Surprising Career Paths to Fortune and Fulfillment

by Jessica Hanley, FindtheRightSchool.com

Have you ever wondered if it's possible to find a job that's both lucrative and rewarding? Many people assume they must choose between money and fulfillment, but today's industries offer countless opportunities to find satisfying work that pays the bills.

The following four careers offer both financial stability and a sense of fulfillment, and they're all expected to grow faster than average through 2018. Even if you lack the required career training or education, online degree programs can help you earn a degree without giving up your current job.

1. Elementary School Teacher

Fulfillment Factor: Elementary school teachers teach multiple subjects to students in first through fifth grade, emphasizing values like responsibility, compassion, and honesty. Teachers have the chance to make a difference in students' lives by sparking curiosity and showing children the value of learning.

Fortune Factor: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), elementary school teachers in 2008 earned an average salary of $49,330, and their employment is expected to grow by 16 percent from 2008 to 2018. Teachers can increase their earnings through experience and continued education.

Career Training: Earning a bachelor's degree in education from an accredited teacher training program is the most traditional route to becoming an elementary school teacher, but many schools offer supplemental teacher training for candidates with a bachelor's degree in another subject. If you're interested in becoming a teacher but can't attend school full-time, consider earning a bachelor's in education through an online degree program.

2. Physical Therapist Assistant

Fulfillment Factor: Physical therapist assistants work with physical therapists to rehabilitate patients suffering from injuries or debilitating diseases. Patients depend on physical therapist assistants to help them perform exercises, chart progress, and recover their former strength.

Fortune Factor: The BLS reports that physical therapist assistants earned an average of $46,140 in 2008, and employment is expected to increase 33 percent thru 2018.

Career Training: Physical therapist assistants must earn an associate's degree in physical therapy from a physical therapy training program, and most states require assistants to be licensed. Physical therapy associate's degrees generally take two years to complete and include a combination of coursework and clinical experience.

3. Graphic Designer

Fulfillment Factor: Graphic designers use their creativity and artistic talent on a daily basis designing advertisements, logos, websites, and other visual materials clients request. They become experts at computer design programs and must stay abreast of new technology and trends.

Fortune Factor: In 2008, graphic designers earned an average of $42,400, according to the BLS. Computer systems designers earned the most, averaging close to $48,000, while designers involved in printing and publishing earned the least. The BLS expects employment of graphic designers to increase by 13 percent from 2008 to 2018.

Career Training: Most graphic design positions require a bachelor's degree in graphic design, though some technical and assistant positions will accept an associate's degree in graphic design. These degree programs take four and two years, respectively, and include courses in studio art, website design, and computerized design. Online bachelor's degree and associate's degree programs in graphic design offer the required training through flexible classes that work around your busy schedule.

4. Registered Nurse

Fulfillment Factor: Nurses work hard to improve the lives of patients by providing treatment, running tests, and offering day-to-day care in hospitals, doctors' offices, and care facilities. Through patient recovery, nurses can experience the positive effects of their work.

Fortune Factor: Nursing is an established profession that continues to grow and pay well. According to the BLS, registered nurses earned an average of $62,450 in 2008, and employment is expected to grow by 22 percent thru 2018.

Career Training: Most nurses earn either an associate's degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor's of science in nursing (BSN) before being licensed by the state. ADN programs take approximately two to three years to complete, while BSN programs take approximately four years and offer students more clinical experience and in-depth coursework. Online degree programs in nursing allow working adults to gain the education necessary to transition into a rewarding nursing career.

Building a Fulfilling Career

From health care to graphic design, today's in-demand industries allow you to turn your interests into the fulfilling, lucrative career you deserve. Regardless of your current job, on-campus and online education programs can give you the training you need to make the transition.

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Rebound from Job Rejections

by Gina Cappiello, 123 Movers

Job rejections can destroy the strongest of people and derail your job hunt in an instant. If you truly feel that something you're doing during interviews is preventing you from scoring the gig you desire, check out the following tips on how to improve in this tough market:

Focus on Your Skills

Nothing is more important to talk about during an interview than your variety of skills. Your typing speed, attention to detail, and positive attitude may seem bland to you, but can really prove to be the skills that put you above the rest. Flaunt your stuff and show off (without being too cocky) when you interview. Be proud of your accomplishments and show your interviewers why your skills are paramount for the role you're being interviewed for. Examples to back up your claims are always great to have on hand to drive your point home, too.

