Where do you see yourself in five years?

This question can be intimidating - especially if you're an undecided major or thinking about changing careers. If you're exploring interests, check out the eleven hot careers featured in this blog, all of which will see an increase in positions from now until 2024. 

What's even better is you can begin your journey to all of these careers right here at JJC!

(Click here to apply or click here to register for classes.) 

1. Orthotists/Prosthetists
Average Salary: $65,630 per year
Job Outlook: 23 percent projected increase from 2014-2024
JJC Program of Study: Orthotics and Prosthetics
JJC Department Chair: Mike Brncick (mbrncick@jjc.edu)  
Do I Need to Transfer? YES

What Do They Do?

• Design, create or adjust/repair spinal braces, knee braces, artificial limbs and other surgical devices
• Meet with each patient individually to determine their needs, take measurements 

2. Orthotic/Prosthetic Technicians
Average Salary: $49,469 per year
Job Outlook: 20 percent projected increase from 2014-2024
JJC Program of Study: Orthotics and Prosthetics
JJC Department Chair: Mike Brncick (mbrncick@jjc.edu)  
Do I Need to Transfer? NO

What Do They Do?

• Assist orthotists and prosthetists in creating, designing and adjusting braces, artificial limbs and other surgical devices

3. Chef/Pastry Chef 
Average Salary: $43,180 per year
Job Outlook: 9 percent projected increase from 2014-2024
JJC Program of Study: Culinary Arts
JJC Department Chair: Mike McGreal (mccgreal@jjc.edu)
Do I Need to Transfer? NO

What Do They Do?

• In charge of the kitchen staff
• Oversee the daily food preparation for restaurants or bakeries; create new recipes
• In charge of scheduling and purchasing software
• Train new cooks

4. Personal Trainer/Fitness Instructor
Average Salary: $38,160 per year
Job Outlook: 8 percent projected increase from 2014-2024
JJC Program of Study: Kinesiology
JJC Department Chair: David Opon (dopon@jjc.edu)  
Do I Need to Transfer? NO

What Do They Do?

• Lead fitness classes
• Teach others how to do certain exercises, such as strength training, stretching
• In charge of signing up new gym members
• Supervise areas of the gym

5. Social and Human Services Assistant
Average Salary: $31,810 per year
Job Outlook: 11 percent projected increase from 2014-2024
JJC Program of Study: Social and Behavioral Sciences (Human Services)
JJC Department Chair: Susan Krause (skrause@jjc.edu)  
Do I Need to Transfer? NO

What Do They Do?

• Work for nonprofits, state/local governments, or for-profit social service agencies
• Assist social workers and/or psychologists
• Work with clients; assist in creating treatment plans  

6. Social Worker
Average Salary: $46,890 per year
Job Outlook: 12 percent projected increase from 2014-2024
JJC Program of Study: Social and Behavioral Sciences (Human Services)
JJC Department Chair: Susan Krause (skrause@jjc.edu)  
Do I Need to Transfer? YES

What Do They Do?

• Meet with clients; get to know their situations, needs, strengths and support networks
• Assist clients by teaching healthy coping mechanisms
• Diagnose, treat clients

7. Technical Writer
Average Salary: $69,850 per year
Job Outlook: 10 percent projected increase from 2014-2024
JJC Program of Study: English and World Languages
JJC Department Chair: Michael Thune (mthune@jjc.edu)  
Do I Need to Transfer? YES

What Do They Do?

• Prepare instruction manuals, how-to guides, articles and other materials for companies 
• Revise and copy edit materials so consumers can easily understand them

8. Interpreters and Translators
Average Salary: $46,120 per year
Job Outlook: 29 percent projected increase from 2014-2024
JJC Program of Study: English and World Languages
JJC Department Chair: Michael Thune (mthune@jjc.edu)  
Do I Need to Transfer? YES

What Do They Do?

• Act as a liaison between someone who speaks English and someone who speaks a different language; translate languages so it's easily understood by both parties
• Read/write in other languages fluently
• Compile information into databases to be used in translations

9. EMT/Paramedic
Average Salary: $31,980 per year 
Job Outlook: 24 percent projected increase from 2014-2024
JJC Program of Study: Emergency Medical Services
JJC Program Coordinator: Charlotte Garrabrant (cclark@jjc.edu)
Do I Need to Transfer? NO

What Do They Do?

• Respond to emergencies and determine how each patient should be treated
• Perform CPR, first aid, or bandage wounds
• Transport patients in an ambulance to the nearest hospital emergency department

10. Firefighter
Average Salary: $46,870 a year
Job Outlook: 5 percent projected increase from 2014-2024
JJC Program of Study: Fire Science
JJC Department Chair: Duane Stonich (dstonich@jjc.edu) 
Do I Need to Transfer? NO

What Do They Do?

• Respond to emergency calls
• Put out fires; search for and rescue victims in burning buildings or other situations 
• Treat the sick or injured
• Educate others about fire safety

11. Police Officer
Average Salary: $60,270 per year
Job Outlook: 4 percent projected increase from 2014-2024
JJC Program of Study: Law Enforcement/Criminal Justice
JJC Department Chair: Duane Stonich (dstonich@jjc.edu) 
Do I Need to Transfer? NO

What Do They Do?

• Respond to emergency calls
• Conduct traffic stops and patrol areas; issue citations
• Prepare cases; testify in court
• Write detailed reports

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