Category Archives: Career Planning

Hardest Majors To Get A Job

When people go to college, they often times do not think about the fact that it may be difficult to find work once they graduate. With the idea of college almost becoming a necessity in today’s world, thousands of people are now obtaining higher education than might have in the past. This has flooded the market with college graduates that are all looking for jobs in their respective fields. Some majors fare better than others in the job market and this is creating a shift in what classes people take while in college. If finding a job after college is your goal, do not take the hardest majors to get a job.

Unable To Find Jobs As A Psychology Major

One field, that has seen high competition among graduates, is the psychology field. These graduates face a 19.5% unemployment rate, making them the most unemployable graduates of any group. This extends to many aspects of psychology, such as clinical psychology, educational psychology, and industrial and organizational psychology.

This unemployment outlook is made even worse due to the fact that psychology related degrees are the fifth most popular fields of study for students. This popularity will only continue to flood the job market with qualified graduates all seeking the same job.

Good Jobs In Medical Technology

The opposite end of this spectrum is graduates who have degrees in Medical Technology. These graduates only face a 1.4% unemployment rate when they begin looking for their first job in their career. The medical field has the most degree options with the lowest unemployment rate. Those seeking a degree in the medical field, will find that they have one of the best majors when it comes time to look for work.

Favorite Majors Among College Students

The number 1 college majors are in the business field. These include all degrees in business management and commerce. The unemployment rate among those graduates with a degree in business is 7.0%, which is moderately high compared to other degree fields.

When a student is deciding on a college major, they are often times more focused on their interests rather than on the employment rate 2, 4, 6, or even 8 or more years down the road. This is because many who start of on the college path either do not want to study something not interesting to them, or have hope that the job market will get better by the time they graduate. Although college is a great place to help explore your options and find your path, life after college is a road paved with reality and bills. So choose wisely. The trend is slowly shifting though, as students go into college considering what is marketable, rather than what they will enjoy.

Becoming A Radiology Technician

Doctors and nurses are on the front lines of diagnosing and treating patients with a variety of illnesses and injuries. However, there are those working tirelessly behind the scenes that perform procedures which help doctors and nurses determine the course of treatment for their patients. These technicians are an important asset in providing the best in medical services. Becoming a radiology technician is a great way to fulfill one’s passion to help others while having job stability in a life-long career.

Radiology Techs Job Description

Radiology techs must be highly qualified to perform procedures that include fluoroscopy, radiotherapy, mammography, MRIs, and CT scans, just to name a few. They must possess a strong knowledge of anatomy and physiology, as well as physics, pathology, and of course radiology.

A radiology tech’s job is to capture the best image possible when scanning a patient, but him or her also must be able to explain the procedure to patients in terms they will understand and should do their best to keep the patient comfortable and at ease. Some patients may be handicapped or nervous, so it is vitally important to be compassionate and calm throughout the process.

Radiology Technician Education And Costs

Though education requirements usually mean obtaining a certificate or an associate’s degree, it is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain a radiology tech position without at least a bachelor’s degree. Radiology techs are also required to obtain state licensure in order to work in their field. Some states require passing a licensing exam while others will accept certification from the American Registration of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

Radiology tech schools are available throughout the United States, though it may be difficult to find one because many similar programs have different names. Cost of attending school to be a radiology technician generally starts at $14,000 annually. Though it may be challenging to meet the costs of tuition, the reward of a job that pays $50,000 or more a year is well worth the sacrifice. Entry level jobs may pay around $44,000 or so a year, but with experience and continuing education, it is not impossible to achieve a salary of $57,000 or more.

For a rewarding career and job stability, becoming a radiology technician can be the perfect choice in an uncertain economy. These jobs are in great demand and there will always be a need in this specialized field. The benefits can be life-changing.

Best Entry Level Jobs In A Down Economy

Where are all the jobs? Are there such things as best jobs? Where have they all gone? Some people are lucky enough to have them, while others have been looking for two years or more. Then, there are those who have simply given up altogether. This country is in the grips of a down economy that rivals the Great Depression that took place approximately 75 years ago. When we normally think of an entry level job, we think of someone just entering the work force for the first time; but there is a slightly different definition in our present employment environment. There are college graduates looking for their first “real” job, and there are “seasoned” workers looking to switch into different industries due to downsizing and layoffs. All of these workers are seeking the best entry level job.

Best Entry Level Jobs For College Grads

Based on the latest data from the U.S. Department of Labor, the best entry level jobs for college graduates are engineering, investment bankers, economists, management analysts, database administrators, registered nurses, landscape architects, pharmaceutical and insurance careers. The basic educational requirements for these careers range from associate degrees to bachelor degrees with emphasis in certain areas. The starting salaries for these careers are as low as $64,000 yearly to $120,000 yearly. The benefits for new college graduates in getting into entry level jobs is basically to acquire the all important “experience” in their chosen field of study for future advancement. Seasoned workers, on the other hand, have come to accept positions that have awkward hours and more flexible times.

Jobs For Experienced Workers

But do flexible jobs exist? For the “seasoned” workers, they have made themselves flexible, which has enabled them to seek jobs in new industries. Some of these top paying entry level jobs are sales representatives, registered nurses, crime scene cleaners, mail carriers, toll booth collectors, truck drivers, construction workers, embalmers, plumbers and garbage collectors. Many of these jobs may require no formal education, high school diploma/ GED or additional schooling and training. The salary range is from $20,000 to $60,000 yearly. The benefit of entry level jobs for experienced workers is being flexible enough to earn a living in a completely different industry.

The new, better educated college graduate may earn more for work in certain professions, but the experienced worker, at least, has a chance to make what could now be considered a decent salary in today‘s fragile economical environment.