Consider Relocating

If being rejected by employers is something that has been happening constantly, it may be time to branch out. Look into different types of roles that are interesting to you in locations you would consider moving to. You may discover that your valuable skills can be utilized in a different role and town. Also, now may be the perfect opportunity to live your dream and move to New York City. At the very least, do some homework and find out the benefits and disadvantages of moving to a new city and the cost to move.

Take an Interviewing Course

If you are still not receiving job offers after constant interviews, consider working with a professional. Take a class about interviewing skills or attend a resume-writing workshop. It helps to have an outsider who doesn't know you review what you have to offer and give you valuable insight as to how to present yourself better. You may find that a few tweaks here and there are all you need to score that dream job soon.

Have you done everything above and are still unable to get the job you desire? Consider the following:

It Wasn't Meant to Be

It's always disappointing to not get the one you were determined to get, but it's OK. If it was meant to be, you would have gotten the job. The right job will happen for you in time. Finding the perfect job takes a ton of patience, hard work, and determination. Use this rejection as fuel for your next interview and let go of the negativity by remembering that the perfect job is still out there waiting for you.

It's Not You

Beating yourself over it by constantly replaying the interview in your head and nit-picking about everything you said won't help. Chances are that the interviewers liked you and felt you really were a perfect fit. Unfortunately in this economy, the competition is tougher, meaning that the other candidates were perfect for the role, too. Realizing that you're not the reason for being rejected is a liberating feeling and will keep you motivated on your job search. Keep being you and move on to the next interview.

Don't let your failed interviews drag you down and hold you back anymore. Stay in a positive state of mind and follow the tips above to shine during your future interviews.

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How To Manage (and Protect) Your Online Reputation

Your Web identity could make or break you.

by Helen Coster, Forbes.com

When Megan Maloney lost her job at a Detroit auto supplier last April, she made sure her online reputation was as strong as the image she would present in person to prospective employers. She Googled herself to check for unflattering links. Then she changed her Facebook privacy setting so no one could see beyond her profile picture. She updated her profile on LinkedIn.

Maloney's instinct was right: When she landed a job in September, her new bosses admitted they had researched her online. "They told me that they had checked Facebook," says Maloney, 32, now a business development manager in Milwaukee. "I had posted a photo of me wearing a T-shirt that said 'Unemployed,' and they thought that I showed the right kind of personality for a sales job. They liked that I was on LinkedIn, because it's helpful for leads and networking."

Managing your online reputation is a critical step in landing a new job. According to a recent survey by business networking organization ExecuNet, 90% of recruiters used a search engine to learn more about candidates and 46% of recruiters had eliminated a candidate based on information they found online. Searching for your name online isn't an act of narcissism; it's a smart way to determine whether your online personality jives with how you want the world to view you.

Most search engines rank content according to relevance (how closely it resembles the search term) and popularity (how many other sites are linking to it). If your name is mentioned in a police blotter or a jilted lover's blog post, let alone a negative article in "The Wall Street Journal," you have little chance of getting that content removed from the Web. Your best option is to overwhelm the bad content with the good, so that the embarrassing links are less likely to rank high. "Focus on publishing content about yourself that you can control, and that portrays you in a positive light," says Andy Beal, the chief executive of Trackur, a social-media monitoring tool.

To ramp up your positive Web mentions, start with blogs and social networking sites. Create a profile on LinkedIn, and write about yourself in the third person so that the site will have more relevance in the eyes of a search engine. Don't overdo it on Twitter, since too many tweets may make a prospective employer question your focus at work. Use free software like WordPress or TypePad to create a blog, where you can write about your area of expertise, post your resume, and keep track of your professional accomplishments. Show off your expertise by writing guest articles on blogs that are relevant to your industry. "If no one else has your name, your LinkedIn profile and blog will jump to the top of the search engine without much effort by you," says Beal.

Web doppelgangers may muddle your online reputation. If there are a dozen people with your name, you can step up your search engine optimization efforts by adding more pages to your Web site (to increase relevance), or asking friends to link to your Web site (to increase popularity). If you're convinced that a future employer may confuse you with someone else, mention that person on your blog with a reference such as, "I'm not this Tom Jones, but it seems like he has a cool job."

Once you've settled into a new job, continue monitoring your Web reputation by setting up a search alert with your name. Take the time to build up a positive Web ID. "Go ahead and build that content now, before you need it," says Beal. "Give that content time to percolate and move its way around the Web."

