Institute for Career Research

VIDEO GAMES HAVE COME A LONG WAY since the days of Pong and Spacewar Within just a few decades, the global video game industry has grown into a $180 billion a year behemoth with players all over the world buying games for their Xbox systems, computers, smartphones, and handheld game consoles. It is still growing, at a rate that is four times faster than the growth of the overall US economy. It is not unusual for major studios to have 200-plus teams working on a single game with a $20 million budget. Yet, this industry is unique in that anyone - even a single self-taught home coder - can make a new game and potentially get into the action. Game development combines art and science to create games for entertainment and education. On the artistic side, a designer comes up with the idea for a new game, artists add visual elements like characters and environments, and audio engineers flesh out the ambience with sound effects and voices. On the technical side, programmers bring it all to life with coding that tells the computer what to do throughout the game. A game developer is defined as anyone who makes games. That could be someone who does it all, from beginning to end. It is more often someone who is on a game team, performing a specific job function such as concept artist or quality control tester. The workday is usually spent either in front of a computer or in meetings to discuss the next steps.There are two kinds of employers in this field: independent studios and AAA studios. Indie studios can be as small as one person, but they usually have a small team and a small budget. AAA studios are big corporations with millions to spend and best-selling titles to their credit. The demand for developers is steadily increasing in both, however, there is a certain element of uncertainty in the business. Layoffs are common due to intense competition in the marketplace that often causes a project to fail. As a result, developers need to be prepared to move on to another job at any time. On average, a developer will hold three or four jobs within a five year period. On the plus side, the pay is excellent even for beginners. Entry-level salaries start at around $50,000 and experienced developers can command upwards of $150,000.Due to the differences in job roles, there is no prescribed way to prepare for this career. Learning the necessary skills can be accomplished in one of two ways: informal (self-study) or formal (college). Which one you choose depends on the type of work you want to do. Self-taught developers learn their skills through books, workshops, and online courses. Much of it can be acquired for free. Developers who go the college route usually pursue bachelor's degrees in computer science, art, or video game development. There are also a few specialty vocational schools that are focused on training game developers.The video game industry employs thousands of people from around the world, with almost 8,000 new positions opening up each year. It can be tough to land one of those jobs, regardless of education and experience. Like most creative fields, many people are attracted by the money and the perceived glamor. There are millions of kids who grew up on video games who dream of spending their entire lives with games. Despite the competition, it is possible to break into this field. The key is to work really, really hard to sharpen your skills and learn every aspect of the game development process. Prove you have done that with an excellent portfolio that demonstrates talent and a genuine interest in the work itself, and employers will be interested in you.

THE MODERN THEME PARK BUSINESS is a globe-spanning, multi¬billion-dollar extravaganza that relies upon the efforts of engineers, performers, painters, designers, singers, comedians, architects, dancers, writers and every kind of corporate professional imaginable, from accountants to lawyers to marketing pros. In fact, few industries rely on as many different career skill sets as the theme park industry. The magic does not happen by accident.Americans spend about $25 billion a year on visiting theme parks in the United States. The Disney parks alone receive almost 20 million visitors per year. For many families, packing the car or getting on a plane to spend a week or so on a theme-park vacation is an annual ritual cherished by children and parents alike. In fact, adults outnumber children at Disneyland by about two to one.A growing economy in the United States and around the world has pumped up demand for theme parks. Theme parks spend around $10 billion on new construction in the United States every year, and that does not count additional spending around the world, often by American companies. While it is true that the theme park business is sensitive to economic downturns, it always bounces back. Having fun is a part of life, and people are happy to spend money on it. There may be a place in this fascinating business for you.

