Individuals borrow loans for a variety of purposes. Some take loans to buy a house, a vehicle or to cover their college education expenses. Others use loans to start a new business or invest in capital equipment. The job duty of loan officers is to look for such clients and help them apply for a variety of loans. The loan lending process may involve a lot of hassles and complications. That's exactly where loan officers prove to be of help. If you are ready to become a loan officer, you should be familiar with the job description, roles and responsibilities, educational requirements, job skills and annual salary of these officers.

 

Job Description
Depending on their chosen fields, loan officers may specialize in commercial loans, mortgage loans or consumer loans. Banks and financial institutions provide numerous types of loans. Officers also, therefore, need to keep themselves up-to-date with the wide range of financial products available to clients looking for loans. Officers guide the clients and help them make well informed decisions about borrowing the right type of loan.

 

Loan officers do not only guide clients on borrowing different types of loans, but also inspect the latter's backgrounds to ensure their creditworthiness. The purpose is to figure out the probability of repayment of loans. There are many applicants who have problems qualifying for obtaining loans. Loan officers find out these problems and help clients take desired loans.

 

While working for banks and financial institutions, loan officers play the role of salespeople. Those who work as commercial loan officers get in touch with firms and persuade them to borrow the commercial loans from their banks or financial institutions. Likewise, there are mortgage loan officers who work with real estate agencies to find prospective clients to provide property loans.

 

Right from the start till the loan is repaid in full, loan officers play a crucial role. They maintain loan files containing the credit history of clients. They guide and help clients qualify for the applied loans. There are some loan officers who function as loan collection officers, responsible for making the loan repayment process hassle free for clients.

 

Educational Qualification & Training
To become a loan officer, candidates should possess a bachelor's degree in economics, finance or a related field. Employers prefer hiring candidates who carry work experience in sales, banking, lending etc. Knowledge of computers is also required to qualify for loan officers' jobs. Officers who work in credit unions or banks do not need to obtain licensing. On the other hand, those who are employed in mortgage banks or brokerages do need to complete licensing requirements, which may vary from one state to another.

 

Job Skills
Besides having a bachelor's degree in finance or economics, candidates should also possess some essential job skills to make the most of their careers. A strong desire to succeed is the foundation of a successful loan officer career. Good interpersonal skills, sales skills and communication skills are required to work as a loan officer.

 

Annual Salary
In May 2004, loan officers earned a median annual salary of $48,830. Most of these officers earn between the range of $35,360 and $69,160 annually. Depending on work experience and skill sets, the annual salary of loan officers can go up to $98,280. Those who work with state governments earn an average salary of $43,400 annually. Private companies offer around $52,260 per year.

 

Commercial loan officers, carrying over 3 years of experience, earn between the range of $61,750 and $100,000 annually. Officers who possess a graduate degree and professional certifications earn a higher income. Those who work on a commission basis earn more than those who are employed on a salary basis.

In today's competitive climate, organizations continuously need to keep abreast of the upcoming technologies and trends to stay ahead of their competitors. Whether it is about adapting to the new trends or supervising security operations in the field of information technology, the demand for computer information systems manager is always on the rise. These professionals are well trained to provide effective internet support and security systems support to help organizations plan their future operations and beat out the competition. If you have a strong passion for making a career in computer information systems, you need to be familiar with what it actually takes to become a computer and information systems manager.

 

Job Description
Computer information systems managers are responsible for supervising the computer and internet related activities in an organization. These managers develop effective strategies to ensure the organization's success. They work with executive managers to plan the different phases of a firm's activities in accordance with the latter's future goals. Computer and information systems managers closely work with and supervise the activities of programming department, support department and the analyst department.

 

Typical job duties of these managers include installing computer software programs, hardware, networking and maintaining the internet support system. Network security is one of the key areas that information systems managers work on. Managers keep themselves up-to-date with the latest technology news and changing information technology trends. An essential part of their job duties is to delegate responsibilities to their subordinates.

 

Management Information Systems directors are responsible for overseeing all the technology related activities of an organization. In most of the cases, they report to the head information officer and oversee the activities of their subordinates. They provide useful recommendations and suggestions associated with software and hardware development. While working on projects, these managers perform their duties according to the specific budget requirements as well as plan the necessary scheduling.

