The Top Career Fields of 2011

The Top Career Fields of 2011

"Adults are always asking little kids what they want to be when they grow up, because they're looking for ideas," jokes comedienne Paula Poundstone. When weighing various career options, consider what personal goals you'd like to achieve as well as what you enjoy doing. Research jobs and industries to find the best fit for your skills and interests. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the largest professional fields in the US (based on the number of employees working in the industry): The healthcare industry is the largest non-government industry, employing approximately 14,217,500 persons and can include such careers as emergency medical professionals, nurses, health administrators. The hospitality industry, which includes careers such as hotel manager and restaurant manager, employs about 11,410,700 people. The education industry employs approximately 10,261,200 professionals in roles such as teacher, principal, and librarian at both the state and local level. The professional and technical services industry employs approximately 7,704,400 people includingparalegal, accountants, administrative assistants, and computer technology professionals. The financial industry employs about 7,626,000 people in roles such as financial analyst, retail bank manager, insurance representative, and even includes real estate agent. A Day in the Life What's it like to work in certain industries? Dozens of professionals shared their workday with us, offering insider perspective such as ... Read more