From the sphere of intellectual property practice or technology transfer practice - there is such a thing as "technology transfer practice" and there are such people as "technology transfer practitioners" - and they aren't all lawyers, although many of them are, as are the authors of subject book. See http://www.core77.com/blog/book_reviews/book_review_from_edison_to_ipod_by_frederick_mostert_and_lawrence_apolzon_5865.asp for a full review.
My take: an entertaining summary intro to a complex topic, though, as the linked review points out, it doesn't give the whole picture of swimming in the IP shark pond. The industrial-design emphasis with lots of pictures made it a fun read, also recalling a related museum fave, http://www.mak.at/e/jetzt/f_jetzt.htm .
For deeper IP inquiries, a couple of possible resources are: The Technology Transfer System, by Alfred Muir http://www.amazon.com/Technology-Transfer-System-Inventions-Management/dp/0965759768 [may be out of print] and Marketing of High-Technology Products and Innovations http://www.markethightech.net/ - the 2001 edition of which anticipates Clayton Christensen's "disruptive technologies/innovator's dilemma" concept and sources him a number of times; presently in a 3rd edition as an edited volume with Jakki Mohr and co-editors.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Friday, January 1, 2010
Mergers and Acquisitions - more
Reportedly this is a good source for M&A training: http://amaaonline.com/education .
According to one source, Chicago, Cornell, and Yale MBA schools are also good training sources. I don't know how accessible these would be to most mid-career professionals contemplating a switch, but something to consider if you're starting out.
According to one source, Chicago, Cornell, and Yale MBA schools are also good training sources. I don't know how accessible these would be to most mid-career professionals contemplating a switch, but something to consider if you're starting out.
Good observations on doctoral programs
This article, which seems to be written for people outside the US or UK contemplating graduate study in the US or UK, has some good points:
http://www.infozee.com/channels/ms/articles/doctoral.htm.
The overall http://www.infozee.com website also appears to be quite good. This is useful, especially for a topic which generates so much useless noise and huckstering.
The doctoral degree (also referred to as a Ph.D.) is the highest degree awarded by the universities, and is done so after an extensive program of study and research in a specialized subject. The degree signifies a capability to assimilate the most advanced and recondite level of knowledge in the subject. The degree is crowned with a doctoral thesis, which is expected to be a thorough and intensive contribution to a specialized subject based on original research and inquiry.
As is obvious from the above, a prerequisite for pursuing a doctoral degree is an active interest in, and the inclination to do, intensive research work. It requires putting in long and laborious hours of study at a microcosmic level on a specific subject. In this way, a doctoral degree is quite an antithesis of the master's degree, which covers a broad range of subjects in a particular field of study.
Eligibility : A common misconception is that a master's degree is a prerequisite for the doctoral degree. It is an advantage but is not necessary. For 3-year degree holders, it is not possible to enroll directly for a Ph.D program. Some universities do consider admission into a Ph.D directly after a Bachelors degree, if pre-requisite scores, academics and experience are sound. You must demonstrate an inclination towards research and exhibit a good academic record.
Experience of atleast two to three years in the relevant field is considered important for admission into a Doctoral program, by most universities.
How the Doctoral Application Process works :
The application process has to be initiated atleast one year to eighteen months in advance before the proposed date of reporting at the university. This is necessary since identification of professors, interaction with them and finalizing the program of research with necessary financial assistance can take a long time.
For any graduate programme, more so for a doctoral, the applicant has to contend with two sets of requirements - those set by the graduate school and those set by the graduate department. You have to meet up with the eligibility requirements of the university and also find a match between your area of specialisation and the research interests of the department you will be studying in.
Choose your subject : The first step towards applying is deciding on a subject for your doctorate. The essential aspect here is to focus on as specific a field of study as you possibly can; thus saying that you wish to do a doctorate in Electrical Engineering is not good enough, you have to be more specific than that (say, doctorate in Power Transmission and transmission losses, which is a specific field within the broad ambit of Electrical Engineering). Spend time on deciding this - the critical factor here is a very high level of interest in the specific field you choose. In fact, some experts recommend that you should have a rough idea of what your research topic in the doctoral program is going to be even before you apply for admission.