 

Computer information systems managers work in close contact with computer programmers, system analysts and support specialists among other information technology experts. They evaluate the upcoming technologies and find out how these latest technologies can contribute to the organizations' overall success. Security enhancement is always one of the most important projects that information systems manager are required to work on.

 

Educational Qualification & Training
A bachelor degree in information technology, computer programming, management information system or any other relevant field is the standard requirement to kick-start a career in this field. A master's degree in business management with a major focus on technology would ensure better employment opportunities for aspiring candidates. Those who have adequate training and work experience in management can start their career with an associate degree in information technology or any other relevant field. For career advancement, they can later obtain a master's degree.

 

Job Skills
Besides having a degree in information technology or any other related field, the management position also requires you to possess some essential job skills to make a successful career as a computer information systems manager. These include strong interpersonal skills, communication skills, leadership skills, ability to take initiatives, team playing skills, motivational skills etc.

 

Job Outlook
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment in this occupation will grow faster than the average of all other professions, through to the year 2016. Candidates carrying a master's degree with relevant work experience will have excellent employment opportunities. Employee and manager turnover in these jobs will create more employment opportunities.

 

Annual Salary
Becoming a computer information systems manager is one of the most profitable career options in the field of information technology. Salaries of these managers will vary depending on the skill sets, work experience and the size of the employer. These managers earn an annual salary ranging between $47,000 and $140,000. The average salary of these professionals is around $85,000 annually. Entry level positions offer an average salary of around $44,000.

If you want to join the food processing occupation, becoming a baker can be good career option. As a baker, you would be responsible for preparing breads, cakes, pies, cookies etc. Making a career in this field is not as tough as people think. After completing your high school diploma or GED, you can plan to get enrolled in a culinary school to learn the art of baking. There are several culinary schools that offer courses and degree programs in the art of baking. Given below is some essential career information to help you become a baker.

 

Job Description
The main job responsibility of bakers is to process raw products into finished baked items. They work to produce a wide variety of bakery items. Bakers who are employed in manufacturing unites are well trained to develop their own recipes and procedure. Finished baked products are sold through grocery stores, wholesalers, food service establishments etc.

 

Bakers work according to a baking production schedule, on an everyday basis. Depending on the recipe they want to produce, bakers are responsible for measuring the right amount of ingredients and mixing them in the correct proportion. They are well trained to work with large mixing machine bowls for making dough and batter. After they have prepared dough, batter and fillings, they roll them into different shapes for producing finished bakery products.

 

They also cut fruits required for making pastry or using as pie fillings. They are responsible for monitoring the entire procedure of baking. They set the correct temperature and time of the oven for producing best quality finished baked products. Once the baking is over, they also add a variety of toppings to these bakery items. In addition, bakers also ensure that appropriate safety and health guidelines are followed throughout the entire procedure of baking and creating final products.

 

Educational Qualification & Training
At least a high school diploma is required to step into this food processing occupation. There are various culinary arts schools and professional schools that offer courses in baking. Culinary courses train candidates in areas like food preparation, menu planning, food selection and food storage. Some of the professional schools also offer specialty training in the baking of specific items like gourmet breads and pastries among others. Most of the bakers learn the art and science of baking by working under the tutelage of an experienced professional.

 

Though certification is not necessary required, acquiring one will enhance the career prospects for candidates. Baker certification in the US can be obtained from the Retail Bakers of America (RBA). The RBA provides certification in key areas including management, retail sales, baking sanitation and staff training.

 

Job Characteristics
Apart from completing the required culinary training, candidates should also possess some essential job skills to make the most of their baking career. These include great precision, capability to follow the provided instructions (orally or written), a keen sense for taste and smell, ability to measure ingredients appropriately, dexterity etc. To work well in a team, candidates should also have excellent team playing and interpersonal skills. Physical stamina is also needed, as bakers spend most of their time standing.

 

Employment Prospects
There is a growing demand for bakers, as the number of traditional bakeries, specialty shops and stores continually increases. Abundant employment opportunities await candidates that have relevant educational qualification and work experience. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an employment growth of 10% in this occupation. Bakers can find employment opportunities in bakery departments, hotels, restaurants, cake shops, hot bread shops, cafeterias and bakery item manufacturing companies.

