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A Study of Career Trends For College Graduates
Release Date: 05/20/09
A Study of Career Trends For College Graduates
May 21, 2009
At a time when U.S. unemployment has risen to a 25-year high, a new trend study from the University of California San Diego Extension reveals some of the hottest career options for recent and mid-career college graduates in this recession.
The list was developed by the University’s continuing education academic directors, based on enrollment trends, an analysis of national employment statistics and discussions with some of UC San Diego Extension’s more than 750 business, community and professional association curriculum advisors.
A Dozen Hot Careers for College Graduates
The study pointed to the following trends:
1. Casual Game Development: One of the fastest growing segments of the video game industry is casual gaming. Every month, an estimated 200 million consumers play casual games online, many of whom do not normally regard themselves as gamers, or fans of video games. Casual games are typically played online on a personal computer (within Web browsers), although they now are starting to become popular on mobile phones and game consoles, too.
2. Clinical trials design and management for oncology: Pharmaceutical drug and medical device development is one of the premier industries of the 21st century, and the success of this vital industry depends upon the complex process of studying new products to verify their effectiveness and safety. The goal of oncology studies is to find better ways to treat cancer and improve the overall standard of cancer care. Clinical trials take place in doctors’ offices, cancer centers, other medical centers, community hospitals and clinics, and veterans’ and military hospitals across the U.S. and throughout the world.
3. Data Mining: The recession has boosted the importance of data mining as more businesses search for clues to increase revenues and decrease expenses. For decades now, an increasing volume of information is being collected about users of services and products that enable organizations from hospitals to corporations, better tailor their offerings. The analysis of the data collected requires the development of new techniques that get more out of the information collected. Data mining and predictive analytics are becoming fundamental components in areas as diverse as scientific discovery, national security, medicine, product development, as well as facets of business commerce.
4. Embedded Engineering: Software design and development finished number two in a survey published by Jobfox of the Top 20 Most Recession-Proof Professions. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Computer software engineers are expected to be among the fastest-growing occupations through 2016." At the same time, static wages caused by a glut of skilled coders and the often-dull nature of much enterprise development has many wondering if their current skills would let them take on the new opportunities. The good news is that the world of embedded development may provide an edge that is already well within their reach and is becoming more so every day, opening new career options for those willing to learn some new tricks. The big move in embedded systems is now towards more generic development tools capable of targeting more types of hardware to simplify development and is requiring good software engineers with an edge.
5. Feature Writing for the Web: Journalism is in flux as traditional print newspapers are in decline. As more and more publications go online, it’s vital to understand writing for emerging media. According to media tracker The Nielsen Company, the Web offers opportunities for growth like no other channel. While readership of traditional offline newspapers has declined significantly of late, visitors to informational Web sites continue to rise dramatically. To attract visitors to Web sites, there is an adage that “content is king.” Online attention spans and space requirements require new approaches to feature writing on the Internet.
6. Geriatric Healthcare: There are many trends driving the healthcare career boom, and these trends have made healthcare one of the biggest and fastest growing industry sectors in the United States. In addition, the growing population of seniors will have a major impact on careers in health care. As the numbers of aging baby boomers increase, so does the demand for certain healthcare jobs and services, including nursing, personal care and home healthcare.
7. Mobile Media: Graphic designers with Web site design and animation experience are especially needed as demand continues to increase for design projects for interactive media – from Web sites, to next generation cell phones and mobile gaming. One in ten Americans now accesses mobile Internet or video weekly, a segment of the population that are avid users of new and traditional media. They spend 30 percent more time with media than the general population (ages 12 to 64), and they also have higher incomes, travel on business regularly, and are more likely to have made an online purchase.
8. Occupational Health and Safety: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of occupational health and safety specialists and technicians is expected to increase 9 percent during the 2006-16 decade. Emergency preparedness will continue to increase in importance, creating demand for these workers. More specialists will be needed to cope with technological advances in safety equipment and threats, changing regulations, and increasing public expectations. In private industry, employment growth will reflect overall business growth and continuing self-enforcement of government and company regulations and policies.
9. Specialized Spanish/English Translation: For those completely bilingual in Spanish and English, these language skills are highly marketable and can open the door to a new career. The key is to gain experience through practical internships in fields such as law, medicine and business, which need specialized expertise.
10. Sustainable Business Practices and the Greening of all Jobs: Organizations today must address potential compliance and regulation changes and look for business growth opportunities in the new era of “green” environmental economics. In effect, every job is going green. Smart companies are encouraging a bottom-up emphasis on sustainability, letting the people who really know how things work figure out how to incorporate green practices in the daily workplace.