LOGISTICS IS A TERM USED IN BUSINESS to describe the process of getting goods, supplies, equipment, and people where they need to be, when they need to be there. It is a specialized field that involves warehousing, inventory control, distribution, and transportation. Logistics is an often overlooked field that most people do not usually think of when considering a future career. However, it plays a huge role in our economy and our everyday lives. American businesses currently spend more than $1.5 trillion on logistics each year. That gives some indication of how important logistics is to business. It also has a major impact on nearly everyone's daily lives. Without logistics we would not have hospitals, schools, electronics, mail, phones, sporting events, or TV. There would not be any food in the refrigerator either - unless you grew it yourself in your backyard.Logistics managers are in charge of coordinating an organization's supply chain. It is a complex job that requires numerous steps. Using specialized computer software, they determine what and how many items are needed, how they will be acquired, how many will be stored in inventory, how they will be distributed, and what method of transportation will be used for delivery. Throughout the process, it is the logistics manager's responsibility to make sure it all goes smoothly. That often means thinking outside the box and brainstorming with team members to solve problems that are costing time and money. The goal is always to find the fastest, cheapest, and safest way to get things from point A to point B. Logistics managers fill vital roles in organizations of all types and sizes. They work in nearly every industry and many government agencies. Nonprofit organizations, especially those involved in disaster relief, also depend on them to distribute lifesaving supplies to hot spots around the globe. The military also relies heavily on good logistics. In fact, the armed forces are where many logistics managers obtain their skills. The number of jobs for logistics managers is growing, while employers often have trouble attracting new candidates. On any given day, there are thousands of job openings. The problem is not lack of rewards - the average pay for an experienced logistics manager is $100,000, not counting bonuses and other perks. It is because most people do not know about the excellent opportunities that await qualified candidates. How can you make yourself qualified? The surest way is to study logistics in college. Most employers want to see a bachelor's degree, but even a two-year associate degree or technical certificate is enough to get started. Employers also want to see motivation. An enthusiastic candidate with drive and leadership skills will always capture the attention of employersDo you love big trucks, trains, ships, and planes? Are you a people person who enjoys the camaraderie of working closely within a team? Logistics managers are in demand and people from all kinds of backgrounds are welcome to start in basic roles and work their way up. If you can multitask, handle responsibilities, and deal with pressure, you could have a secure future working in a comfortable office, or traveling the world doing exciting and challenging work.

THE AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION defines public health nursing as the practice of promoting and protecting the health of populations using knowledge from nursing, social, and public health sciences. The core focus of the public health nursing practice focuses on promoting health and preventing disease and disability. These specialized nurses are, in essence, responsible for ensuring the health of the whole nation. While most nurses care for one patient at a time, public health nurses (PHNs) care for entire populations. By working with whole communities, they are able to educate people about health issues, improve community health and safety, and increase access to care. Public health nurses work on the front lines to promote and improve health. Instead of being stationed in a hospital, PHNs reach out to people in the community. This allows them to assess their environment, available resources, and potential healthcare needs. By serving individuals and families in their own environment, they are able to provide care for those who may not be able to obtain healthcare services by other means. In group settings such as community centers or work¬places, they stop the spread of disease, prevent injury, and ward off illness through education and direct intervention. They also keep people safer by helping them prepare for natural disasters.PHNs work in a variety of settings such as health departments, schools, homes, community health centers, clinics, correctional facilities, work sites, and out of mobile vans. Where they work often determines their roles and responsibilities. For example, a PHN working in a community health clinic might provide immunizations and medical treatments, manage wellness clinics, and help people dealing with violence, pregnancy, or substance abuse. Within a government agency, the work would involve researching potential health epidemics and how to mitigate them. In a remote village in an undeveloped country, a PHN would work to slow a pandemic or reduce infant mortality through education. Public health nursing is generally considered a specialized field of registered nursing, which usually means a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is required. Because there is a nursing shortage that shows no signs of letting up, it is possible to start with a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) that is available at most community colleges. About half of all public health nurses enter the profession with an ADN, but nearly all eventually obtain a BSN because it is needed to qualify for jobs with more responsibility, advancement opportunities, and higher salaries. Many employers help their nurses obtain a BSN, offering tuition assistance and flexible scheduling so these nurses can continue to work while going back to school. Entry-level public health nurses start out earning on average $50,000 a year. After a few years of experience and earning a BSN, the average rises to $70,000. There are other nursing fields that offer higher pay, but none provides greater overall job satisfaction. In addition to the opportunity to improve the lives of great numbers of people, PHNs enjoy great benefits packages, exceptional autonomy, normal working hours, and good work/life balance. Plus, they can count on job security since robust job growth is expected, with more public health nurses needed each year for the foreseeable future. Nurses have many options, but if you want a broader, fuller life, public health nursing can be a great choice.