 

Annual Salary
Salaries of bakers will vary depending on their work experience, geographic location and the type and size of the employer. The average median annual salary of a baker is $21,330. Professionals can earn a higher salary as they grow in skills and experience.

Some of the candidates make the decision of becoming a police officer at a young age while others decide about making a career in this occupation later in life. In both the cases, candidates should consider the tough competition that a career as a police officer involves. Though a law enforcement career brings multiple challenges, the occupation also brings a lot of satisfaction. If you have a strong sense of duty have a keen interest in serving the society, becoming a police officer can be a good idea. Read on to equip yourself with some essential career information.

 

What are the job duties of a police officer?
Local government is the largest employer for police officers. Others are employed state and federal agencies. All the officers work towards a common goal - providing protection to people's lives and property. Depending on the type and size of the agency or the organization, officers perform their responsibilities in several ways. Due to higher salaries, competition for state and federal agency policing jobs is tougher. Better employment opportunities are available with local police agencies and in urban communities.

 

Police agencies are divided on the basis of geographical districts. Each agency has a specific geographical district to control. These agencies are provided with uniformed police officers who have a wide range of job duties to perform. Some of these job responsibilities include investigating robbery cases, directing traffic at accident spots, providing first aid to accident victims etc.

 

Police officers have specialized work responsibilities to perform in large departments. Specialized duties may include microscopic analysis, fingerprint identification, firearms instruction and training among others. Apart from specialized job duties, there are specialize police unites as well. These may include horseback patrol, motorcycle patrol, harbor patrol etc. Some officers are employed in courts to perform jail related duties. Police officers are required to maintain meticulous record of cases they handle.

 

At all levels of policing occupation, law enforcement officers have job titles according to their specialization.

 

Sheriff
State Trooper
Detective
Federal Bureau of Investigation Agent
US Marshall
US Drug Enforcement Administration
Department of Homeland Security Officer

 

Steps to Follow for Becoming a Police Officer

 

Step #1. Candidates should complete the required education. The level of education you need will depend on the level at which you aspire to work. At least an associate degree or a bachelor degree is required to kick-start career in the law enforcement occupation. Those who wish to work with federal and state police agencies should possess a college degree. To become an FBI agent, candidates will need to acquire a graduate degree from an accredited law school or college. There are several colleges and universities offering degree programs in criminal justice to become a police officer.

 

Step #2. To become a police officer, candidates need to be physically fit. Participation in organized sports can help candidates and prepare them for a career as a police officer. Physical fitness is important to perform your job duties efficiently.

 

Step #3. Candidates will also go through a background check for consideration. Those who have a history of drug offenses, traffic violations and similar convictions will be rejected for the job position. Therefore, it is important to have a clean background.

 

Step #4. Every time there are openings in the police departments, civil service examinations are conducted. Applicants will need to pass this written examination, aside from a physical examination to test the candidate's stamina, vision and hearing. Study guides and classes can help students prepare for the civil service examination.

 

Step #5. After successfully passing the examination, candidates will be required to join a police academy for a training period of 3-4 months. Training will include classroom instructions, fire arms safety control, first aid procedures, self defense techniques, physical training etc.

There are abundant career possibilities in the field of multimedia and animation. If you possess artistic talent and innovative skills, you can always consider making a career in multimedia. Various job titles available in this field include illustrator, 3D animator, graphic artist, digital artist etc. Multimedia artists are specially trained professionals who have the ability to bring creative sophistication to everything ranging from movies, television shows and cartoons to commercials. If you are planning to become a multimedia artist, you should be familiar with all essential career information related to this occupation.

 

Job Description
Multimedia artists use their computer and creative skills to create animated images and special effects for a variety of media including TV shows, movies, cartoons, computer games and commercials among others. While working on a project, these artists work closely with programmers who can look after the complex technical aspects. When you choose to become a multimedia artist, you can also select a specialization depending on your individual skills, aptitude and interests.

