To quote Jerry Lee Lewis, “There’s a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on” in the global economy. The financial services industry is being turned inside out, stock markets are taking investors on bungee-cord rides, and the U.S. government is turning itself into a money machine to help loosen up credit to prevent a wider calamity.
It’s all unnerving, thinking about how it might affect your job, your industry, or even your dreams of retiring as the value of your nest egg erodes.
So, you’ve probably heard it before but it bears repeating: Don’t bank on your employer to take charge of your career. You need to do that!
Here are two emerging areas you may want to consider in taking charge of your career: the rise of “green” jobs and foreign-language fluency.
The Rise of “Green” Jobs
Hardly anyone would disagree that global climate change is a phenomenon that requires urgent action throughout the world. Plus, the run-up in oil prices earlier this year unleashed a renewed call for alternative energy.
In the U.S., expect the next president to lead efforts for alternative energy sources and more conservation. Any action may open the door to more businesses and jobs that will lessen dependence on fossil fuels, especially if they come from abroad.
On the web, you’ll find several sites dedicated to so-called “green collar” jobs, many of which look for people with engineering, project management, and back-office skills that you may have from other industries. Two notable sites are Greenjobs and Green Jobs Network.
Foreign-Language Fluency
Like it or not, we’re working in a global economy, and some businesses look for talent with fluency in a second language, notably Spanish in the U.S., given the growing Hispanic population. But with many U.S. businesses outsourcing or opening operations in China, there’s a growing need for people who know Mandarin Chinese. It’s booming in British schools, and making inroads into U.S. classrooms. For instance, my local public school system launched a Mandarin Chinese program at the middle-school level three years ago.
You don’t need to think too long or hard to come up with businesses and industries that can benefit from staffers with knowledge of foreign languages. Think about customer service departments, global purchasing organizations, and outsourcing relationship management functions, to name a few.
Globalization and “going green” show no signs of slowing down. If either of these up-and-coming areas strikes a chord with you, now's the time to brush up your skills, take a course, or join a group that's involved in these initiatives.
Have you or anyone you know landed a “green” job or something in which knowledge of a second language helped? Please share with us.
Green jobs - ha! I once presented the owner of the company I work for with the idea of having people telecommute. Even if it's just one day per week, it helps. My idea was shot down in flames.
Each company in this country that has the infrastructure should encourage telecommuting. If companies think this decreases productivity or removes the "team" environment, they should at least give it a try. Try it for a month or so and see what affects it has.
I bet they'd see increased morale and no drop in productivity. It's our planet, it's our responsibility!
Good points, Annette. Telecommuting is one thing I look for in a new job. If there is no possibility of telecommuting, there is no way I'm interested in the job. It just makes good business sense.
Poo poo on your company for not allowing it. Grinches. They're simply Grinches. I'll bet they still have paper files, too.
Obama should mandate telecommuting when he becomes president.
Go Sox! OOOOOPS - I meant, GO RAYS!!!
Hi Annette and Eric!
You're a bit off topic here, but you raise another good point in that employers need to consider telecommuting as an option, not just to help the environment, but also to enhance the work-life balance for their employees.
Thanks for posting! ~ Rick
I suppose I hadn't really thought too much about why I was actually looking for another job except I really hate the one I have now.
Actually, I don't hate what I do, it's what I don't do. I'm a creative support manager for the federal governement and we have so many standards and procedures in place that the job is no longer exciting. It's quite stressful and nothing's ever planned accordingly. I've lost my love for visual merchandising and I want out!!
At this point, I think it's time for an extended break from retail. I'd like to focus more me, even if that means taking a big cut in pay and no responsibilities!