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When choosing a college major, it’s very important to find a degree program in which you have a high level of interest coupled with a high level of marketability upon graduation. If you’d like to sink your teeth into a career with great pay and a high level of marketability, check out what CNNMoney.com said were the top five best jobs in America in 2009:
1. Systems Engineer – There’s no doubt about it. This career ranks first among CNN Money’s top picks. Why? Because it’s not unlikely that you’ll make well into the six-figure range if you’re a top performer on your job. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Information Outlook Handbook 2010-11 Edition, salaries vary by specialty as well as the level of responsibility involved on the job. In May 2008, the median salary for $110,270 with the middle half earning between $91,870 and $115,270. If you like to manage the technical aspects of the big picture from “major transportation networks to military defense programs” (CNNMoney.com), this may be a career that is right for you.
2. Physician Assistant – If you like the idea of being a doctor but don’t have the stomach or pocketbook for medical school, you may want to consider a career as a physician assistant. As a physician assistant, you’ll treat patients but won’t have the administrative (and insurance) hassles to deal with. You’ll work under the supervision of a physician, but you’ll also have a lot of autonomy on the job. The good news is that your job prospects are fantastic. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 39 percent job growth through 2018. With the middle 50 percent of all physician assistants earning between $68,210 and $97,070 in May 2008, you can rest assured that your potential earnings can soar beyond six figures.
3. College Professor – The reason CNN Money chose college professor as one of its top picks has nothing to do with the paycheck. Instead, the flexibility of an academic schedule is what makes this career an appealing one. You’ll need a master’s degree or doctorate to qualify for a teaching position in a college. One of the advantages to working in the teaching field is that you can teach others about a subject you love and have a good bit of independence in the classroom setting. The 2010-11 edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook predicts a faster than average growth for job prospects in this field. The median salary for all college professors in May 2008 was $58,830 with the middle half earning between $41,600 and $83,960.
4. Nurse Practitioner – This is another medical career where you can diagnose and treat patients as well as prescribe medication. Because of the shortage of primary care physicians, the need for well-qualified nurse practitioners is expected to grown. In 2006, the middle half of all nurse practitioners earned between $47,710 and $69,850, with the highest 10 percent earning approximately $83,440. Because the baby boomers are growing older, more nurse practitioners will be needed to treat our aging population. The Bureau of Labor Statistics cites a faster than average expected growth in this field through 2016.
5. IT Project Manager – CNN Money rounds out its top five picks with Information Technology Project Manager. The IT Project Manager handles the task of keeping software upgrades running smoothly, on time, and within budget. You’ll need a bachelor’s degree in computer science or information technology for this field. Some upper-level positions require a graduate degree. The best news is that you can expect excellent job growth in this field. In May 2008, the middle 50 percent of all IT managers earned between $88,240 and $141,890, with a median annual salary of $112,210.
There’s no time like the present to get your foot in the door of one of these exciting careers. For more information about the nature of the work and the level of education you’ll need to pursue these jobs, go to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook website.