Prepare for the standardised tests : The GRE is required for most doctoral programs in the engineering and other non-management related fields. In the top graduate schools, securing a doctoral berth is a tough proposition because they are very choosy about admitting research candidates. In fact, most schools have a strict ceiling of the number of doctoral candidates they admit, which can be as low as five students in a calendar year. Most universities require the general GRE test as well as the Subject GRE test, with excellent scores. Check this with the university you intend to apply to. You will also be required to take the TOEFL and the TSE.
Choose Universities : Along with your test preparation for GRE, Subject GRE, TOEFL and TSE, you must start identifying universities that are good in the area that you want to specialise in. You must check the research interests of the department under which your research area falls.
Contact the departments and Professors : After identifying a suitable list of universities and their departments, you should identify Professors who could be interested to work with you in your research area. You could do so by visiting the university web sites and getting the names and contact email IDs of the professors.
Start corresponding with the professors by indicating your interest to work under them. Indicate as clearly as possible the subject of your research and what qualifies you to be successful at it.
You must initiate this process with as many universities as you can. There will be some Professors who will not be interested in your research area. Identify those that are, and go ahead and complete the application procedure of those universities.
Follow the Application process of the university : Submit your application to the university, follow their time deadlines, and comply with all requirements.
Project yourself well : An essential part of the application is the statement of purpose (SOP) which all graduate schools require you to write. This statement should clearly bring out your interest in the field in which you wish to do a Ph.D. Any previous research experience in that field will work to your advantage.
Financing your Doctoral Study : Getting financial aid for a doctoral programme is fairly easy. Most universities will give you a full financial aid, which will cover your tuition fees and living expenses. The aid is given either semester wise or on yearly basis. You have to apply for financial aid by indicating your interest in your admission application form.
The content of the Doctoral Programme
The doctoral programme is divided into two parts, pre-dissertation study and the doctoral thesis. Once admitted, you are required to spend the first year or so in acquiring a solid foundation in the advanced knowledge of your chosen field. This entails regular course work - you might have to attend lectures and seminars with the master's degree students of your stream. This course work culminates in a "qualifying examination", on clearing which you are formally admitted to candidacy for a doctoral degree.
In the second and final stage of the pre-dissertation study, you are expected to acquire expertise in a specialized field within your chosen discipline. Thus, if your doctoral subject was organisational behaviour, you may have narrowed down your research interest to "leadership", an important element within organisational behaviour. This stage too ends in an examination, including an oral one, upon passing which you are considered ready to begin work on your thesis.
The Doctoral Thesis : This final stage of the doctoral study is usually regarded as the most important, during which you have to complete a dissertation (a detailed study on a topic, which can be as specific as "Employee motivation at the XYZ Corporation", but should contribute to the existing level of knowledge in that field of study. During the research, you will be assigned to an advisor with whom you are required to work in close association. This advisor is usually a faculty member most knowledgeable about the special area of dissertation research.
Thesis research and preparation is a highly cognitive process. The culmination of the process is in the form of the final thesis defense, in which you are presumed to be an expert in your field and are supposed to literally defend your findings and conclusions on the subject in front of a committee. The completed dissertation becomes a public document, placed in the university library and also often published in the university journal or even on its web site in some cases.
How long does it take?
The entire process of getting a doctorate degree usually takes a minimum of three-and-a-half years, nearly two of which are spent exclusively in preparing the thesis. The degree usually leads to employment in the academic world, but in recent years, more and more doctorates are finding employment in the professional world at par with or even ahead of other professionals.
http://www.infozee.com/channels/ms/articles/doctoral.htm.
The overall http://www.infozee.com website also appears to be quite good. This is useful, especially for a topic which generates so much useless noise and huckstering.
The doctoral degree (also referred to as a Ph.D.) is the highest degree awarded by the universities, and is done so after an extensive program of study and research in a specialized subject. The degree signifies a capability to assimilate the most advanced and recondite level of knowledge in the subject. The degree is crowned with a doctoral thesis, which is expected to be a thorough and intensive contribution to a specialized subject based on original research and inquiry.
