With the overall economy in recession, and unemployment rates sky-high, the truth is, there are certain types of jobs that are in huge demand, and for which there is a severe shortage of skilled workers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has identified a number of professions expected to experience above-average growth over the next decade. Most of these positions fall within the top 25 percent of earnings for workers overall, and most require a bachelor's or technical degree.

Doug Brown, married with six children, says he has homeland security to thank for being able to provide for his large family. Brown, a master's degree student at Arkansas Tech University, is receiving training in the growing homeland security field and works as the emergency management coordinator at Arkansas Children's Hospital. "I could not have gone to grad school if it weren't for this program at Tech. I feel I have my job today because Tech has become a leader in this field," Brown recently told The Courier News of Russellville, Ark.