When it Comes to Career Choices, It's Time to Think Outside the Box
By Nina McDonald

In today's volatile economic climate, traditional career choices in the fields of healthcare, law, finance and technology may just not cut it anymore.

Between the prohibitive cost of getting a four or six-year degree along with the growing need for specialization in almost every professional field, high school graduates that are thinking about becoming doctors, psychologists, lawyers, accountants or computers programmers may need to reconsider.

Karien Bennett, founder of IPSA, International Placement Services of America, specializes in placing South African students in American colleges and universities. Bennett says she is strongly encouraging her clients to expand their ideas about what types of professions they want their children to pursue.

"South African parents are largely traditional in their outlook. When they think about their children's career choices, they tend to think 'inside the box.'-- doctor, psychologist, lawyer, accountant, educator. Those traditional career paths are the ones that parents urge their children to pursue. We see those as being the most successful, prestigious and stable professions," says Bennett.

However, Karien Bennett has some brisk advice for SA parents. "The problem is, in today's global economy and technologically driven world, this is antiquated thinking. South African parents need to start looking 'outside the box' if they really want to meet their children's educational needs and help them to succeed. They can no longer limit their choices to just a few traditionally accepted vocations."

Bennett explains that until recently, her business consisted primarily of helping parents and their children navigate the complex and arduous application process for American universities. "Most kids would come to me already knowing what they wanted to do, and I just helped them get into the right school. Today, this is no longer enough."

Recently, Karien Bennett has expanded her services to include career guidance as well. "There is a real need to help kids to thoroughly explore their career choices. In the last ten years, so much has changed in the job market.

South African parents and children really need help when they are trying to decide what career to pursue and which school to go to. Karien Bennett adds, "They need to think globally; opportunity is no longer at their doorstep."

In her view, parents should look at the current situation more as an opportunity than a deteriment. "In a lot of ways, it's exciting. Many emerging career paths that are both financially and personally rewarding don't even require a traditional four-year degree. With overseas four-year universities becoming increasingly more expensive to South African parents, this is really good news." Two-year degrees offer wonderful career opportunities and costs a fraction of the four-year programs.

For instance, instead of becoming a doctor, Bennett suggests considering other related healthcare careers such as massage therapy, pharmacy technology or health care management to name a few. If students show an aptitude towards engineering or technology, even more options are available. Net and Java programming, multimedia designs, e-commerce, web design and animation are just a few examples.

"Many of these types of careers require only a two-year degree or some experience and a professional certification. There are literally hundreds of job openings posted on search engines looking for these types of skills today."

Karien Bennett also emphasizes that when parents are open to alternative career choices, this opens the door for their children to achieve their maximum potential. Not just in terms of earning ability, but as well rounded people.

"Not every child is cut out to be a doctor lawyer or banker. Traditional careers do not hold the same type of luster, job security and potential anymore. Kids may not be doctors but instead can pursue careers as an occupational therapists. They may not be chemists, but instead develop natural packaging materials in a "green technology" job."

Karien Bennett's care for her clients includes their total well-being. "We all want our children to succeed financially and professionally, but we also want them to find their true calling. To feel fulfilled in what they do and find joy in life. Today, the range of opportunities our children can pursue where they can find exciting, satisfying and financially rewarding careers is almost limitless."

As a transplanted South African now living in the United States, Karien Bennett is uniquely qualified to give SA parents advice. As the mother of three children, two adult daughters pursuing successful careers, [one as a school administrator and another working for Ralph Lauren in New York and a ten-year-old son, Bennett is intimately familiar with both the American university system and what it takes to make it in today's job market.

Four years after arriving in the US, Karien Bennett was faced with the task of helping her oldest daughter navigate an overwhelming college application process, and decide what type of career to pursue. As a result of that experience, Bennett decided to launch IPSA.

"As a parent, I can relate to the stress and confusion you are confronted with when trying to help your child get into a good school and find their career path. Combined with the stress of daily life, this is so overwhelming; you almost get paralyzed in the process."

