Employment options in Louisiana are growing. The most important industries that require motivated workers are the fields of healthcare, engineering, technology, hospitality, production, and finance. Let’s take a closer look at what jobs are in high demand in Louisiana, and you may be surprised by some opportunities.
Today, even most entry-level jobs require you to hold at least a high school degree or GED, but for most positions, some sort of post-secondary education and training is required as well.
Many Louisiana community and technical colleges and vocational schools offer certificate programs and credit-bearing courses leading to associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degrees that allow you to have a career that will suit you best. Let’s take s closer look at some surprising options.
Licensed Practical Nurse
Nurses are in high demand and there are a great many Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs in Louisiana. LPN programs are offered at community colleges, trade schools, and traditional universities.
There are even some high schools that now offer LPN programs in Louisiana to help soon-to-graduate seniors get a start on a great career in the healthcare industry. Although LPN programs might slightly different from one another, there are certain elements that remain constant and the basic coursework structure is a standard one.
LPN courses include Practical Nursing I, a module that covers the basics of nursing care such as administering intravenous therapy and medications, general illness and wellness patterns, ethical and legal issues, and basic disease prevention and hygiene principles.
In Practical Nursing II, introduces students to nursing specialties such as geriatric and pedestrian nursing, labor and delivery, and mother-baby nursing, mental health nursing, and emergency medicine nursing. This includes real-life clinical situations under strict supervision.
During Practical Nursing III, students focus on professional development, accountability, nursing processes, technology, and the evolving healthcare system. They also continue to put all of their knowledge to pragmatical use in clinical situations.
In the module Pharmacology I, you will learn how to administer medications. That is actually a job for RNs (registered nurses), but it is still essential that LPNs have good pharmaceutical knowledge. The Pharmacology course gives students a basic overview of the various different drug “families”, drug side effects, and the problem of prescription drug abuse and how it can be identified and addressed.
After you have completed an LPN program, you are ready to take the licensing test that will legally allow you to work as a Licensed Practical Nurse in Louisiana. Many LPNs choose to continue on to become registered nurses.
Mechanical Engineer
All across America, and particularly in Louisiana, when we look at what jobs are in high demand, mechanical and manufacturing engineering continues to top the list. Mechanical engineering jobs push the boundaries of product possibilities.
From the initial conception of an idea to the finished product that is presented to consumers, modern manufacturing engineering has grown to encompass every aspect of product development.
Mechanical engineers are working in a wide variety of settings. It is actually one of the broadest disciplines within the world of engineering. They are designing, developing, constructing, and testing mechanical or thermal devices, such as machines, tools, or engines. Mechanical engineers are usually working in a professional office, but occasionally they may need to visit a site where a piece of equipment or some other problem requires attention.
Usually, mechanical engineers are working in the engineering services sector, at research & development offices, at manufacturing corporations, or for government agencies. The outlook for the profession may be called stable, especially for those who attend continuing education to learn everything about the latest technological developments.
Engineering areas such as product research, production, composition, and product quality are constantly being modified in order to streamline production or develop a more advanced product.
To become an engineer, you need to have a high school diploma or GED (yes, a GED college-ready score will get you into college), followed by at least a bachelor’s degree, and holding specialist certification improves promotion chances into management positions. Practical experience is highly valued, and those holding further certification are most sought after. In Louisiana, engineers are required to be licensed.
Electrical and Electronics Engineer
An electrical engineer is designing, developing, testing, and often supervising the manufacturing process of electrical tools and equipment. These products may be all sorts of things, from navigation systems, electric motors, to complex communications systems or power generators.
An electronics engineer is designing and developing electronic equipment, from simple portable radios and music players to highly sophisticated communications and broadcast systems or GPS (global positioning systems) devices.
Electrical and electronics engineers are working mainly at labs in research & development businesses, manufacturing or engineering firms, or for federal government agencies. Your work takes place mostly indoors, though sometimes you need to visit a certain site to deal with a problem or repair a piece of equipment.
To secure a good position in this field, you must hold at least a bachelor’s degree in electrical/electronics engineering. You may also want to learn about the ‘color of your personality’ to see if mechanical or electrical engineering is a career path that will suit you well.
The employment outlook for electrical and electronics engineers is expected to be reasonably stable over the next decade as new technological developments will ensure continuous demand for these professionals.