WORKING AS AN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (IP) attorney can provide one of the most intriguing and lucrative career paths available today. IP lawyers perform many of the same duties as other types of lawyers. However, they focus on issues arising from unique creations of the human mind. They document and enforce patents for inventions; trademarks for businesses; and copyrights for authors, musicians, and publishers. At many organizations large or small, intellectual property is their most valuable asset. IP lawyers help individuals and businesses protect their ideas and products from unauthorized use, and ensure they are fairly compensated when those creations are licensed by others. Lawyers must complete seven years of college-level education, including three years of law school. They must also pass state exams and be admitted to the local bar association to obtain a license to practice law. Many IP lawyers who deal with patent law are also registered with the federal patent bar. IP law professionals provide advice to their clients, negotiate contracts, and sometimes litigate cases in civil or criminal court. IP attorneys may work for law firms, for private corporations, or for government agencies. The overall number of attorneys is expected to increase by almost 10 percent over the coming decade. The American Bar Association reports that there are more than 1.3 million US attorneys, while the American Intellectual Property Law Association currently lists some 14,000 members. Earnings for IP lawyers are similar to those of other attorneys, averaging almost $150,000 for experienced lawyers. Becoming an IP lawyer requires many of the same technical and personal skills as other attorneys, including solid communications skills, analytical thinking, and a thorough command of complex details. However, IP lawyers also need to be specialists in their fields of concentration. Patent attorneys often earn their bachelor's degrees in scientific disciplines, as they may work with pharmaceuticals, new computer innovations, or biotechnology research. Trademark attorneys work with businesses to protect their brand names, while copyright attorneys help creative artists such as authors and musicians profit from their works. IP law is a growing practice, as new scientific developments, digital media platforms, and new regulations have increased the complexity of IP issues in many industries. Tougher global competition and the Internet have increased the need for legal experts to combat online piracy, electronic content theft, and similar abuses. If you have good interpersonal, reasoning, and negotiating skills, you can build a rewarding career as an IP lawyer. The hours may be long and the work demanding, but the financial and personal rewards can be significant. Through proper training and hard work, you can achieve personal and professional satisfaction.

GERIATRIC NURSES SPECIALIZE IN CARING for elderly adults. As most people get older, their bodies and minds start to slow down and wear out. Their immune systems weaken along with their bones and they become more vulnerable to disease and accidents. Because of this, elderly people typically need more medical care than younger people. Most of their care is provided by geriatric nurses, which makes these professionals highly valued by those people who depend on them. In addition to preventing health emergencies, geriatric nurses have a huge impact on the quality of life for both patients and their families. Caring for older adults is both challenging and rewarding. The work requires knowledge in all areas of healthcare, and a willingness to keep up with the expanding scientific base for geriatric medicine. There is much we do not yet know about aging, but we do know that it is complex, involving biological, psychological, and social changes. We also know that elderly individuals are different than other adults. They need special care, since a minor health problem like the flu or a fall can spin out of control quickly. Changes in their metabolism can mean they respond differently to medications and other treatments. Geriatric nurses are first trained to perform traditional nursing duties. Before getting into geriatrics, they must earn a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN), which takes four years. During that time, they can learn about geriatric care in the classroom, but most of what they need to know will come from hands-on experience. After getting at least 200 hours of that experience, they can sit for an exam to become certified in the specialty of geriatrics. The job outlook for trained geriatric nurses is excellent and getting better every day. The US is experiencing a so-called "Silver Tsunami" as the population ages faster than any other time in history. The fastest-growing age group is over 80, and with Baby Boomers now entering their 60s, the demand for geriatric care is outpacing the supply of trained professionals. This is great news for aspiring geriatric nurses. Consider that people who are 65 or older account for one-half of all hospital admissions, yet just one percent of registered nurses and only three percent of advanced practice registered nurses are certified in geriatrics. There is definitely a demand for more professionals in this healthcare specialty Opportunities are everywhere because people everywhere get older. Geriatric nurses will find that jobs are plentiful in long-term care facilities (nursing homes), assisted living facilities, outpatient clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, senior care centers, retirement centers, and hospice settings. There are also home healthcare agencies that arrange for nursing care in elderly people's homes. Geriatric nurses enjoy good pay and flexibility. They have the choice of working for a single employer or rotating through different settings assigned by an agency. For the nurse who likes to be on the move, traveling nurses are in demand. It is a great way to see the country and get paid considerably more than a staff nurse.

