Hot industries and hot jobs in Virginia

by Robert Powell
Virginia Business
November 2005

There is no “CSI Virginia” television show but there should be. Virginia has gained a reputation as a leader in forensic science largely through the pioneering work of its crime labs. Now private companies are building on that reputation. Contributing writer Garry Kranz of Richmond examines the prospects for three of these companies.

That isn’t the sole story in this issue concerning medical science. Contributing writer Marjolijn Bijlefeld of Fredericksburg looks at the sale of a number of nonprofit Virginia hospitals to large health-care corporations. Many of these hospitals serve small communities. Bijlefeld finds that in most cases, the deals benefited the hospitals and the communities.

Another health-care story concerns the nationwide shortage of pharmacists. Contributing writer Deborah Nason of Roanoke reports that a new pharmacy school in Grundy hopes to help fill the void. Graduates of the school will enter a profession offering starting salaries of $83,000.

High starting salaries also are being offered to college graduates with accounting degrees. Contributing writer Heather Hayes of Clifford says that the accounting requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act are contributing to a high demand for accountants. Recent accounting graduates can earn $55,000 in their first year in the work force. The story is part of our annual report on the state’s “Super CPAs.”

Now if someone could just combine accounting, pharmacy and forensic science, the earning potential would be limitless.

Lastly, I want to add a note about a couple of new developments. Virginia Business Publisher Douglas Forshey is writing a blog. Also, we are planning our 20th anniversary issue for next year. I welcome your suggestions on the most significant business people and business events of the past 20 years.