How to Find a “Hot” Job

Entry by Ali Norman, Career and Technical Education Intern, Department of Workforce Development

I have to say, I am extremely happy and somewhat surprised with how much I am enjoying my internship this summer. Yes, some things take some time getting used to, like the commute to work, or the new schedule (my friends have been nice enough to adjust our evening get-togethers to starting at 7pm instead of the usual 9 pm, thank goodness), but I can’t speak enough about how much I believe that having internships is going to help me be prepared and succeed after graduation. I know I still have 2 years left but I bet it’ll be here before I know it!

Speaking of graduation, this week I had a pretty interesting assignment. I did some writing for DWD for GRAD magazine (http://www.gradind.com/ -check them out college seniors!) regarding DWD’s soon-to-be-published “Hoosier Hot 50 Jobs List.” This list is composed of the top 50 jobs in Indiana that are currently “in demand” and will continue to be, into the future. They have high growth rates and higher than average wages.

These occupations are mainly centered around the following four basic skills:

1. Working with people
    a. Learning strategies, monitoring, coordination, time management, persuasion, negotiation
2. Working with things
    a. Equipment maintenance and selection, repairing, troubleshooting, operation and control, installation    and quality control analysis
3. Working with systems
    a. Systems evaluation and analysis, judgment and decision making, management of financial and personal  resources
4. Working with information
    a. Programming, technology design, complex problem solving

As a general trend, the occupations that are consistently listed are those in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. These are fields that have shown longevity and growth, making them promising futures for college graduates. Many employers appear to use attainment of a college degree as evidence that an entry-level candidate is “teachable” and has certain expected levels of competence in broad areas such as oral and written communication, logical thinking/reasoning, mathematics, basic research skills, etc.  The expectation is that once on board, the employer will provide the new employee with training in the specifics needed for the job. But liberal arts graduates need not despair; their degrees boast versatility and a wide range of knowledge in their education programs that create a foundation to which they can add any specialized knowledge they need in order to go forward.

While college graduates will have a significant advantage from being adjusted to this technology throughout all of their schooling, it is still critical to stress the value of career counseling and planning. Seeking out the services of your school’s Center for Career Opportunities is always a beneficial way to polish your resume, brush up on interview skills, and speak with a counselor to help connect you with job opportunities. It is valuable to have an accurate understanding of your interests and abilities that you can bring to a company. Be conscious of how you can best market your skills to a potential employer and always be prepared to seize the chance to learn from your experience.

For more information, check out http://www.in.gov/dwd/2382.htm for the upcoming, updated release of the “Hoosier Hot 50 Jobs List.”