When choosing a career, jobseekers often want to know which occupations offer the best prospects. Generally, occupations that have rapid job growth, many new jobs, or many job openings--and good wages--promise better opportunities. This article shows how employment in particular occupations is projected to change over the 2008-2018 decade. The…

The economy's need for workers originates in the demand for the goods and services that they provide. So, to project employment, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) starts by projecting the gross domestic product (GDP) for 2018. GDP is the value of the final goods produced and services provided in the United States. Then, BLS estimates the…

This article illustrates projected employment change from an industry perspective over the 2008-2018 decade. Workers are grouped into an industry according to the type of good produced or service provided by the establishment in which they work. Industry employment projections are shown in terms of numeric change (growth or decline in the total…

The labor force is the number of people aged 16 or older who are either working or looking for work. It does not include active-duty military personnel or institutionalized people, such as prison inmates. Quantifying this total supply of labor is a way of determining how big the economy can get. Labor force participation rates vary significantly…

This look at changing patterns of employment within industries--Bureau of Labor Statistics projections of employment for industries and for occupations--includes tables depicting occupations with small, moderate, and significant increases or decreases, with reasons for changes in staffing patterns. (JOW)

Presents employment projections and employment prospects for about 270 occupations in the following categories: management, business, and financial operations; professional and related; service; sales and related; office and administrative support; farming, fishing, and forestry; construction trades and related; installation, maintenance, and…

Summarizes the employment outlook in 250 occupations by occupational cluster. Includes estimated employment in 1988; percentage of change and numerical change, 1988-2000; and a description of employment prospects. (JOW)

Detailed projections of number employed in 1996, percent change 1996-2006, numerical change, and prospects are provided for occupations in the following clusters: executive/administrative/managerial, professional/technical, marketing/sales, administrative support/clerical, service, mechanics/installers/repairers, construction, production,…

Provides information on the job outlook for 250 occupations in terms of total employment, 1994; percent change, 1994-2005; numerical change, 1994-2005; and employment prospects. (JOW)

Offers both optimistic and pessimistic views of the labor market for those with Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees. Discusses postdoctoral appointments and jobs for Ph.D.s outside the university. (JOW)

An evaluation of the 1980-90 employment projections in the "Occupational Outlook Handbook" shows that most of them were on target, if somewhat conservative. The impact of technology was generally underestimated. (JOW)

Bureau of Labor Statistics projections of the job outlook for college graduates indicate that between 1994 and 2005, over 75% of college graduates can expect to find college-level jobs. The remaining college graduates will likely earn lower salaries and experience less job satisfaction. (JOW)

A recent Bureau of Labor Statistics analysis indicates that the job market for college graduates during the 1980s is expected to be similar to the highly competitive market that characterized the 1970s, due to the supply of college graduates, the college labor market of the 1970s, and occupational demand in the 1980s. (CT)

For the first time in many years, a Bureau of Labor Statistics analysis finds that the total college-level job openings between 1998 and 2008 will nearly equal the number of college-educated (bachelor's degree or higher) entrants to the labor force. However, more than 90,000 college graduates each year will take jobs that do not require…

New Bureau of Labor Statistics projections covering period from 1988-2000 indicate that number of college graduates will be only slightly greater than number of job openings that will require four or more years of college education. Near balance of college-level entrants and job openings should mean that moderate competition in job market for…