3 JOBS I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE

by : Jesse Odell

JOB 1 LAWYER

nature of work

Lawyers advise and represent individuals, businesses, and government agencies on legal issues and disputes

WORKING CONDITION

Lawyers work mostly in offices. However, some travel to attend meetings with clients at various locations, such as homes, hospitals, or prisons. Others travel to appear before courts. Lawyers who represent clients in court may face heavy pressure during trials. 

JOB OUTLOOK

Employment of lawyers is projected to grow 10 percent from 2012 to 2022, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Demand for legal work will continue as individuals, businesses, and all levels of government require legal services in many areas.

Despite this need for legal services, more price competition over the next decade may lead law firms to rethink their project staffing, to reduce costs to clients. As clients cut back on legal expenses, demand less expensive rates, and scrutinize invoices, work that was previously assigned to lawyers, such as document review, may now be given to paralegals and legal assistants. Some routine legal work may also be outsourced to other lower-cost legal providers located overseas.

J O B 2 P E T R O L E U M E N G I N E E R

nature of work Petroleum engineers design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas from deposit below the earths surface. Petroleum also find new ways to extract oil and gas from older wells.

WORKINGCONDITION

Petroleum engineers work around the world; in fact, the best employment opportunities may include some work in other countries. Petroleum engineers also must be able to work with people from a wide variety of backgrounds, including other oil and gas workers who will carry out the engineers’ drilling plans.

JOB OUTLOOK

Employment of petroleum engineers is projected to grow 26 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. Oil prices will be a major determinant of employment growth, as higher prices lead to increasing complexity of oil companies’ operations. Additionally, job prospects should be highly favorable because many engineers are expected to retire.

Because oil and gas extraction is the largest industry employing petroleum engineers, any effects of rising oil prices will likely be noticed here first. Higher prices can cause oil and gas companies to drill in deeper waters and in less hospitable places and return to existing wells to try new extraction methods. This means that oil drilling operations will likely become more complex and will require more engineers to work on each drilling operation. In addition, more petroleum engineers will be needed to help companies comply with new regulations for drilling in deep water.

J O B 3 C O M P U T E R A N D I N F O R M AT I O N S Y S T E M S M A N A G E R

nature of work project managers, plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities in an organization. They help determine the information technology goals of an organization and are responsible for implementing computer systems to meet those goals.

WORKING CONDITION

As network speeds increase, telecommuting is becoming more common. Although few managers can work remotely, many have to supervise employees who work from home.

JOB OUTLOOK

job outlook

Employment of computer and information systems managers is projected to grow 15 percent from 2012 to 2022, faster than the average for all occupations.

Demand for computer and information systems managers will increase as firms continue to expand their use of wireless and mobile networks. A rapid increase in demand for computer software will also increase the need for employees at all levels of management.

all 3 job earnings

Lawyer 113,570$

petroleum engineer 130,000$

Computer and information manager120,000$