Category Archives: career planning

Google for Entrepreneurs – Polish that idea!

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You have an idea, make it happen! That is what ‘Google for Entrepreneurs‘ says! The Google wants to make new start-ups easier for the entrepreneurs. The mega-company already provides Internet-related products and services, including internet search, cloud computing, and software and advertising technologies; this is one more feather in the giant cap that Google wears.

This is a fantastic news for those who need some help with converting their ideas into a tangible service or product. This new initiative help you discover local programs and online resources to launch and scale your business. Many individuals, many companies and different start-ups are already joining the program to ‘Connect, learn, and grow through programs from Google and local partners’.

For those interested in exploring this, you can find workshops, networking events, mentoring sessions, and much more under Events.

There are all kinds of resources that you can utilize to grow your business with tools and online resources from Google. Continue reading →

Jobs and occupations in high demand : 2010-2020 Projections

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BLS 2010-2020 Projections: Employment change by occupation

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, the Bureau) is the principal fact-finding agency for the Federal Government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics. This BLS survey highlights the forecast on employment changes for different occupations.

Demand for jobs and occupations is affected by industry growth or decline. Many factors, including productivity increases and changes in business practices impact this job growth or decline. Based on BLS survey, these are the latest projections on employments changes for major occupational groups, for the period of 2010 to 2020:

Healthcare occupations: Employment among healthcare occupations is expected to increase by 29 percent. This growth, resulting in a projected 3.5 million new jobs, will be driven by increasing demand for healthcare services. As the number of elderly individuals continues to grow, and as new developments allow for the treatment of more medical conditions, more healthcare professionals will be needed. Within this group, two occupations are expected to add a substantial number of jobs: registered nurses, with some 711,900 new jobs; and home health aides, with roughly 706,300 new jobs. Much of the growth in this pair of occupations will be the result of increased demand for healthcare services as the expanding elderly population requires more care.

Personal care and service occupations: Employment in personal care and service occupations is anticipated to grow by 27 percent over the next decade, adding more than 1.3 million jobs. As consumers become more concerned with health, beauty, and fitness, the number of cosmetic and health spas will rise, causing an increase in demand for workers in this group. The personal care and service group contains a wide variety of occupations; however, two of them—personal care aides and childcare workers—will account for nearly two-thirds of the group’s new jobs. Personal and home care aides will experience increased demand as a growing number of elderly people require assistance with daily tasks. Childcare workers will add jobs as the population of children continues to grow and emphasis is increasingly placed on the importance of early childhood education, resulting in more formal preschool programs. These programs will increase demand for both childcare workers and preschool teachers.

Community and social services occupations: Employment in community and social services occupations is projected to increase by 24 percent, representing roughly 582,300 jobs. As health insurance providers increasingly cover mental and behavioral health treatment, and as of the population of elderly people grows, the elderly will seek more and more social services and demand for these workers will rise.

Computer and information technology occupations: Computer and information technology occupations are projected to grow by 22 percent, adding 758,800 new jobs from 2010 to 2020. Demand for workers in these occupations will be driven by the continuing need for businesses, government agencies, and other organizations to adopt and utilize the latest technologies. Workers in these occupations will be needed to develop software, increase cyber security, and update existing network infrastructure. Continue reading →

2010-2020 US Labor Force forecast by race, ethnic groups and by age

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2010 to 2020 US Jobs and Employment projections by race, ethnic groups and by age

Just like the US population, the American labor force is growing more slowly, becoming older and more diverse. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) study outlines the jobs and employment projections by race, ethnic groups and by age.

In these stats, the labor force is composed of all persons 16 years and older in the civilian noninstitutional population who either are employed or are unemployed but available and looking for work.
Here are the key highlights (Click on the charts on the right for bigger legend):

  • The civilian labor force is projected to reach 164.4 million by 2020, an increase of 6.8 percent.
  • The U.S. workforce is projected to become more diverse by 2020.
  • Among racial groups, Whites are expected to make up a decreasing share of the labor force while Blacks, Asians, and all other groups will increase their share (Chart 2).
  • Among ethnic groups, persons of Hispanic origin are projected to increase their share of the labor force from 14.8 percent to 18.6 percent.
  • The Asians are projected to increase their share of the labor force from 4.7 percent to 5.7 percent.

Continue reading →

US Employment forecast by industry: 2010-2020

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2010 to 2020: US Jobs and Employment change projections by industry

Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the total employment is expected to increase by 14 percent from 2010 to 2020. However, the 20.5 million jobs expected to be added by 2020 will not be evenly distributed across major industry and occupational groups. Changes in consumer demand, improvements in technology, and many other factors will contribute to the continually changing employment structure of the U.S. economy.

