Eight Bright-Outlook Careers

Skip to Navigation Skip to job search form Skip to page content

Need more options? Browse Jobs by Company, Date Posted, Job Title, and more job categories

Advice » Job Hunt Strategy » Company & Industry Research » Eight Bright-Outlook ...

Eight Bright-Outlook Careers

By Larry Buhl, Monster Contributing Writer

Every year, the Occupational Information Network, or O*Net, lists dozens of emerging careers. Developed for the US Department of Labor, O*Net recognizes these “bright outlook occupations” because they offer some of the strongest job opportunities and best career prospects in the near future.

More Resources from Monster:

Here are eight bright-outlook careers from July 2011 O*Net update.

Sustainability Specialist

As companies assess and reassess their impact on the environment, they must rely on professionals like sustainability specialists to help them devise more energy- and resource-efficient ways to perform tasks. A bachelor's degree in environmental sciences, environmental engineering or a related field is required; a master’s degree is desirable. Median annual salary was $62,450 in 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Find sustainability jobs.

Search Marketing Strategist

Online marketing has rapidly transformed how businesses reach customers, and shows no signs of slowing down. Search marketing strategists develop search-engine optimization (SEO) campaigns to increase visibility of and drive qualified traffic to a company’s Web site, among other tasks. A BA or BS in marketing or IT is required. Experience in developing Web pages and organic SEO is helpful. The median annual search marketing strategist salary was $79,240 in 2010, according to the BLS.

Find search marketing jobs.

Document Management Specialist

The downsizing trend has created job opportunities for document management specialists. Understaffed IT and administrative staff rely on document management specialists to alleviate bottlenecks caused by inefficient document systems. A bachelor’s degree in business administration is required, along with experience in information systems and several years of experience working in record keeping or other administrative roles. The 2010 median documentation management specialist salary was $79,240, according to the BLS.

Find document management jobs.

Nanotechnology Engineering Technologist

Nanotechnology, which involves creating new structures roughly on the same scale as individual atoms, is fueling a revolution in manufacturing and production by creating new materials and novel processes in a range of fields, according to the National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network. The National Science Foundation forecasts the need for more than 2 million nanotechnology professionals worldwide and 800,000 in the US by 2015. A bachelor’s degree in nanotechnology is preferred, and an increasing number of two- and four-year colleges are offering this major. The median annual salary for a nanotechnology engineering technologist was just over $58,000 in 2010, according to the BLS.

Find nanotechnology jobs.

Validation Engineer

A validation engineer tests systems used in manufacturing to make sure that complicated machinery and processes work as accurately as possible. Much of the job growth will coincide with the growing green sector, as validation engineers will be needed to design and test new green technology. A bachelor’s or master’s degree in manufacturing engineering plus several years as an entry-level validation technician are usually required. Validation engineers earned a median salary of $90,270 in 2010, according to the BLS.

Find validation engineer jobs.

Geneticist

In 2003, the Human Genome Project inaugurated a new field of recording, reading and interpreting genetic information that can lead to illness and disease. As the field grows, so do opportunities and new jobs for geneticists -- from laboratory geneticists who specialize in DNA testing, to clinical geneticists who hold medical degrees. Median annual salary was $68,220 in 2010, according to the BLS. Salary, which can vary widely, is most often determined by academic degree: MS, PhD or MD, according to the American Society of Human Genetics.

Find genetics jobs.

Patient Representative

The growing complexity and fragmentation of healthcare has created many new jobs advocating on behalf of patients. Patient representatives, also called patient advocates, help patients and their families understand healthcare options and assist them in navigating the overwhelming insurance maze. The newly created National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants states that most patient representatives make the jump from nursing or social work. However, an increasing number of two- and four-year colleges are offering programs in patient advocacy. The BLS reported median annual pay at $30,460 in 2010.

Find patient advocate jobs.

Ophthalmic Medical Technologist

These technologists work under an ophthalmologist to obtain vision measurements for glasses and administer eye exercises. They also take medical histories from patients, conduct diagnostic tests and provide contact-lens instruction. A two-year degree in ophthalmic medical technology or two years as an ophthalmic assistant is required. Salary depends on experience and the clinical setting. Medial annual salary was $38,460 in 2010, according to the BLS.

This career, like many new healthcare jobs, results from siphoning off tasks from higher-paid professionals, says Laurence Shatkin, career information expert and author of The Sequel: How to Change Your Career Without Starting Over. “The trend of offloading tasks onto lower-paid workers and then professionalizing those jobs into careers is likely to continue as a cost-saving measure in healthcare,” he tells Monster.com.

Find jobs in ophthalmics.

Rate this article:

Average rating:

Email to a friend

Join the Discussion

Latest Jobs

Copy Center Operator

Copiers Northwest, Inc.

Posted: 5/22/2013

Seattle, WA, 981...

Loan Operations Specialist

LeadingEdge Personnel

Posted: 5/22/2013

San Antonio, TX,...

