the university of pittsburgh institute of politics presents new thinking on career success february,...

The University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics

presents

New Thinking on Career SuccessFebruary, 2006

. . . is always under construction!

“The road to success…

Today’s JobsRegistered

Nurses

Doctors

Retail Sales Clerk

Lawyers

Electricians

Show Me the Money!How much does our region’s workforce earn?

9% 38% 19% 20% 7% 7%

$15,000 and under

$15,000-$25,000

$25,000-$35,000

$35,000-$50,000

$50,000-$75,000

$75,000 and up

Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics: Pittsburgh MSA

Fact: 80% of high school students expect to earn $50,000 or more

What’s Available…for $15,000 and under

Pharmacy Aide

• $13,000 / year

• 570 employed

• H.S. plus on-the-job training

Cashier

• $13,920 / year

• 31,160 employed


Fast Food Cook

• $13,600 / year

• 3,240 employed


Waiter/Waitress

• $13,420 / year

• 22,280 employed


Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics: Pittsburgh MSA http://www.paworkstats.state.pa.us

9%

What’s Available…for $15,000 - $25,000

Secretary

• $23,040 / year

• 23,240 employed


EMT / Paramedic

• $22,970 / year

• 3,560 employed

• H.S. and certification

Security Guard

• $17,310 / year

• 8,820 employed


Hairdresser

• $17,540 / year

• 6,780 employed

• Post-Secondary Training, License

38%



Highway Maintenance Worker

• $29,680 / year

• 1,780 employed


Machinist

• $31,550 / year

• 3,950 employed

• H.S. and certification

Bookkeeper/ Auditing Clerk

• $25,230/ year

• 13,950 employed

• Associate’s Degree

19%

Private Investigators

• $27,430 / year

• 270 employed

• H.S. plus law enforcement experience



Electrician

• $43,220 / year

• 5,900 employed

• H.S. + 2 year certificate

KindergartenTeacher

• $37,750 / year

• 600 employed

• Bachelor’s Degree and License (public schools)

20%

Real Estate Sales Agent

• $43,480 / year

• 1,590 employed

• Post-Secondary Training and License

Social & Community Service Manager

• $44,380 / year

• 970 employed

• Bachelor’s Degree



Financial Analyst

• $53,940 / year

• 1,230 employed


Chemical Engineer

• $69,580 / year

• 200 employed


Computer Systems Analyst

• $59,330 / year

• 3,620 employed


7%

Registered Nurse

•$49,780 / year

• 26,260 employed

•Associate Degree and License


What’s Available…for $75,000 and up

Physicians & Surgeons

• $127,560 / year

• 1,320 employed

• Professional Degree

Fish and Game Warden

•$124,040 / year

• 80 employed

• H.S. plus long term on-the-job training

Lawyer

• $100,610 / year

• 6,200 employed

• Professional Degree & License

Chief Executive Officer

•$132,190 / year

• 5,800 employed

•Bachelor’s Degree/Professional Degree

7%


2014 Projected Education Requirements for Jobs

28%

46%26%

Bachelor'sDegree andHigher

2 YearCollege

Short-termon-the-jobtraining

Source: U.S. Department of Labor

What are our students expecting to do after high school graduation?

Source: PA Department of Education*Data from the PA Dept of Education 2003-2004 Public Schools High School Graduates by County, School, Racial/Ethnic Category, Gender and Post-High School Activity Report

23%

58%

8%

3%

1%7%

2 YR COLLEGE

4 YR COLLEGE

EMPLOYMENT

MILITARY

UNEMPLOYED

UNKNOWN

Playing the Odds:Straight to Work

8%EMPLOYMENT

+ Immediate Earnings

+ On-the-Job Training

+ Gain Valuable Work Experience

– Low Skills = Low Wages

– High Risk for Unemployment

– Lower Lifetime Earnings

Playing the Odds:2 Year College

23%

2 YR COLLEGE

+ Fastest Growing Segment of Job Opportunities

+ Earning Potential Can Meet and Exceed Earnings of a 4 Year Degree

+ Can Acquire Skills Quickly for Current In Demand Jobs

– Less Flexibility to Change Fields

–$5,000 Average Debt

– More Education Needed for Career Advancement

Playing the Odds:4 Year College

58%

4 YR COLLEGE

+ Broader Career Choices

+ Graduates Have Higher Lifelong Earnings

+ Greater Opportunity for Advancement

– Half of Students Who Start College Drop Out

– Half of College Graduates are Underemployed

– Average of $19,000 debt

Blue Collar White Collar

Not Just…

Anymore!

&

Offer High Wages

Require Intelligence

In-Demand

Reward Innovation

Provide Growth Opportunities

Recognize Skilled Employees

Smart Jobs

Characteristics of Smart Jobs

Blue Collar

• Repetitious work

• Manual labor• Follow

directions• Task

Focus

White Collar

• Corporate bureaucracy

• Corporatedecision-making

• Managerial Focus

Smart Jobs

• Dynamicworkplace

• Problem solving skills

• Divisionaldecisions

• Outcome Strategy

What Do Smart Employers Want?

Employees who…

• Rely on intelligence, imagination and well developed skills

• Identify and solve complex problems that are not well defined

• Derive original solutions to problems that are unique

• Use creativity to reach practical outcomes

• Cross-functional knowledge of the workplace

• Are crucial to the profitability and success of the organization

Sample of Smart Jobs in SW Pennsylvania

Job Median Salary Number EmployedMinimum

Educational Requirement

Machinist $31,550 3,950Associate

Degree/Work Experience

Real Estate Agent $43,480 1,590H.S and

Training/Certification

Electrician $43,220 5,900HS and

Training/Certification

Registered Nurse $50,660 26,260Associate Degree,

License

Systems Analyst $59,330 3,620 Bachelor’s Degree

Radiology Tech $37,260 1,940 Associate Degree

Source: PA Center for Workforce Information & Analysis

Playing to Win- The Smart Way!

• Chad Toulouse 18 years old

Community college

Working at a gas station $12,000 / yr

Struggling to find a career goal

Leaves school and enters 18 week machinist training

Source: The Wall Street Journal, Online, Tuesday, July 1, 2003

Source: The Wall Street Journal, Online, Tuesday, July 1, 2003

• Chad Toulouse 27 years old

Employed by Flowserve

Team Leader: Directs 70 Staff

Earns $40,000 / yr

Manages Work Process and Customer Satisfaction

High-level Troubleshooter

Production Logistics Planner

Prioritizes Complex Tasks

Playing to Win- The Smart Way!

1. High Impact Work: Demand Supply

2. By 2014 only 26% of jobs will require a bachelor’s degree

3. The fastest growing job market segment requires an associate degree

4. Well paying to high paying jobs are not restricted to 4 year college graduates

5. Only 15% of workers make more than $50,000

Next Steps: Acting Now!

1. Participate in career exploration activities to identify possible career paths and interests

2. Examine the different education options more in depth to understand courses need and costs

3. Read newspaper and magazine articles about jobs in the area and trends in the job markets

4. Talk to a mentor about money, both coming in and going out

5. Participate in school and community programs that focus on career development and job-readiness

“Success is never a destination…it is a journey”

~Satenig St. Marie

Visit us online at: http://www.hcpi.org

the university of pittsburgh institute of politics presents new thinking on career success february,...

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