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It was the best of jobs, it was the worst of jobs

Website careercast.com recently released a list of top ten best jobs and worst jobs to have in 2010, and programs offered at SAIT came in on both sides.

The careercast.com report evaluated positions based on five key measurement criteria: stress, working environment, physical demands, income, and hiring outlook. The jobs also required some level of education or specialized training.

Near the top of the best list at No. 2 is Software Engineer and No. 3 Computer Systems Analyst.

Rand Anyres, dean of ICT, is not surprised. Both careers are in high demand, he said.

The pay is excellent and the working conditions are great, he said. A mature experienced person can earn from $80,000 to $120,000 a year. Plus, the work is not outside in the cold, but inside in an office. He said the only negative is longer hours when it comes to deadlines.

The industry is “always stimulating, never stagnant,” Anyres said. “Lots of IT people love to grow and the opportunity is always there.”

Welding ranked #5 of the worst jobs. George Rhodes, academic chair for SAIT’s welding programs said welding follows the oil and gas industry so when the economy takes a downturn welding is one of the first affected.

“Typically we are the first to ramp up and the first one to slow down,” Rhodes said. The upside is “jobs are plentiful when money is good. Typically really good.”

And yes it is a dirty job, Rhodes said. “At the end of the day you are by no means clean.”

“Personally I think we have plateaued at the bottom,” he said. And there will be a “slight increase (in job demand) over the next few years.”

Construction worker (labourer) ranked #8 of worst jobs for 2010. Larry Rosia, dean for the construction department, said this information is misleading. He said the ranking does not differentiate between regular labourers and trained employees.

A labourer on a construction site may have little or no construction education, he said. The pay would be low and are sometimes workers hired just for the day.

“Any student out of SAIT would be a tradesman,” Rosia said. SAIT’s 2008 School of Construction graduates reported they earned $47,000 to $90,000 a year, according to the Graduates Employment Survey 2009.

Top 10 Best Jobs

1. Actuary
Interprets statistics to calculate insurance premiums, risks, dividends and annuity rates.
2. Software Engineer
Researches, designs, develops and maintains software systems along with hardware development.
3. Computer Systems Analyst
Plans and develops computer systems for businesses and scientific institutions.
4. Biologist
Studies the relationship of plants and animals to their environment.
5. Historian
Analyzes and records historical information from a specific era or according to a particular area of expertise.
6. Mathematician
Applies mathematical theories and formulas to teach or solve problems.
7. Paralegal Assistant
Assists attorneys with legal documents; collection of depositions and affidavits; and investigation, research and analysis of legal issues.
8. Statistician
Tabulates, analyzes, and interprets the numeric results of experiments and surveys.
9. Accountant
Prepares and analyzes financial reports to assist managers in business, industry and government.
10. Dental Hygienist
Assists dentists in diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of a dental practice.

TOP 10 WORST JOBS

1. Roustabout
Performs routine physical labor and maintenance on oilrigs and pipelines.
2. Lumberjack
Falls, cuts, and transports timber to be processed into lumber, paper, and other wood products.
3. Ironworker
Raises the steel framework of buildings, bridges, and other structures.
4. Dairy Farmer
Directs and takes part in activities involved in the raising of cattle for milk production.
5. Welder
Joins or repairs metal surfaces through the application of heat.
6. Garbage Collector
Collects refuse on a designated municipal route, and transports trash to disposal plants or landfill areas.
7. Taxi Driver
Operates a taxicab picking up and dropping off passengers.
8. Construction Worker (Labourer)
Assists construction trade workers by performing a wide variety of tasks requiring physical labour.
9. Meter Reader
Monitors public utility meters, and records volume of consumption by customers.
10. Mail Carrier
Delivers and collects mail along prearranged rural and urban routes.

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