Upward mobility in your job is possible anywhere. Sometimes it takes creating your own opportunities, sometimes it takes establishing a career path, and other times it means finding opportunity by working on the right teams and projects.

But some companies, like those mentioned in the above list, are growing more rapidly, and that could mean moving up the ladder a little faster than normal. Growing companies add jobs, which means you could be in the position to move up.

Now, we have found a list that names some of the college degrees that yield the lowest paying jobs. Social work, athletic training and education are among the nine listed. However, these are admirable career fields. So don't shy away from careers just because their pay scale is low.

Remember the old saying: Do what you love, and love what you do!

Investopedia recently compiled a list of 12 hot careers along with their earning potential. Many of the jobs in this article are industries that have been hot for a while such as healthcare and technology.

If you are looking for a new job in a new career, or just need a change of scenery and are already working in these industries, you are in luck. These are the areas most likely hiring right now.

These careers are not only "hot", but they also have the potential for longevity, and some, such as nursing, are considered recession-proof.

Take a look at these companies, which includes AT&T, Comerica Bank and Enterprise Rent-a-Car, and see if there is a career that may be for you. This might be a good place to start, especially if you have given up on the job search.

If the right job isn't available at these companies, then consider the actual industry they are in. Even if a job is not available for your skills set at these specific companies, this may be a sign that other employers in these industries are hiring as well.

If you are, check out this list of the top five most valuable degrees.

For others, they may not be getting called at all. You have done the research, tweaked your resume, and improved your interviewing skills. So what's left?

It might be surprising to know that you are missing a critical component to your application and interview process - articulating why your skills and expertise are just right for the company.

A Career Builder column points out that companies are not only looking for candidates and employees who have the skills and experience for their particular industry, but also for the company's specific needs.

So remember, when you fill out an application or have an interview, be sure to demonstrate how your skills fit the company and address specific challenges, needs or problems. This may be the key to your success in landing a job.

Companies know that as soon as they have some financial success, employees are going to be looking for ways to increase their salary. Despite the recent economic turnarounds, however, companies have to be selective about who will receive a pay raise and who will have to wait a little longer.

A recent Hot Jobs column provides a few tips for preparing to ask for a raise. The key to negotiating more money right now is preparing your argument and showing your value to the company throughout the recession.

It's not enough to say that you worked longer hours. Most people worked longer hours to make up for the loss of employees due to layoffs. So you need to make correlations to how your worked contributed to the company either saving or making money.

This will not only show your value to the company in monetary value, but it will demonstrate your leadership skills and business acumen.

Asking for a raise can be difficult in the best of times, but when emerging from a recession, it is even tougher. Take the time to do an honest, fair assessment of your worth, and if you are truly worthy for a pay raise, go for it!

First of all, make sure that it is updated with your most current information and job experience. Include any new skills or training that you may have acquired while out of a job.

Also, pay attention to some of the terms and language that you use. Remember that there are a lot of resumes out there, and you want to stand out from the crowd. Check out this article about common phrases that should be banned from your resume, and eradicate any from yours.

Don't forget to check it and recheck it for typos and mistakes. Ask a friend or family member you trust and has an eye for detail to make sure it is clean of any errors. Your resume is your first impression. So make sure that it is the best it can be before sending it out to potential employers.

I recently read an article that talks about how many men are starting to look for alternatives to the 40-hour workweek so that they can spend more time with their children.

The past recession found that men were more likely to lose their jobs than women. This trend could be a reason why more men are seeking the flexibility that work/life benefits offer.

The roles of men and women have been changing for decades. Now, the roles of men and women are changing once again as flexibility, work/life balance and spending more time with the kids becomes the next phase of the genders' role reversal.

I read an article about a recent survey that reveals employees are now more willing to stay with their current employers for as long as possible. The article calls it being a workplace "nester".

There is nothing wrong with staying at one employer for a long period of time, but it is important to make sure that you are not selling your career path, or earning potential, short because of fear of leaving your job.

By staying with the same employer for a longer period of time, let's say beyond 3-5 years, employees may run the risk of missing out on opportunities with companies that provide better benefits or opportunities for growth.

Without having a change of scenery, your work ethic may become complacent and the quality of your work could suffer.

If you do choose to become a "nester" make sure that there are opportunities to move up within the company, and that you have the option to learn new skills and grow your expertise.

Although this may not be the best market conditions to ask for a raise or bonus, talk to your manager about other, non-financial perks that reward high-quality production, not to mention your loyalty and effort to be a team player.