The underlying analysis (of BLS employment projections) uses currently available information to focus on long-term structural changes in the economy. This post examines the projected employment change within the industries:

Service-providing industries

The employment shift in the U.S. economy away from goods-producing in favor of service-providing industries is expected to continue. Service-providing industries are anticipated to generate nearly 18 million new wage and salary jobs. As with goods-producing industries, growth among service-providing industries will vary (Chart 5 below).

Healthcare and social assistance: The healthcare and social assistance industry is projected to create about 28 percent of all new jobs created in the U.S. economy. This industry—which includes public and private hospitals, nursing and residential care facilities, and individual and family services—is expected to grow by 33 percent, or 5.7 million new jobs. Employment growth will be driven by an aging population and longer life expectancies, as well as new treatments and technologies.

Professional, scientific, and technical services: Employment in professional, scientific, and technical services is projected to grow by 29 percent, adding about 2.1 million new jobs by 2020. Employment in computer systems design and related services is expected to increase by 47 percent, driven by growing demand for sophisticated computer network and mobile technologies. Employment in management, scientific, and technical consulting services is anticipated to expand, at 58 percent. Demand for these services will be spurred by businesses’ continued need for advice on planning and logistics, the implementation of new technologies, and compliance with workplace safety, environmental, and employment regulations. Combined, the two industries—computer systems design and related services and management, scientific, and technical consulting services—will account for more than half of all new jobs in professional, scientific, and technical services. Continue reading →

2010–2020 Projections: US Population and Labor Force

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The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, the Bureau) is the principal fact-finding agency for the Federal Government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics. The latest study on 2010-2020 projections correlates the overall employment with the US population.

  • Shifts in the size and composition of the population can influence the U.S. economy.
  • Several factors, including slower population growth, an aging population, and increasing diversity, are expected to affect the population over the coming decade.
  • The U.S. civilian non-institutional population, including individuals ages 16 and older, is expected to increase by 25.2 million from 2010 to 2020 (Chart 1).
  • For the labor force, the projected growth rate of 10.6 percent is far less compared to last two decades (1990–2000 period and the 2000-10 period).

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2010–2020 USA Employment Projections

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The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, the Bureau) is the principal fact-finding agency for the Federal Government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics. Based on the latest projections on employments and occupations outlook survey for the next 10 years:

  • Total employment is expected to increase by 20.5 million jobs from 2010 to 2020, with 88 percent of detailed occupations projected to experience employment growth.
  • Industries and occupations related to health care, personal care and social assistance, and construction are projected to have the fastest job growth between 2010 and 2020.
  • Jobs requiring a master’s degree are expected to grow the fastest, while those requiring a high school diploma will experience the slowest growth over the 2010–20 time-frame.
  • Slower population growth and a decreasing overall labor force participation rate are expected to lead to slower civilian labor force growth.

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Study India Programme (SIP) for NRIs and PIOs

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Study India Programme (SIP) for Non-Resident Indians and Persons of Indian Origin

The Study India Programme (SIP) is sponsored by the Government of India – The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs. The program invites the youth of Indian diaspora living abroad. Think of it as a summer school course in an Indian University, a lot different social experience compared to America or Europe.  The foreign citizens of Indian origin in the age-group of 18-26 years can apply and qualify for the short term courses that familiarize them with the Indian art, culture, heritage, history, emerging economy and overall development of India. Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs websites states, “Such short term courses shall aim at providing an opportunity to the overseas Indian youth to better understand and appreciate contemporary India, foster closer ties with the land of their ancestors and enhance their engagement with India.” Continue reading →

Are you in the right Job or occupation? The Monday morning test!

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Jobs and occupations – Evaluating your current work options!

Tokyo Women’s Medical University study, published in the American Journal of Hypertension, shows that many workers suffer a significant increase in blood pressure as they return to the office after the weekend.

Other researches show that the most common day for heart attacks is Monday. Statistics spike on Monday mornings, in particular, since heart attacks occur between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m. more than any other six-hour period.

How much do you really like your job or occupation? How you feel on Monday morning may be the real test of your career choice and the occupation. There are very few who enjoy waking up Monday morning, looking forward to the work. After a relaxing weekend, very few want to go back to the job routine. After all, as name says it all, work is just that – work!

Most of us work for livelihood, and there is no choice but finding a way to make the living. There are very few who have combined their work with their favorite hobby. If your work is also your hobby, well then you don’t know much about the Monday morning blues!