 

For example, those who want to work in the computer gaming industry can choose specializations like character artist, texture artist, animator etc. An animator is responsible for creating animated images for games while a texture artist creates the environment to be presented on the screen. Likewise every artist has specific job duties to perform.

 

Key Responsibilities
Some of the typical job duties of a multimedia artist are as follows.

 

Development of animated narrative sequences
Adding lifelike characteristics to images
Designing of graphics using specialized computer software programs
Development of 2D and 3D images for movies, television shows, games etc
Creation of storyboards
Creation of drawings and illustrations

 

Multimedia artists use a variety of techniques and methods to create promotional products, multimedia presentations, brochures, computer artwork, slideshows and illustrations among others. These artists possess excellent artistic and animation skills to be used in a wide range of projects.

 

Educational Qualification & Training
Candidates who aspire to become a multimedia artist need to possess a bachelor's degree in art or design. There are several colleges and universities that offer bachelor and master degree programs in fine arts. Students can also kick-start a career in multimedia with an associate degree in fine arts or a relevant field. Getting trained in computer techniques and design software programs is essential to have a successful career in this occupation.

 

To become successful and increase their chances of being hired, multimedia artists should also create an impressive portfolio of their quality work. They can show their portfolio to art directors and editors. Internship programs provide an excellent opportunity for multimedia artists to develop an impressive portfolio.

 

Job Outlook
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment for multimedia artist jobs will grow faster than the average of all other careers, increasing at rate of 26% from 2006 through to the year 2016. Visual arts will witness the best employment growth for multimedia jobs. Considering the tough job market, candidates may need to face stiff competition while getting jobs. However, there will be no dearth of employment opportunities for those who have advanced education, skills and several years of work experience.

 

Major Employers
Trained multimedia artists can land jobs across a range of industries. Major employers for these jobs include the motion pictures industry, video production industry, advertising industry, computer systems designs and software publishers.

 

Annual Salary
Salaries of multimedia artists will vary according to the geographic location, work experience and the type and size of the employer. The median annual salary of these artists is around $56,330. Motion pictures and the video industry offer the highest salary. With growing experience and skills, multimedia artists can earn as high as $70,960 annually.

Businesses and organizations always need trained professionals to effectively distribute their limited financial resources. In large organizations where the structure is quite complex, the task can not be completed with the help of budget analysts. Therefore, there is a growing demand for these analysts, who develop, analyze and execute the budget. Becoming a budget analysts is one of the most rewarding careers that accounting offers. To make the most of your career in this occupation, you need to be familiar with all the essential career information including the job description, nature of work, educational qualification, training, career advancement options, earning benefits etc.

 

Job Description
Budget analysts work for a variety of businesses, organizations and institutions. The major job duty of these professionals is to provide expert advice and assistance in the preparation of annual budget. Analysts who work in the private sector analyze the efficiency and find ways to maximize the profit of businesses. On the other hand, those who work for non-profit organizations hold the work responsibility of effectively distributing funds.

 

Budget analysts work in close contact with senior managers and department heads in an organization. At the start of each budget cycle, analysts analyze the proposed financial plans submitted by managers and department heads. These proposed plans include essentials like funding increment, capital expenditures, estimate costs, expenses etc. All these are then reviewed by budget analysts. Analysts check the submitted proposals for precision and accuracy. In addition, budget analysts see to it that the proposed plans are in conformity to the organizational policies and objectives.

 

After completing the review of the proposed financial plans, budget analysts then work to consolidate the different departmental budget into capital financial summaries. After the budget summaries are consolidated, they are submitted to the senior management group or the elected officials for approval. After conducting a scrutiny of the proposed budget plan, the organization head or the chief operating officer makes the final decision of approving the plan.

 

The job of a budget analyst is not over yet. Even after the entire budget plan has been finalized, approved and put into work, analysts periodically monitor the budget throughout the entire year. They ensure that funds are being used exactly in the way they were allocated. In case, there are some discrepancies in the approved budget and actual payout, budget analysts prepare reports citing the reasons that may have caused the expense to arise. Analysts may also give recommendations for making adjustments in the proposed budget to avoid any kind of deficit.