Bennett feels that others can benefit from her experience and avoid the pitfalls. "Kids graduate and still don't have viable career options. I wanted to help parents through the process and have a beneficial and successful outcome for them and their children."

Since 1995 IPSA has successfully placed hundreds of South African students in top American schools.

What sets Karien Bennett apart from other college counselors and career consultants is a formidable combination of experience, real-life savvy, encyclopedic market knowledge and intuitive people skills.

United with her tireless dedication and intensely personalized service, Karien Bennett has managed to help launch her students into successful careers.

Karien Bennett's takes the time to intimately understand each one of her clients. Every student is extensively interviewed so that Bennett gets a comprehensive feel for the child's talents, interests and abilities. Each child is treated with as much care and concern as if they were her own Bennett believes in doing whatever it takes to make sure the fit of student, school and career is perfect.

Her up-to-the-minute knowledge on emerging career paths and extensive research of the current job market, also reassures parents that they are getting the best and most timely advice available.

"If parents can be flexible in their thinking, this opens a whole world of career possibilities to their children. This generation of college students is the future of South Africa," says Bennett.

"By pursuing the right education for the right job skills, they have unlimited potential. They can work anywhere in the world or they can come back to South Africa as instruments of change, reviving our economy and introducing new careers and businesses to the country."

Bennett can be reached via email or phone (0-619-307-9015).

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Where Do I Start? Planning a Career

The experts agree: finding an experienced guide to navigate the brave new world of global career choices is essential. Everyone needs a fresh pair of eyes and ears, a mentor and counselor, to help discover their potential and point them along a successful career path.

An experienced college and career counselor like Bennett can help parents and their children sort out priorities and set goals, discover potential sources of financial aid and help with the college application process.

One of the first steps says Karien Bennett, is to begin by discussing the child's likes and dislikes, talents and abilities and forming a realistic expectation of a potential career.

Starting the process of self discovery early is imperative according to Karien Bennett. "They will be much happier in high school, enjoy it, and stay motivated if they understand their strengths and weaknesses."

She recommends that parents contact her, if possible, while the student is in tenth grade, since it is important to pick the right high school classes in order to successfully pick the right college. This is also the time to start identifying the child's natural inclinations and strengths.

Karien Bennett also cautions that careers opportunities change over time. It is important for both parents and children to understand that in 3-4 years, students chosen field of study may radically change course, simply because emerging technologies will offer new job opportunities that aren't even on the map today.

IPSA works with students to determine:
• Personal interests and values
• Skills you have; skills you need
• Personal goals for the next 5, 10, 25 years
• Financial needs or goals
• Preference for large or small company or work environment
• Geographic preferences
• Goals for growth (skills, experiences, finances, personal)

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Thinking Outside the Box: Possible Career Choices you May Have Never Considered

Healthcare
No longer the purview of just doctors and nurses, the field of healthcare has expanded to include a whole host alternative therapeutic careers, administrative positions and technical fields. Not every career option requires medical school. Here are just a few to consider:
• Pharmacy technology
• X-Ray Technician
• Healthcare Administration
• Healthcare management
• Ultrasound Technologist
• Radiation Therapist
• Aesthetician/ masseuse? (The spa industry is a rapidly growing industry.)

Other Therapeutic Careers
• Massage therapy
• Art Therapy
• Dance Therapy
• Recreational Therapy
• Occupational Therapy

Design
Love to draw and create? Have a flair for color texture, design and artistic elements? Think about these fields:
• Graphic and Webdesign
• Computer Animation
• Interior Design
• Textile Design
• Videography
• Fashion Design
• Product Development

Information Management
There is a huge demand for people with the skills to handle information in many settings
• Specialized careers in youth services
• Bibliographic or technology instruction
• Genealogy
• Library Management
• Museum administration
• Historic preservation
• Content management
• Cataloging
• Archiving and archive administration
• Technical analysis
• Online searching
• Publishing
• Database design

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Careers on a Budget

A little entrepreneurial spirit and taking advantage of some technology can go a long way. Here are some ideas:

1. Web-Preneur
It is what everyone who is ever surfed the Web dreams of-just stick a web site up there and watch the cash roll in! Well, that just does not happen overnight, but the fact of the matter is it is really not very hard to do. To do it right, start by picking a subject matter you know a lot about.

