Associate of Applied Science Degrees:
Business Information Techonology - Computer Systems
Highlights:
Computer Support Specialists and System Administrators are the fastest growing occupation through the year 2010. Gaining practical experience and certifications are helpful in addition to completing Associate or Bachelor’s degrees in Information Systems. Computer Support Specialists can often advance into other positions such as programming, application development or hardware design.
Description:
Computer Support Specialists usually provide assistance with troubleshooting software, hardware or systems problems with customers or in-house users. They need to have a broad range of computer skills as well as excellent communication and problem skills. Computer Systems Administrators typically design, implement and troubleshoot a computer network system such as a LAN, WAN, Internet or Intranet. It is critical for Computer Support Specialists to continue to train in order to keep pace with the most current technologies.
Salary and Employment Demand:
Computer Support Specialists earned a national average salary of $36,000 in 2000. There were over 700,000 computer support specialists and systems administrators in 2000 and employment growth will be among the fastest for all occupations through 2010.
Business Information Techonology - Office Systems
Highlights:
Office Administrative Assistants held about 4 million jobs in 2000. Employment growth will be slow but positions will be available due to turnover. Administrative Assistants increasingly need higher levels of technology skills and many pursue Bachelor’s degrees and professional certifications.
Description:
Administrative Assistants work in every type of business and are frequently found in corporations, legal and medical and educational settings. They provide support to managerial staff and must have strong skills in computer applications. They must also have a high attention to detail, be very organized and have excellent communication skills. Administrative Assistants may also conduct research, provide statistical reports and provide support to project management.
Salary and Employment Demand:
Administrative Assistants earned an average salary of $31,000 in 2000. Employment growth will be slower than the average for all professions but opportunities will exist due to the large size of the occupation which is about 4 million jobs.
Business Management
Nursing, RN
Highlights:
One of the professions at 2 million job and projected to be one of the fastest growing jobs through the year 2010. Advanced practice nurses such as nurse practitioners and nurse anesthetists have opportunity for high income. There are multiple ways to enter the Nursing profession through Associate, Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.
Description:
About 60% of RN’s work in the hospital setting and the majority of the remainder work in doctor’s offices, clinics, schools and nursing homes. Nurses can also work in occupational health and work in the pharmaceutical and medical equipment industries and take on roles outside of direct patient care. Nurses are also need to teach classes at colleges and universities in order to meet the growing demand for new nurses.
Salary and Employment Demand:
Registered Nurses earned an average salary of $45,000 in 2000. There will be many opportunities in the Nursing profession through the year 2010. This is due to an aging population requiring more health care professionals and the large number of nursing jobs already in existence, over 2 million.
Radiologic Technology
Highlights:
Demand for Radiologic Technologists will continue to increase faster than the rate for all occupations through 2010 due to an aging population and emerging diagnostic technologies. Radiologic Technologists who obtain additional training and specialization with new technologies will have the best employment prospects. Opportunities will continue to increase outside of the hospital setting as diagnostic equipment becomes more affordable and new technologies emerge.
Description:
Radiologic Technologists perform diagnostic assessments with X-Ray, CT scanners, MRI machines, and can also specialize in nuclear medicine and sonography with additional training. More than half work in hospitals and 20% work part-time. Radiologic Technologists need to have strong skills in the sciences and must be able to work with complex diagnostic equipment and have good interactions with patients and other health care workers. They need to be able to precisely follow physician orders and be extremely cautious with safety considerations.
Salary and Employment Demand:
Radiologic Technologists earned an average salary of $36,000 in 2000. Radiologic Technologists held about 170,000 jobs in 2000. Employment opportunities will continue to grow with increased demand for health care. Opportunities will increase outside the hospital setting as diagnostic equipment becomes more affordable for clinics and physician practices.
Respiratory Care
Highlights:
85% of entry-level job opportunities are with private practice veterinary clinics. Most states require completion of an accredited associate degree program and a passing score on the National Veterinary Technician Exam in order to be licensed. Typically, there are multiple job openings for each graduating student.
