Best/Worst Jobs List Reflects Employment Trends By Brandy White and Theresa Bierer Quad Cities Business News According to CareerCast.com and the Jobs Rated Report, the title of America’s Best Job goes to Software Engineer. This continues to be on trend with previous years where the majority of professions ranked among the best required expertise in the fields of math, science or technology. However, this year’s top pick is the result of two emerging technological industries, web applications and cloud computing (location-independent computing). Since software engineers are involved in the design and creation of software, their realm spans from computer operating systems to cell phone applications, making their job market vastly diverse. And a diverse job market means less stress in the areas of job competitiveness and hiring outlook. Each year, Job Rated researchers use data from government sources, trade groups and private organizations to survey a wide variety of occupations. Using this data, they compile a list of the top ten best and worst careers. Researchers use five core criteria to score jobs: physical demands, work environment, income, hiring outlook and stress. While some factors stay comparatively steady from year to year, others (such as hiring outlook) change based upon advances in technology and current events. This year’s top-rated jobs are prime examples of the impact technology can have on the job market, as positions involving computers have risen to the top of the rankings. “The demand for ‘technology graduates’ remains high because the market and sector they serve is always changing,” said John Hyde, dean of career services at the New York Institute of Technology. “Companies continue to try and outdo each other in the race to be the first or quickest to the market with new and improved technology. Just look at Google, Apple and Microsoft in the war over operating systems.” Hyde also says that while professionals in technology and computer-based fields may work long hours, often companies cater to the individual’s lifestyle. Logan Knecht, a computer analyst and remote support technician for My Computer Works, agrees that his job is “the most flexible I’ve ever had,” but also points out that because he works from his Northern Arizona home, he does not receive as much outside input as he would like. “We don’t have a lot of face-to-face interaction with our customers and as an effect of that, we tend to just see when people are upset or require help, and that just makes it hard,” said Knecht. While top-rated jobs such as computer system analysts saw their markets rapidly expand, jobs ranked lowest on the list were tied to industries hit hard by the recession. These trades include construction workers, roofers and ironworkers. According to the Jobs Rated researchers, these professions involve intense physical labor, hazardous work environments, relatively low pay and an uncertain hiring forecast. “Those that pursue jobs as construction workers may find manual labor can take its toll on an individual and with the instability in the building industry, these jobs have been difficult to come by,” said Hyde.
While the physical demands placed on trade workers may be high, the jobs themselves can be very rewarding.
Jim Hoke owns Prescott Welding Designs. Since going to welding school 42 years ago, he has tried other jobs, including law enforcement, auto mechanic and contractor work before returning to welding. “One of the things I do now that I really enjoy is metal art,” said Hoke. The CNC plasma cutting table and computer-driven equipment that he uses help him with custom jobs, including metal fencing. But working with steel can be dangerous. Remembering his early career training in pipefitting, Hoke described working in the bowels of a ship. “You had to wear a breathing apparatus because of the gases that were generated in the confined spaces.” While the job of ironworker often describes setting up structural steel on high rise buildings and operating power hoists, there are several parallels to welding. “There are always risks in this type of work. You can fall, you can get burned and you can electrocute yourself if you’re not careful with your welding equipment,” said Randy Hewitt, who has owned Kenart Metals since 1980. He has also had the experience of welding four floors off the ground, while balancing on a four-inch wide beam. “You just don’t look down,” he advised. The career is not for everybody, says Hewitt, who describes it as dirty, hot and hard work. However, he says, there are many positive aspects to it, like creating something out of steel or metal and seeing the end result. Another job on the Worst List that may be getting an unfair rap is EMT. “It is probably one of the most exciting jobs out there,” said Glenn Kasprzyk, chief operations officer of Lifeline Ambulance. While the profession can be challenging and have a lot of demands, Kasprzyk calls it extremely rewarding. “I like to help people and be part of the community. We have the opportunity to make a difference and seeing in the face of the family or the patient that you made a difference in their life is important,” he said. Lifeline Ambulance began in the Quad Cities and now serves an area encompassing 9,000 square miles. And while the 175-person staff of mainly EMTs and paramedics may not be on course to become millionaires, Kasprzyk says they often choose the profession because it is their passion, a fact likely overlooked by researchers compiling the annual Best/Worst Jobs List. QCBN For the full list of The 10 Best and Worst Jobs of 2011, visit http://www.careercast.com.
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