Top Careers in the Rust Belt

For many years, Rust Belt states formed the manufacturing backbone of the United States, but as economics have shifted, many of the jobs such as those in the steel industry have moved elsewhere. States in this region like Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania have been forced to reinvent themselves, and subsequently, if you're living in these regions, you may need to reinvent your career to get work. In many respects, making this career change means going back to school for another degree.

 Economics, Jobs, and Education in Indiana

While automobile manufacturing had been a cornerstone of the Indiana economy, Indiana has shifted more and more into chemical manufacturing to replace those lost jobs. Jobs in the information, education, and other services sector have also grown moderately well, and there's been speculation that pharmaceuticals and electronics manufacturing might grow more quickly in the future. However, chemical manufacturing has been the big story. This industry creates a lot of products such as soaps and bleaches, and it creates chemicals that are essential to the manufacturing of products in many other industries.

 The chemical manufacturing industry has a wide range of jobs, and subsequently, the degrees and education needed for them range. For chemists and material scientists, a bachelor's, master's, or even doctoral degree in chemistry may be needed. Industrial machinery mechanics may just need formal vocational training and on-the-job training to be ready for their jobs.

 Economics, Jobs, and Education in Pennsylvania

As manufacturing jobs have shrunk, Pennsylvania has struggled of late. The state has been faced with a budget shortfall, and the city of Harrisburg filed for bankruptcy not too long ago. The most recent attempts to revitalize the state are in natural gas drilling. With 195 Marcellus Shale wells drilled in Pennsylvania in 2008 and another 768 in 2009, the natural gas industry looks like it'll help bring economic life back to the state's economy.

 Scientists, engineers, operating workers, supervisors, gas plant operators, and many other skilled workers are needed in the natural gas industry. Geoscientists and engineers will need the most education with formal degrees in the field. A master's degree is expected for most geoscientist jobs, but a PhD may also be helpful depending on the job and your overall career goals. Other jobs will require on-the-job and vocational training of varying levels depending on the complexity and type of job.

 Economics, Jobs, and Education in Ohio

As manufacturing and farming has dwindled, Ohio has turned towards clean technology to be its savior. One columnist at Miller-Mccune.com proclaimed that Ohio would be part of a Solar Belt in the region. The talk has been about becoming a home to wind-farms, solar panels manufacturing, and fuel cell production. This, in turn, would put many people back to work, and it would be a way to transform the many manufacturing facilities the state already has.

 The clean technology industry also has many levels of involvement. Chemists and materials scientists will need advanced graduate science degrees to find work in solar cell research and other renewable energy research processes. Semiconductor processors, welders, glaziers, and many others are needed in the solar manufacturing process. On the job training may be all that's needed for basic jobs, but degrees that can help you advance a long-term career in solar power may include business administration, industrial technology, or engineering.

 Shifting Economics in the Rust Belt

These are very challenging times in the Rust Belt states as well as across the U.S. But there are also some very interesting possibilities. Do your research in your home state, and then take a shot at a new career with an online or campus education program. You never know what could happen with the right university degree.

 Search online schools to find a degree program to help you with your career change!