Customer Service Manager

Company Confidential

Posted: 5/22/2013

Los Angeles, CA

Wastewater Plant Operator

Ridgeline Energy Services

Posted: 5/22/2013

Santa Fe Springs...

Executive Assistant

Westwood College

Posted: 5/22/2013

Atlanta, GA, 303...

Want more personalized results? Update Your Profile

View All Latest Jobs

Browse Advice

Job Hunt Strategy

Resumes & Letters

Interviewing

Salary & Benefits

In the Workplace

Career Development

Featured Advice Resources:

Browse All Articles in this section

Rate this article:

Average rating:

Monster Advice Forums

Looking for Answers?

Get them on our boards:

Resume Tips
Job Search Advice

All boards

Join the Discussion

Monster Communities

Teaching Community: Where teachers meet and learn.
ArtBistro: Create and connect.
Excelle: Networking for the career-minded woman.
Nursing Link: Where nurses call the shots.
More Monster Communities

Monster Partners

Scholarships: Scholarships, financial aid and more ways to pay for school.
Education.org: Find top campus and online degree programs.
Military.com: Military portal for the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.
Financial Aid: Scholarships & financial aid.
Staffing for Government Jobs: Staffing and hiring solutions for federal government agency jobs.
More Monster Partners

Job Hunt Strategy

Six Ways to Make a Recruiter Hate You

If you want to blow your chances with recruiters -- and, by extension, with the companies they work for -- here are six perfect ways to do so.

Resumes & Cover Letters

Rev Up Your Resume to Relocate

Hoping to relocate? Get the ball rolling on landing the right job in the right location with these expert resume and cover letter tips.

Interviewing

100 Potential Interview Questions

Interview questions can run the gamut. You probably won't face all 100 of these, but you should still be prepared to answer at least some of them.

Salary & Benefits

10 Questions to Ask When Negotiating Salary

Most of us aren't natural negotiators, but asking these 10 questions during salary negotiations can help you get everything you deserve.

Attracting Candidates

Facebook for Employers: Make Friends, Not Fans

Recruiting? Go where the talent is. See why recruiters have befriended social networks.

Employee Sourcing

Employment Index

November Monster Employment Index Grows 13% Year-Over-Year, Tenth Consecutive Month of Positive Annual Growth.

Interviewing Candidates

Improving Interview Skills: Learn from the Experts

What’s the key to a great interview? According to experts: Practice, practice, practice.

Workforce Planning

Enhance your Small Business Marketing Strategy with Social Media

Social media. It’s everywhere. But how can it help you? Learn how to utilize social media even monetize it.

For Seekers

Campus and Online Degrees: Advance your career and earn more with an online degree.
Free Salary Wizard: What are you worth? Find out and negotiate a better salary.
Research Careers: Get information on jobs and career paths to help guide your choices
Questions & Answers: Find answers to all your career related questions -- powered by Yahoo! Answers
Resume Distribution Service: Our distribution service puts your resume right in the hands of recruiters.
Resume Writing Services: Our experts will craft a keyword-rich resume that stands out in the crowd.
More Career Resources

For Employers

Career Ad Network: Target your job posting to more candidates on thousands of websites.
Hire Right Background Checks: Explore our background check packages to improve the quality of your hires.
Hiring Home Page: Find the best candidates for your business with Monster hiring solutions.
Job Postings: Find the right solution for your hiring needs. Starting at $99.
Power Resume Search: Monster's new search technology precisely matches people with your jobs.
Resource Center: Find staffing insights, labor trends, HR best practices and more.
Target Post: Connect with skilled, hourly and administrative candidates for only $99.

Social Media

Jobs on Twitter: Find jobs in your area and industry.
Monster Careers: Tune into our career advice and discussions tackling a wide range of topics and industries.
Monster Corporate & PR: Stay up-to-date on the latest news. Get the 'Who', 'What', 'When', and 'Why' on all things Monster related.
Monster Customer Service: Got a Monster question? We've got the answer. Whether you're a job seeker or employer, we can help you find the answers you need.
Monster for Employers: Find advice on hiring.
Follow Us: Check out our many pages and stay connected with the latest industry news, events, career advice and job openings.

Are You An Employer?

Top Articles

Most Popular Jobs

Additional Resources

Eight Bright-Outlook Careers

Email to a Friend

Related Articles:

Latest Jobs

Browse All Articles in this section

Browse All Articles in this section

Browse All Articles in this section

Browse All Articles in this section

Browse All Articles in this section

Browse All Articles in this section

Looking for Answers?

Popular Questions & Answers

Popular Job Searches

Monster Communities

Monster Partners

Job Hunt Strategy

Resumes & Cover Letters

Interviewing

Salary & Benefits

Attracting Candidates

Employee Sourcing

Interviewing Candidates

Workforce Planning

For Seekers

For Employers

Social Media

Other Links