As is obvious from the above, a prerequisite for pursuing a doctoral degree is an active interest in, and the inclination to do, intensive research work. It requires putting in long and laborious hours of study at a microcosmic level on a specific subject. In this way, a doctoral degree is quite an antithesis of the master's degree, which covers a broad range of subjects in a particular field of study.
Eligibility : A common misconception is that a master's degree is a prerequisite for the doctoral degree. It is an advantage but is not necessary. For 3-year degree holders, it is not possible to enroll directly for a Ph.D program. Some universities do consider admission into a Ph.D directly after a Bachelors degree, if pre-requisite scores, academics and experience are sound. You must demonstrate an inclination towards research and exhibit a good academic record.
Experience of atleast two to three years in the relevant field is considered important for admission into a Doctoral program, by most universities.
How the Doctoral Application Process works :
The application process has to be initiated atleast one year to eighteen months in advance before the proposed date of reporting at the university. This is necessary since identification of professors, interaction with them and finalizing the program of research with necessary financial assistance can take a long time.
For any graduate programme, more so for a doctoral, the applicant has to contend with two sets of requirements - those set by the graduate school and those set by the graduate department. You have to meet up with the eligibility requirements of the university and also find a match between your area of specialisation and the research interests of the department you will be studying in.
Choose your subject : The first step towards applying is deciding on a subject for your doctorate. The essential aspect here is to focus on as specific a field of study as you possibly can; thus saying that you wish to do a doctorate in Electrical Engineering is not good enough, you have to be more specific than that (say, doctorate in Power Transmission and transmission losses, which is a specific field within the broad ambit of Electrical Engineering). Spend time on deciding this - the critical factor here is a very high level of interest in the specific field you choose. In fact, some experts recommend that you should have a rough idea of what your research topic in the doctoral program is going to be even before you apply for admission.
Prepare for the standardised tests : The GRE is required for most doctoral programs in the engineering and other non-management related fields. In the top graduate schools, securing a doctoral berth is a tough proposition because they are very choosy about admitting research candidates. In fact, most schools have a strict ceiling of the number of doctoral candidates they admit, which can be as low as five students in a calendar year. Most universities require the general GRE test as well as the Subject GRE test, with excellent scores. Check this with the university you intend to apply to. You will also be required to take the TOEFL and the TSE.
Choose Universities : Along with your test preparation for GRE, Subject GRE, TOEFL and TSE, you must start identifying universities that are good in the area that you want to specialise in. You must check the research interests of the department under which your research area falls.
Contact the departments and Professors : After identifying a suitable list of universities and their departments, you should identify Professors who could be interested to work with you in your research area. You could do so by visiting the university web sites and getting the names and contact email IDs of the professors.
Start corresponding with the professors by indicating your interest to work under them. Indicate as clearly as possible the subject of your research and what qualifies you to be successful at it.
You must initiate this process with as many universities as you can. There will be some Professors who will not be interested in your research area. Identify those that are, and go ahead and complete the application procedure of those universities.
Follow the Application process of the university : Submit your application to the university, follow their time deadlines, and comply with all requirements.
Project yourself well : An essential part of the application is the statement of purpose (SOP) which all graduate schools require you to write. This statement should clearly bring out your interest in the field in which you wish to do a Ph.D. Any previous research experience in that field will work to your advantage.
Financing your Doctoral Study : Getting financial aid for a doctoral programme is fairly easy. Most universities will give you a full financial aid, which will cover your tuition fees and living expenses. The aid is given either semester wise or on yearly basis. You have to apply for financial aid by indicating your interest in your admission application form.
The content of the Doctoral Programme
The doctoral programme is divided into two parts, pre-dissertation study and the doctoral thesis. Once admitted, you are required to spend the first year or so in acquiring a solid foundation in the advanced knowledge of your chosen field. This entails regular course work - you might have to attend lectures and seminars with the master's degree students of your stream. This course work culminates in a "qualifying examination", on clearing which you are formally admitted to candidacy for a doctoral degree.
In the second and final stage of the pre-dissertation study, you are expected to acquire expertise in a specialized field within your chosen discipline. Thus, if your doctoral subject was organisational behaviour, you may have narrowed down your research interest to "leadership", an important element within organisational behaviour. This stage too ends in an examination, including an oral one, upon passing which you are considered ready to begin work on your thesis.
