Where The Jobs Are -- Even Now!

(CBS/iStockphoto)

(CBS) It's hard not to think about jobs in this tough economy - how to keep the one you have, or how to find one if you're unemployed.

On The Early Show Saturday, financial journalist and contributor Vera Gibbons filled viewers in on the fields that are putting up "Help Wanted" signs, and on where in the country you have the best shot at finding work.

According to Gibbons:

The job outlook in the near-and-medium-term isn't very good, with the unemployment rate expected to tick up to over six percent early next year, and about 500,000 job losses for this year in all.

But there are some bright spots; you just have to know where to look.

Most openings this year, and through the next decade, for that matter, are in the two largest sectors of the economy - the professional and service categories.

Education is one of the recession-proof industries. There's a big demand for post-secondary school teachers. Some 38,000 post-secondary jobs are expected to be created this year. By 2016, nearly 400,000 jobs will be created, if you look at the ten-year projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Another field to consider: healthcare. It's expected to generate three million jobs between 2006 and 2016. The demographics are certainly on the side of this field: There's a growing population of elderly people. We're living longer, into our 80s and 90s, and we're going to need everything from new hips to prescription drugs to long-term care. So there's a big demand in healthcare.

In fact, almost half of the 30 fastest-growing occupations are concentrated in health services at all levels, from physical therapists to pharmaceutical sales reps to pharmacists and nurses. More than 50,000 nursing positions are expected to be created this year alone.

Another of the fastest-growing jobs is veterinarian. Employment of vets is expected to increase 35 percent from 2006 to 2016. That's much faster than the average for all occupations. Pets, like humans, are living longer and getting treatment for their ailments.

Financial services is a sector to mull. We've got 77 million boomers. They're starting to retire, and not only will they need health services, but also help managing their money. That means job opportunities for financial analysts and advisers. Wealth management and financial services are still strong places to build a career.

"Green" jobs are hot. Job listings on green-centric sites sustainablebusiness.com, environmentalcareer.com and idealist.org are steadily growing.

Among the top green careers: solar installers (for someone who likes physical work), sustainable design architects, fuel cell entrepreneurs (Ph.D.-types), environmental engineers, and environmental lawyers. Corporations everywhere need their help. This is a field that's expected to grow as much as 25-percent in the next decade.

Despite the economic turndown, there are parts of the country that still have some job growth, beginning in Texas. It's generating a lot of jobs, from Forth Worth to San Antonio. Education and healthcare are among the top growth industries there, all the way to Austin. Austin is home to Dell. The University of Texas largely expanded its economy to include digital media, green energy and biotech. Houston is the energy capital of the world. There are also jobs in aerospace, tech, and medical companies there. Last year, there were 10,000 jobs added in Houston.

Also, Atlanta. There are jobs in transport, distribution and financial services. There is also growth in education and healthcare. Raleigh, N.C. has one of the most highly-educated work forces in America. It's the top area for tech jobs, and is expected to expand much faster than other tech hubs. Salt Lake City is also attracting a highly educated labor pool, with jobs in tech and international business.

In Omaha, businesses are hiring and recruiting young professionals, especially in finance, healthcare, information technology. Entrepreneurs are also setting up shop there.

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