The Top 25 Flexible Jobs With the Most Growth Potential in 2016 The Top 25 Flexible Jobs With the Most Growth Potential in 2016 One of the things people dont realize about flexible jobs is that they exist in practically every career field, says Brie Reynolds, director of online content at FlexJobs. Most of them are jobs youd recognize – but theres still a feeling that flexible and remote jobs are only for certain professions, like writing and consulting. To help dispel the myth that flexible work – i.e., telecommuting options, flexible schedules, and freelance arrangements – is only available to certain professionals in certain industries, FlexJobs put together a list of 25 flexible jobs that are likely to be in high demand in 2016. What may be surprising about this list to some is the wide swath of industries present here: Roles in every field from law and education to finance and medicine show up on FlexJobss list. We loved lists from Business Insider and Lifehack about future jobs and high-potential jobs for 2016 (The 21 Best Jobs of the Future and 10 Jobs with the Most Potential in 2015 and 2016), and [we] compared the jobs that made their lists with the flexible job listings on our site, Reynolds explains. This gave us a great list of the the most high-potential flexible jobs in 2016. Reynolds hopes that this list will show job seekers and career changers that yes, flexible work opportunities do exist in most professions. We hear from people like working parents, baby boomers, military spouses, caregivers, millennials, people with disabilities, and others who either want or need flexible work options, and a list like this shows them where the most opportunity exists in 2016, Reynolds says. The list also has some repercussions for employers: Given how in-demand flexible work is, companies looking to attract top talent would do well to implement flexible work policies in their workplaces. As more companies adopt flexible work policies or update their current policies to offer better options – and see how flexible work benefits the bottom line – there will hopefully be more pressure on other companies to follow suit, Reynolds says. The Top 25 High-Potential Flexible Jobs in 2016, According to FlexJobs 1. Accountant Accountants work in a variety of capacities to help individuals and companies prepare tax returns, research tax issues, and perform budgeting, assessment, and reporting tasks. Types of job flexibility offered: telecommuting, full-time and part-time schedules, temporary and seasonal options, freelance options 2. Athletic Trainer Working in a variety of locations, like sports medicine centers, gyms, health care companies, schools, sports teams, and medical centers, athletic trainers are responsible for providing patient care, performing injury evaluations, developing treatment options, and implementing rehabilitative athletic treatment plans. Types of job flexibility offered: full-time and part-time schedules, flexible schedules, temporary and occasional jobs 3. Auditors Auditors are responsible for the examination, analysis, and interpretations of accounting records in a variety of circumstances. Types of job flexibility offered: telecommuting, full-time and part-time schedules, seasonal and temporary options, freelance options 4. Computer and Information Systems Manager Systems managers work to plan, direct, and coordinate computer systems and their administrators. Types of job flexibility offered: full-time and part-time schedules, telecommuting, short-term and long-term options 5. Computer Systems Analyst For many different industries and clients, computer systems analysts are hired to configure and maintain application and system software and diagnose and troubleshoot software issues. Types of job flexibility offered: full-time schedules, freelance options, short-term and temporary assignments 6. Elementary School Teacher Elementary teachers plan lessons, lead students, create an environment conducive to learning, prioritize each students needs, and partner with parents and colleagues to manage curricula, materials, and goals. Types of job flexibility offered: telecommuting, full-time or part-time schedules, freelance or permanent options 7. Environmental Engineer Environmental engineers are responsible for developing new solutions to assist companies, organizations, and government entities in bettering their environmental footprints and cleaning up previous environmental issues. Tasks include managing projects, writing reports, collecting samples, and more. Types of job flexibility offered: telecommuting, part-time schedules, freelance jobs 8. Financial Manager Depending on the industry and company, financial managers are responsible for developing financial plans and concepts, evaluating and resolving issues, and directing financial activities across organizations. Types of job flexibility offered: telecommuting, full-time or part-time schedules, freelance roles 9. Home Health Aide As the population ages, home health aides are becoming increasingly in-demand. These professionals work to provide patients with in-home support for tasks such as meal preparation, ambulation, homemaking chores, and personal care. Types of job flexibility offered: part-time schedules, occasional jobs 10. Lawyer Lawyers work in a variety of capacities to help clients navigate the legal and judicial systems in the U.S. Opportunities are found in corporate, litigation, labor and employment, real estate, and many other areas. Types of job flexibility offered: full-time and part-time schedules, telecommuting, short-term and temporary options 11. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) In home settings, hospitals, medical centers, and hospice care facilities, LPNs assist with patient care, telephone triage, patient treatments, and related activities. A current license is required. Types of job flexibility offered: full-time and part-time schedules, telecommuting, occasional and temporary options 12. Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) LVNs maintain medical records, assist with call screening, help with physical exams, collect lab samples, and provide other support as needed. A current license is required. Types of job flexibility offered: full- and part-time, occasional work, flexible schedules 13. Market Research Analyst Market research analysts work with a variety of clients to help strategy and market planning through research analysis. They design research instruments, collect data, conduct analysis, and issue reports. Types of job flexibility offered: telecommuting, full-time and part-time schedules 14. Medical Assistant Certified medical assistants register patients, document medical notes, assist physicians, review medical charts, and assist with patient care plans. Types of job flexibility offered: full-time and part-time schedules, telecommuting, occasional jobs 15. Nurse Practitioner Nurse practitioners (NPs) provide clinical oversight and coordinate patient care, as well as examine, diagnose, and treat patients, counsel and educate patients, and prescribe medications. A masters degree and current licensing are required. Types of job flexibility offered: full-time or part-time hours, flexible schedules, telecommuting, occasional and temporary options 16. Office Manager Office managers are responsible for keeping offices in a huge variety of industries running smoothly. They manage support staff, assist with travel arrangements, manage office supplies and equipment, and do much more. Types of job flexibility offered: full-time and part-time schedules, short-term and temporary options 17. Operations Manager Operations managers are responsible for providing assistance to the functioning, planning, and directing of companies and organizations. They typically work closely with other departments like accounting, marketing, sales, and IT. Types of job flexibility offered: telecommuting, temporary and short-term jobs, freelance options 18. Physical Therapist Physical therapists work with patients with injuries to provide assessment, develop care plans, treatment options, and work with other healthcare providers. Types of job flexibility offered: part-time, alternative, and flexible schedules, telecommuting, occasional job options 19. Registered Nurse The responsibilities of a registered nurse include educating patients, performing procedures, and conducting medical assessments. They work closely with other members of the medical staff. Types of job flexibility offered: telecommuting, full-time and part-time schedules, occasional jobs 20. Software Application Developer Application developers are hired to create software applications, develop and troubleshoot existing software, and assist with quality-assurance testing. Types of job flexibility offered: full-time and part-time schedules, telecommuting, freelance options, short-term jobs 21. Software Systems Developer Software systems developers are responsible for developing operating systems, creating compilers, and developing network software, as well as maintaining these programs. Types of job flexibility offered: telecommuting, full-time and part-time schedules, freelance options, short-term options 22. Surgeon Surgeons treat patients for a variety of injuries and ailments, and they also work in management and consulting capacities to help others in the profession with procedures, appropriate care, and claims reviews. Types of job flexibility offered: telecommuting, part-time schedules 23. Survey Researcher Survey researchers are typically responsible for designing, developing, administering, and analyzing surveys and studies for one or more clients. Types of job flexibility offered: telecommuting, full-time and part-time schedules, flexible schedule options, freelance options 24. Web Designer Web designers are responsible for developing a variety of Web-related creative components like websites, newsletters, graphics, digital campaigns, and more. Types of job flexibility offered: telecommuting, freelance options, full-time and part-time schedules, short-term jobs 25. Wholesale Sales Representative Wholesale sales representatives are responsible for overseeing business relationships, maintaining existing accounts, and prospecting new accounts related to selling wholesale goods and services. Types of job flexibility offered: full-time and part-time schedules, telecommuting
0 Comments