Then get a domain and create a web site. It does not matter what technology you use-just be totally anal-retentive about it looking good and provide plenty of original content. Now find some appropriate affiliate programs-that's where your revenues are going to come from. Next, learn everything you can about search engine marketing and promote the heck out of your site. Last of all, set aside time every week to put new content on the site, delete dead links, and other maintenance. You might actually make some decent income from it.

Spend the $20 on: $9 for a domain at GoDaddy and $10 for a year of hosting at Discount Hosting or Cheaps.net.

2. Consultant
Getting into consulting is relatively simple. All you have to do is know how to do something better than most people do, and be able to either teach people how to do it or be willing to do it for them. Networking is the key to success in this business, so start by making a list of everyone you know and giving them all a call. Spend the $20 on: $14 on a box of clean-edge laser or inkjet business cards and $6 buying your first prospect a cup of coffee one morning.

3. Housesitter/Petsitter
Around the holidays people are looking for housesitters or petsitters to watch their homes and/or monitor their pets. Particularly since 9/11, people feel an increased need for security, and housesitting gives them some reassurance while they're out of town. This one's great because it basically requires no particular skills, just trustworthiness and reliability. Be sure to have personal references available, and you'll also need reliable transportation. If you're an animal lover, petsitting is an easy add-on.

Spend the $20 on: $2 on flyers to put up on bulletin boards, and the rest on classified ads in your local neighborhood paper (not a big city-wide one).

4. Professional Organizer
People these days are simply overwhelmed by their "stuff." While there is an ever-growing trend of people wanting to simplify their lives, most of us have not done it yet. It's not that people really have no clue how to get organized, it just keeps moving to the bottom of the stack, both figuratively and literally. There's a prime opportunity for people to come in at a reasonable rate and get houses organized. And while there is a National Association of Professional Organizers that you can join where you're ready, mostly it takes common sense, organizational skills, and a familiarity with what can be had at your local office supply and The Container Store.

Spend the $20 on: Classified ads.

5. Avon Independent Sales Representative
Cosmetics is a virtually recession -proof business, because it's an inexpensive way for people to feel good about themselves. Avon is the largest consumer direct sales company in the world, with annual sales of nearly $6billion. In business for well over 100 years, they have both a highly reputable product line and one of the few highly reputable multi-level marketing structures (in fact, they invented it). They also offer fashion and wellness products in addition to their beauty products. And while they bill themselves as "The Company for Women", a fairly substantial number of men have actually been very successful as Avon reps. The secret to making a living at it rather than just a little extra spending money is to build your downline-just like with any other network marketing or direct selling business.

Spend the $20 on: $10 signup fee, and $10 on brochures and a few samples.

6. Personal Services - Shopping & Errands This is a great one going into the holiday season. Believe it or not, there are people who would not be caught dead going anywhere near a mall, but they're not comfortable with buying certain items online, either. Again, trustworthiness and dependability are the key traits for this. If your car's not reliable, pick something else. Also, you won't need cash, but you'll available credit on your credit cards, since you really can not use theirs. Consider an American Express or a Diner's Club that do not have preset spending limits. Or use a card that gives cash back reward or frequent flyer miles, and you can make a nice little bonus.

Spend the $20 on: $1 on flyers and the rest on classified ads.

7. Desktop Publishing
It's amazing how many people have a computer and still don't know how to make a decent flyer! If you've got a good design sense, are extremely familiar with your word processor, and already have a laser or high-quality inkjet printer, you can get into desktop publishing. Create a really great-looking portfolio for yourself and go door-to-door.