The Doctoral Thesis : This final stage of the doctoral study is usually regarded as the most important, during which you have to complete a dissertation (a detailed study on a topic, which can be as specific as "Employee motivation at the XYZ Corporation", but should contribute to the existing level of knowledge in that field of study. During the research, you will be assigned to an advisor with whom you are required to work in close association. This advisor is usually a faculty member most knowledgeable about the special area of dissertation research.
Thesis research and preparation is a highly cognitive process. The culmination of the process is in the form of the final thesis defense, in which you are presumed to be an expert in your field and are supposed to literally defend your findings and conclusions on the subject in front of a committee. The completed dissertation becomes a public document, placed in the university library and also often published in the university journal or even on its web site in some cases.
How long does it take?
The entire process of getting a doctorate degree usually takes a minimum of three-and-a-half years, nearly two of which are spent exclusively in preparing the thesis. The degree usually leads to employment in the academic world, but in recent years, more and more doctorates are finding employment in the professional world at par with or even ahead of other professionals.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) - Career Switch Path
I'm exploring M&A as a career switch path. One way is to go to a good law school, make partner at a good M&A law firm, and proceed from there.
That may not be very accessible in mid-career.
Another way I've heard about is to get an MBA in finance. I've also heard that audit is a good way to go - that would depend on getting hired as an auditor.
This link mentions another credential: http://www.icaew.com/index.cfm/route/164292/icaew_ga/en/Qualifications/CFq/Corporate_Finance_qualification
That may not be very accessible in mid-career.
Another way I've heard about is to get an MBA in finance. I've also heard that audit is a good way to go - that would depend on getting hired as an auditor.
This link mentions another credential: http://www.icaew.com/index.cfm/route/164292/icaew_ga/en/Qualifications/CFq/Corporate_Finance_qualification
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Georgetown BS in Finance - a life-changer?
Jenny Sullivan Sanford, the now-apparently-estranged wife of South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford who has been getting a lot of favorable press, has an interesting entry in her bio: http://jennysanford.com/.
Her education was a BS in Finance from Georgetown University McDonough School of Business: http://msb.georgetown.edu/prospective/undergraduate/programs/finance/.
That's it - no law degree, no Harvard MBA.
With that, prior to meeting Mark Sanford, she ended up rather quickly becoming an Mergers and Acquisitions VP investment banker at a major NYC investment house. I could be wrong, but that usually means you get rich fast.
I don't know what her other connections might have been (not Mark Sanford - this was prior to meeting him), but this suggests that GU/MSB may have some strong mojo magic for networking and making the right connections. The bio mentions her career matter-of-factly, but this is really quite remarkable. There aren't a lot of BS degrees that put you in this kind of power track.
Not exactly a midcareer move, but worth a thought.
Her education was a BS in Finance from Georgetown University McDonough School of Business: http://msb.georgetown.edu/prospective/undergraduate/programs/finance/.
That's it - no law degree, no Harvard MBA.
With that, prior to meeting Mark Sanford, she ended up rather quickly becoming an Mergers and Acquisitions VP investment banker at a major NYC investment house. I could be wrong, but that usually means you get rich fast.
I don't know what her other connections might have been (not Mark Sanford - this was prior to meeting him), but this suggests that GU/MSB may have some strong mojo magic for networking and making the right connections. The bio mentions her career matter-of-factly, but this is really quite remarkable. There aren't a lot of BS degrees that put you in this kind of power track.
Not exactly a midcareer move, but worth a thought.
Friday, November 27, 2009
More good advice
See http://www.bestcareer-4you.com/hot-jobs-for-a-career-change-part-1-of-3.php
Hot Jobs For A Career Change Part 1 Of 3
Trends Magazine has compiled a list of the hottest new jobs for the twenty-first century. Most of them are hot because of emerging technologies and the need for people who know about those new technologies. These jobs can be very lucrative to the person who is lucky enough to secure employment in these areas. Here they are:
-Experience Designer:
These individuals work in the retail industry, creating the essence and aura of a store. Experience designers go beyond the look of a place, creating a unique experience in which shoppers can immerse themselves. From cellular boutiques to the American Girl doll store on New York’s Fifth Avenue, the shops created by an experience designer are often considered works of art; mini universes unto themselves.
