JOBS AND CAREERS
(Article published in HWW March 2009)
To New Yorkers struggling in a difficult job market, here are insights from two experts:
Barbara Edwards Delsman, Executive Director of The HOPE Program, a work readiness program in downtown Brooklyn, stresses the importance of basic education:
“Skills training in growth occupations provides a clear pathway out of poverty. Unfortunately, a pre-requisite for most training programs is that participants test at the 8th or 9th grade levels in math and reading. In our experience, many people living in poverty have not benefited from the public education system and, as a result, cannot meet this entrance requirement. HOPE’s response has been to intensify the pre-GED, GED and vocational literacy classes that are incorporated into its overall work readiness curriculum. Our goal is that even in this economy, HOPE students will be prepared for training in growth sectors and occupations that will provide them with living wage jobs with real career paths.”
For more information about The Hope Program, call (718) 852-9307 and ask for intake or Takiyah Weekes at ext 22.
If you’re lacking a high school diploma or GED and your situation right now doesn’t allow you to commit to a full time skills training program, you might think about Ms. Delsman’s advice. To find free GED or vocational literacy classes throughout New York City, see “HOW TO FIND GED PREP” box below or call 311.
Tricia Blanchard, Commuity Program Coordinator of SemiPerm Housing where getting residents started in the work force is a big priority, says: “It’s my experience that people are looking for jobs not careers. Not that I discount the value of a job. Everyone needs money. But placing yourself on a career path is in the long term going to contribute to your financial success.”
Ms. Blanchard suggests one way to find your direction: “Talk to people in the field that interests you. If you’re thinking about going into nursing, talk to someone who is in nursing and find out what the job is like, what are the hours, what type of education and training do you need. And then see if all that matches up with what interests you and what you are able to do.”
Once you find your direction, she urges “Put some education under your belt and it will make you more marketable.”
WHERE THE JOBS WILL BE
Thanks Ms. Blanchard, for this list supplied by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics of jobs you can get with just a high school diploma or GED. These occupations will be among the fastest growing jobs through 2016. Requirements include work experience and on the job training.
1. Personal and Home Care Aide provides housekeeping and routine personal care services to the elderly, disabled, ill, or mentally disabled allowing them to remain in their own homes. We can expect to see a 51% increase in the employment of personal and home care aides between 2006 and 2016. Median hourly earnings for those working in this field were $8.54 in 2006.
2. Home Health Aide provides services to the elderly, people with disabilities, and those who are ill, that allow them to live at home. Employment of home health aides is projected to grow by 49% between 2006 and 2016. Median hourly earnings were over $9.34 in 2006.
3. Medical Assistant performs administrative duties in physicians’ offices. They may also perform some clinical duties as allowed by individual state laws. Employment in this field is expected to grow by 35% between 2006 and 2016. Medical assistants’ median annual earnings were $26,290 in 2006.
4. Social And Human Service Assistant a generic term that encompasses job titles including human service workers, case management aides, social work assistants, community support workers, mental health aides, community outreach workers, life skill counselors, and gerontology aides. Employment of social and human service assistants is expected to increase by 34% between 2006 and 2016. Median annual earnings were $25,580 in 2006.
5. Gaming Surveillance Officer and Gaming Investigator look for irregular activities, for example cheating or theft, in casinos. They make sure there is compliance with rules, regulations and laws. Employment of gaming surveillance officers is expected to increase by 34% between 2006 and 2016. Median annual earnings for those working in this field were $21,530 in 2006.
6. Pharmacy Technician assists pharmacists by counting tablets, labeling bottles, and performing other routine tasks. We can expect to see a 32% growth in employment between 2006 and 2016. The median hourly wages of pharmacy technicians were $12.32 in 2006.
7. Dental Assistant performs duties that may include patient care, laboratory work, and office work. There is expected to be a 29% growth in employment between 2006 and 2016. Dental assistants earned a median hourly wage of $14.53 in 2006.
8. Gaming and Sports Book Writer and Runner help operate games such as bingo and keno. They also take bets on sporting events. A 28% growth in employment is expected for this field. Gaming and sports book writers and runners earned a median annual salary of $18,800 in 2006.
9. Rock Splitter, Quarry Quarry rock splitters use jackhammers and wedges to separate blocks of rough dimension stone from quarry mass. There is expected to be a 25% increase in the employment of quarry rock splitters between 2006 and 2016. Median annual earnings for those working in this field were $28,050 in 2007.
10. Customer Service Representative helps their employers’ customers with their questions and concerns. Employment in this field is expected to grow by 25% between 2006 and 2016. The median hourly earnings for customer service representatives were $13.62 in 2006.
