“During the decade from 2006-2016, healthcare occupations are expected to make up seven of the 20 fastest growing occupations, the largest proportion of any occupational group, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS),” said Etrat "Faith" Fathi, director of career services at Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW), Wednesday.

These seven healthcare occupations, in addition to exhibiting high growth rates, will add nearly 750,000 new jobs between 2006 and 2016, BLS notes. Other occupational groups that have more than one occupation in the 20 fastest growing occupations are computer, personal care and service, community and social services, and business and financial operations occupations.

“BLS adds that high growth rates among occupations in the top 20 fastest growing occupations reflect projected rapid growth in the health care and social assistance industries and the professional, scientific and technical services industries,” said Fathi.

Fathi said the Internet has changed the way job seekers search for jobs, but the old-fashioned way of meeting hiring managers face to face and networking is the way about 80 percent of job seekers find jobs.

She urges a students to complete a career self-assessment before that student chooses a specific career. Fathi said a student must know his or her passions, strengths and weaknesses before that student can successfully embark on a career path.

She said new college graduates shouldn’t be under the impression they are going to secure high-paying jobs right out of college. An employer will want to thoroughly evaluate an employee’s skills, qualifications, character and experience, before the employer will make a significant investment in that employee.

“Recent graduates should first all concentrate on getting their foot in the door,” Fathi said.

Fathi said many recent graduates run into the problem that they don’t have any work experience in the career field they are seeking. In this case, she urges the graduate to seek an internship or co-op, or do volunteer work in the graduate’s chosen field.

It is easier for a person to find a job when that person already has a job or is doing something positive, Fathi said.

“A graduate shouldn’t sit on his hands and wait for that perfect job to come along. Volunteer or take an entry-level position to enhance your skills and qualifications,” she said as advice to graduates.

The medical profession is also one of the fastest-growing fields for recent technical college graduates, along with avionics, aviation, electronics, criminal justice, welding and heating and air conditioning, said Cynthia Carter, director of career planning and placement at South Georgia Technical College (SGTC).

Carter said she urges her female students not to be afraid to explore career paths that are not traditional to women like automotive, welding and heating and air conditioning.

She also urges a student to complete a self assessment before he or she chooses a field of study. Carter cautions recent graduates not to “fool themselves” into thinking that an effective resume will single-handedly secure them a job.

A successful candidate must also have effective interview skills.

The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) reported recently that the unemployment rate in the Middle Flint area was unchanged at 6.3 percent from February to March. But, the rate is down two-tenths of one percent, from 6.5 percent in March of 2007.