Introduction

How can you find a successful and satisfying career? What skills and qualifications will you need? What salary level can you expect to earn? What does the Department of Labor project for years 2000-2010?

Elaine Chao, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor says: "Technology will advance, markets will become more globally oriented, business organizations will change and job-seekers will need new skills to find and hold good jobs."

How can workers and future workers succeed in a prosperous, challenging, or continuously changing economy? By researching the Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook. Job trends, skills, qualifications, and important information about earnings and working conditions will be presented for a wide range of occupations. Check out the features of this handbook and its resources ( Handbook ) [After the page has loaded, click on Tomorrows Job's located on the right hand side of the page] .

Guiding Question

Tomorrow's Jobs :By studying the relationship between population, labor force, and the demand for goods & services, will you be able to use this reliable information to make an informed career decision regarding tomorrow's job opportunities?

Questions

1. How will changes in the population and population trends affect employment opportunities between 2000-2010?
2. How much is the U.S. population expected to increase or decrease between 2000-2010?
3. Which two age groups in our population are expected to increase most rapidly between 2000-2010?
4. As the United States labor force becomes more diverse, which groups (ethnic, gender & age) will increase and decrease between 2000-2010?
5. Write an example, using a fact, to show how essential education (college degree) is in obtaining a high-paying job.
6. Explain how the service industry group is expected to change by 2010.
7. What are the expectations for these three groups: Business Services, Health Services & Social Services?
8. Professional occupations and related groups will grow rapidly, by 75%, and will come from three groups. Name three professional occupation groups which will add 5.2 million jobs combined.
9. List the 20 occupations that are projected to grow the fastest between 2000-2010. (Chart 8)
10. List the 20 job increases in occupations with the largest numerical increases in employment. (approximately 8 million combined jobs over the 2000-2010 period - Chart 9)

A. You're a what? "Well, I'm a phlebotomist."

1. Find out what people do in these jobs. Then describe each job in a few brief sentences.

Farrier	Arborist	Phlebotomist	Clown
Genealogist	Corporate Concierge	Diagnostic Medical Sonographer	Research Chef
Exercise Physiologist	Greeting Card Writer	Usability Engineer	Acupuncturist

2. Which one of these jobs could you picture yourself performing? Why?
3. From the groups above, which is the highest paying job (how much) and which is the lowest paying job?

B. Charts

1. Find a chart that suggests that the highest paying and fastest growing jobs require more education.
2. Print your chart.

3. Explain your particular chart and describe how higher education affects a person's chances for employment.

C. Youth Corner

1. To get a job you must prepare. What does job preparation mean?

2. Name five resources you can use to learn about the "job market," the "labor market," or "finding a job."

3. Your appearance is the first thing that people notice about how you present yourself. List ten dressing tips for young women and then dressing tips for young men to make sure each group presents themselves well.

4. Basic courtesy and politeness go a long way in the work world. What are five things you can do to show that you have basic courtesy?

5. What are five examples of someone who displays a great attitude when working with other people?

6. Employers want you to "do your best." List ten ways you can show an employer that you are a good worker through your job performance.

D. Research

Research three occupations of your choice using the Occupational Outlook Handbook. You may search by using: The 7 industry career cluster set, the 11 occupations group or the A-Z Index to locate specific jobs.

1. Browse through some occupations and select three that you find interesting.

2. Summarize the following:
   • The description and nature of the job
   • Working Conditions
   • Earnings and Benefits
   • Education and other job requirements
   • Employment outlooks

3. Why would this be a good job for you?