In today’s troubled economy, the competitive job market is offering fewer opportunities for college graduates. Businesses are suffering from budget cuts, layoffs and hiring freezes.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the total unemployment rate in March 2003 was 5.8 percent and in February 2003, job loss had increased to 357,000.

After Sept. 11, 2001, the economy was severely damaged. Job losses were concentrated in manufacturing and transportation, while employment in health services, finance, insurance and real estate increased.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor conducted a survey of the top 10 careers that are in the fields related to computer technology or healthcare services.

The 10 fastest growing professions in America are based on the projected percentage of growth in the years 1996-2006.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the top 10 jobs are: database administrators/computer-support specialists, computer engineers, system analysts, physical therapists, physical/corrective/ occupational therapy assistants, home health aids, medical assistants and desktop-publishing specialists.

“With the way the economy is right now, the job market offers only a small variety of jobs in demand,” said Connie Meister, recruiter for Management Recruiters of Texas. “We see a lot of job openings and demands in healthcare services, computer science and technology, transportation, accounting and management.”

Career and Counseling Services at UH-Clear Lake provides vocational assessment workshops to students and others who face occupational decisions in their lives.

The workshops are offered as a small group seminar. The occupational exploration tools used include interest and personality testing, self-assessment exercises, review of educational and work experiences and exploration of career information resources.

These workshops are led by experienced counselors and psychologists on the staff of Career and Counseling Services.

“I think that the best major for a student to be in right now is the field in which they have the most aptitude and interest, even in times of a difficult job market,” said Mary Selby, UH-Clear Lake career counselor. “I think any individual, not just students, are apt to be more successful when they personally feel engaged and motivated by their area of study. I would never recommend that someone make a career decision based on the job market alone.”

According to a September 2002 study by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, the job market and weak economy are causing many older workers to stay put rather than retire and make way for the younger employees. The study showed that the falling stock market has devastated many retirement savings in IRAs and 401(k)s and has forced employees to reconsider retirement plans.

“As the economy continues to change, students need to make sure they research the job market and develop the skills needed to ensure that they have a successful future,” Meister said.

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