Career Spotlights

Very few people will find a job that they will sustain throughout their lives, however, a common denominator when asking job seekers what they most look for in a job is stability. Considering the harsh economic times and hiring/firing trends of companies this is hardly a surprise. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the health care industry employed 14 million workers in 2006. Even better, this already large domain is projected to hire for 3 million more new job by 2016.

Unfortunately, health care jobs often requiring extensive schooling, on the job training, and experience. Nevertheless, not all of these jobs will be opening for neurosurgeons and cardiac surgeons. In fact, it may be surprising to learn that you can find a new career in health care with minimal training. Some jobs require very little on-the-job training and less than a bachelors degree. Not only will you be in a growing, stable field, but you will be helping out others as well.

Talk about a sweet gig. A British man who works at one of England's biggest biscuit (that's what they call cookies across the pond) makers says he eats 7,080 of the treats every year - and gets paid for it!

41-year old Simon Pope is the "New Product Development Controller" for the bakery Fox's Biscuits, maker of sweet treats including Milk Chocolate Chunk and Ginger Crunch Cream cookies. His title seems imposing, but it's fancy way of saying he gets to sit around all day and chomp on cookies.

Here's a creative solution to the economic downturn -- let people pay you to wear their swag.

Jason Sadler, 26, sells companies the opportunity for him to wear their company's shirt for a day. He charges what he calls "face value", meaning January 1st costs $1 and December 31st costs $365. It might not sound like a ton of cash, but it adds up to $66,795 on a sold out calendar. He then sells monthly sponsorships adding upwards of $18,000 to his take home.

It may seem like one of those ridiculous ideas that would never actually work, but last year Jason made $83,000. According to BLS.gov, the average US take home was $32,000.

Here's the best part. In true entreprenuerial style, Jason's hiring on the west coast of the United States to expand his fledgling company's reach. Time to start bombarding his website with that Emurse resume. Make sure to mention how awesome your farmer's tan is in the cover letter!

• EMT (Emergeny Medical Technician) Despite having people's lives in their hands on a daily basis the U.S. median wage is less than $10/hr, and some earn as little as $8-something.
• Pharmacy Tech Gathering patient information, sorting pills, and assisting pharmacists doesn't pay as well as you'd think: try an average of $9.93 with a bottom of only $7.88/hr.
• CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) CNA's are responsible for the care and safety of people in need. It's a physically demanding, thankless job that pays less than $10/hr (average $9.81, low end $8.12).
• Preschool Teacher They're responsible for teaching your kids, keeping them safe, and having the unlimited patience it requires to deal with bunches of them running around all day. All that for as little as $8.19/hr and an average of $10.50.
  
• Lifeguard They have to both be ready and have the skills to swim out and save someone's life at a moment's notice -- resuscitation and all. Not to mention they often play referee keeping everybody safe around the pool or lake all day while doing it. The pay for that kind of pressure? As little as $7-8 per hour.

Severance, as defined by the American Heritage Dictionary is: "The state or condition of being severed or separated, as in the ending of a relationship." Nevertheless, as most of us know the definition, it is a company benefit, a parting gift, something to walk away with, and better than a watch at retirement (generally). However, unlike retirement, no matter what your pockets are loaded with when you leave that job you are still going to be left looking for a new job in a tough market.

Everyone has to start somewhere...

The new class of 2009 will now be entering the job market and trying to attain the fast track to the top. Many of us are still on that corporate ladder trying to get there. Though it is beneficial to have a strong education, well connected network, and solid career path in front of you, it helps to put in a lot of hard work and keep yourself motivated to reach your goals.