Spend the $20 on: Some high-quality paper to create your samples on.

8. Tutoring
With the growing dissatisfaction with our education system and the huge growth in homeschooling, there's an unprecedented need for tutors these days for kids of all ages-even adults! If you've got a topic you can tutor in, contact the local schools, particularly private ones, and local homeschool groups, and offer your services. Don't be concerned if your topic is highly specialized-even those are in demand.

Spend the $20 on: $14 on a box of clean-edge laser or inkjet business cards and $6 on flyers.

9. eBay Seller
Yes, there really are people who make a decent living buying things at garage sales and flea markets and selling them on eBay. The big secrets - Stick to products you know (or learn before you start) extremely well, package your goods carefully, and provide impeccable customer service. It helps to have a digital camera or a scanner, but it's not required.

Spend the $20 on: Your first inventory at a garage sale.

10. Secretarial Service - Typing/Transcription/Proofreading
Many small businesses and individuals have a need for these services, but not enough need to hire a temp through an agency. Assuming you've got a computer, a printer, and e-mail (and the necessary skills), you're all set. Be prepared to charge by the job, not by the hour.

Spend the $20 on: $14 on a box of clean-edge laser or inkjet business cards and $6 on flyers.

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Technology Careers

One of the most rapidly expanding and changing career field today. Interdisciplinary skills such as a specialized knowledge of any particular scientific or artistic field (such as chemistry or music) combined with technological expertise such as programming, are highly marketable.

A quick Internet Search reveals these top ten technical skills that are currently in high demand: Whether you are just starting your technical career or looking to make a career change, it helps to know what career skills are hot in the job market. The following list of technical skills are currently in high demand. The list includes information, a brief history of each technology, and links to training resources.

1. Unix Operating System
The Unix Operating System is the foundation of the internet. Read about Unix, the history of Unix, and find resources for Unix training. Unix is a critical skill for a career in Information Technology.

2. Linux Operating System
The Linux Operating System is a Unix-like operating system that is being used by many large companies. It is quickly growing in popularity and is a popular operating system to develop for. Linux is a great career skill if you want a career as a System Administrator.

3. Java Programming Language
Find information and training resources for the popular Java programming language. Java is an object oriented programming language developed by Sun Microsystems. Java is a popular career skill if you want a to be a Web Developer.

4. C++ Programming Language
C++ is another high level, object oriented programming language. C++ is often used in commercial application software development. It has been (and continues to be!) a hot programming career skill in the market. A career as a Software Engineer would be the most likely with C++ expertise.

5. Perl Programming Language
Perl is a dynamic scripting language that is used quite often in networking, system administration and web site development. Knowledge of this multi-use language is a must-have for many career paths.

6. MySQL Database Management
MySQL is a database management tool that is widely used. Knowledge of MySQL is necessary for many careers, including Database Administrators, Web Developers, and Software Engineers.

7. Microsoft C# Programming Language
The C# programming language from Microsoft Corporation is rapidly gaining popularity as more companies utilize the .NET framework. This is one of the hottest career skills in the market right now for Developers.

8. XML - Extensible Markup Language
XML or Extensible Markup language, is a popular language that makes information on the internet viewable across many different platforms. It is relatively easy to learn. While many Developers know XML, fewer of them are experts in XML. It is a specialty focus that is gaining popularity for a career in Web Development.

9. HTML Skills
HTML continues to be a necessary skill to have for Web Design careers. Expert knowledge of HTML is a must-have for this career path.

10. Project Management
Management of technical projects is a necessary career skill for advancement, no matter which technical career path you choose. Formal Project Management training is a great start to more senior level technical roles.

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Green Jobs

A "green collar" career path is promising to be a long-lasting career choice given our critical environmental and energy needs. It is potentially one of the most important career fields in the global economy today.

1. Farmer - America's two million farmers are now in their mid-fifties. Since sustainable agriculture needs local, small-scale farms, there will be more need for farmers.

