You?re trained, you?re rested and now you?re ready for the job. But if given the chance, would you pick up and move to climb up the corporate ladder? If this is an option you?ve been considering, listen up. The Milken Institute recently released its annual list of the cities where the most jobs are being created. Your top 10 best-bet cities are:

• Las Vegas-Paradise, NV
• Fort Myers, FL
• Sarasota, FL
• McAllen, TX
• Reno, NV
• Naples, FL
• Port St. Lucie, FL
• Phoenix, AZ
• Orlando, FL
• Tucson, AZ

Despite the fact that what happens in Vegas is supposed to stay in Vegas, somehow the word has gotten out about this city in the prime years of a complete makeover from shady desert oasis to cost-effective family fun center. This desert destination and its sister city Reno should be a Mecca for service industry and travel & hospitality majors because it took two of the overall top spots for job creation and doesn?t show much sign of slowing down.

Sorry Michael Moore, but once again Flint, Michigan was in the list’s bottom three, despite you having shot a famous film there.

The Caribbean Connection in southwest and southeast Florida makes job hunting easy in both Ft. Myers and Naples. Do you really need much convincing to move to sandy, sunny beaches for a new career in healthcare or electrical work? We thought not.

According to the Milken Institute, the cities that ranked high have diverse economies with a mix of stable industries are projected to prosper for the long run. One top city that reflects this healthy outlook is Phoenix, with industries based on computers and technology, light goods manufacturing and construction. Another diverse and strong economy is in McAllen, with their solid base of manufacturing services, telecommunications and high-tech companies.

But here?s a last bit of good news: If you don?t currently have your degree finished, or are looking for accelerated career education for a quick entry into the emerging job market, you can make this happen before Milken?s Institute puts out their new report in 2007!

Distance learning has been a growing trend in the last several years. With the popularity of the Internet, along with people living more fast-paced lives and valuing their time, distance learning has been a good way for many people to better their lives while still maintaining a schedule they are happy with.

Do you remember when career exploration was playing make-believe? At any given time you could switch from being a master chef to a brain surgeon to an archeologist with just the change of a costume. If only choosing a career were as easy as a wardrobe change.

Career exploration involves research, observation, experimentation and relationship building. And although stressful at times, it can be fun and exciting. You just need to develop the right approach to the process of looking for the right career.

Narrow career options
One of the biggest mistakes young adults make in career exploration is giving themselves too many choices. The average person has a few natural skills that can translate into a career. If you don’t have an aptitude for science, you will not do well in medicine, even if you have always dreamt of being a doctor. Identify your natural talents and find careers that utilize those skill sets. For instance, if you are extremely patient and good at explaining things in simple terms, a career in teaching, tutoring or early child care might be a great fit.

Choose a career with longevity
Technology has continued to shape the job market. Many jobs that were in demand a decade ago have decreased in importance. Others have been eliminated all together. Self-check out at the grocery store has eliminated many cashier positions. It is important that as you explore your career options you choose from careers that will be around for a while.

A great place to start is the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). According to the BLS, there are some careers that will experience tremendous growth during the next decade. Although you might not be interested in a particular job, you might find that your skills are still needed in the specific industry.

The ten hottest careers for college graduates are network systems and data communications analysts; physician assistants; medical records and health information technicians; computer software engineers, applications; computer software engineers, systems software; physical therapist assistants; fitness trainers and aerobics instructors; database administrators; veterinary technologists and technicians; and dental hygienists.

Get a closer look with internships
Now that you have a clearer picture of what career piques your interest, dive in! You will need first-hand knowledge to make a well-informed decision. The best way to find out what a career really entails is to find an internship. Internships allow you the opportunity to work in your desired field, exposing you to the reality of the job, not the glamour that many careers enjoy.

While you are learning the ropes of your desired profession, don’t forget to make connections. Many times young adults are intimidated by the idea of networking. It is not as bad as people make it out to be. You can start with your internship supervisor and the professionals you work with directly. Ask them if they belong to any national or local professional organizations. If the do, get information about membership and upcoming events. These are just more opportunities to build relationships while learning the insides of your desired profession.

No one likes to feel overwhelmed. Having too many career choices is definitely overwhelming. Making your search manageable by narrowing your career options, focusing on careers with a future such as the ten hottest careers mentioned above, seeking first-hand experience through internships and building relationships with professionals in the field will pay off handsomely in the long run.

When deciding what school to attend, it?s a great idea to visit the campus in person! A campus visit allows you to meet some of the instructors and current students and get to know the lay of the land. Whether you?re planning on attending somewhere close to home or across the country, this can be a great way of helping you decide where you?ll fit in.

Remember, before visiting the school, it?s a good idea to call ahead and talk with someone in admissions about setting up a tour or appointment. Some schools have periodic open houses or organized tours that you can attend. Others can set up appointments to meet with faculty or current students in the program you?re thinking of applying to. By taking the time to coordinate something in advance, you can make sure that there?s someone there to talk to ? and to help show you around what very well could be your future home away from home!

The school you choose to attend might very well be one of the most important decisions you make in your life ? so make sure you?re informed! Visit the campus, meet the staff, and make the choice that?s right for you.

The News About Hiring
According to results from BNA Inc.’s latest quarterly employment survey, hiring in 2006 will continue to run ahead of last year?s numbers. This means the time is right to shift into high gear if you?ve needed a reason to get that new certification or those last few classes for your degree.

The Stats for Hiring
The 2006 upturn is good news for new graduates and those currently enrolled in technical training. Past new graduates have not had it so well, but this year there is hope in finding a good job with an excellent salary. A section of job surveys in BNA?s review reveal that 72 percent of employers plan to hire 2006 graduates in the spring or summer, up from 64 percent last year. And 37 percent of companies expect to recruit more entry-level candidates than in 2005.

The great news is in the graduate sectors of technical and professional industries like IT, HVAC, electrical trades, drafting and healthcare. Nearly three in 10 employers (28 percent) anticipate adding new staff in the technical and professional category during the second quarter of 2006. The 28 percent figure is up from the 22 percent recorded for the second quarter one year ago.

More good news is that hiring prospects have remained stable for office and clerical sectors. Legal, court reporting, office assisting, and especially accounting and finance will remain steady and attractive for entry-level position seekers. Fifteen percent of employers plan to add office and clerical staff in the second quarter of 2006, virtually unchanged from last quarter (14 percent) and the same period one year ago (14 percent).

How You Can Capitalize on This Hiring
In a world of uncertainty, isn?t it nice to see a positive trend in something? Now that you?ve seen it, do something about it. As you hit the job market, either as a new graduate or an experienced professional, remember that finding the right job is easier now. The responsibility is on you to pick the right opportunity for your future.

If you don?t feel you have enough experience in your chosen field to compete, career education can give you that extra edge for that upcoming job market opening. Many of the job sectors that are going to need qualified people by next year have training programs that can be finished just in time for the spring hiring season!