Trying to spot career and employment trends isn't as
easy this year as it has been in past. The global
economic situation has played havoc with many careers
and employment situations, but it also has created
opportunities in areas we might not have thought about
before.
It seems that the morning news shows are full of tips
on how to find new jobs and improve yourself to
increase your chances for being hired. ABC's Good
Morning America (GMA) has a contributor who runs the
website "Women For Hire" who for the past few months has
been hosting the Great American Job Fair where women
and men, armed with their resumes and portfolios go to
companies who are actually hiring personnel.
The next Great American Job Fairs is scheduled for
Wednesday, January 14th in Boston. See details at
http://tinyurl.com/5cmwu6
You can also sign up for a weekly newsletter offering
tips and insights on finding work and improving
yourself.
Tori Johnson the owner of Women For Hire on a recent
GMA suggested that these careers or jobs could be ones
you might want to pursue. Some require learning new
skills.
1. Financial Services. Many banks and businesses
are closing down, they may need those with
experience in helping close books etc. Some may
even need forensic and financial auditing.
2. Book keeping, tax preparation and accountants.
Small businesses which may be closing or may be
starting up need bookkeepers, tax preparers and
accountants. Finance and business students working
for their charter accountants certificates may be
able to find opportunities to prove your competency
and establish working business relationships.
3. Debt Collection Agencies and Repossession
Agencies. These require no training other than what
the employer wants you to know and the legal
methods you can use. It's not always easy to have
to call people about their debts or to repossess
their items but in hard financial times it happens.
Be ready for the emotional onslaught and name
calling but also be empathetic and compassionate.
Most people would never dream something like this
could happen to them and they're probably
emotional, angry and overwrought themselves.
4. Law enforcement. Whenever there's a downturn in
the economy, law enforcement jobs increase. However
it doesn't have to be police officers. Often first
responders need dispatchers for 911 or other
emergency calls which those with disabilities can
do with adaptive technology.
5. Repairs-auto mechanics, computer doctors,
plumbers, electricians. Let's face it, things break
down. Most of us whether disabled or not haven't a
clue how to fix it, so we rely on others to fix
things for us. Trades in certain areas will never
not be needed especially with our new technology.
Refrigerators and air conditioning units are
essential for most people as is anything
electrical. Look into these types of fields as a
second career or a new one.
6. Health. Even though most baby boomers hope to
have good health into their old age, it may not
always happen. And since boomers have been the
largest demographic for a few decades now they're
going to need more people to help them stay healthy
and lead active lives. So health care careers and
dealing with gerontology will be growing for a few
decades to come. Personal home support workers,
massage therapists, occupational, recreational and
physio-therapy being some of the careers which will
more than likely grow. Boomers have always been
interested in the holistic approach so career
counselors, social workers, therapists,
psychologists and psychiatrists will more than
likely be careers to look into as well.
7. Clean energy jobs. Green has become the new
industry and it will involve all sectors of society
and work from organic farming and processing to
finding new green healthy energies like the
advancement of solar and wind power as T. Boone
Pickens and Ted Turner are advocating. This is a
sector that is wide open for those in research,
engineering, technology, agricultural, you name it.
8. Medical transcription and other technology. This
is another area that common sense tells you will
grow. Many health systems around the world are
integrating computer records and paper records into
electronic systems that will make it easier to
access. Medical transcription courses are available
on-line and at your local junior or community
college. Technologists will be needed for the new
ways of doing research and practicing medicine.
Another website that has been in operation for 25
years and has a good reputation for spotting trends is
Trend Research Inc. You can find it at
http://www.trendresearch.com
One of the statements made on the January 2nd coast to
coast am radio show was that what is bad for Wall
Street will be good for Main Street in the next few years.
With large chain stores failing in malls there will be
openings for mom and pop businesses to re-establish
themselves on main street as long as they offer
excellent quality at affordable prices. With the
closure of a chain like Starbucks, for example, there
will still be a demand for coffee but at more
affordable prices. This can be the time for small
business entrepreneurship to flourish if you fill a
niche.
People are going to want to be green about their
habits now and so will be re-using, repairing things.
If you having sewing or tailoring experience, open an
affordable tailoring business since more conservative
business dressing is coming back into style. People
always need hems or buttons fixed. The art of cobbling
shoes may come back which means repairing soles and
heels, making shoes last longer. Handy man/woman
repairs are always needed especially in areas where
seniors reside and may not be able to do it
themselves. Same with lawn and garden care or
especially this winter, snow removal.
In Buffalo during the holidays recently they were
advertising for people over the age of 16 to come
clean out Rich Stadium when the Bills had a game and
the field and seats were covered with snow. It paid
ten dollars an hour but better ten dollars an hour
especially if you had no income coming in at that
particular time.
Other areas to look for job trends are with your state
or provincial governments. Often there is info about
skills updating training or second career training so
check out those opportunities. Check out non profit
agencies like Goodwill or Jewish Vocational Services.
Look for jobs at temporary agencies and ask if they
provide skill training or skill updating for free,
many do. Look to your local community or junior
colleges, many offer associate degrees which are a
year or two in length and not as expensive as college
or university. Check the open online free courses. You
may not get the accreditation but it may spark an
interest or passion for an area of study which you've
never considered.
Don't be dismissive about doing certain jobs, thinking
they are beneath you and your "experience or
education". In these times work that pays is good
work. You won't always have to stay in that job and
you may acquire skills that will put you onto a
different career path, increase your social network or
just change your life.
Wake up every morning with a purpose, become prepared
and willing to work and check the attitude at the
door. Don't be wishy-washy but don't have a chip on
your shoulder either. Become passionate and
enthusiastic, pro-active and positive. Studies show
that happiness is contagious and so share your
optimism. Look at everything as an opportunity.
Poor economies sometime spawn viable small
businesses. What small business products or
services do you think are needed in your area?
Please post your comments at
http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=1502
Read all the comments at
http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=1503
Invite your friends and acquaintances to
submit their comments at
http://www.tabinc.org/net/
Liz Seger
Facilitator
eSight Careers Network(tm)
http://www.esight.org/
PS: Congratulations to John Lewis who will be
exhibiting his art at the Arts Association of Harrisburg,
and, who will also have his work shown in a local
art gallery, "Gallery At Walnut Place".
You can visit his website at
http://www.jdlewiswildlifeprints.com
eSight Resources
Community News
MTA Public Hearing Information for
Visually Impaired People in NYC
http://tinyurl.com/8jt3z3
Become an Advocacy Partner in the 111th Congress
http://tinyurl.com/8pysrn
NYC Jobs Outlook and Trends Forum
http://tinyurl.com/9yrrb5
American Council of the Blind Launches Audio
Description Project
http://tinyurl.com/7zqk27
PACER SUPER (Still Useful Product and Equipment
Referral) Service
http://tinyurl.com/9cb4tf
Still Time to APPLY:
AAPD Accepting Applications for Summer Internships
Deadline: Jan. 9, 2009
http://tinyurl.com/579yfa
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