 

Working Conditions
Budget analysts perform their work indoors in comfortable office environment. Professionals usually need to work additional hours during the initial budget planning and the final review of the proposed financial plans. So, they usually work more than the standard 40 hours a week. In case of special budget requests, there may be an interruption in the work schedule of analysts. Depending on individual organizational requirements, budget analysts may be required to travel.

 

Educational Qualification & Training
To become a budget analyst, candidates should at least possess a bachelor's degree in areas like accounting, finance, public administration, business, economics or any other relevant field. A master degree in a relevant field would be required for advanced career opportunities. In addition, candidates also need to be well versed with various software package related to the budget analysis. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, analytical skills, an ability to work under time constraints are the essential job skills required by budget analysts. Many employers also provide formal training for entry level job positions. Additional certifications like the Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) will be required to work with government agencies.

 

Annual Salary
The salary of budget analysts would vary depending on their work experience, geographic location and the type and size of the employer. The annual salary in this occupation ranges between $45,170 and $70,530. Those who are employed with the federal government earn an average salary of around $61,640 annually. With increasing work experience and skills, budget analysts can earn as high as $87,380 annually.

A career in retail marketing fits those who are ready to work hard and carry excellent people skills. The work environment in the retail industry is very fast paced. Though at the initial stage of your career you may not be offered a higher salary, the occupation does provide you great opportunities to move into senior level job positions. The retail marketing industry offers aspiring candidates a variety of jobs. Depending on their specific interests, candidates can choose a retail career that suits them most. If you are planning to kick-start your career in retail, read on to equip yourself with essential career information to become successful in this occupation.

 

Types of Jobs Offered in Retail Industry
A wide range of career options await candidates with a keen interest in retail marketing. Professionals in the industry perform job duties like maintaining a company's brand image, selecting the range of products that best represent a company, managing the sale of products and the retail store and working to market a company's products to customers.

 

Available career opportunities in retail marketing are as follows -

 

Store Manager
Buyer
Department Manager
Sales Associate
Regional Manager

 

Many employers in the retail sector hire candidates as management trainees. These trainees are then required to attend a management training program to learn about the employer and its operations in the retail industry. After the completion of the training program, candidates are qualified to occupy job positions as an assistant or a store manager.

 

Online Retailing
After the advent of the internet, there has come up a trend in retail sector - online retailing or e-tailing. Online retailing refers to selling of a company's products and providing customer services online. A large number of major retail stores have their own websites. These companies have a specific division to look after its online retailing services.

 

Skills Required by Retail Marketers
To become successful with their retail marketing careers, candidates should possess some essential job skills. College degree is not necessarily required to kick-start a career in retail. Senior executives, on the other hand, possess an MBA. However, most of the professionals in the industry are hired by employers on the basis of their work experience, enthusiasm and work performance. An excellent combination of people skills and marketing skills would guarantee candidates a successful retail marketing career. Candidates should possess strong analytical skills, creativity, positive attitude, flexibility and the ability to take initiatives on their own.

 

Educational Qualification
Candidates who want to take up senior marketing job positions should possess a Masters of Business Administration (MBA). However, a four year college degree is not necessarily required to start a career in retail. Mostly, people who carry extensive work experience and possess enthusiasm make the most of their careers in the retail industry.

 

Annual Salary
For working your way up to senior level job positions in retail marketing, you would need to start at the very bottom. Hard work and enthusiasm will take you very far. Salaries of retail marketing professionals vary hugely depending on the geographic location, working experience and the type and size of the retail store. The average salary for retail marketing jobs varies between $20,000 and $80,000. Higher salary is offered to those who hold senior retail job positions like store manager, executive senior manager and regional managers.

Have you ever wanted to make a culinary career as a ‘station chef' or a ‘line cook'? Well, these are terms a chef de partie is also referred to as. The food service industry has to offer plenty of career possibilities for candidates who have a strong passion for cooking and are prepared to stand the kitchen heat. There's no doubt that the cooking industry features a fast-paced work environment. However, this challenging profession brings you a much rewarding career. If you want to prepare yourself to become a chef de partie or a station chef, you need to know the job description for this job position, educational requirements, job skills and career prospects. Below, we discuss about it all to help you become successful in this occupation of culinary arts.