EKG Technician
An EKG technician administers EKG tests that measure a heart’s electrical impulses and allow doctors to identify and treat heart/blood vessel problems. EKG stands for electrocardiography. EKG techs attach electrodes to points on their patients’ bodies and the electrodes send data to an EKG device that creates readings that doctors will use.
There are a variety of benefits that come with becoming an EKG technician. By completing your education and training, you will have the opportunity to embark on an excellent career path. The two major benefits are that you will earn a good living and have a very stable job.
All accredited EKG schools will help you master the necessary skills of conducting electrocardiograph tests, and you will also learn a host of other skills in the training program.
EKG technician training features patient care, correct equipment handling, and proper diagnosis of the ailment of the heart. As a student, you will also learn what the results of the ECG mean before they are sent to the doctor for a full diagnosis.
Skilled EKG technicians that are properly trained, are in high demand in the medical field. This also means that you will have a stable career. However, this field is always changing with the latest developments and new technology.
Therefore, if you wish to excel as a cardiovascular technologist, you must keep yourself updated with the latest techniques and changing technologies involving the ECG equipment and their findings.
Another benefit of EKG technician training is acquiring additional skills. Having additional skills will automatically enhance your resume. It will increase the chances of securing an entry-level job at a hospital or heart clinic, and it can also help you get promoted faster.
With the correct EKG technician training, you will be ready to begin a fantastic career as an EKG tech in Louisiana, or anywhere you like in the nation.
Paralegal
A college education can get you on the right track to a fantastic career. Let’s see what it takes to get into the world of legal stuff. This might very well be your preferred direction. Paralegals are in high demand in Louisiana.
Paralegals usually compose work products and assist with research, legal analysis, and writing legal papers. Paralegals research cases, draft various types of legal documentation, and help attornies organize and prepare pieces of information for their trials.
Paralegals usually have a bachelor’s degree as well as a few years of experience working in various practice areas such as personal injury, estate planning, probate, worker’s compensation, criminal and family law.
They may handle everything from simple pleadings and correspondence to complex legal research. This combination of education and experience make paralegals uniquely suited to meet all your legal needs accurately and efficiently.
Managing a law practice can be difficult. There’s always too much to do and not enough time to do it. That’s where the paralegal comes in. They are dedicated to providing experienced, confidential, and professional paralegal services to meet your needs. It is a paralegal’s goal is to help you meet deadlines and improve client retention. You may very well take a free career aptitude test to see if this profession might suit you well.
Fashion Designer
Want to Study Fashion Design? If you are a creative person interested in current trends in clothing and accessories, you may wish to consider a career in fashion design. How do you find out if this is the career for you? One way is to look into attending a fashion design school and make sure you’ll get one of the best possible fashion design jobs.
Most fashion designers attend an accredited fashion design school. It is helpful to attend a school in an area where you will live and work as most local companies respect and know the programs. Most designers say attending fashion school is critical as well as rewarding and may even lead you to a job as a career coach, also in the fashion industry.
Most employers expect entry-level fashion design employees to have a bachelor’s degree in Fashion. In addition, you must have an obvious knowledge of fabrics, textiles, plus an opinion about the current trends in the Fashion Design Market.
You will probably be required to show a portfolio of your best work and current ideas. This won’t be a problem if you’ve attended a fashion design school because there you will have the opportunity to build an up-to-date portfolio to share with potential employers or clients. You may want to earn a Master’s of Fine Arts degree which will improve your credentials and may make you more desirable to an employer.
Many people are drawn to the fashion industry for their love of style, design, and glamour. But not all fashion is haute couture and Hollywood red carpets. It’s only the elite few who reach the status of Armani or Karan. The apparel industry makes most of its money through large-volume sales of lower and medium-priced garments and accessories.
Graphic Designer
Why work for a living when you can design for a living? If you’ve got what it takes to kick-start your career, go ahead as your future depends on it.
All across Louisiana, there’s a growing demand for experienced graphic designers. With burgeoning web-based companies, movie companies, and video firms, there is a need for graphic experts. For most entry-level graphic design positions, you will need a bachelor’s degree. However, you may choose to earn a master’s of Fine Arts degree.
Something to keep in mind: some schools will not allow you to join their bachelor’s degree program unless you have already completed basic art and design courses. In fact, when applying to a bachelor’s degree program, you may be required to submit sketches or other proof or your design ability.