11. Teaching Adult Learners: While the challenging economy undoubtedly has a negative effect on employment, it also provides a few select industries with opportunities for growth. One of these industries is adult education. In 2009 private education was one of two industries that saw job growth, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment is increasing because job seekers are unable to find work in their preferred fields and as a result are going back to school to gain experience in other areas.
12. Teaching English as a Foreign Language: Interest in English teaching positions abroad has recently spiked. College graduates can find lucrative teaching jobs abroad and it is a smart alternative for those who want to work and travel. Because English is the international language of business, engineering, aviation and other fields, there is high demand for teachers of English as a foreign language (EFL) and English as a second language (ESL), both domestically and abroad.
Top Ten Certificates That Bridge To New Careers
The next part of the study turned its attention on which certificates were attracting the most students in the past 12 months at UC San Diego Extension.
For recent and mid career college graduates facing a difficult job market and a troubling economy, continuing education certificates are becoming an increasingly attractive way to transition to employment areas that are in higher demand.
As the continuing education and public programs arm of the university, UC San Diego Extension educates approximately 50,000 enrollees a year, which translates to over 22,600 students in more than 4,200 courses.
At UC San Diego Extension, most certificates can be earned in one to two years at a cost of around $1,875 to $3,200. Of the 80 certificates offered, 18 can be accessed totally online. Students from nearly all 50 states and 45 foreign countries are enrolled in UC San Diego Extension courses.
Certificate programs offer a practical, concentrated study in a specific professional area. Based on enrollment, the top ten hottest certificates (in alphabetical order) are:
1. Accounting: Business always has a need for accountants. A comprehensive foundation in accounting skills can help both career changers with non-accounting degrees and accountants already in the field who desire advanced expertise.
2. Business Management: The challenges of a competitive global marketplace requires a comprehensive grounding in management skills, business law, accounting and decision-making.
3. Clinical Trials Design and Management: Pharmaceutical drug and medical device development is one of the premier industries of the 21st century, and the success of this vital industry depends upon the complex process of studying new products to verify their effectiveness and safety.
4. Copyediting: Bridging the gap between writers and publishers – especially technical and nonfiction copyediting – is one of today’s most marketable skills for both full-time and freelance work. This is a completely online certificate that attracts enrollees from 38 states and several foreign countries.
5. HR Management: Human resources professionals are rapidly moving beyond the stereotypical regulation enforcement and paperwork roles into proactive careers as resource and organizational design consultants.
6. Marketing: In a challenging economy, specialists are needed to design innovative marketing plans and implement successful marketing tactics like customer relationship management and pay-per-click advertising.
7. Paralegal Studies: Today, paralegals are in demand not only in law offices but also in a wide variety of organizations, including consumer groups, courts, corporations, government agencies, health care facilities, insurance companies and real estate brokerages.
8. Project Management: As project cycles get shorter – and budgets get leaner – project managers are vital to the success of organizations today.
9. Regulatory Affairs for the Biomedical Industry: Professionals are needed to guide drug development and medical device companies through FDA imposed regulation issues pertinent to the pharmaceutical and biological industry.
10. Sustainable Business Practices: Organizations today must address potential compliance and regulation changes and look for business growth opportunities in the new era of “green” environmental economics.
About UC San Diego Extension
UC San Diego Extension, the continuing education and public programs arm of the university, serves approximately 50,000 enrollees a year, which translates to over 22,500 students in more than 4,200 courses. UC San Diego Extension is recognized nationally and internationally for linking the public to expert professionals and the knowledge resources of the University of California. For the convenience of working adults, continuing education courses are held online or evenings and weekends on the UC San Diego main campus and three other locations: the Extension Sorrento Mesa Center, the Extension Rancho Bernardo Center and the Extension Mission Valley Center. For international students, residential programs are also available. The division’s public programs include a wide variety of outreach activities including an Emmy Award winning non-commercial television station. Through UCSD-TV, 1 million San Diego homes enjoy daily access to an abundance of enlightening and entertaining ideas, creative minds and provocative thinkers. Additional outreach programs such as Global CONNECT, San Diego Dialogue and the Helen Edison Lecture Series play a key role in fostering community-building conversations and accelerating economic growth. These public programs connect disparate communities through important lectures, social research projects, as well as technical and business assistance to regions around the world, most especially the San Diego-Baja California region. Although a part of the University since 1966, UC San Diego Extension receives no state support and relies on the funding generated from fees, contracts, grants, sponsors and donors for its annual budget of approximately $33 million.