How stressed you are on Monday morning may be the real test of your carrier choice – how well you like your job and the work-place. If you feel like having a heart attack every Monday, or every other day for that matter, then you should certainly reconsider your work options – find a way to deal with the stress more effectively or look for a different job. After all, health should come before work, or that is how it should be prioritized.

It is easier said than done, but it is not impossible! Continue reading →

USA welcomes prospective students from India

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United States welcomes prospective Indian students
US Embassy Press release; July 28, 2011, New Delhi

“The United States is proud of its record of welcoming foreign students, and in particular the numerous Indian students who enrich America’s academic communities. The number of Indian students who have applied for visas to study in the United States increased by 20% over the same period last year. This increase is an indication of the dynamism of the Indo-U.S. partnership and the strong people-to-people ties between the two nations. It also reflects the desire of high quality Indian students to pursue a world-class education in the U.S.

Prospective students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the free resources offered by the U.S. government and fully research the academic options available to them. The Embassy is to provide accurate, free information that allows students and their families to research schools and to protect themselves from visa fraud rings. All legitimate students have a fair chance to study in the U.S.

As always, the U.S. government urges all prospective students to fully research their chosen educational institutes and have a firm grasp of what is and is not permitted under a student visa. In particular, all students must be aware that any of the following will result in an immediate violation of status:

  • Lack of physical attendance at classes (taking only online courses is not acceptable)
  • Failure to maintain a full courseload
  • Unauthorized employment

Violating the terms of a visa can result in deportation, arrest and even a bar on future travel to the United States. If any educational advisor or academic organization suggests that such actions are permissible under a student visa, we strongly recommend students contact the Embassy immediately in order to prevent committing visa fraud. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that he or she is in accordance with the law. Continue reading →

Thank you 2011, this time I mean it

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Dear 2011!
Welcome. I have been waiting for you almost since Christmas. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Really, I mean it. It is hard to believe what a difference a day can make; well, in this case a night!

As the clock strikes midnight on December 31, as the 2010 rolls over and 2011 rolls in, a whole new year is born, a brand new one! As the seconds tick-tock from 12:00 to 12:01AM – in those 60 seconds, a whole year is forgotten. a whole year becomes history! All the sorrows of 2010, all the unkept promises, all the unresolved resolutions – everything becomes past; as if they all become obsolete. All the bad memories of previous year are replaced by the joyous celebrations of a new one. It is amazing how good we are at forgetting yesterday; our selective memory loss is something to be umm….proud of.

As the new year rolls in, we starts a new chapter in their life. The yesterday become a year old. With new optimism of new year, we plan something big, something great, something large. The choice is between the dead and gone 2010 vs. the new born 2011. Why should we mourn the dying past if there is choice to celebrate the future, to celebrate the birth of a new year.

Just like most of us, I have written off 2010 already – completely forgotten. I have even replaced my 2010 resolutions with new ones for 2011.

Drear 2011, I have big plans for you. For a change, I really want to DO something this year; I absolutely want to accomplish something this time. I know I have said this before to your elder brother 2010, or perhaps many others before that, but let the bygones be bygones. Let the past be a history. This time I am dead serious; this time, I am motivated to make a difference in my life.

I can already feel it – the good karma surrounds me on this new dawn of a new year. I can feel the optimism all around me. Continue reading →

A summary of job search tips and new business ideas

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A good job is hardest to find when you really need one! Th psychological pressure of job hunt takes its own toll; the  emotional stress alone  is hard enough to deal with.

So, how do you go about looking for a job? Do you send out you resumes to every company within your areas of expertise and then sit back and hope for an interview call? Are you the kind of person who goes out and talk to the businesses, handing out your resumes, filling up application forms and calling back regularly for an update? Or you just apply online, and then check your email for the response every hour?

Everybody is different, everyone has his or her own way of doing things. same goes for the job search. Some try and try regardless, while others get discouraged more easily.Th knowledge is power. More you know about the ins-and-outs of job search, less nervous and less stressed you will be.

The intent of this article is to share some good resources on job search information and new business ideas, some additional tools that you may or may not have explored before.  Armed with the information, you can go about your job hunt, in your own way.

