Bad Economy Jobs
Best College Majors To Get A Job
So what are the best college majors? How do you decide what to focus on for the next four years of your life? Is it most important that you choose an area of study that will lead to a career in a field you truly love? Or, maybe you would consider the best college major to be the one that will lead to the biggest paycheck. If you’re lucky, you will find a major you love in a high paying field with lots of job opportunities. Let’s take a look at the highest to lowest paying jobs for college majors after graduation.
Expected High Salary College Majors
According to Payscale.com, the best college major for an undergraduate to take if you want to start out at the top of the pay scale is engineering. Aerospace, Chemical, Computer and Electrical Engineers have a starting median salary of around $60,000 per year. A mid career median salary in the engineering field will be slightly over $100,000.
Other best college majors to consider if you are motivated by a high salary include Economics, Finance, Information Technology and Nursing. You can expect to earn a starting salary right around $50,000.
Now, not everyone is cut out to be an engineer or computer wizard. And to be a nurse, you have to be a certain type of individual; one with patience and a strong stomach. If you are not interested for the positions above, you can try these lower salary, but interesting, college majors.
You may have to accept a lower starting salary if you want to be a Journalist ($36,300) or an Interior Designer ($35,700). Social work and Elementary Education land at the bottom of the payscale, paying about $33,000 per year.
If you are not the type of go through four years of schooling but prefer on the job training, there are CNC machinist and operator jobs that help design and cut out the parts that all companies use for manufacturing. In addition, the jobs for the future will be in solar energy jobs that provide the energy for the masses.
These payscales and estimated salaries will improve or decrease depending on your work area. Places with higher living standards such as big metropolitan cities will tend to have higher pay but increased living standards.
Take Advantage of College Resources
There is no college major that will guarantee you a job but you can take advantage of the resources that your college has available for you. When there is a college job fair, be sure to meet with the individuals in your interested field. Get internships, make connections with alumnus, and stay connected with the real world.
The present state of the economy causes many students to worry about their financial future. Yes, making money is important, but it should not be the dominating factor in deciding what the best college major is for you. You will probably be working for the next 40 years and you don’t want to be working at a job that does not provide some sort of satisfaction beyond a paycheck. These are the college majors that will get you a job but don’t rush into choosing a major. It’s not too late to wait a year or two before finding the best college major for you.
Solar Energy Jobs For The Future
Face it, solar energy will not go away. The idea of unlimited energy is looming across the minds of everyone in the western world. The demand is growing and this means solar energy products and services will be mass manufactured, opening a huge market of solar jobs. There are several jobs related to solar energy, or energy that is produced by sunlight.
Solar Energy Job Opportunities and Positions
Solar Energy Systems Engineer Jobs
One of the jobs available is a Solar Energy Systems Engineer. This occupation involves the design or supervision of the design of all components of solar energy systems that convert sunlight into electricity. This job also involves using diagrams, maintaining technical specifications, and using computers. This occupation requires a bachelor’s degree or higher. The median salary in 2008 for this job was $88,000 and there is an expected 50,000 job openings until 2018.
Solar Energy Installation Manager Jobs
Another occupation available is a Solar Energy Installation Manager. This duties of this type of work include planning the installation and maintenance of solar energy systems, subcontracting to install the systems, and finding the right sight for installation of the equipment. The median salary for this job in 2008 was $58,000 and there are 242,000 expected job openings until 2018. The education required is a high school diploma, although some technical training or a bachelor’s degree may be required in some cases.
Solar Photovaic Installers Jobs
Solar Photovaic (the component that converts sunlight into energy) Installers are responsible for installing the components of a solar energy system, including any maintenance. The median salary for this occupation was $32,550 in 2008 and there are a projected 26,000 job openings until 2018. This job requires a high school diploma.
Solar Sales Representative and Assessor Jobs
Still another job related to solar energy is a Solar Sales Representative and Assessor. This job helps people who are interested in purchasing a solar energy system determine what equipment meets their needs. This occupation is responsible for generating sales leads, marketing the systems, and having information about various solar energy systems. The median salary for this job in 2008 was $70,200 with a projected growth of 142,000 jobs by 2018. The education recommended is a bachelor’s degree or higher, but many people with this job have a high school diploma.
Solar Thermal Installer and Technician Jobs
The last job is a Solar Thermal Installer and Technician. This job involves installation of components that convert solar energy to heat. This type of system would be used in a swimming pool. Other job duties include system installation, system maintenance, and pipe fitting. The median salary in 2008 was $32,550 with a projected 26,000 job openings by 2018. A high school diploma is needed.
Clearly, there are a wide variety of solar energy jobs available. There are a good number of jobs expected to be available in this industry and many do not require a college education.
Crane Operator Jobs Dealing With Construction
The usual objective of a crane operator job is primarily to move materials that are very heavy to a specific area. There are a number of industries that these types of jobs are available in, from transportation to construction. There are basically four different types of crane operator jobs.
- One type of crane operator job is that of an independent contractor. They will usually have their own crane and can work for one or a number of different companies.
- Another type of crane operator job is an individual who is actually employed by a specific crane service or construction company.
- There are also crane operator jobs in which the person will act as a consultant or as a supervisor for a specific job or company.
- The last type of crane operator position is that of a teacher who will prepare others for a career in this field.
Crane Operator Jobs Education and Training
The first thing you would need to qualify for a crane operator position is a high school diploma. You will need to also have classes in English, math, and physics in order to qualify for this job. Once these requirements are met you must successfully complete a crane operator program at either a career or community college. This will then qualify you to become a licensed crane operator. Any individual who seeks this type of position must be properly licensed.
Crane Operator Salaries
The amount you will spend on getting the education and skills needed to become a skilled crane operator pretty much depends on the school you attend. Finding a job in this field will be well worth the investment. This kind of job usually provides a salary of anywhere from $55,000 to $100,000 per year. Tower crane operator jobs command these salaries easily because of the responsibility and skill involved. Operators belonging to a union normally receive a larger salary along with benefits.
Crane Operator Job Benefits
A couple of the benefits that can come with the job are paid vacations, although it is rare that people in these positions receive more than 2 weeks per year, and bonuses, which are usually paid annually. Other benefits that are common in this field include education and training reimbursement, health, life, and disability insurance, company cell phones, profit-sharing, 401k retirement plans, and paid holidays.
Whether you are interested in consulting services, having your own crane operator business or working for an established one, or teaching the trade, these guidelines can help you in obtaining the crane operator job you seek along with giving you some insight as to what you can expect.