Choice
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.

The attractive features in the fourth edition of this book (CH, May'09, 46-4762) have been continued in this fifth edition: consistent format, easily read typeface and arrangement, firm binding, and logical, uncomplicated organization. The editors cover "100 of the fastest-growing careers through 2018," and once again emphasize that technical fields are expanding. Growth fields are still the health services, computer and information services, green careers, and the service industry. Growing health care service careers include biomedical equipment technicians, cardiovascular technologists, and medical laboratory technicians. Among the variety of other careers discussed are customer services representatives, along with surveying and mapping technicians. Subspecialties are emphasized. Chapter contents include an overview, earnings, typical work environment, education, certification, licensing, major employers, interests, skills, job hunting, advancement, career outlook, and further information. The editors emphasize the importance of getting bachelor's or higher degrees as well as continuing education. The volume is similar in scope to the Occupational Outlook Handbook (2002-03 ed., CH, Sup'02, 39Sup-0462), but with additional information from sources outside the US Department of Labor. Career articles appear in boldface in an extensive topical index. The focus on these 100 careers makes this reference volume a valuable addition to any collection. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates through graduate students, professionals, two-year technical program students, and general readers. J. Levy University of North Texas Libraries

Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

In its fifth edition, this work still remains an essential purchase for public and school libraries. It is almost identical in length to its earlier edition published in 2008 and retains the same arrangement. An introduction surveys the major developing careers through 2018 in four specific industries: health care, computers and information services, green careers, and the services industry. Career entries are arranged A-Z, and each provides an overview and job description followed by sections on requirements, employers, starting out, advancement, earnings, work environment, and outlook. Associations and websites are listed for more information. Each career also has a call-out listing school subjects to study, personal skills, minimum education level, certification or licensing, and the work environment. What are some of the fastest-growing careers? Examples include event planners, funeral-home workers, construction laborers, detectives, massage therapists, collection agents, and Internet security workers. More than 30 percent of the careers are in health-care fields. Although green careers are among the fastest growing, only a handful, including environmental scientists and wastewater-treatment-plant operators and technicians, are described. Although the economy keeps shedding jobs, and job growth is below the rate to replace those that are lost, The Top 100: The Fastest-Growing Careers for the 21st Century will become ever more important in choosing a career.--Carbone, Jerry Copyright 2010 Booklist