Business Education Guide

Top Careers: What the jobs are, what you want, what employers want, when diplomas count, how to qualify
by the Bized Guide Staff

There are many career options to choose from, and most people will have at least five different careers in their lifetime. It can be energizing to work in an area you enjoy, and one that offers you challenges along the way. In this article we will present the most in-demand careers and some up-and-coming ones for you to consider. We'll also tell you what employers want.

An Alternate Route

If part of you always wanted to be a teacher, but you went in a different direction with your college education, there is a relatively quick way to change course. To address the statewide teacher shortage, the New Pathways to Teaching in New Jersey helps individuals with bachelor's degrees become licensed teachers without having to complete a traditional teacher training program. Ocean County College in Toms River, NJ., offfers the program. You may choose to take the program as either a teacher certification requirement or for graduate-level credit toward a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from New Jersey City University. Stage I is 60 hours of in-class instruction plus guided classroom observations. Stage II is a 165-hour program with content specific courses. Certain requirements must be met including a bachelor's degree from an accredited college and a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher for the last degree earned. Other requirements may apply. For details call 732.255.0477

A Career in NURSING Continues to evolve

The pervasive shortage of nursing care providers has existed locally, regionally, nationally and internationally since the 1990s and will continue to be an issue through upcoming decades. Camden County College is launching a program to help alleviate the nursing shortage and provide a career ladder for certified nursing assistants and other prospective nurses-to-be. CCC's program leading to a career certificate in practical nursing combines specialized courses in nursing with general higher education courses. Students who complete the program qualify to take the National Council Licensure Exam in Practical Nursing, the passing of which allows them to use the “licensed practical nurse” or “LPN” designation.

After completing the program and receiving the LPN credential, students can matriculate at an advanced level into a program leading to a registered nurse or RN credential.For details (856) 227-7200, ext. 4454.

If you decide to go all the way to the top of the nursing ladder, then you might be considering the newly approved doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program, which was introduced this spring at Rutger’s College of Nursing. The DNP program differs from a nursing Ph.D program in that it will focus on the practice of nursing and the application of research, rather than the development and testing of original research. The DNP is similar to the practice doctorates in other disciplines, for example, the Pharm.D in pharmacy and Psy.D in psychology. Call (973) 353-5293, ext. 606 for info.

Increasing Energy Demands will Demand More Workers

The Academy for Energy Applications is offered through the Salem County Vocational Technical Schools in partnership with Atlantic City Electric, PSEG Nuclear and South Jersey Gas. The highly focused academy program, in which applied learning experiences are the basis for an outstanding educational opportunity, is available to both high school and post-secondary students.

Solar Installers Will be Needed

With New Jersey's Renewable Portfolio Standard requiring the state to have 1500 megawatts of solar installed by 2020, and it's already taken six years to get only 50 megawatts up, solar installers will be busy for the next 12 years. Call Ecological Systems for information on training and certification through North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. 732-681-5296.

Solving Crimes

Whether you've always had a little detective urge in you, or you are looking for a steady career in the legal system, Caldwell College will offer a new Certificate in Criminal Forensics beginning fall 2007. The interdisciplinary Certificate Program in Criminal Forensics exposes students to diverse areas of forensic study; including Forensic Psychology, Forensic Anthropology, and Criminalistics. The program accentuates the usefulness of the social, behavioral, and physical sciences in understanding and exploring criminal behavior, solving crimes, and answering legal questions, keeping up with a trend toward integrating sciences and technology into an interdisciplinary approach to criminality. For more information contact Dr. Marylee Reynolds (973) 618-3527.

Yoga Teachers sought after

Millions of people now want to practice yoga, which is one of the fastest growing sectors in the world. In the US an estimated 20 million people are taking yoga classes, where the average yoga student spends $1,500 a year. The demand for yoga studios is high and in corporations, yoga has come to be recognized as a stress management tool that also raises productivity. If you'd like to get certified to teach yoga, there's the Sivanada Ashram Yoga Ranch in Woodbourne, NY that offers an intensive month-long program. It is open to students of all levels, and offered in the spring and fall. For more information call 845-436-6492. (Tell them you saw it in the biz.ed Guide!)

What do employers want?

Today's workers are required to have some college if they want access to decent-paying careers. Without a high school diploma, decent-paying jobs become increasingly bleak, according to the 2007 edition of Diplomas Count, a study funded by Bill and Melinda Gates.

Employers want workers to have more “"soft"” or “applied” skills. They also want people who are able to work well with those from other cultures, solve problems creatively, write and speak well, think and evaluate information critically. Today's employers also want the traditional attributes of punctuality, dependability, and industriousness. They'd like more schools to focus on developing soft skills as part of their core mission.

Concerns about economic competitiveness places a renewed emphasis on career and technical education. Participation in such courses can reduce high school dropout rates and increase short and medium-term earnings for students.
Despite the increasing importance of education in the labor market, 1.23 million students will fail to graduate from high school this year, with the lowest graduation rates among Native American, Hispanic, and African-American students. Overall, nationwide, about 30% of high school students will drop out. Hopefully, they will consider dropping back in.

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