 

Job Description
The chef is referred to as station chef due to the fact that they handle a specific area or ‘station' of the kitchen. High-end restaurants and large kitchens have multiple sections. A chef de partie specialize in the handling of one of these sections. Usually there are one or two chefs responsible for handling kitchen activities in a particular section. In case there are more chef de parties, they are referred to as chef #1, chef #2 etc.

 

In a specific kitchen section, the chef de partie has the responsibility of overseeing tasks including food preparation, cooking and presentation of food recipes. Apart from food preparation, they supervise and delegate tasks to other chefs working in a special area of the kitchen. Therefore, the job of a chef de partie does not only require great food preparation skills, but it also requires experience in handling administrative responsibilities.

 

One of the most important job duties of a chef de partie is to ensure that the food quality and the food safety standards are maintained appropriately. In addition, they are well versed with looking after several issues that may arise in the kitchen area.

 

Specialization Areas
The Chef de partie is responsible for handling any of the many kitchen stations. Large kitchens are divided into many ‘stations'. These specialization stations include a saute chef, a grill chef (Rotisseur), a pantry chef (Garde Manger), a pastry chef (Patissier), a fish chef (poisonnier) a roast chef (Grillardin), a vegetable chef (Entremetier) etc. Among all these, the job position of a sauté chef is highest ranking position in the kitchen.

 

Work Environment
The work environment for chefs is fast-paced. Though restaurants feature an attractive environment, the kitchen area is usually hot and crowded with food preparation workers, cooks and chefs. During peak hours, the chef de partie needs to perform their tasks under constant pressure to serve the food well and on time. Depending on the restaurant requirements, chefs may need to work irregular hours.

 

Educational Qualification
Since the job of a chef de partie is not an entry level position, it required candidates to possess extensive work experience working in different sections of the kitchen. To become successful as a chef de partie or a station chef or a line cook, candidates need to attend an credited culinary school. Today, there are several cooking schools and culinary institutions offering degree programs in culinary arts. Depending on their career interest, students need to pursue the right culinary program or course. Students can choose to enroll into associate or bachelor degree programs in culinary arts or cooking. Several years of work experience will always play the key role in getting hired as a chef de partie in large kitchen and high-end restaurants.

 

Job Outlook
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a fairly good job outlook for chef de partie employment. Entry level chef positions may be easy to acquire. However, candidates will face tough competition occupying chef de parties' jobs in large kitchen, high-end restaurant and restaurant chains. Due to the demanding work environment, the turnover for chef jobs is also quite high.

 

Database specialist or computer support specialist is one of the fastest growing occupations through to 2016. Companies have a growing demand for these professionals. Among other careers that the field of information technology offers, database development and maintenance is a profitable career option. Also sometimes referred to as database analysts, these specialists are formally educated and trained to develop and maintain a wide range of corporate databases. These professionals apply expert database management systems (DBMS) knowledge to perform their task. If you wish to make a career in this occupation, equip yourself with all the essential career information including job description, educational qualification required, job skills needed, job outlook and annual salary of these professionals.

 

Job Description
As the job title suggests, database specialists are responsible for the development and maintenance of computer databases. They are specially trained to develop structures to ensure appropriate and effective maintenance of database management systems. They work in close contact with network specialists on accessibility issues of the database. These professional hold the responsibility of ensuring an efficient access to the database and connectivity support.

 

Not only do these professionals develop and taste databases, but they also monitor the functionality of the whole system. They check for errors that databases may encounter and provide effective solutions to fix those problems. To eliminate errors, they also modify and restructure the database systems.

 

While performing their job duties, they consider a number of elements. These may include data partitioning, data loading, data modeling, scalability, data security and indexing among others. An important part of their job duty is to have an effective back-up system in place. They design and implement recovery processes for database systems in companies.

 

While creating company databases, they consider the requirements of users. Keeping in mind the various usability issues, they ensure that the whole system is completely in tune with user requirements. They define management standards for an efficient use of the system. In addition, they educate users and train them about the appropriate use of the database system.

 

Educational Qualification & Training
To kick-start a career in this occupation, candidates should at least have a 2-year degree in computer science or information technology with a focus on database administration. A 4 year bachelor's degree in computer science or a relevant field would be required for senior level positions and career advancement. To work as database specialists, employees need multiple years of work experience and on-the-job training.

