TEN HOTTEST CAREERS Today

Hispanic Engineer & Information Technology has talked with experts in industry, at professional associations, and at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS; http://stats.bls.gov) to prepare this report on what today's hottest jobs in IT and engineering are, the education required to get them, and the rewards of careers in these fields. The statistics and job descriptions in this article, unless otherwise noted, are from the BLS "Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2000-2001 Edition and the BLS "Study of National Employment Hours and Earnings." A bachelor's degree is a prerequisite for many jobs, and relevant work experience can be important, especially in a tightening job market. Computer hardware engineers, for example, generally will need a bachelor's degree in computer engineering or electrical engineering. Software engineers likely will hold a degree in computer science or in software engineering. For systems analyst, programmer-analyst, or database administrator positions, employers may seek applicants who have a bachelor's degree in computer science, information science, or management information systems (MIS). A Ph.D., or at least a master's degree, in computer science or engineering usually is required for jobs in research laboratories or academic institutions. Licensing is required for engineers whose work impacts on "life, health, or property, or who offer their services to the public," says the BLS. Licensed engineers, called "professional engineers" (PE), generally must possess a degree from an accredited engineering program, have several years of professional experience, and must successfully complete a state examination. Many civil, electrical, mechanical, and chemical engineers are certified as PEs.