Experience designers are involved in every aspect of creation — from choosing accent colors on walls to slanting the windows in the right direction. The next time you go into a boutique and you feel as if you’ve just had an "experience" — you have, and someone went to a lot of trouble to make you feel at home.
-Medical Researcher:
It’s no news that what’s on the forefront of medicine is on the forefront of America’s collective mind. Researchers of cancer, Alzheimer’s, and the developers of prosthetics are the most coveted titles in the healthcare industry. With the aging baby boomer population, the need for cures and treatment plans is both paramount and profitable.
Major developments aren’t only taking place in medicine, but also in the way doctors file medical records. Individuals with the know-how and creative juice to mix tech with medicine can expect seven figure salaries in the year ahead.
-Web Designer:
What’s new about web designers – We already know they have cool jobs, working as the creative arm behind highly trafficked websites. But Trendsresearch.com reports that the profession is still in its adolescent phase, and for 2007 it’s going to be a new era of web design. Monster.com charts a 26 percent growth rate in this field for the past year, which will continue to blossom for the coming year.
With the advent of new flash technology, companies are looking for people who know how to implement this into their web presence since so many people rely on the Internet for information. Being a web designer is definitely one of the hottest jobs around and some companies will also let you work from home!
-Security Systems Engineer:
Monster.com reports that individuals in the protective services industry can expect a rise in demand and salary for 2007. Advances in Vegas-Casino like security systems and satellite maps are helping to wire the world for defense.
Individuals with a head for engineering and computers can easily expect a six-figure salary in this industry. From sonar imaging to keystroke identification, keeping our country and our world safer has never been easier or more profitable.
-Urban Planners:
From the Hong Kong International Airport Residential Tower to suburban "McMansion" sprawl, individuals in residential planning and development can expect a lot of work in the coming year. Urban Planners must meet the demand for real estate that’s both decadent and practical. Prefab one-level homes engineered for the aging baby boomer population are changing the face of suburban America, and boosting the demand for urban planners.
-Viral Marketers and Media Promoters:
Not to be confused with someone in advertising or public relations, a viral marketer knows how to build an audience from nothing with little more than rumor and excitement. Known for such coups as My Space’s Lonelygirl15 and the Blair Witch Project, Viral Marketers begin "contagious" campaigns that spread largely through word of mouth. They now have a foothold in American advertising due largely to the Internet.
-Talent Agents:
As Clint Eastwood would say, "These days, everyone is famous." And as fame and fortune grows for performers and athletes, a new arena opens for their managers, promoters, and general go-to guys.
Although these titles may speak for themselves, duties for those fortunate enough to get close to the stars often include things like latte retrieval and limo reservations. Yet, next to the celebrities themselves, these positions are some of the most competitive in the entertainment industry as well as in the most demand.
-Buyers and purchasing agents:
Trend forecasters predict that 2007 could be a make-or-break year for the retail industry, specifically the department store. Much of the department store’s fate lies in the hands of the buyers and purchasing agents.
These individuals are in charge of store inventory and make decisions on item color, size, quantity, and country of origin. With the recent boom of the retail industry, these jobs are often hard to come by and can be very lucrative if store profitability increases.
-Art Directors:
From Broadway to movie sets, any job that involves paint, lights, cameras, and action is in demand, especially within the 20-30 demographic. Now perceived as the ultimate career for inspired artists with an affinity for pop culture, art directors, set directors, and stage production directors clamor for the top positions that call for hands-on creative genius with a couture designer’s eye.
-News Analysts, Reporters, and Bloggers:
The Internet has created a new realm for reporters and writers, who previously only saw their names and ideas in print. Now, publications with an online division often hire three levels of correspondents: print news writers, online news writers, and bloggers.
Although most personal blogs aren’t profitable enough to stand alone as businesses, writers can use their increasing popularity as another gateway for their voices to be heard.
