Transitional, Stepping-Stone Jobs for a Rocky Economy
by Woodrow Aames, FindtheRightSchool.com
Typically underpaid and struggling in today's economy, many blue-collar workers are returning to college to train for a new career. If you're one of them, you may find a four-year college degree out of reach -- for now. But you can take online classes while you keep your day job and prepare for "gray-collar" jobs, career roles that fit a neat category between desk jobs and manual labor. Or, if you already have an associate degree, you can complete your bachelor's and boost your earnings potential.
While transitional, gray-collar jobs may not make you rich, they can provide better earnings and job stability in a rocky economy. And they can be stepping stones to more profitable careers in business, technology, or healthcare. Here are six gray collar professions, the training you'll need, and what they pay.
Police Officer
Although their uniforms may have a blue collar, America's police officers use computers, learn extensive civil and criminal codes, and can hardly be classified as grunt workers. Federal, state, and local police agencies will be hiring, and recruiters look first toward graduates of criminal justice associate degree programs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts an overall increase in the hiring of officers by 11 percent between 2006 and 2016, when openings at local police departments will be "excellent for qualified individuals." Annual earnings for police officers in 2007 topped $75,000.
Auto Technician
If you've been a wrench spinner in your garage after working hours, consider taking formal post-secondary automotive technician training offered by technical colleges and trade schools to turn pro. Once considered blue-collar workers, auto mechanics now need to master computer software and diagnostic gear. Online programs provide intensive classroom instruction, coupled with on-site practice that leads to a professional certificate or associate degree. You may want to add a National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification. The BLS forecasts a 14 percent increase in jobs between 2006 and 2016. Top wages for auto technicians in 2007 were $57,650.
Home Care Aides
Home care and health aides are predicted to be the single-largest growing career group through 2016, with an astonishing 50 percent rise in jobs predicted by the BLS. You'll be needed to serve our aging population in extended care facilities, private homes, and convalescent hospitals. Online associate degree programs provide the perfect training curriculum. Median annual wages for home care aides are low -- averaging $20,010 in 2007 -- but if you're looking at a dead-end blue collar job or unemployment, you can grab your gray collar and enjoy job stability.
Computer Support Specialists
Among all careers where professionals require an associate degree, computer support specialists lead the BLS list in pay and stability. Almost every office that houses white-collar workers, or factory that employs blue-collar labor, relies upon a computer network and the gray-collar specialists that provide support. The BLS predicts a 13 percent growth in new jobs for support specialists, and some receive wages that top $80,000. Not bad for having a two-year degree. If you want to rise into a white-collar IT role, you can always head back to school for a bachelor's or master's degree.
Veterinary Technician
Situated midway on the career ladder between white-collar veterinarians and blue-collar stall attendants or pet groomers, you'll find the veterinary technician. Veterinary techs are gray-collar workers who assist in health care for livestock, farm animals, and private pets. You can prepare for the role by completing an associate's degree or a four-year veterinary technology degree. Career training now can be a great investment. The BLS predicts that jobs for techs will grow by 41 percent between 2006 and 2016. Top earnings ranged between $34,090 and $40,550 in 2007.
Sales Supervisor
Retail workers, long considered blue-collar employees, have begun to wear gray-collar designations as they learn company marketing techniques and how to use computerized registers and inventory control equipment. Certainly, rising to a sales supervisor role will land you in gray-collar land. Consider taking online courses in retail, sales, marketing, or management to bolster your credentials and grow your earning power. Companies, the BLS says, are going to be looking for sales support and supervision among employees who have retail experience as well as training in bookkeeping, employee management, and related computer applications. The top 10 percent of first-line sales supervisors earned more than $60,000 a year in 2007.
Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career Opportunityby Woodrow Aames, FindtheRightSchool.com
Typically underpaid and struggling in today's economy, many blue-collar workers are returning to college to train for a new career. If you're one of them, you may find a four-year college degree out of reach -- for now. But you can take online classes while you keep your day job and prepare for "gray-collar" jobs, career roles that fit a neat category between desk jobs and manual labor. Or, if you already have an associate degree, you can complete your bachelor's and boost your earnings potential.
While transitional, gray-collar jobs may not make you rich, they can provide better earnings and job stability in a rocky economy. And they can be stepping stones to more profitable careers in business, technology, or healthcare. Here are six gray collar professions, the training you'll need, and what they pay.
Police Officer
Although their uniforms may have a blue collar, America's police officers use computers, learn extensive civil and criminal codes, and can hardly be classified as grunt workers. Federal, state, and local police agencies will be hiring, and recruiters look first toward graduates of criminal justice associate degree programs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts an overall increase in the hiring of officers by 11 percent between 2006 and 2016, when openings at local police departments will be "excellent for qualified individuals." Annual earnings for police officers in 2007 topped $75,000.
Auto Technician
If you've been a wrench spinner in your garage after working hours, consider taking formal post-secondary automotive technician training offered by technical colleges and trade schools to turn pro. Once considered blue-collar workers, auto mechanics now need to master computer software and diagnostic gear. Online programs provide intensive classroom instruction, coupled with on-site practice that leads to a professional certificate or associate degree. You may want to add a National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification. The BLS forecasts a 14 percent increase in jobs between 2006 and 2016. Top wages for auto technicians in 2007 were $57,650.
Home Care Aides
Home care and health aides are predicted to be the single-largest growing career group through 2016, with an astonishing 50 percent rise in jobs predicted by the BLS. You'll be needed to serve our aging population in extended care facilities, private homes, and convalescent hospitals. Online associate degree programs provide the perfect training curriculum. Median annual wages for home care aides are low -- averaging $20,010 in 2007 -- but if you're looking at a dead-end blue collar job or unemployment, you can grab your gray collar and enjoy job stability.
Computer Support Specialists
Among all careers where professionals require an associate degree, computer support specialists lead the BLS list in pay and stability. Almost every office that houses white-collar workers, or factory that employs blue-collar labor, relies upon a computer network and the gray-collar specialists that provide support. The BLS predicts a 13 percent growth in new jobs for support specialists, and some receive wages that top $80,000. Not bad for having a two-year degree. If you want to rise into a white-collar IT role, you can always head back to school for a bachelor's or master's degree.
Veterinary Technician
Situated midway on the career ladder between white-collar veterinarians and blue-collar stall attendants or pet groomers, you'll find the veterinary technician. Veterinary techs are gray-collar workers who assist in health care for livestock, farm animals, and private pets. You can prepare for the role by completing an associate's degree or a four-year veterinary technology degree. Career training now can be a great investment. The BLS predicts that jobs for techs will grow by 41 percent between 2006 and 2016. Top earnings ranged between $34,090 and $40,550 in 2007.
Sales Supervisor
Retail workers, long considered blue-collar employees, have begun to wear gray-collar designations as they learn company marketing techniques and how to use computerized registers and inventory control equipment. Certainly, rising to a sales supervisor role will land you in gray-collar land. Consider taking online courses in retail, sales, marketing, or management to bolster your credentials and grow your earning power. Companies, the BLS says, are going to be looking for sales support and supervision among employees who have retail experience as well as training in bookkeeping, employee management, and related computer applications. The top 10 percent of first-line sales supervisors earned more than $60,000 a year in 2007.
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