The Job Market
Careers in engineering, science, technology, health care, medicine, nursing, and education are experiencing growth in many areas of the South. Here are some hot spots in the region:
Austin, Texas, has a place for those interested in careers in the high-tech, health care, and education fields. The top three fastest-growing occupations in the state that require a bachelor's degree are computer software engineering, network and computer systems administration, and network systems and data communications analysis. Demand for educators and health care workers is on the rise, as well. According to the Texas Workforce Commission, the state of Texas will need more than 82,000 new teachers by the year 2008 and will need 138,000 Licensed Practical Nurses, Registered Nurses, and Nurses Aides within the next seven to ten years.
Atlanta, Georgia, is experiencing job growth, as is the entire state. Jobs that are expanding include marriage and family therapists, computer support specialists, physician assistants, and home health aides. Among the largest employers in Atlanta are Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Emory University Hospital.
Miami, Florida's, job market will experience expansion in the health and social services sectors. Demand for elementary and secondary school teachers, computer systems analysts, computer software engineers, and financial managers will increase throughout the next five years, as well.
New Orleans, Louisiana, is known for more than its Mardi Gras celebrations. Top occupations in the state of Louisiana are registered nurses, physicians and surgeons, computer programmers, lawyers, and dental hygienists. The Crescent City draws a wealth of performing and visual artists, world-class chefs, master craftsmen, and talented athletes, as well.
The cities of Durham, Chapel Hill, and Raleigh, North Carolina, are part of Research Triangle Park, a 7,000-acre area that is home to more than 100 research and development facilities. Companies in the park conduct research in biotechnology, information technology, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, computer hardware and software, environmental science, public health, microelectronics, and more. The top ten employers in Research Triangle Park are IBM, GlaxoSmithKline, Nortel Networks, Cisco Systems, RTI International, U.S. EPA, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Sony Ericsson, Bayer CropScience, and Diosynth Biotechnology.
