The 25 Top Jobs for 2005-2009

Advertising and Promotions Manager

What they do: These guys are responsible for getting a company's name out and stimulating sales by planning and directing advertising programs and promotional activities such as giveaways, contests, and coupons.

Why the job is hot: The opening of world markets and increased product competition should promote job and salary growth, much like the sales manager position, above.

Job Growth Index: 42.4
Education Index: 70.29
Salary Range Index: 76.29
Innovation Index: 0

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Management Analyst

What they do: Management analysts can go by a couple of other names: efficiency consultant and management consultant. The "consultant" replaces "analyst" because nearly 30% are self-employed, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These guys tell you what you are doing wrong and how to do it better. They'll help you reorganize your business and deal with extreme growth or even unexpected losses. Management analysts will take a look at a company from top to bottom and isolate where to trim the fat and where to add some muscle.

Why the job is hot: Rapid job growth is expected in the industry, but so is intense competition. To make yourself attractive, an MBA is probably going to be in order. Financial rewards go to those that win jobs.

Job Growth Index: 51.65
Education Index: 77.3
Salary Range Index: 62.63
Innovation Index: 0

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Postsecondary Education Administrator

What they do: This category includes jobs such as dean, president, provost, student affairs head, registrar, admissions director, and athletic director. They make faculty appointments, set up academic policies, spearhead fundraising efforts, set budgets, and basically run a college or a university department.

Why the job is hot: Education is a highly competitive field and, to lead an institution, you better have a vision, which is why our experts awarded the job innovation points. Student enrollment is expected to increase considerably, creating a need for more administrators. Most administrators have a college degree. While academic deans like the heads of business schools enjoy considerable salaries, others are subjected to the constraints of tight budgets.

Job Growth Index: 43.92
Education Index: 73.98
Salary Range Index: 60.28
Innovation Index: 39

Profile: Mary Watanabe, senior licensing associate, office of technology licensing, Stanford University

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Financial Manager

What they do: This category encompasses bean counters that come under such intimidating names as controller, treasurer, credit manager, and chief financial officer. They handle things like putting together income statements, balance sheets, and financial projections. They are also instrumental in developing forward-looking business development strategies.

Why the job is hot: Financial managers score well in the innovation category because of their involvement in long-term strategy, not because of their creative accounting. The job growth outlook is not spectacular, but new jobs should be produced as the economy grows. A bachelor's degree in finance or accounting is the standard requirement, but an MBA or even a CPA isn't a bad idea. Financial managers do quite well on payday. Maybe it's because they manage the finances?

Job Growth Index: 31.02
Education Index: 61.68
Salary Range Index: 54.56
Innovation Index: 41

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Actuary

What they do: An actuary, in short, is a risk assessor, which means most of them work in the insurance industry. There are three primary fields: property and casualty, life and health, and pensions. There's a long series of examinations to become a full-fledged actuary. Non-analytical minds and those averse to handling vast amounts of data need not apply.

Why the job is hot: Job growth is solid because companies always need numbers people, the insurance industry looks primed to keep growing, and risk management is increasingly important. You'll probably need a degree in math. A background in business wouldn't hurt. Because of strong demand and relatively few qualified people, actuaries earn a nice living.

Job Growth Index: 25.25
Education Index: 88.9
Salary Range Index: 77.84
Innovation Index: 0

Profile: Robin Harbage, manager of product development, Progressive Insurance

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