Cleared Hot: Career Advice and Veteran Transition News
With the year now in full swing, technology is still ahead right out of the gate. The Bureau of Labor Statistics cites several career fields currently on the rise, like healthcare, retail and accounting. But hiring demand for technology experts continues to expand, making it among the healthiest niches out there. While all technically skilled job seekers have good prospects, those who also bring a security clearance to the table have a major upper hand in the playing field.
Among the top 10 jobs cited by Forbes for 2013, six are tech-based. Currently, software developers (applications and systems software), lead the pack, with almost 71,000 new jobs added in only the last few years. The demand for computer systems analysts and network and computer systems administrators are both up five percent, and there is a growing need for sales reps in technical and scientific industries, and mechanical and industrial engineers.
So where are these jobs? The demand for technically skilled workers with a security clearance is going everywhere fast. This is, in part, because many of these jobs are in local, state and federal government agencies, and in companies doing business with the government. But there are plenty of businesses unrelated to military and government that have a yen for better data security. That’s an automatic edge for cleared transitioning service members.
As for location, Wanted Analytics tracks the regions that post the highest number of technical job ads. The Washington, D.C. region, New York, San Francisco and Chicago scored the highest in terms of volume. That’s not surprising given the number of federal agencies and corporations housed in these regions. But for those interested in less congested locations, the hiring environment is also favorable in Santa Rosa, CA, Salem, Ore., Lexington, Ky., and El Paso, TX.
Last year, among all these jobs, the demand for computer programmers hit an all time high. So anywhere, USA could yield good opportunities for technically skilled, cleared job seekers. As job trends continue to prove, a computer and a clearance make up the most dynamic duo for those entering the civilian job market.
Tranette Ledford is a writer and owner of Ledford, LLC, which provides writing, editorial and public relations consulting for defense, military and private sector businesses. You can contact her at: Tranette@Ledfordllc.com.