After graduating from a graphic design school, you will be expected to work one to three years in an apprenticeship program, after which you will be eligible for a promotion. Many graphic design jobs are found in the worlds of multimedia, social media, computer animation, advertising, TV and movie productions, and newspaper, magazine, or book publishing,
It makes sense that many imaginative, talented people wish to work in a design-related field. It can be a very rewarding experience to surround yourself with creative, hard-working types. What’s more, in certain situations it can also be extremely lucrative.
Payroll Administrator
As a payroll administrator clerk, it would be your job to make sure that people are paid correctly and on time. You might work in a company’s finance department, or for a bureau that provides payroll services for other companies.
Payroll Administrator job duties include working closely with personnel departments; issuing tax forms; calculating overtime, shift payments and pay increases; processing holiday, sick and maternity pay and expenses; creating records for new staff; deducting tax and insurance payments; calculating and issuing pay by cash, check or electronic transfer; checking how many hours employees have worked, and more.
Payroll Administrators must have a strong background and be able to process complex payroll processes in high volume, multi-company settings. They must be able to provide accurate and on-time information and usually, an associate’s or bachelor’s degree is required.
These professionals must have well-rounded customer service, problem resolution, and conflict management skills to assure customer satisfaction. They must have strong management and leadership skills and competencies and understand the world of human resources.
Dental Lab Technician
As the demand for dental care providers increases, so does the demand for careers in other areas of dental care. One of those high in-demand jobs in that of a Dental Laboratory Technician. If you want a rewarding career working in the healthcare industry, while you work independently, and with your hands, then working as a Dental laboratory Assistant may be for you.
Dental Lab Assistants seldom work directly with the patients. However, they work very closely with the dentist at their respective offices. Because the needs of each patient differ from one to the next, a Dental Lab Technician’s duties vary greatly and change from patient to patient. Dental Technicians work with a vast supply of dental materials, including porcelain, alloys, waxes, plastics, and composites.
Dental Technicians are responsible for casting and making molds for a variety of dental and orthodontic procedures. One of these procedures includes the construction of veneers, helping the patient function and look better. Dental technicians also make items like braces and retainers to correct problems such as crooked teeth and overbites.
Most Dental Lab Technicians work in specialty commercial dental laboratories that provide a wide array of dental prosthetics. Other places for Dental Lab techs to work are hospitals, private dental practices, dental manufacturers, and dental schools. They can also start their own dental lab or private practice. Some Dental Lab Techs are even employed by sports teams along with team doctors and dentists.
To become a Dental Technician, you must obtain certification in Dental Laboratory Technology. Most universities and junior and community colleges offer two and four-year degree programs and certification programs. Upon receiving a degree or certificate, a prospective Dental Lab Tech must become certified by taking and passing a specific examination to determine their knowledge and skill of Dental Technology. After you pass an exam, you can specialize in the field of orthodontics, complete or partial dentures, ceramics, or bridges and crowns.
Self-Enrichment Teacher
This is another interesting, fast-developing professional track in Louisiana. To become a Self-Enrichment Teacher, you need to be a super-organized person. Sometimes, self-enrichment teachers offer private instruction but often, they work in adult education facilities. Some self-enrichment teachers work with students for only a few sessions while others train them for a number of years.
Teachers who instruct dance, music, fitness, and driving courses are seen as self-enrichment teachers. A high school or equivalent diploma followed by specialized instruction in their subject field are usually the requirements to be able to work as a self-enrichment teacher. You may work in traditional educational institutions, but not necessarily.
Self-enrichment teachers are specialized instructing the finer subject areas in life such as music, arts and crafts, recreation, spirituality, and relationship skills. Self-enrichment teachers are usually instructing these topics through self-enrichment courses. They teach courses that are different from instruction that will lead to a degree or occupational specialization.
Common occupations for self-enrichment teachers are Ceramics/Pottery Instructor, Ballet Teacher, Citizenship Teacher, Dance Teacher, CPR Instructor, Driving Teacher, First Aid Instructor, Defensive Driving Instructor, Driver Education Instructor, or Horseback Riding Instructor. Self-enrichment teachers usually educate students in lessons that are not included in degree-granting programs. They typically give instruction in subject fields of self-improvement, and in general will not instruct vocational or academic subjects.
To be able to work as a self-enrichment teacher, you must demonstrate well-developed skills and expertise in those subjects you want to teach, and usually, some sort of formal and subject-related training is required, though there are situations in which experience will suffice. Self-enrichment teachers must have well-developed communication competencies and must have the skills to generate interest in their subject areas.