CNNmoney.com通过调查选出了“全美50个最棒的工作”，其中系统工程师名列榜首。这些工作是如何选出来的呢？CNN Money和payscale.com合作，先从 7000 多个职位中挑出 260 个年薪中位数在 65,000 美元（44.36万人民币）、需要大学以上学历、而且未来十年内会增加 10% 以上的工作，再把这 260 个工作剔掉前一阵子经济萧条中比较惨淡的几个，留下前 100 名。这前一百名的职位实际访问 35000 名员工后，根据目前的就业状况、长期成长、稳定度、生活质量等项目，再将范围缩小到 50 个职位，就是最佳的 50 个工作啦！
五十个工作中，IT 产业就占了十位，除了第一名的系统工程师之外，IT 计划项目经理（IT Project Manager）在第五，计算机／网络安全顾问在第八、软件开发工程师在第 12、软件产品经理第 16。技术编辑（Technical Writer）也榜上有名喔，在第 28。
但这和医疗照顾产业完全没得比，不仅入榜 12 名，而且几乎都在前段班 -- 12 个里面最差的（Speech-Language Pathologist，啥鬼啊）也有 27 名。往常比较吃香的金融产业大概受到这次金融风暴的影响，只入榜 7 名，而且除了注册会计师（Certified Public Account）在第六名之外，其他大多在后段班。前十名如下，附上了工作描述、工作优缺点和加入这个领域的必备条件。
1. Systems Engineer（系统工程师）
What they do: They're the "big think" managers on large, complex projects, from major transportation networks to military defense programs. They figure out the technical specifications required and coordinate the efforts of lower-level engineers working on specific aspects of the project.
Why it's great: Demand is soaring for systems engineers, as what was once a niche job in the aerospace and defense industries becomes commonplace among a diverse and expanding universe of employers, from medical device makers to corporations like Xerox and BMW.
Pay can easily hit six figures for top performers, and there's ample opportunity for advancement. But many systems engineers say they most enjoy the creative aspects of the job and seeing projects come to life. "The transit system I work on really makes a tangible difference to people," says Anne O'Neil, chief systems engineer for the New York City Transit Authority.
Drawbacks: Long hours are common; project deadlines can be fierce.
Pre-reqs: An undergrad engineering degree; some jobs might also require certification as a certified systems engineering professional (CSEP).
2. Physician Assistant（医师助理）
What they do: Call it MD lite. Working under the supervision of a doctor, PAs do all tasks involved in routine medical care, such as diagnosing illnesses and assisting in surgery. In most states they can write prescriptions as well.
Why it's great: You get the satisfaction of treating patients minus insurance hassles, since PAs have far less administrative responsibility than the typical MD. "I'm part of a team yet have a lot of autonomy," says PA Robert Wooten.
