Search & Succeed! in 2009
Search & Succeed! in 2009
Job seekers had a number of opportunities to learn more about finding a job in the Triad during the Search & Succeed! sessions this past week sponsored by Triad Careers, GTCC and the Greensboro Public Library. After Thursday’s employer panel at the News & Record, we asked three panelists representing two growth industries the same series of questions about finding work in their fields. The following answers have been edited and paraphrased for space and clarity.
Education
Panelist: Tracey Dungee, program administrator, licensing, Guilford County Schools
Why is your field considered high-wage and/or high-growth?
Because of the fact that public education will never go out of style. The other factor is the economy — there are a lot of parents who are more affluent and have children in private schools that are looking at the public schools as far as saving tuition.
What are some important trends in your field that job seekers should be aware of?
We are looking at more individuals who are going to come to us with advanced degrees, as well as a certain skill set.
What advice would you give someone seeking a job in your company or industry?
To understand that you have to meet a licensure requirement — that it is a state law and it is very finite on the requirements for licensing. Also, to understand that the principals and hiring administrators need to know that you’re serious about working with and helping children.
Health care
Panelist: Donna Harris, health careers coordinator, Moses Cone Health System
Why is your field considered high-wage and/or high-growth?
Moses Cone is very competitive in terms of salaries. I wouldn’t necessarily say “high wage,” but I would say that we’re very competitive. In terms of growth, there are always growth opportunities because people will always need health care.
What are some important trends in your field that job seekers should be aware of?
A lot of people are making a transition in life in terms of jobs, changing careers. We are encouraging those that wish to do that to really identify the specific type of position they’re interested in, and know that it’s probably going to take some educational requirements.
What advice would you give someone seeking a job in your company or industry?
I think it’s important for you to know exactly what direction you want to take your career. Because there are so many positions and groups of positions within the health care system, you need to really study the type of position that you want to pursue
Panelist: Marty Cooper, program director for Code Blue, a health care career-awareness program co-sponsored by Moses Cone Health System, High Point Regional Health System and Forsyth Medical Center/Novant Health
Why is your field considered high-wage and/or high-growth?
Wages are being driven by demand. We’ve seen pharmacists’ salaries doubling in five years. The demand is being driven by the aging baby boomers that are now at that age where they need health care.
What are some important trends in your field that job seekers should be aware of?
There’s new technology being developed all the time in imaging, in those diagnostic fields. And also radiation therapy for cancer. Within a few years it will definitely outpace heart disease. In medical records, we’re going more and more toward computerized patient records, and (President-elect Barack) Obama has definitely said we’re going to have that throughout the country so you have easy access.
What advice would you give someone seeking a job in your company or industry?
For adults changing careers, I tell them, “I know you can’t be out there forever not earning an income, so aim for something that might be below where you want to be, but get yourself in the hospital.” You can do that being a certified nurse assistant, which is just a few weeks in class. Or you might do the LPN program, which is one year. Or, if you already have a college degree, you can do the RN program.
Triad Careers Search and Suceed panel 011809
An employment panel was part of the Search & Succeed, New you, New career in 2009.
Nancy Sidelinger Special Sections Photographer