 

Job Skills
In addition to having a degree in computer science or information technology, candidates should also possess some essential job skills to make the most of their careers. These include strong analytical skills, logical skills, complex problem solving, decision making ability, active listening skills, excellent communication, interpersonal skills etc. Extensive experience of working with databases like Microsoft's SQL Server, Oracle and Filemaker Pro will be required to establish a successful career in this occupation.

 

Job Outlook
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is excellent job growth for computer scientists, database administrators and database specialists. Jobs in this field will grow at the rate of 37% from 2006 through to the year 2016. Candidates who have an advanced computer science degree and extensive computer system work experience will have best employment opportunities. The demand for these professionals is growing rapidly in a variety of businesses and organizations.

 

Annual Salary
Salaries of database specialists will vary depending on their work experience, geographic location and the size of the employer. The average annual salary of these professionals is $60,625. As these professionals acquire more experience and skill sets, they can earn an annual salary as high as $107,000.

A lot of hard work and perseverance goes into becoming an illustrator. It is a career for those who have a passion for interpreting a message or an idea visually. Whether it is a written publication or a visual publication, skilled illustrators are in high demand. To effectively communicate an idea, written material need to have appealing visual presentation. That's where the role of an illustrator actually comes in. There are different types of illustration work; it can be technical illustration or it can be commercial illustration. Your innovative skills have to play an crucial role in establishing a career in this field. If you plan to become an illustrator, you need to have all the essential career information including the job duties, educational qualification and training required and the career prospects that await you in this occupation.

 

Job Description
Different clients and employers have different requirements for illustrating jobs. To perform their job duties efficiently, illustrators first need to comprehend the expectations of clients. There is a concept behind every kind of illustration. Clients dictate their concepts to the illustrator, who then produce visual interpretation to get the idea or the story across to the audience in an appealing way. The actual job duties of these professionals may vary from one employer to another. However, the basic responsibilities remain the same.

 

Illustrators use a variety of techniques to complete projects. Some of these include schematic, orthographic and isometric techniques. Depending on the requirements, professionals may need to work on multiple projects at one time. Typically, the illustration jobs involve creating images or visual representation to complement written material for magazines, newspapers and journals among other publications. The field of commercial illustration also offers excellent career opportunities for these professionals. In this type of illustrating occupation, illustrators create visual representation for products like textiles, greeting cards, calendars, stationary, promotional posters etc.

 

Many times the ideas that written material conveys are very complex. It is the job of an illustrator to effectively present the idea and make it come to life. Professionals illustrate a variety of ideas using materials including oil painting, pen, pencil, watercolor, pastel, wood engraving etc. With the technologies becoming more advanced, illustrators also use digital format to create illustrative pictures and images. Those who have computer proficiency will, therefore, enhance their opportunities for career advancement.

 

Educational Qualification & Training
Though formal training is not necessarily required, getting trained can really enhance your chances of establishing a successful career in this occupation. Obtaining formal education is not tough today, as there are several colleges and universities offering degree programs in subjects like fine arts, visual communication and illustration. Candidates can obtain a bachelor's degree or a master's degree in these subjects to make the most of their careers. These training programs include education in areas like sketching, drawing, composition etc.

 

Many of these degree programs also help students create a portfolio of their artwork. Creating a portfolio of some impressive pieces of work is essential for illustrators. Professionals can show their portfolio to editors for consideration. Internships are another useful way of acquiring some real world experience, which employers look for in candidates.

 

Job Outlook
According to the projections by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment in this occupation will increase at 16% from 2006 through to 2016. The burgeoning dotcom industry also adds to the job growth. Growing number of websites have a regular demand for trained illustrators. Candidates will face keen competition while landing jobs. Professionals with extensive work experience, strong skills and computer imaging proficiency will have the best employment opportunities.

 

Annual Salary
In August 2009, illustrators earned an annual salary ranging between $30,396 and $44,083. Salaries may vary depending on the type of illustration and the size of the employer. Experienced illustrators can earn an annual salary up to $51,004.