looking for a job? or u were one of thousands that were currently laid-off? i know, the economy sucks right now.. but i saw this article online and thought that i could share with u. hope it helps. here:-

Top In-Demand Careers of 2009
by Amelia Gray

With all the recent worry over the economy, which jobs are still safe? Check out this set of careers slated to remain a great pick for anyone considering an education--even in this current difficult period for profits and growth.
According to the 2009 Robert Half International Salary Guide, careers in business, IT, and law are among the fields expected to yield top careers in the coming year. Learn more about which careers are expected to see the most growth, the highest starting salaries, and the best opportunities.

Technology Careers on the Rise
CIOs were asked which technical skill sets are in the greatest demand in their IT departments. Their response? Administration, support, and management skills are golden. The top responses, according to Robert Half International:

1. Network administration (LAN, WAN)
2. Windows administration
3. Desktop support
4. Database management

What do all these skills have in common? They can each be learned in an associate's or bachelor's degree program online. Bachelor's degrees in computer science, information science, or management information systems (MIS) are generally considered ample training for administrators. Desktop support professionals in smaller companies may only hold a two-year associate's degree in the field.

Creative Careers, Competitive Salaries
Looking for a job that challenges your creative side? Career training in artistic and creative careers can land you high starting salaries. Check out starting salary ranges for some of the top creative jobs for 2009, according to The Creative Group:

・Graphic designer: $36,000-$49,250
・Desktop publisher: $35,500-$45,000
・Motion graphics specialist: $56,000-$87,500

Remember, those are just starting salaries. While no career training program can guarantee a particular salary, the portfolio-building training you receive while working towards a degree in graphic design, desktop publishing, or animation can help prepare you to enter the field with confidence.
Freelancing is another option to keep your creative career in demand. When advertising and marketing executives were asked about the greatest benefits of using creative freelancers, 36 percent said that freelancers provided access to skills that didn't exist internally, and 21 percent noted that freelancers help avoid overstaffing followed by layoffs. In this volatile economy, you may earn more by diversifying your skills into a range of different jobs.

Career Training for Office Jobs
What do hospitals, retail centers, executive offices, and manufacturing plants have in common? They all need someone to sit at the front desk. A nationwide demand for administrative assistants, customer service representatives, and receptionists means that you can put your office management training to work. Here are a few special skills in demand in 2009, according to a survey by Office Team:

・Technical aptitude: Including Microsoft Office as well as accounting, payroll, and human resources applications
・Multilingual ability: Communicating with culturally diverse consumer groups is the biggest drive behind bilingual and multilingual hiring
・Continuing education: Hiring managers like to see employees continue their education by securing Certified Professional Secretary (CPS), Microsoft Business Certification, and other training.

Education plays a real role in the workforce. During times of high unemployment and higher job competition, boosting your resume with a career training program can make a big difference.

Training for Legal Careers
Salaries are expected to increase across the board for legal workers in 2009, according to Robert Half Legal. With specialized training in the form of an associate's degree, you may land a job as a paralegal, legal secretary, legal receptionist, or office clerk. Check out some of the salaries that may be available to graduates with the two-year degree:

・Case Clerk (zero to two years' experience): $32,000-$41,000
・Junior Paralegal (two to three years' experience): $40,500-$49,200
・Legal Receptionist: $26,750-$38,000
・Office Clerk: $27,000-$37,250

Use a degree or certificate to obtain the specialized education you need to enter the legal field. According to Robert Half Legal, most law firms and legal departments expect paralegals to hold at least a two-year college degree.
In this changing economy, popular jobs may see more competition. Hiring managers may expect applicants to be able to start on the first day with a strong set of skills. Rise to the challenge with the help of an online degree or certificate.