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Volunteering Yourself into a Job

by Heather Boerner, for Yahoo! HotJobs

Sandra Erbe volunteered for a Maryland nonprofit for eight months after being laid off in 2008, using her communications skills to do branding and strategic planning for the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center.

When a communications job became available there, she was first in line--and nabbed the job.

Volunteering is growing in popularity as laid-off workers look for ways to stay sharp in their fields and stay busy during the job hunt. But done right, volunteering can also land you a job in a company you might not have access to otherwise.

"Volunteering, sometimes referred to as 'adult interning,' is a great way for someone to hone specialized skills and be in the right place at the right time when a position comes available," says Debra Yergen, the author of the book "Creating Job Security Resource Guide."

Here's how to make sure the time you donate advances your career:

Keep it part-time
"You can't volunteer full-time because then you don't have time to look for a job," explains David Craig, executive director of Work It Up, a Maine-based nonprofit that connects unemployed professionals with volunteer work in their chosen industries. "It shouldn't be more than 20 hours of your week."

Choose carefully
Many corporations can't legally or operationally hire volunteers, says Craig, who works with companies to create projects that qualified volunteers can lead.

Nonprofits are always looking for volunteers, and may be willing to tailor a volunteer opportunity to your skills. You might also target small businesses that have been squeezed by the economy.

Make your case
For some companies, a new person without any training is more of a burden than an asset, even if she or he is working for free, says Craig. You can still get your foot in the door--just demonstrate how you'll add value: "You've got to show a company that you will be low-maintenance and self-directed. Come up with a plan for how you can help their business without having a negative impact."

Treat it like a job
It's important to show up on time, dress appropriately, work hard, and even stay late on occasion, explains Diane Gottsman, a San Antonio-based etiquette expert who works with job seekers and head hunters.

"Show them you're committed," she says. "If you just do a little extra, when they're talking about you, they'll say, 'Diane is such a team player.' You want to make yourself indispensable so they want you on staff."

Network, network, network
"You may volunteer with kids with the Red Cross, but they have no job openings," says David Couper, a California-based career coach. "The local kids' foundation down the street may, and they'd love to know about your experience."

Couper says that, no matter what, you'll definitely get the emotional boost that comes from helping others.

"And when you're engaged in a common purpose, you will make new relationships and contacts that can lead to jobs," he adds.

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Build a Career in One of Today's Fastest-Growing Industries

by Jessica Hanley, FindtheRightSchool.com

Despite the recent economic downturn, there are dozens of industries projected to grow quickly over the next decade. From healthcare to teaching, these industries are expected to generate millions of new jobs through 2018. Regardless of your current job or level of education, online degree programs can help you transition into one of the following fast-growing industries.

1. Healthcare and Social Assistance
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects the healthcare and social-assistance industry to account for the largest number of new jobs from 2008 to 2018. Employment is projected to increase by 24 percent, or approximately 4 million jobs, due to advances in medical technology, increased life expectancy, and an aging population.

Registered nurses make up the largest group of healthcare employees, and their employment is expected to increase by 22 percent from 2008 to 2018. Nurses work with doctors to diagnose and treat patients in hospitals, care centers, and doctor's offices. In addition to personal fulfillment, nurses are rewarded with generous salaries--according to the BLS, registered nurses earned a median salary of $62,450 in 2008. Most nurses hold either an associate's degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelors degree in nursing (BSN). ADN programs take two to three years to complete, while BSN programs take four years or more and offer more clinical experience. If you're interested in a nursing career but can't leave your current job to attend school, consider the flexibility of an online degree program.

2. Professional, Scientific, and Technical Service
Advances in computer technology will lead to an increased demand for professional, scientific, and technical consultants. The BLS expects this industry to grow by 34 percent from 2008 to 2018, resulting in 2.7 million new jobs.

Management analysts (also called management consultants) use industry expertise and in-depth analysis to help companies, organizations, and government agencies run efficiently. Some management analysts specialize in one industry, while others work for consulting firms and work on projects across industries. According to the BLS, management analysts earned a median income of $73,570 in 2008, and their employment is projected to increase by 24 percent from 2008 to 2018. Entry-level management analysts usually hold a bachelor's degree in business administration or a related field, while a master's degree in business administration is often preferred for management jobs.

