The Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, ranks fast-growing occupations. These are the projections from 1996 through 2006 (jobs in italics may be of special interest to liberal arts majors):
FIRST PROFESSIONAL DEGREE
Fastest Growing: Chiropractors; Veterinarians and veterinary inspectors; Physicians; Lawyers; Clergy.
Largest Numerical Increase: Lawyers; Physicians; Clergy; Veterinarians and veterinary inspectors; Dentists.
DOCTORAL DEGREE
Fastest Growing: Biological scientists; Medical scientists; College and university faculty; Mathematicians.
Largest Numerical Increase: College and university faculty; Biological scientists; Medical scientists; Mathematicians.
MASTER'S DEGREE
Fastest Growing: Speech-language pathologists and audiologists; Counselors; Curators, archivists, museum technicians; Psychologists; Operations research analysts.
Largest Numerical Increase: Speech-language pathologists and audiologists; Counselors; Psychologists; Librarians; Operations research analysts.
BACHELOR'S DEGREE (or higher) PLUS WORK EXPERIENCE
Fastest Growing: Engineering, science, and computer systems managers; Marketing, advertising, and public relations managers; Artists and commercial artists; Management analysts; Financial managers.
Largest Numerical Increase: General managers and top executives; Engineering, science, and computer systems managers; Financial managers; Marketing, advertising, and public relations managers; Artists and commercial artists.
BACHELOR'S DEGREE
Fastest Growing: Data base administrators and computer support specialists; Computer engineers; Systems analysts; Physical therapists; Occupational therapists.
Largest Numerical Increase: Systems analysts; Secondary school teachers; Data base administrators and computer support specialists; Special education teachers; Computer engineers.
FROM THE HANDBOOK:
"Occupations that require a bachelor's degree are projected to grow the fastest, nearly twice as fast as the average for all occupations. All of the 20 occupations with the highest earnings require at least a bachelor's degree."
"Employment in professional specialty occupations is projected to increase at a faster rate and have more job growth than any major occupational group."