The purpose of The Strong Interest Inventory (SII) Work Style Scale is to distinguish between individuals who prefer working with data, ideas, or things and individuals who prefer working with people. A score of 45 or below on the SII Work Style Scale indicates a clear interest in working with data, ideas, or things.
Three careers among those considered by the Department of Labor to be the “fasting growing” and “ most in high demand” that have the potential of providing high job satisfaction for individuals with a score of 45 or below include:
- Computer Software Engineers, applications
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
- Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
Computer Software Engineers
Employment of computer software engineers is projected to increase by 38 percent between 2008 and 2018.
Computer Software Engineers apply principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. They research, design, develop, and test operating systems-level software, compilers, and network distribution software.
Computer Software Engineers work in a broad range of industries including:
- Medical
- Military
- Communications
- Aerospace
- Scientific
- General Computing Applications.
Education and Training
Most employers prefer applicants who have at least a bachelors degree.
|
Computer Software Engineers who have completed: |
Percent |
|
High School or less |
2.9% |
|
Some College |
15.3% |
|
Bachelors Degree and More |
81.8% |
*Source: Department of Labor
The usual college major for applications software engineers is computer science or software engineering.
Income
According to National Association of Colleges and Employers starting salaries for Computer Software Engineers averaged:
- $56,201 for graduates with a bachelors degree
- $53,396 fro graduates with a bachelors degree in computer science
|
Job Title |
Median Annual Income |
| Software publishers |
$84,560 |
| Computer systems design and related services |
$78,850 |
| Management, scientific, and technical consulting services |
$78,850 |
| Management of companies and enterprises |
$78,580 |
| Insurance carriers |
$74,230 |
| Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences |
$97,220 |
| Scientific research and development services |
$97,180 |
| Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing |
$93,240 |
| Computer systems design and related services |
$84,660 |
| Data processing, hosting, and related services |
$78,270 |
*Source: Department of Labor, 2006.
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
During economic recession employment is relatively stable for veterinary technologists and technicians. Employment of veterinary technologists and technicians is expected to grow 36 percent between 2008 and 2018.
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians conduct clinical work under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. They carry out many of the same duties for a veterinarian that a nurse would for a physician, including routine laboratory and clinical procedures.
Work setting for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians include:
- Private Clinics
- Animal Hospitals
- Research Facilities
Education and Training
Typically entry-level veterinary technicians have a 2-year associate degree from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited community college program in veterinary technology in which courses are taught in clinical and laboratory settings using live animals. A 4-year degree is generally needed to become a Veterinary Technologists.
While every state has their own regulations for veterinary technicians and technologists all states require a credentialing exam.
Individuals interested in careers as veterinary technologists and technicians should try to take as many high school science, biology, and math classes as possible.
|
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians who have completed: |
Percent |
| High School or less | 30.2% |
| Some College | 53.1% |
| Bachelors Degree and More | 16.7% |
*Source: Department of Labor
Income
During economic recession employment is relatively stable for veterinary technologists and technicians
The annual median hourly wage of veterinary technologists and technicians reported in 2008 was $28,900.
|
Percentile |
10% |
25% |
50% |
75% |
90% |
|
Hourly Wage |
$9.50 |
$11.34 |
$13.89 |
$16.81 |
$19.95 |
|
Annual Wage (2) |
$19,770 |
$23,580 |
$28,900 |
$34,960 |
$41,490 |
*Source: Department of Labor
States with the highest concentration of Veterinary Technologists and Technicians include: Vermont, Colorado, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Arizona.
|
State |
Employment |
Hourly mean wage |
Annual mean wage |
Percent of State employment |
|
Vermont |
380 |
$14.41 |
$29,980 |
0.126% |
|
Colorado |
2,550 |
$14.13 |
$29,390 |
0.111% |
|
New Hampshire |
630 |
$14.07 |
$29,270 |
0.099% |
|
Rhode Island |
460 |
$16.13 |
$33,550 |
0.096% |
|
Arizona |
2,420 |
$13.31 |
$27,680 |
0.092% |
States paying the highest wage to Veterinary Technologists and Technicians include: New York, Illinois, California, Connecticut, and District of Columbia.
|
State |
Employment |
Hourly mean wage |
Annual mean wage |
Percent of State employment |
|
New York |
3,610 |
$16.92 |
$35,200 |
0.042% |
|
Illinois |
2,910 |
$16.88 |
$35,120 |
0.049% |
|
California |
8,950 |
$16.81 |
$34,970 |
0.059% |
|
Connecticut |
1,230 |
$16.76 |
$34,860 |
0.072% |
|
District of Columbia |
30 |
$16.69 |
$34,720 |
0.005% |
Source: Department of Labor, 2008
Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
Medical Records and Health Information Technicians manage patient record databases and perform quality assurance on their records. They make certain that all the necessary information is in the computer database, and verify that all recorded information is correct and complete.
While technicians’ duties vary from facility to facility they must pay close attention to detail and accuracy is essential .
Roughly two out of five Medical Records and Health Information Technicians jobs are in hospitals. Other employ opportunities include:
- Physician offices,
- Nursing care facilities,
- Outpatient care centers,
- Home health care services.
- Insurance firms
- Public health departments
Education and Training
Typically entry-level medical records and health information technicians have an associate degree from a community or junior college. Many employers give preference to technicians who have become Registered Health Information Technicians (RHIT). Advancement in the field is generally achieved by specialization or promotion to a management position.
| Computer Software Engineers who have completed: | Percent |
| High School or less | 2.9% |
| Some College | 15.3% |
| Bachelors Degree and More | 81.8% |
*Source: Department of Labor
Income
The increasing use of electronic health records (EHR) will continue to broaden
Median annual earnings for medical records and health information technicians is $28,030. The middle 50 percent earned between $22,420 and $35,990. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $19,060, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $45,260.
|
Job Title |
Median Annual Income |
|
General medical and surgical hospitals |
$29,400 |
|
Nursing care facilities |
$ 28,410 |
|
Outpatient care centers |
$ 26,680 |
|
Offices of physicians |
$24,170 |
|
Bill and Account Collectors |
$30,630 |
*Source: Department of Labor, 2006