3. Educational Services
The BLS expects the educational-services industry to grow by 12 percent, or 1.7 million jobs, from 2008 to 2018. A growing population and increased demand for education at all levels will drive this growth.

Elementary school teachers play an important role in the lives of children by teaching them multiple subjects and fostering emotional development. Many elementary teachers work with one group of children throughout the year, teaching mathematics, social studies, and English. In 2008, elementary teachers earned a median salary of $49,330, and the BLS expects their employment to increase by 16 percent from 2008 to 2018. Many elementary teachers hold a bachelor's degree in education, though bachelor's degrees in other subjects can be supplemented by a teacher education program that leads to licensing.

4. Accommodation and Food Services
According to the BLS, the accommodation and food-services industries are expected to generate over 800,000 new jobs from 2008 to 2018. The majority of these jobs will be in the food-service sector, to meet Americans' growing tendency to eat out.

Food preparers and servers work in restaurants, hotels, and other dining establishments. As the population grows and Americans increasingly turn to the convenience of restaurants and fast food, the BLS expects employment of workers in food preparation and serving to increase by 15 percent, which translates to 394,300 new jobs. While few food-preparation and -serving jobs have strict education requirements, advancement opportunities may be best for workers with a high school diploma and postsecondary training. An associate's degree in culinary arts generally takes one to two years to complete and can prepare students for a career as a chef or head cook.

Preparing for a Growing Career
Whether you want to become an elementary school teacher or a business analyst, the proper education can help you make the transition. Online degree programs allow you to earn a degree without leaving your current job, so it's never too late to prepare for an in-demand career.

Jessica Hanley is a writer pursuing a graduate degree in creative writing. Her previous experience includes marketing for the Penguin Young Readers Group and teaching writing to students of all ages. Jessica received a B.A. in English from Stanford University.

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10 Really Odd Jobs

by Maria Hanson, LiveCareer

There are odd jobs, like beer taster, and then there are really odd jobs, like human bed warmer!

As odd as odd jobs can be, there's a certain beauty to them. "Knowing about very odd jobs inspires creativity," says photographer Nancy Rica Schiff, who has spent more than a decade documenting some of the nation's oddest jobs for her books "Odd Jobs" and "Odder Jobs."

"If you can think of a service you can do that doesn't exist, that's fantastic, especially in this economy," says Schiff. If you have an original idea, an entrepreneur test can help you find out if you have what it takes to transform it into a hugely successful business.

Be inspired by this list of odd--and odder--jobs:

Bed Warmer
A London Holiday Inn recently added an unusual service: a staffer outfitted in a white fleecy getup from head to toe will roll around in your bed for five minutes (alone), leaving you with toasty sheets.

Breath-Odor Evaluator
Take deep sniffs of morning breath, and breath "insulted" with coffee and other known bad-breath inducers, to test how mints and mouthwashes work--or don't work.

Dog Breath Sniffer
This is like being a breath-odor evaluator, but instead of testing the effectiveness of minty products on human breath, you test how a dog's diet affects its breath. We're not sure which job is more appealing.

Pollen Collector
Stand on very tall ladders to harvest pollen from the blossoms of dozens of types of trees. The pollen is made into extracts that help allergy sufferers.

Leech Purveyor
Raise and distribute medicinal leeches, which need very specific, chilly water temperatures to survive. Then the little suckers get shipped to medical facilities, where they do the job of removing excess blood from post-surgical wounds.

Mermaid
Swim, lip-sync, and flipper around a giant "aquarium" in 72-degree spring water to entertain audiences with underwater versions of Disney musicals and other light fare. Mermaids require a year of on-the-job training and must be able to hold their breath for two and a half minutes while changing costumes.

Duck Master
Lead a parade of ducks into and out of hotel-lobby ponds and look out for their health and well being.

Maker of Flatulence-Smell-Reduction Underwear
Create special underwear (designed for people with gastrointestinal problems) that guards against the smell of human gas.

Gum Buster
Scrape off old gum that's stuck under restaurant tables and counters, beneath theater seats, and on sidewalks.

Knife Thrower's Assistant
Smile while a seemingly sane person throws hatchets and knives at you--Schiff says that this is not a parlor trick. "Those hatchets and knives are absolutely real and flying through the air at the assistant."

Take a free career test to discover jobs--odd or not!--that are a good match for your unique career profile.

And when you're ready to move towards a new career, take an education decision test to find out if going back to school should be your first step.

