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Employment Today™


"TAKE OFF THE BLINDERS-- YOUR JOB DID NOT COME WITH A GUARANTEE FOR LIFE!"

Dear Kathryn:

I'm not really desperate for a job but my husband is trying to get me to parlay my good skills into more money. I say I will be putting my current good job into jeopardy if I start looking. And frankly, I'm not really that enthusiastic about looking for a new job! My company, a major health care company is going through merges, thus potential changes. My husband is afraid I could get laid off, but I say I would be the last person to be laid off!

To shut my husband up, without really job hunting, is there a way I can scope out what's out there without my employer finding out I'm looking? I'd die if I ran into problems here at my job when it's not even my idea to look.

SAMANTHA R., Woodbridge, CT

Dear Samantha:

Well, your husband's right on this one and you should take your head out of the sand. First you are a hotter commodity when employed, but that doesn't necessarily mean you should jump ship either. One is always wise to keep their ear to the ground. Be aware of who's hiring, what the compensation and benefit packages are for pros like yourself, and which employers are growing. You should routinely be studying the five and ten year outlooks for your own company as well as their competitors.

My suggestion is to network as frequently as you go shopping. At least every other month attend an industry meeting. By exposing yourself to other company's execs you will stay in the loop. Should something dramatically change where you're at or you get a real itch to change jobs, you won't be starting at ground zero.

At least twice monthly scope the major recruiting websites as well as your competitor's career websites. This will at least keep you current as to who's hiring for which positions and in what time frame. While you don't have to be the gossip, you can listen! 50% of what you'll learn will be true, and will keep you alert to what smoke signals are rising from the gossip mill.

Last, keep your internet searches and phone calls regarding new hires limited to your home computer and your cell phone. Tempting as it is to share good news regarding a potential employer with a friend or co-worker, don't! Keep all job hunting searches and conversations 100% private!

Most times, employers find out an employee is job searching because the employee does something dumb! The employee either leaves their resume and other job hunting details around their work area or on their computer, or they share their latest job hunting venture with a coworker. Very few people know how to keep a confidence to themselves. Soon that information becomes grist for the water cooler gossip mill. Don't be too complacent about your current "great gig." Great gigs go sour in a snap and you will then be wishing you had listened to your husband and me.

Dear Kathryn:

I have two kids graduating this year and next and I'm panicking at the thought of college. The even scarier prospect is when I see my friends kids that have four year degrees working in retail stores as cashiers--something they could have done while in high school. I don't have anything against those jobs but I'll be dammed if I'm going to pay for a college degree just to have them work in a store!

My first question is what jobs are happening now that pay well that a two year degreed grad should consider. It's going to be a struggle putting together the money for a two year degree, never mind a BS.

Second, what's your opinion about on-line degrees? Are they considered worthwhile by employers? The on-line would allow my kids to work, get the degree and the cost would really be a lot less. I don't want to consider that if the final outcome is that the on-line degree is considered worthless.

JOSIE R., Manchester, CT

Dear Josie:

Your questions are great! They are shared by many college-bound parents.

Let's look at some good jobs, who's educational requirements would be satisfied by a two year degree. My top picks: I'm sure you and your kids are sick of hearing about healthcare jobs, but they remain at the top of the list. Whether it's a dedicated clinician, such as an LPN, APRN or a Medical Management professional--DNS, ADNS--Healthcare is still seeing a shortage of good candidates. This includes those with with business skills, like Billing experience, within a Healthcare enviornment.

I.T. is coming back. All areas of Information Tecchnologly hiring, the prospects for new grads is pretty good. The pay range for a new grad with a working internship goes from the low $50k's on up. But the exciting part is the progression of salary increases is fast! After only a few years experience, these I.T. pros are in demand and can utilize their skills in just about to any part of the country.

Construction and manufacturing fields have continued to be sluggish and probabably will take some time to get back to recent levels.

More than determining the most lucrative fields, successful selection of a major depends on correctly assessing your child's interests and abilities. Desire and natural talent will not only enhance your child's academic success, but his or her progress to the top of the candidate pool. It's not simply a matter of a degree.

While it's tempting to just have the student work for the highest paycheck while attending school, don't underestimate the value of working internships that can provide references along with a realistic work experience for the student. These are things employers look for. As for on-line degrees, my experience shows they are better than not having a degree but not valued as highly as one from a local college.

Realistically, employers look at schools with which they are familiar. In-state schools generally win out over on-line degrees and if you share the same alma mater with your prospective employer-need I say more?

If it were my choice, I'd probably shop for a local in-state school over the on-line degree, but that's only because of my experience with employers reactions to one candidate's education vs. another.

Good luck, it's tough when so much money and your child's time and future are on the line.