Top 10 Hot Jobs in Lafayette LA

The parish seat (county seat) of Lafayette Parish and the centerpiece of the Lafayette-Acadiana area, Lafayette City began as the Acadian settlement Vermilionville in the early 1820s. Later, it was christened in honor of French General Lafayette, who assisted the Americans in the Revolutionary War.

In the 20th century, the area became properous in its oil and natural gas discoveries, as well as its Creole and Cajun (Acadnian) cuisine.

In the 21st century, Lafayette and surrounds, have targeted Green Industry and Urban renewal through DowntownAlive.org. Transportation in the downtown area is easy, with a transit system, taxis. Greyhound Bus Line, and Amtrac trains as well as Greyhound-Amtrac connections not available elsewhere in many states.

Very interesting are some of the nonprofits located downtown, including CODOFIL, the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana. Their website appears in three languages: French, English, and Creole at Codofil.org.

The Lafayette area is growing population, economy, and job openings, as shown in this Top 10 List. The population, however, is not keeping up with the number of job openings available.

1. Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs - Ths is an indication of the growing numbers of workers and tourists, including business travelers, entering the Lafayette-Acadiana Area.
2. Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts (IT)
3. Mainstream Preschool Teachers - This high demand occupation indicates that many children are being born to Young Professionals and Mid-Careerists in the area.
4. Home Health Aides (HHAs)
5. Medical Assistants
6. Computer Software Applications Engineers (IT)
7. Physical Therapist Assistants
8. Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
9. Public Relations Specialists
10. Advertising and Promotions Managers - This category indicates an upswing in business economy.

The 5 largest employers in the Greater Lafayette Area include 5 that are among the Top 50 Largest Employers of the state:

• Little Zorah Baptist Church (Number 1 in the state)
• Acadiana Sharpening Service
• Lafayette Information Service
• Lafayette General Medical Cetner
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Local Large Healthcare Employers:

• Lafayette General Medical Center
• Lafayette General Surgical Hospital
• Lafayette Surgical Specialty Hospital
• University Medical Center
• Womens & Childrens Hospital
• Medical Center of Southwest Louisiana
• Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center

• Database Administrators (IT)
• Computer Systems Software Engineers (IT)
• Dental Hygienists & Assistants
• Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, except EMTs
• Chemical Technicians
• Child Care Workers
• Personal & Home Care Aides
• Coaches and Talent Scouts
• Physical Therapy Aides
• Environmental Engineers
• Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Branch Colleges and Universities:

• Acadiana Area Career College
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette
• Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
• Blue Cliff College at Lafayette
• Louisiana Technical College at Lafayette
• Remington College Lafayette
• South Louisiana Community College at Lafayette

• Festivals Acadiens - Series of festivals for recognition of Cajun culture. Thsi is a well-constructed site that features 6 separate festivals celebrating music, crafts, food, heritage, and other aspects of Cajun and local life.
• MechaCon.com - Teh growing popularity of Japanese Anime comics, graphic novels, and films is celebrated in Lafayette.
• Mardi Gras - About as Big as New Orleans!

Please visit this site operated with the help of a Layfayette native, Ralph Miller, a stationary engine enthusiast at OldEngine.Org.

Some of the information included onsite are amazing pictures of antique tractors and shop engines and:

• Aberdeen Scotland Bon Accord Steam Engine Club
• Antique Tractor Internet Service - Page in tractors, not ISPs
• Catfish Hollow Toys (Metal, museum quality)

• Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana: 343 Navarro St, Charenton LA 70523; PH 337-923-7806
• Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana: Tribal School
• Chitimacha Gaming Commission
• Chitimacha Tribe Development
• Native American Refinery Co In‎c. - In nearby Evengeline

The Chitimacha Nation is more numerous in St. Mary's parish, but a few remain in the Lafayette-Acadiana statistical area as well. They settled the south of Lousiana around 500 AD.

Creoles are populous around Lafayette as well, being a mixture of African, Caucasian, Native American, Haitian, and Hispanic and other groups. Thsi adds to the rich culture of the region.