Description:
Veterinary Technicians perform a wide range of functions including physical exams, surgical assisting, radiology, anesthesiology, clinical lab work, research, and client education. Veterinary Technicians can also get additional certifications in anesthetics, dental care, emergency critical care, and animal behavior. Veterinary Technicians must have a strong foundation in the sciences and be able to perform a variety of complex functions in addition being able to perform a physically demanding job.
Salary and Employment Demand:
Veterinary Technologists earned an average salary of $24,000 in 1999. Typically there are multiple job openings for Veterinary Technician graduates each year.
Veterinary Technology
Highlights:
85% of entry-level job opportunities are with private practice veterinary clinics. Most states require completion of an accredited associate degree program and a passing score on the National Veterinary Technician Exam in order to be licensed. Typically, there are multiple job openings for each graduating student
Description:
Veterinary Technicians perform a wide range of functions including physical exams, surgical assisting, radiology, anesthesiology, clinical lab work, research, and client education. Veterinary Technicians can also get additional certifications in anesthetics, dental care, emergency critical care, and animal behavior. Veterinary Technicians must have a strong foundation in the sciences and be able to perform a variety of complex functions in addition being able to perform a physically demanding job.
Salary and Employment Demand:
Veterinary Technologists earned an average salary of $24,000 in 1999. Typically there are multiple job openings for Veterinary Technician graduates each year.
Early Childhood Education
Highlights:
Childcare workers held about 1.2 million jobs in 2002. High replacement needs should create good job opportunities for childcare workers through 2012. The proportion of children in child care facilities is likely to continue to increase, creating demand for additional childcare workers.
Description:
Child care workers are employed at public schools, child care centers, before and after care programs, preschools, nursery schools, family childcare homes, private households, corporations, and religious institutions. Childcare workers have teaching duties and are responsible for basic care. Training and qualifications required for childcare workers vary from state to state. Local governments, private firms, and publicly funded programs may have higher levels of training and education requirements. An increasing number of employers require an associate degree in early childhood education as the minimum credential. Early Childhood workers typically work with children from birth to the third grade.
Salary and Employment Demand:
The middle 50% of childcare workers earned between $6.66 and $ 9.65 and hour in 2002. High replacement needs should create good opportunities for childcare workers. The number of children under 5 is expected to increase along with the demand for childcare through the year 2012.
Criminal Justice Technology
Highlights:
Police and Detectives held about 840,000 jobs in 2002. 81% were employed by local governments. Employment of Police and Detectives is expected to grow faster than the average for all professions through the year 2012. Correctional officers held about 476,000 jobs in 2002 and job opportunities are expected to be excellent through 2002..
Description:
Over 80 % of police officers and detectives work at local agencies but other opportunities exist at the state and federal levels including work for the FBI, CIA, DEA, INS, and state bureaus of investigation among others. Due to relatively attractive salary and benefits, jobs with State and Federal agencies will be competitive with more opportunities existing in local departments or urban areas with higher crime rates. Most correctional officers are employed in State or Federal prisons. Demand will continue to exceed supply of correctional officers due to the increasing numbers of inmates and turnover within the profession.
Salary and Employment Demand:
Correctional officers earned between $25,950 and $42,620 a year in 2002. Police officers earned between $32,300 and $53,500 in 2002. Demand for police officers is expected to continue to increase with the emphasis on security and due to the fact that many officers can retire from the profession after 20-25 years of service. Higher paying jobs with excellent benefits at State and Federal agencies will remain competitive. Opportunities for corrections officers will be excellent due to rising inmate populations and turnover in the field.
Horticultural Technology
Description:
Horticulture is a diverse filed offering a variety of opportunities which include work at nurseries and greenhouses, extension agencies, public and private gardens, lawn and tree services, golf courses, turf management firms, sports teams and universities, landscaping businesses, orchards, and companies who supply seeds, fertilizers, and other plant supplies or equipment.
Salary and Employment Demand:
Jobs in landscaping and grounds maintenance will continue to grow through the year 2012. In 2002, Supervisors of landscaping and groundskeeping crews earned an average of $15.89 per hour.