicians and mechanics was $39,550 in May 2017.

Operate with Integrity

For most people, an auto mechanic who works with integrity is a godsend. Many people wish they could be in the position where they were working with a mechanic who they genuinely trusted. Earn the trust of your customers by providing them with excellent customer service. Always be honest in your dealings with them. Make sure that you set prices that allow you to set fair prices and earn a fair profit. This one tip will easily set you up above the rest.

Develop the Skills

Employers prefer [Read more…] about Want to Be a Mechanic? Top Tips for Success