WHY DO PEOPLE HAPPILY CAMP in line all night waiting for a chance to spend big bucks on the next iPhone? Why do we go to Starbucks when coffee is half the price at the local diner? The answer is simple. Design. Every product is designed to be functional, whether it is a car, computer, or shoe. Companies know that customers will shell out more money for an experience that feels good. Customer-savvy companies (like Apple, Nike, and Tesla) that have invested in innovative design outperformed the S&P 500 by 288 percent over the past decade. That is the power of UX design. Short for user experience, UX design is concerned with how a product feels, or more precisely, how it makes the end user feel. It is the most intangible part of a killer product. It targets the end user's underlying emotional needs while delivering exceptional functionality. Successful UX design creates an enjoyable experience that makes the lines between design and functionality disappear. UX designers work on more than digital products and electronics, like social media sites and smartphones. They work with all kinds of things, from airplane seats, to kitchen appliances, to hotel rooms. UX design is now considered one of the best jobs in America with job growth of almost 20 percent annually, top pay well into six figures, and satisfying work that is both creative and intellectually challenging. It is one of the fastest growing fields with a job market that is exploding. The huge demand for UX designers is the result of companies realizing that profit margins can be driven much higher by creating an "I gotta have (at any cost)" mentality among consumers. Skilled UX designers are so highly coveted that they can choose to work as freelance consultants (for even more pay), or as full-time employees at just about any kind of company.

AS A CAREER FIELD, "COMMUNICATION" is generally assumed to include career paths as diverse as journalism, public relations, creative writing and even theatre. What about communication at the most essential level of speech? Speech-language pathologists, often known as SLPs, are the dedicated professionals who help people who have trouble speaking clearly to find their voice and communicate effectively with the world around them. They are the most numerous careerists in the field of communications sciences and disorders, which also includes audiologists and scientists who study speech and hearing problems. Many people suffer from speech problems. About half of the 180,000 speech-language pathologists in the US are employed by schools to help children born with speech impairments to overcome them. The other half of speech-language pathologists work in clinics and hospitals to help people who have suffered trauma or disease, to regain their ability to communicate via speech. People who suffer strokes, for example, often lose much of their ability to speak and need intensive therapy to regain it. Speech-language pathologists also help people with swallowing disorders, which are often the result of injury or illness. Although most speech-language pathologists choose to work for large institutions like schools and hospitals, some take an entrepreneurial leap and open their own specialty clinics, hiring other speech-language pathologists and support staff. Typically, they do not take this step until they have spent a few years working somewhere else, learning the profession, and building a reputation.

WHAT KIND OF INFORMATION WOULD YOU FIND in a special library? Well, did you know, for example, that William Shakespeare had a younger brother, named Edmund, who was an actor? The siblings were born in Stratford-upon-Avon, about 100 miles northwest of London. As an adult, Edmund followed his older brother William to London, but the pair never worked on a production together or even came close to working together in the field they both loved. It is all true - you can look it up. Where? At the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, a special library dealing with all things Shakespeare. The Folger Shakespeare Library is one of thousands of special libraries located throughout the United States, and around the world. Special libraries are unique repositories of very specific data dealing with detailed information on a particular subject. If you can think of a topic of interest, you can probably find a special library that has a collection of information about it, most likely not found anywhere else. Having all this material is wonderful, but it is only valuable if it can be made available to people to use, especially in research. Special librarians organize these repositories of specialized information so researchers can make the maximum use of the information. Special librarian is a fascinating career because it allows you to combine a variety of your talents and interests. While many public and school librarians deal with books and periodicals covering a wide range of topics, your job as a special librarian has a keener focus. Your library skills have to be top-notch, but you also must be an expert in the topic covered by the library where you work. While you may not be a doctor, if you are a special librarian in a medical library you would know the difference between a ligament and a tendon. You have to know where to get information on both, plus other even more technical medical information. Similarly, a special librarian working at the library housed at the Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum in Auburn, Indiana, would have a deep-rooted love for and background in cars. This in addition to being able to draw on the savvy of a book and data chronicler to sort through and catalogue the comprehensive facts and figures about Ford automobiles of a bygone era, contained in the repository's exhaustive collection of printed materials related to the vehicles. If you are passionate about a specific subject, being a special librarian is the perfect job in the perfect work environment

RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGISTS ARE THE HEALTHCARE professionals who perform medical imaging examinations used for diagnosing illness or injury. They use a variety of equipment that utilizes radiation to create the images, such as X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT). Some are also trained to administer radiation therapy treatments to cancer patients. Radiologic technologists are often known by the type of technology they handle or the particular examination technique they perform. For example, there are MRI techs, CT techs, and X-ray techs as well as mammog¬raphers, sonographers, and nuclear medicine technologists. Most radiologic technologists work in hospitals, but they are needed in every healthcare setting including doctors' offices, outpatient clinics, diagnostic and research laboratories, and independent diagnostic imaging centers. There are even traveling radiologic technologists who bring their well-equipped vans to patients in their homes, assisted living facilities, senior communities, and hospices. A career in radiologic technology offers a promising future, job stability, and a good salary. The number of jobs is increasing rapidly because of the expanding population of aging adults - the primary users of diagnostic imaging procedures. That makes it a good choice for individuals who want to make sure there is a job waiting for them when they have completed the necessary training. There is a growing demand for qualified professionals who have completed a two-year degree program in radiologic technology. The opportunities are even greater for those who pursue more advanced studies and obtain certification in specializations such as radiation therapy or vascular interventional technology. Salaries for radiologic technologists are very competitive with other healthcare professionals with similar educational backgrounds. The median annual income for a generalist is $60,000, and with the right combination of location and experience, it is possible to reach $85,000. Those who obtain the extra training needed for certification in other modalities can experience a boost in income. An MRI tech, for example, earns on average 25 percent more than a generalist. Radiologic technologists do not have to worry about being laid off or getting bored. This is a stable career that offers many options. You could use your skills to work in pediatric care or orthopedics. You could teach or manage an entire radiology department. You could perform research that leads to breakthroughs in diagnostic imaging or radiation therapy. You could even get out of the hospital environment altogether and work with professional athletes. Once you have obtained the basic knowledge and skills, you can expand the boundaries of your career in any direction that interests you.

NEUROLOGY IS A MEDICAL SPECIALTY that deals with disorders of the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Because the brain acts as the control center for the entire body, neural problems may affect body parts. For example, multiple sclerosis can affect numerous parts of the body including eyes, skin, and leg or arm muscles. Neurology is such a vast field that most neurologists devote their practice to a particular subspecialty like pediatrics, head trauma, brain cancer, or seizure disorders such as epilepsy, or speech disorders. Neurosurgery is also a subspecialty. Neurosurgeons, commonly known as brain surgeons, operate on the nervous system, but typically do not follow up with long-term care. Neurology is considered a frontier field of medicine. There is much more to be learned about the human brain and that is where neuroscientists come in. Neuroscientists research anything related to the nervous system to learn more about how it works and what causes neurological disorders. It is a scientific discipline that is uncovering new secrets of the brain every day. As the neuroscientists discover new ways to diagnose and treat health problems, neurologists are able to offer more hope to the millions of Americans who suffer from nervous system disorders.

STATISTICIANS USE MATHEMATICAL TECHNIQUES to collect and interpret information. The work is based on numbers, but unlike mathematicians who work on theoretical problems, statisticians use the numbers to solve real-life problems. Statisticians contribute to society in many ways. Some do serious work like finding ways to reduce hunger and disease, or studying the effects of global climate change on food supplies. Others help professional athletes up their game or help political candidates get elected. The biggest employer of statisticians is the federal government. Government statisticians work in just about every agency. For example, the Department of Labor has a large staff of statisticians studying things like employment rates, wage changes, growing and shrinking job sectors, and the demographic makeup of the workforce. The Department of Agriculture needs to know about crop conditions, livestock inventories, and how crops can be used for new products, and no mission at NASA proceeds without the thumbs up from their staff of statisticians. There is an obvious need for statisticians across all levels of government, but the demand is even greater outside the public sector. Statistical skills can be used to draw valuable insights from data in just about any industry. In fact, roughly 90 percent of America's industries use statistics in their daily operations. Since the advent of the computer, organizations of all kinds have been collecting and handling huge amounts of data. Computers can crunch the numbers, but statisticians are needed to analyze and interpret the data. They turn data into usable information that non-statisticians can understand and use to make good decisions. Statistics is the basis of one of the oldest professions in the world. Statistics were used to curb the spread of epidemics in the Middle Ages, and even ancient empires used them to track things like their populations, taxes, and important commodities like cattle. Yet the time has never been better to be a statistician. The career opportunities are so diverse, that statisticians can apply their knowledge to nearly any area they are passionate about. The demand for statisticians is at an all-time high. Employment for statisticians is growing fast, and so are their salaries. The median salary for those with less than three years of experience is $80,000, and that amount can double after being in the profession for at least nine years.