By JENNY DERRINGER
derringer@crescent-news.com
Who wouldn't want to be on the fast track to a hot career with an impressive salary? But not everyone has the desire to be a banker, lawyer or doctor.
Those looking to the immediate future for what's hot in 2008 will also need a solid college education from a community college or a degree from a public or private institution.
According to a survey conducted by the international outplacement firm of Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc., the highest-paying hot job opportunities and their average salaries are: chief privacy officer, $122,360; actuary, $122,000; business continuity director, $118,423; real estate sales, $108,565; manager, wireless infrastructure, $100,000; pharmaceutical sales, $100,000; pharmacy team manager, $92,394; mathematical scientists, $92,144; and information management or data security, $91,470.
Challenger, Gray & Christmas also posted a list of hot jobs, though not necessarily top-salary positions. Popular markets include "green" jobs such as environmental engineers, solar panel installer-technicians and renewable energy engineers, as well as health care positions.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics cites numerous up and coming jobs that continue to be in high demand. These include registered nurses, personal and home care aides, home health aides and medical assistants, all expected to see at least a 23 percent rise in need through 2016.
Also popular are computer software engineers, computer systems analysts and network systems and data communications analysts, expected to rise anywhere from 29-53 percent in the next eight years, according to the bureau.
"In health care, there is a big demand for nursing staff," said Lisa Marsalek, director of career development at Defiance College, "anything related to the baby boomers retiring. This includes health care for the elderly and retirement planning.
In numerous articles Marsalek has researched, a popular area for good jobs is anything related to alternative sources of energy, the green initiative.
Another area she sees continue to grow is the vastly popular Internet websites such as Facebook.com and YouTube.com where companies can use social networking sites to make money, particularly advertising dollars.
Not all hot job opportunities can be found in northwest Ohio. Despite that, many people have location preferences.
"We're small and draw (students) mostly from northwest Ohio," said Marsalek. "A lot of our students tend to stay in the area. They're not looking to move to Texas and work in the energy field.
"I think our students are far more concerned with location," she added. "Many would take a good job in a location they want vs. a dream job anywhere in the world. Location is more important to them necessarily than the best job."
Natalie Brandon, career services coordinator of Northwest State Community College, also sees a lot of growth potential particularly in the service-providing sector, both in the physical and mental health areas.
She sees an increasing need for counselors in the fields of mental health, substance abuse and marriage and family counseling with degrees at the two-year, four-year or master's levels.
"Nursing," stressed Brandon, "there's always a demand for that. The U.S. Department of Labor expects a 35.4 percent growth through 2016."
She also cited a 48 percent increase in demand for home health aides and personal in-home aides through 2016.
This, in part, is due to a growing number of aging baby boomers wanting to remain at home and as independent as long as possible.