Who is hiring?: It is always good to know which businesses are hiring lately or which jobs are in high demand. These article below are a good place to start:

  • Jobs and Occupations in highest demand in USA: 2006 to 2016
  • 25 Highest Paying Jobs and Occupations in America
  • The fastest growing jobs and occupations in USA

    • Who will be hiring?: The trends in job openings are always helpful and are good indicators of job forecast in the near and far future. If you are still studying, it is good to know which areas of economy are growing and may be hiring by the time you finish your studies. These articles below summarize the employment forecast and list the jobs and occupations that are in high demand:

  • USA Employment Projections for 2008-2018
  • Education levels for the fastest growing jobs!
  • Jobs and Occupations in highest demand in USA: 2006 to 2016

    • Continue reading →

    Your pay depends on where you live in USA

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    U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Comparisons of pay between metropolitan areas in 2009

    This should come as a no surprise – your earnings from the same job or occupation can vary significantly, even within the same country. Based on a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor, your pay depends on where you live and work in America.

    The variations are quite noticeable from city to city. For example, the average pay for a civilian workers in the San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA metropolitan area was 20 percent above the national average in 2009.

    This National Compensation Survey (NCS) study includes 77 different metropolitan areas. The chart below is a pictorial view of the pay relation for some of the cities across USA. In this survey, the term ‘pay’ includes all the wages, salaries, commissions, and production bonuses.


    Continue reading →

    Employment Picture for US Families

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    USA Employment Characteristics of Families Summary, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Release; May 27, 2010

    As the country struggles with high unemployment rate, more and more families are impacted by the current economic downturn. Here are some interesting facts from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (US Department of Labor) on family level employment in USA:

    • More and more families have at least one of the family member out of work.
    • The share of families with an unemployed member rose from 7.8 percent in 2008 to 12.0 percent in 2009.
    • The proportion of families with an unemployed member in 2009 was at its highest level since the data tracking began in 1994.
    • Of the nation’s 78.4 million families, 80.4 percent had at least one employed member in 2009, down by 1.8 percentage points from 2008.
    • There were 9.4 million families with at least one unemployed member in 2009, up from 6.1 million in 2008. in 2009.

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    25 Highest Paying Jobs and Occupations in America

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    25 Jobs and Occupations with the highest median annual wages in America

    A program from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), called ‘The Occupational Employment Statistics’ produces employment and wage estimates for national and state level occupations. Based on the data available from May 2008, following are the highest paying jobs and occupations in America, along with the the median annual wages and a brief description of the occupation as provided by the US BLS.

    Note that a highest paying job does not mean that it is in the highest demand.

    1. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons (More than $166,400): Perform surgery on mouth, jaws, and related head and neck structure to execute difficult and multiple extractions of teeth, to remove tumors and other abnormal growths, to correct abnormal jaw relations by mandibular or maxillary revision, to prepare mouth for insertion of dental prosthesis, or to treat fractured jaws.

    2. Orthodontists(More than $166,400): Examine, diagnose, and treat dental malocclusions and oral cavity anomalies. Design and fabricate appliances to realign teeth and jaws to produce and maintain normal function and to improve appearance.

    3. Prosthodontists (More than $166,400) Construct oral prostheses to replace missing teeth and other oral structures to correct natural and acquired deformation of mouth and jaws, to restore and maintain oral function, such as chewing and speaking, and to improve appearance.

    4. Physicians and surgeons (More than $166,400) : All physicians and surgeons not listed separately. This is general category for the physicians/doctors and surgeons, practice medicine and perform surgeries.

    6. Chief executives ($158,560): Determine and formulate policies and provide the overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within the guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

    6. Dentists, general ($142,870): Diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums and related oral structures. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting vitality of teeth. Continue reading →

    Change in US Labor Force by Race and Ethnicity

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    Source: US Bureau of Labor Stats

    Source: US Bureau of Labor Stats

    “Making informed career decisions requires reliable information about opportunities in the future. Opportunities result from the relationships between the population, labor force, and the demand for goods and services.”  ~ U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

    The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics has a very comprehensive report on jobs and occupations in USA. The report outlines various aspects of job situations and provides projections on the jobs outlook.

    The term labor force or work force includes all the people either working or looking for work. Over the next 10 years,  based on the population growth and job outlook, the report also includes the change in the labor force for different races. This chart here has a graphical view of change in labor force by race and ethnic origin comparing 2008  employment to the projection for 2018. Note that there is no separate category for ‘Indian Americans’; in this study, they are part the ‘Asian’ group.

    Some of the Highlights of the report are:

    •  The U.S. workforce is expected to become more diverse by 2018.
    • Among racial groups, Whites are expected to make up a decreasing share of the labor force, while Blacks, Asians, and all other groups will increase their share.
    • The Asian work force is expected to rise from 4.7 percent to 5.6 percent, a relative growth of 25 percent over 10 years.

      • Continue reading →