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Can I Ask for a Raise Yet?

4 tips on how--and when--to request a salary increase

by Margaret Steen, for Yahoo! HotJobs

If you've stayed employed during the recent recession, there's a good chance you haven't been getting salary increases. You may even have taken a pay cut. And you've probably been told--or you've at least told yourself--that you should be grateful to have a job at all.

But now that economists are talking about the end of the recession, a question arises: When is it safe to ask for a raise?

The answer is that you may be able to ask right now--as long as you do your homework first and make your request in a professional way.

"You might be told no," says Marianne Adoradio, a career counselor in Silicon Valley. But even if you don't get an immediate raise, asking--appropriately--might still be beneficial. "You're displaying professionalism, assertiveness, and initiative. It shows that you won't be taken advantage of when times change."

Adoradio and other experts offer these four tips for deciding how and when to ask for an increase in pay:

Arm yourself with facts.
You need to know how your company and industry are doing: Is your company meeting its financial goals? What is the current market rate for someone doing your job?

Unofficial information, such as whether anyone in the company has been getting raises, can also be helpful if you're able to find out discreetly.

Finally, it's important to know "where you stand in the eyes of your manager and the management team," Adoradio says. If you're considered indispensible, you'll have a stronger case.

Choose the right time.
As you gather your information about the company's performance, you may realize that it's not the best time to ask for a pay increase.

"I wouldn't do it if they're still cutting things left and right," says Kathy Ullrich, an executive recruiter.

Asking for a raise while the company is in the middle of layoffs, for example, could send a signal that "you're not tuned in to the business," says Leslie G. Griffen, a Missouri-based HR consultant and career coach.

Phrase your request carefully.
Adoradio suggests presenting a two-part request that highlights both your knowledge of the company's situation and your contributions--for instance: "I realize that the economic situation of the company is improving. Our department has been working extra hard, and my last performance review was exceptional. I'm wondering if I could have a five percent pay increase."

If you have market data for your job position to back up your request, Ullrich suggests phrasing your request something like this: "I know that I joined the company during a softening economy. I was hoping that we could use this next year to get me closer to the norm."

Have a backup plan.
If a raise isn't possible now, lay the groundwork for the future. Ask for feedback on your work so you know where to improve.

Griffen suggests saying something like, "I'm disappointed that it looks like increases are not going to be in place this year, but I would like some feedback on my value to the organization."

Adoradio recommends also asking your manager about the company goals that need to be met before management will start considering raises.

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Break Out on Your Break

by Gina Cappiello, www.123Movers.com

Warmer weather is motivating us all to explore the outdoors while taking a lunch break. Getting bored of just eating your sandwiches outside? Here are some ways to make your lunch break a little more exciting:

Call a friend
Use your break as a time to dial up friends you've lost touch with. Even though some may be at work and unable to pick up the phone, leave a message to let them know you're thinking of them. You may even be surprised to find that some are on break when you are, too! Try to have chat sessions with friends that are also on break every week or two to stay up to date with everyone. It'll keep your break from getting boring and give you something to look forward to.

Write a blog
Feeling a little creative? Start up a blog! You can make your blog about a specific hobby or all about your daily happenings. You can make it private, restrict it to friends only, or have it public for all to see. If you have a laptop at your disposal, bring it outside with you on breaks to update everyone while enjoying the weather. Don't forget to keep your eye on the clock because writing can easily make you lose track of time!

Start walking
Exercise helps the brain produce endorphins (the chemicals that make you feel happy) that boost your mood in no time. Use the sunny weather as an excuse to walk around on your break. Track how far you walk every day, to monitor your progress. By walking daily, you'll probably see a significant boost in your mood and energy levels. Walking too mundane for you? Exercise at your local gym if your break is long enough. Just be sure to shower off before coming back to the office!

Start a club
If you and some coworkers share a common interest (and can take a break at the same time), start a club together about it. From a knitting circle to car talk, your club can relate to whatever you want. Even if you can meet only once a month, it's a unique way to spend time together outside of the office while discussing a shared interest. It can also turn into a bigger group that meets after work hours, meaning more time for discussions and more members.

Breaks don't have to be just for sitting around and eating. Try out some of these activities for a change of pace.

This article was brought to you by 123 Movers, the leading moving resource provider. Be connected to licensed and insured moving companies instantly for free by filling out the short quote form. (The opinions expressed in this column are solely the author's.)

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