There is also a list of jobs that are in the biggest demand these days compiled by the folks at CNN Money. There is high demand for workers in the following fields:
-Accounting – Thanks to Enron and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, those who have a few years of corporate auditing experience working for a large public accounting firm can negotiate a sweet package for themselves when they change jobs.
That applies whether they’re leaving the accounting firm to go work for a corporation or if they’re seeking to return to the public accounting firm from an auditing job at an individual company.
College graduates with an accounting degree but not yet a CPA designation might make between $35,000 and $45,000 a year, or up to $50,000 in large cities like New York. After a couple of years they can command a substantial pay hike if they move to large company as an internal staff auditor or to a smaller company as controller. At that point, their salary can jump to anywhere from $50,000 to $75,000.
The expectation is that they will obtain their CPA designation.
If they choose to return to a public accounting firm as an audit manager after a couple of years at a corporation they can earn a salary of $70,000 to $85,000.
-Sales and Marketing
– The healthcare and biomedical fields offer some handsome earnings opportunities for those on the business side.
Business development directors, product managers and associate product managers working for medical device makers, for instance, can do quite well for themselves if they develop a successful track record managing the concept, execution and sales strategy for a medical device before jumping ship.
Typically, they have an MBA in marketing plus at least two to three years’ experience on the junior end to between five and eight years’ experience at the more senior levels. That experience ideally will be in the industry where they’re seeking work.
An associate product manager might make a base salary of $55,000 to $75,000. A product manager can make a base of $75,000 to $95,000, while a business development director may make $120,000 to $160,000. Those salaries don’t include bonuses.
The business development director seeking a vice president position could boost his base to $150,000 to $200,000 — depending on whether the new company is a risky start-up or established device maker.
-Legal -
Intellectual property attorneys specializing in patent law and the legal secretaries who have experience helping to prepare patent applications are highly desirable these days.
The most in demand are those lawyers with not only a J.D. but also an advanced degree in electrical and mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, biotechnology, pharmacology or computer science. Even those patent lawyers who just have an undergraduate degree in those fields have a leg up.
Patent lawyers working for a law firm might make $125,000 to $135,000 to start or about $90,000 if they work for a corporation that’s trying to get a patent or to protect one they already have. With a couple of years’ experience, they can expect a 10 percent jump or better when they get another job.
Legal secretaries, meanwhile, might make $65,000 at a law firm or $55,000 at a corporation. Should they choose to move to a new employer, they can command close to a 10 percent bump in pay.
-Technology -
Two tech jobs in high demand these days are .NET (dot net) developers and quality assurance analysts.
Developers who are expert users of Microsoft’s software programming language .NET can make between $75,000 and $85,000 a year in major cities. If they pursue a job at a company that seeks someone with a background in a given field (say, a firm looking for a .NET developer experienced in using software related to derivatives) they might snag a salary hike of 15 percent or more when they switch jobs.
Those who work in software quality management, meanwhile, might make $65,000 to $75,000 a year and be able to negotiate a 10 percent to 15 percent jump in pay if they switch jobs.
-Manufacturing and Engineering
– Despite all the announced job cuts in the automotive industry, quality and process engineers, as well as plant managers certified in what’s known as "Lean Manufacturing" techniques, are hot commodities.
The same applies to professionals in similar positions at other types of manufacturers.
One lean manufacturing technique is to use video cameras to capture the manufacturing process. A quality engineer will analyze the tapes to identify areas in the process that create inefficiencies or excess waste, both in terms of materials and workers’ time.
Process and manufacturing engineers might make between $65,000 and $75,000. With a certification in lean manufacturing and a few years’ experience, they can command pay hikes of between 15 percent and 20 percent if they choose to switch jobs.
A plant manager making between $90,000 and $120,000 may expect to get a 10 percent raise or more.
Many of the salaries quoted here are based on working in larger cities as opposed to smaller towns; however, it is certainly possible to garner wages such as these when you are working in an industry where there are shortages of knowledgeable individuals. There’s no question that these job fields are lucrative and need workers that can not only perform the job, but do it well.