12/24/2019 0 Comments Air Force Snipers in IraqAir Force Snipers in Iraq Air Force Snipers in Iraq As Staff Sgts. Larry Knoll and Ace Jones drove down the dirt road, the knobby tires of their all-terrain vehicles kicked up huge clouds of dust. Goggles, strapped over their Kevlar helmets, covered their eyes. They wore gloves and heavy flak vests, over which an assortment of gear hung from the belts of their load-bearing equipment. And they had stubby M-4s, the latest type of M-16 assault rifle, slung over their shoulders. The security forces airmen wore the tools of their trade. Friends and partners, they knew well how to handle their steel, plastic and rubber steeds on the bumpy road at Bashur Airfield, Iraq, an outpost 255 miles north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. They stopped near a row of tents, got off their vehicles and dusted themselves off. Around them, airmen sat on cots outside their canvas abodes, chatting and spooning down Meals, Ready to Eat. And after a long day on the job, the rations were looking mighty tasty to Knoll and Jones. “What a day. We’ve been busy since we got up,” said Knoll, who has been a security cop his whole 10-year Air Force career. “It’s going to feel good to get off my feet for a while.” But after 14 hours on the job, there was a chance they might not get any rest. At any moment they could get the call to switch to their other persona, snipers. Not the kind in Hollywood movies who sneak into the countryside to spend weeks stalking an enemy for that one shot, one kill moment. No. Knoll and Jones are quick to say they’re, first of all, security troops whose job is to protect their fellow airmen. “We’ll do whatever it takes to keep our troops safe,” said Knoll, of Saratoga Springs, N.Y. At Bashur, the hub of the Air Force airlift into northern Iraq at the peak of Operation Iraqi Freedom, that meant doing “grunt” work. Going on perimeter and off-base patrols, standing guard at entry control points and building defensive firing positions. Not a problem. It’s exactly what the pair trained to do. What they expected when they joined the Air Force to be security troops. They love the lifestyle. Plus, when they volunteered for duty with the 86th Contingency Response Group, they knew that to really do their job they’d have to be at a bare base in the middle of a fight somewhere. They’re in a unique unit, the only one in the Air Force. The group’s job is to be the first to land at a bare base to establish airfield and aerial port operations, pronto. The 786th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, where Knoll and Jones work in operations, provides the security. The cops keep airmen safe as they land, unload and launch aircraft around the clock. A Sharp Eye Knoll and Jones never stopped scanning the surrounding mountains, an instinct they’d developed during sniper training. With a sniper’s sharp eye, they looked for an unseen enemy. A mobile and elusive foe who, if unstopped, could attack and kill squadron mates and cause havoc with flight operations. The sniper team hoped to put their training to the test. So, they kept their long-range rifles and Ghillie camouflage suits ready. In minutes, they could gather their gear and silently skulk off into the mountains in search of a target. But in the close-knit rural communities around the airfield, the Kurdish people knew their friends and neighbors well. New faces are easy to spot. So news of a stranger travels fast, easily reaching friendly intelligence operatives in the area. Its the intelligence people who give snipers their targets. But the local eyes and ears helped deter Iraqi troops and terrorists from sneaking in and taking shots at Bashur. But the war on terrorism isnt a precise operation. Terrorists are unpredictable and strike quickly, making attacks hard to stop, Jones said. And Bashurs key mission ensured it would be under constant threat as long as the war with Iraq continued. Well continue doing our regular jobs, said Jones, an 11-year vet from Wake Forrest, N.C. But weve got to be ready to switch to sniper mode, to eliminate any threat before one of our people gets hurt. Knoll and Jones have been a team for more than two years. Theyve honed their craft through extensive training. They stay ready and can gather their snipers kits and be on the prowl in minutes. They knew their main target would be a bad guy carrying a shoulder-fired missile. Its why they kept an eye on the mountains. Because just one rocket fired from any of the surrounding peaks at their tent city could cause massive injuries. And if a missile hit a cargo plane, it could stop all air operations into the strategic 7,000-foot runway. That wouldnt have been good, to say the least. Because during the height of the operation to liberate Iraq, more than 366 C-17 Globemaster III and C-130 Hercules transports dropped off more than 23 million pounds of cargo at the airfield. Most planes arrived at night, loaded to the gills with supplies and equipment. Airmen ran to unload them by the dim green light of their night vision goggles. The nearby mountains echoed with the noise of plane engines. And the group ran blacked out operations to add another layer of security to the Bashur night. Knoll and Jones knew they might have to do their job in the dark. No matter, they said. Day