New graduates might be having one of the most difficult times overall. Not only are they competing against other graduates, but with more experienced professionals who are out of work.

Things might looking up, though. As a matter of fact, 2010 may be the rebound year for jobs across the country.

For new grads, landing their first job out of college is stressful in any job market, but particularly this year when jobs are scarce and employees are skittish about hiring, finding a job can be even more taxing.

If you are having a hard time, or don't know where to start, here are a couple of ideas:

- Try an internship first - if you cannot find regular employment, at least gain some valuable "real world" experience in the meantime. Even if it's unpaid, the experience will be worth it, and may lead to full time employment if you perform well and an entry-level position becomes available.
- Work your network - many companies that are hiring, or have a select amount of positions rely on referrals from other employees. Stay in contact with friends and classmates who have found jobs, and it could lead to a career opportunity.
- Look into career counseling - if you have gone on interviews and have not received any offers, or if you haven't even been called for an interview, look into career counseling services. They may be able to help you improve your resume or interviewing skills, just in case one of those areas is holding you back from being noticed.

Remember not to get discouraged, and keep all options open to find employment.

One Hot Jobs column offers tips about how to recover from a recruiter's rejection. Tips such as sending cards thanking them for their time, asking for feedback, and not beating yourself up about it are among the advice.

Being rejecting for a job does not necessarily reflect on your abilities. Some companies are looking for more than work experience to fill a position, especially right now with the amount of candidates looking for a job. Today, companies need quality hires, which can mean job experience as well as having a personality and being a fit for the corporate culture.

If you are rejected for a job take the time to assess whether or not the company was the place for you in the first place. Ask yourself these questions: Were you excited about the position? Did the company have a reputation that you respected and appreciated? Could you see yourself working there?

If you answered no to one or all of these questions, then this could be a sign that you subconsciously held yourself back, or didn't put your best foot forward to make an impression during the interview.

This is a lesson, to be sure and really analyze job opportunities before you apply and have an interview. If it's not really a fit, but you are just doing it because you need a job, that could be a sign that you are sabotaging your interview. And if it's not a place or position you are really interested in working, don't waste your time or the interviewer/company's time.

This is something that I have heard before and I can understand the reluctance to asking people who you may have lost touch with, or don't speak to often. But this may be the time to reacquaint yourself with those in your network.

A good rule of thumb to start with is trying not to lose touch with your network in the first place. I know that life and work can get in the way, but if you set a goal of checking in with 3-5 members of your network at least once month, you won't feel as though you have lost touch.

Also, don't be afraid to go out on a limb. I received an email from an old colleague just the other day. He was changing careers and reached out via email to let people know and ask to be kept in mind if an opportunity presented itself. Now, I have not been in touch with this individual in years, but I remember my experience with him and found him to be a good colleague. So if something came up, I wouldn't hesitate to send it his way, which leads to me to my next point.

For the most part, people want to help. The article makes the point to not assume you will automatically get a "no" answer if you ask. People want to help others find a job, especially right now when it has been so difficult.

Remember that, even if you are shy, you shouldn't let it hold you back from the job hunt. People are willing to help, and if you utilize your network correctly there is no reason to assume that you will not receive assistance.

Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter are more than just socializing with your friends and "liking" a friend's status or fan page. You can actually find a job.

As one Newsweek article pointed out, you CAN find a job through social sites by connecting with hiring managers and recruiters who are turning to the social networks to "advertise" job openings.

If you are interested in turning social sites into a job hunt, here are a couple things to keep in mind:

- Clean it up - spring break photos, vulgar language and questionable content should be removed before using you profile to network with potential employers.
- Brush up on best practices - make sure you are using your network and tapping into the right contacts to maximize your opportunities.
- Stay diligent - just like networking in person, social networking takes some work. Don't make a connection with a potential employer and then take several days or weeks to reconnect.
- Make it part of a larger strategy - online networking is convenient, but don't allow it to be your only source for connections. Face to face contact is still very effective. So keep making lunch appointments and visiting business events to get your foot in the door.

Happy Job Tweeting!

Take some of these workers, for example. They chose to leave or seek careers with organizations that provided more meaningful work. And, although they may be earning less, they make up for it in the reward of knowing they are helping others.

If you are currently unemployed, or feel the need for a change of work pace, consider a job helping others. With a tough job market, now might be the time to do what you want to do and lend a helping hand to others.