Hot Jobs For A Career Change Part 1 Of 3
Trends Magazine has compiled a list of the hottest new jobs for the twenty-first century. Most of them are hot because of emerging technologies and the need for people who know about those new technologies. These jobs can be very lucrative to the person who is lucky enough to secure employment in these areas. Here they are:
-Experience Designer:
These individuals work in the retail industry, creating the essence and aura of a store. Experience designers go beyond the look of a place, creating a unique experience in which shoppers can immerse themselves. From cellular boutiques to the American Girl doll store on New York’s Fifth Avenue, the shops created by an experience designer are often considered works of art; mini universes unto themselves.
Experience designers are involved in every aspect of creation — from choosing accent colors on walls to slanting the windows in the right direction. The next time you go into a boutique and you feel as if you’ve just had an "experience" — you have, and someone went to a lot of trouble to make you feel at home.
-Medical Researcher:
It’s no news that what’s on the forefront of medicine is on the forefront of America’s collective mind. Researchers of cancer, Alzheimer’s, and the developers of prosthetics are the most coveted titles in the healthcare industry. With the aging baby boomer population, the need for cures and treatment plans is both paramount and profitable.
Major developments aren’t only taking place in medicine, but also in the way doctors file medical records. Individuals with the know-how and creative juice to mix tech with medicine can expect seven figure salaries in the year ahead.
-Web Designer:
What’s new about web designers – We already know they have cool jobs, working as the creative arm behind highly trafficked websites. But Trendsresearch.com reports that the profession is still in its adolescent phase, and for 2007 it’s going to be a new era of web design. Monster.com charts a 26 percent growth rate in this field for the past year, which will continue to blossom for the coming year.
With the advent of new flash technology, companies are looking for people who know how to implement this into their web presence since so many people rely on the Internet for information. Being a web designer is definitely one of the hottest jobs around and some companies will also let you work from home!
-Security Systems Engineer:
Monster.com reports that individuals in the protective services industry can expect a rise in demand and salary for 2007. Advances in Vegas-Casino like security systems and satellite maps are helping to wire the world for defense.
Individuals with a head for engineering and computers can easily expect a six-figure salary in this industry. From sonar imaging to keystroke identification, keeping our country and our world safer has never been easier or more profitable.
-Urban Planners:
From the Hong Kong International Airport Residential Tower to suburban "McMansion" sprawl, individuals in residential planning and development can expect a lot of work in the coming year. Urban Planners must meet the demand for real estate that’s both decadent and practical. Prefab one-level homes engineered for the aging baby boomer population are changing the face of suburban America, and boosting the demand for urban planners.
-Viral Marketers and Media Promoters:
Not to be confused with someone in advertising or public relations, a viral marketer knows how to build an audience from nothing with little more than rumor and excitement. Known for such coups as My Space’s Lonelygirl15 and the Blair Witch Project, Viral Marketers begin "contagious" campaigns that spread largely through word of mouth. They now have a foothold in American advertising due largely to the Internet.
-Talent Agents:
As Clint Eastwood would say, "These days, everyone is famous." And as fame and fortune grows for performers and athletes, a new arena opens for their managers, promoters, and general go-to guys.
Although these titles may speak for themselves, duties for those fortunate enough to get close to the stars often include things like latte retrieval and limo reservations. Yet, next to the celebrities themselves, these positions are some of the most competitive in the entertainment industry as well as in the most demand.
-Buyers and purchasing agents:
Trend forecasters predict that 2007 could be a make-or-break year for the retail industry, specifically the department store. Much of the department store’s fate lies in the hands of the buyers and purchasing agents.
These individuals are in charge of store inventory and make decisions on item color, size, quantity, and country of origin. With the recent boom of the retail industry, these jobs are often hard to come by and can be very lucrative if store profitability increases.
-Art Directors:
From Broadway to movie sets, any job that involves paint, lights, cameras, and action is in demand, especially within the 20-30 demographic. Now perceived as the ultimate career for inspired artists with an affinity for pop culture, art directors, set directors, and stage production directors clamor for the top positions that call for hands-on creative genius with a couture designer’s eye.
-News Analysts, Reporters, and Bloggers:
The Internet has created a new realm for reporters and writers, who previously only saw their names and ideas in print. Now, publications with an online division often hire three levels of correspondents: print news writers, online news writers, and bloggers.
