Job growth and projections have changed heavily in the last four to five years and adding on to the economic turndown within the same time frame.  The top three fastest growing occupations with a projected growth from 2008 to 2018 include:

Biomedical engineers (explain what the job entails) have a projected growth of 72 percent and they would need a Bachelor’s degree as the most significant source of postsecondary education or training. 

Network systems and data communications analysts jobs consist of analyzing, designing, testing, and evaluating network systems such as LAN (local area networks), WAN (wide area networks), intranets, Internet and data communication systems. Network systems and data communications analysts with over 53 percent project job growth.  They would need a Bachelor’s degree as the most significant source of postsecondary education or training.

Home health aides (explain what the job entails) is within the service occupational group.  It is also within the service occupational group.  There is a 50 percent projected group by 2018.  Short-term on-the-job training can be obtained.  This type of job requires a person who has the desire to help people. Aides need to be honest, emotionally stable, patient, kind, compassionate, responsible, cheerful, and discreet.  They need to make sure they take a physical exam including any State-mandated tests for tuberculosis and any other diseases.  For employment criminal background and a good driving record.  A majority of the jobs are held in individual, family services, residential care facilities, private households, and home healthcare services. Home health aides, personal and home care aides held 1.7 million jobs in 2008. 

Reference:  http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_table_103.htm