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The job outlook - May 2006

By Edward M. Mazze
Dean, College of Business Administration,
University of Rhode Island

In April, the hot jobs based on compensation were identified. This month, I am reporting on the fastest growing occupations at all education levels in Rhode Island for the next six years. They are fishers and related fishing workers, personal financial advisors, social and human service assistants, medical assistants and computer software engineers. Each occupation is expected to grow by more than forty-five percent over the next six years. Most of the growth will be due to the creation of new jobs rather than replacing retirees.

Rhode Island’s location is a natural for marine industries. Fishers and fishing workers are at the core of this industry. With more attention being paid to healthy eating, the ocean as a source of food becomes more critical. Other job opportunities in marine sciences include boat building, ocean engineering and ocean exploration will also grow. Success in the marine industries is dependent on the desire to work where you can explore new things in science and the environment..

With more attention to retirement and financial planning, the personal financial advisor has become a growing profession. There are educational programs to prepare for this occupation at most of Rhode Island’s institutions of higher learning. A college degree and special certifications are required to become a financial planner. This is an occupation where you can own your business. The personal skills needed to succeed in this job include the ability to work with numbers, the attention to details and an interest in selling. You can expect there will be more regulation of personal financial advisors because of the demand for these services from a population that is not financially literate.

The increasing need for social and human service assistants and medical assistants is a result of demographic changes in Rhode Island. An aging population and the in-migration of immigrants to the state require additional state and private services to help these people. These occupations require special training and certification. There is a high burn-out rate due to the stress of dealing with people requiring special needs. For individuals with people skills and a caring attitude, these occupations bring strong personal satisfaction.

Computer software engineers design, develop and test computer programs. Job opportunities are available in every industrial sector in the state. A bachelor’s degree is required and a master’s degree in business administration is often sought after so that the software engineer can enter management at a higher position. Success in this position requires mathematical skills and creative problem-solving ability.

More information can be obtained at your local library or on the internet from the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Industry on these occupations..

bio: The Providence Sunday Journal, Sunday, 9/11/2005 Mazze to retire as dean of URI's business school Edward M. Mazze will retire as dean of the University of Rhode Island's College of Business Administration at the end of the academic year on June 30, 2006. Mazze, 64, said he will be 65 by that date and will take a sabbatical before starting to teach at URI in 2007. He has been named a Distinguished University Professor of Business Administration and will teach undergraduates and MBA students about marketing and international business. His sabbatical will include writing another book, doing research and serving as the Rhode Island economic forecaster for the New England Economic Project. He says he plans to work until he's 70. Mazze has spent 37 years as a college administrator. Before starting at URI in 1998, he worked at the University of North Carolina, Temple, Seton Hall, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and West Virginia University. "I've had a great eight years here," Mazze says. "I've had a ball."