Although most personal blogs aren’t profitable enough to stand alone as businesses, writers can use their increasing popularity as another gateway for their voices to be heard.
There is also a list of jobs that are in the biggest demand these days compiled by the folks at CNN Money. There is high demand for workers in the following fields:
-Accounting – Thanks to Enron and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, those who have a few years of corporate auditing experience working for a large public accounting firm can negotiate a sweet package for themselves when they change jobs.
That applies whether they’re leaving the accounting firm to go work for a corporation or if they’re seeking to return to the public accounting firm from an auditing job at an individual company.
College graduates with an accounting degree but not yet a CPA designation might make between $35,000 and $45,000 a year, or up to $50,000 in large cities like New York. After a couple of years they can command a substantial pay hike if they move to large company as an internal staff auditor or to a smaller company as controller. At that point, their salary can jump to anywhere from $50,000 to $75,000.
The expectation is that they will obtain their CPA designation.
If they choose to return to a public accounting firm as an audit manager after a couple of years at a corporation they can earn a salary of $70,000 to $85,000.
-Sales and Marketing
– The healthcare and biomedical fields offer some handsome earnings opportunities for those on the business side.
Business development directors, product managers and associate product managers working for medical device makers, for instance, can do quite well for themselves if they develop a successful track record managing the concept, execution and sales strategy for a medical device before jumping ship.
Typically, they have an MBA in marketing plus at least two to three years’ experience on the junior end to between five and eight years’ experience at the more senior levels. That experience ideally will be in the industry where they’re seeking work.
An associate product manager might make a base salary of $55,000 to $75,000. A product manager can make a base of $75,000 to $95,000, while a business development director may make $120,000 to $160,000. Those salaries don’t include bonuses.
The business development director seeking a vice president position could boost his base to $150,000 to $200,000 — depending on whether the new company is a risky start-up or established device maker.
-Legal -
Intellectual property attorneys specializing in patent law and the legal secretaries who have experience helping to prepare patent applications are highly desirable these days.
The most in demand are those lawyers with not only a J.D. but also an advanced degree in electrical and mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, biotechnology, pharmacology or computer science. Even those patent lawyers who just have an undergraduate degree in those fields have a leg up.
Patent lawyers working for a law firm might make $125,000 to $135,000 to start or about $90,000 if they work for a corporation that’s trying to get a patent or to protect one they already have. With a couple of years’ experience, they can expect a 10 percent jump or better when they get another job.
Legal secretaries, meanwhile, might make $65,000 at a law firm or $55,000 at a corporation. Should they choose to move to a new employer, they can command close to a 10 percent bump in pay.
-Technology -
Two tech jobs in high demand these days are .NET (dot net) developers and quality assurance analysts.
Developers who are expert users of Microsoft’s software programming language .NET can make between $75,000 and $85,000 a year in major cities. If they pursue a job at a company that seeks someone with a background in a given field (say, a firm looking for a .NET developer experienced in using software related to derivatives) they might snag a salary hike of 15 percent or more when they switch jobs.
Those who work in software quality management, meanwhile, might make $65,000 to $75,000 a year and be able to negotiate a 10 percent to 15 percent jump in pay if they switch jobs.
-Manufacturing and Engineering
– Despite all the announced job cuts in the automotive industry, quality and process engineers, as well as plant managers certified in what’s known as "Lean Manufacturing" techniques, are hot commodities.
The same applies to professionals in similar positions at other types of manufacturers.
One lean manufacturing technique is to use video cameras to capture the manufacturing process. A quality engineer will analyze the tapes to identify areas in the process that create inefficiencies or excess waste, both in terms of materials and workers’ time.
Process and manufacturing engineers might make between $65,000 and $75,000. With a certification in lean manufacturing and a few years’ experience, they can command pay hikes of between 15 percent and 20 percent if they choose to switch jobs.
A plant manager making between $90,000 and $120,000 may expect to get a 10 percent raise or more.
Many of the salaries quoted here are based on working in larger cities as opposed to smaller towns; however, it is certainly possible to garner wages such as these when you are working in an industry where there are shortages of knowledgeable individuals. There’s no question that these job fields are lucrative and need workers that can not only perform the job, but do it well.
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