2. Forester - The World Bank says 1.6 billion people depend on the forest for their livelihoods and foresters can teach cultivation of higher-value and faster-growing plant, vegetable, or timber species.

3. Solar Power Installer - Although Colorado recently said the number of rooftop solar installations are down, the Solar Energy Industries Association predicts an increase to over 110,000 jobs by 2016 from the 25,000 people currently hired in the industry.

4. Green MBA and Entrepreneur - A recent report by the U.S. Conference of Mayors found that businesses such as legal, research, and consulting account for over 400,000 or the majority of all green jobs.

5. Energy Efficiency Builder - Last year as more companies began building green buildings, the National Association of Home Builders reported an increase in demand for green building professionals. But builders are advised to do due diligence and pay attention to contracts in the wake of the first LEED-related lawsuit in the U.S.

6.Wind Turbine Fabricator - Wind is the leading and fastest-growing source of alternative energy with over 300,000 jobs worldwide. Turbines are 90% metal by weight, creating an opportunity for autoworkers and other manufacturers to repurpose their skills. According to the American Wind Energy Association, the industry currently employs some 50,000 Americans and added 10,000 new jobs in 2007. Their job board is an excellent place to start looking for opportunities.

7.Conservation Biologist - The granddaddy of diversity, E.O. Wilson, famously called conservation biology -- a discipline with a deadline. The urgent quest to preserve the integrity of ecosystems around the world -- and to quantify the value of -- ecosystems services -- leads to opportunities in teaching, research and fieldwork for government, nonprofits, and private companies. The forthcoming economic stimulus package from the Obama administration offers the prospect of increased federal support for science and research.

8.Green MBA and Entrepreneur - The concept of the triple bottom line has migrated from the margins to the mainstream of the business world. A recent report by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Mayors Climate Protection Center found that business services like legal, research and consulting account for the majority of all green jobs -- over 400,000. This includes everything from marketing to the LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) segment, to serving as a VP of sustainability within a large company, to piloting a green startup like Method or Recyclebank.

9.Recycler - The total number of recycling jobs in the United States is at more than 1 million, according to recent reports (PDF, right click to save). Although the market for paper and plastic has slowed down recently due to the economic downturn, demand for steel is still strong -- 42 percent of output came from scrap in 2006 -- and recycling remains the economical alternative to high disposal fees. Worldwide more than 200,000 people work in secondary steel production, and the US is a major center of production. New laws and regulations are also creating a need for specialized companies that can close the loop by recycling and repurposing e-waste, clothing, plastic bags, construction waste, and other materials.

Companies: Rumpke; Greenstar North America.

10.Sustainability Systems Developer - The green economy needs a cadre of specialized software developers and engineers who design, build, and maintain the networks of sensors and stochastic modeling that underpin wind farms, smart energy grids, congestion pricing and other systems substituting intelligence for natural resources. Coders with experience using large scale enterprise resource planning have an edge here, as well as developers familiar with open source and web 2.0 applications.

Companies: IBM, V2Green, WindLogics

11. Urban Planner - Urban and regional planning is a linchpin of the quest to lower America's carbon footprint. Strengthening mass transit systems, limiting sprawl, encouraging use of bicycles and deemphasizing cars is only part of the job. Equally important is contingency planning, as floods, heat waves and garbage creep become increasingly common problems for metropolises. Employment in this sector is projected to grow 15 percent by 2016, and the jobs are mainly in local governments, which make them a slightly safer bet for the downturn.

SOME OTHER IDEAS
1. Green Car Manufacturing
2. Environment Refuse Processors
3. Hydrologists
4. iPod/ iPhone "Doctors"
5. Corporate Social Responsibility Professionals
6. Environmental Engineers
7. Wind Energy Developers
8. Organic/Sustainable Farming Specialist
9. Bicycle Technicians
10. Eco-Tourism Jobs

More on green collar jobs...