Michigan’s Department of Labor and Economic Growth has produced brochures highlighting the career outlook in Michigan through 2012. Here are two of interest to us here at the CACC:
Here are the 12 fastest-growing occupations through 2012 here in the mid-Michigan area, with the estimated percentage of job growth:
-
Computer Software Engineers, Systems Software, 66.8%
-
Computer Software Engineers, Applications, 55.2%
-
Home Health Aides, 40.3%
-
Self-Enrichment Education Teachers, 39.7%
-
Amusement, Recreation Attendants, 39.3%
-
Network/Computer Systems Administrators, 38.4%
-
Management Analysts, 38.1%
-
Computer/Information Systems Managers, 37.9%
-
Medical Assistants, 37.4%
-
Personal Financial Advisors, 35.1%
-
Social, Human Service Assistants, 34.1%
-
Pharmacists, 31.9%
Check out the brochures for interesting career trends. Current Michigan Labor Market Information now has projections for 2004-2014 as well as other interesting current statistics.
Michigan is seeing an increase in health care, IT and service industries. Are we considering these trends in our instructional decisions? How can we make our students aware of the opportunities in these fields? Does Michigan still have manufacturing? Of course it does, but manufacturing is not the only game in town anymore. And many of the fields experiencing substantial growth require post-secondary training. The CACC is postioned well to serve as a conduit into many of these fast-growing fields.
Share This
Get excited about data! Data can be beautiful - check out Many Eyes, a tool for web-based data visualization and collaboration.
On Many Eyes you can:
1. View and discuss visualizations
2. View and discuss data sets
3. Create visualizations from existing data sets
If you register, you can also:
4. Rate data sets and visualizations
5. Upload your own data
6. Create and participate in topic hubs
7. Select items to watch
8. Track your contributions, watchlist, and topic hubs
9. See comments that others have written to you
And what kinds of visualizations can you create?
See the world
World map
US Map
Track rises and falls over time
Line graph
Stack graph
Stack Graph for Categories
Compare a set of values
Bar chart
Block histogram
Bubble chart
Matrix chart
See relationships among data points
Scatterplot
Network Diagram
See the parts of a whole
Pie chart
Treemap
Change Treemap
Look for common words in a text
Tag Cloud
Word Tree (check out the example on the blog - it is beautiful!)
And - you can use your data, or one of the over 6000 existing data sets uploaded by users. Of course, check the uploaded data set for accuracy and authenticity.
Visit Many Eyes and go play with data!
Share This
Alan Blankstein, Founder and President of the HOPE Foundation and author of Failure is Not an Option, spoke to Ingham county educators last week. The HOPE Foundation (Harnessing Optimism and Potential through Education) “is dedicated to supporting educational leaders over time in creating school cultures where failure is not an option for any student.”
Blankstein had some interesting thoughts to share, and one of his very clear messages was the importantance of relationships. I thought I would put a few quotes here from his address at Michigan State University’s Wharton Center.
Lose the curriculum not the kids.
You can’t test your way in to knowing a kid.
Relationships between adults is a big predictor of student achievement.
Kids who need you the most push you away the most.
Why treat an emotional problem with a denial of instruction?
Students ask for 4 things from teachers: come prepared, make this relevant, show me how, don’t give up on me.
Was his message new and revolutionary? No, his ideas have been identified by research and he freely admits that. So what does the HOPE Foundation provide that creates change in today’s educational system? Perhaps it is a different framework and a set of strategies to address the challenges and a committment to change over time, recognizing the value of including and honoring the stakeholders - ALL those involved in the system we call education. And let’s not forget the funding and support systems to help make it happen.
Share This