or night, our job is to take out a target before he can fire at one of our multimillion dollar aircraft or kill someone, Knoll said. So missing a shot isnt an option. Anything less than a confirmed hit does little to diminish the threat to the airmen on the ground. But if the exacting code of their work put extra pressure on the snipers, it didnt show on their faces. You just make sure you dont mess up, Knoll said. Trained to Snipe But mess up isnt in their vocabulary. They know their talents are in high demand. That the mere rumor theyre on the battlefield can send shivers through the enemy ranks. Snipers are the biggest psychological deterrent on the battlefield, Knoll said. Theyre also the most hated troops in a combat zone. So snipers must stay focused on the mission and what theyre doing to survive, he said. We cant make a mistake, he said. Too much is at stake. Besides, how many snipers have you heard of who have come back from a prisoner of war camp? Knoll and Jones accept the responsibilities of their job and the risks. They knew what they were getting into when they joined the contingency response group, with its headquarters at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Their squadron is at nearby Sembach Air Base. When they arrived, there were six snipers. But for the past two-and-a-half years, Knoll and Jones have been the only two. Their desks are across from each other, and they train together. Theyre pals off the job, too, so they know each other well. Both went through the Army Sniper School at Fort Benning, Ga., a month apart. They also went through the Air National Guard-run countersniper school at Camp Joseph T. Robinson, Ark. But its the five-week course at the elite Army school that makes them valuable to the group. They learned advanced marksmanship skills, to measure wind effects and estimate the range of targets. They also learned to detect, track and stalk targets, counter-stalking, and camouflage. And they learned to select sites for, and set up, forward-listening and observation posts, also mastering how to stay undetected in them. That gives the contingency group commander an option on how to best use the snipers. The commander can keep them at the airfield to beef up force protection or provide countersniper fire - or send them to patrol nearby ridgelines. The long-range patrols, which can last a few days, are to find bad guys with the shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles. These weapons can threaten aircraft from as far away as six miles. We patrol well past the front lines, so we can take out a target well before it can threaten our aircraft or people, Knoll said. We have to keep a sharp eye open all the time. Once on the hunt, the longer the shot, the farther away snipers are from trouble. So Knoll and Jones spend hours at the shooting range firing and mastering their M-24 sniper rifles. Its a military modification of the Remington 700 hunting rifle. We practice as a team, so we know how each other works, Jones said. The teamwork paid off at the Army school, where snipers must fire from 400 to 600 rounds at targets ranging from 12-inches to 20-inches in height. They shoot from various distances and in different situations. Sometimes they knew the distance to the target and sometimes not. And they must hit moving targets during the day and at night. To pass each phase, snipers must hit 14 targets. Knoll and Jones did better. We hit 18 or 19 targets consistently, Jones said. We pride ourselves on being good shots. Both have hit targets at more than 1,000 yards. But at Bashur, neither Knoll nor Jones took a shot. They continued to train and went on long patrols, but they didnt go on a real operation. They wished otherwise. They did have some excitement though. Knoll and Jones, and 18 other group airmen, parachuted into Bashur with 1,000 paratroopers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade from Vicenza, Italy. The soldiers secured the perimeter while the airmen secured the runway and established air operations. It was a historic jump, and 14 of the Air Force jumpers were security forces. The airmen were the Air Forces first-ever conventional forces to parachute into a combat zone. And the huge C-17s that dropped them were on their first combat parachute mission. Wed just come home from a deployment and had four days to repack to stage for the jump into Bashur, Jones said. It was exciting, though we didnt know what threat to expect. Luckily, a real Iraqi threat never materialized. Still, Knoll and Jones cleaned their rifles and maintained their Ghillie suits, adorning them with bits of rags, strings, and local plants to blend in with the countryside. They worked around the clock, up to their necks in the security forces jobs theyd trained to do. But they werent disappointed. When I found out I was jumping into Iraq, I was stoked, Jones said. I couldnt wait to get to Iraq and do my job. And thats just what I did. Knoll was confident he and Jones could take to the mountains to stalk an enemy. But when that didnt happen, they continued their force protection job. That was our main concern, anyway, Knoll said. But if they needed us as snipers, were ready to eliminate any threat that might pop up.
|