What type of careers are available when someone has photoshop skills?

I have a question for anyone who knows a good amount about the job market. I am at this point very unsure of what I want to do with my life (I am 18 ) but I feel that it is important that I have a job that is not very stressful, regardless of the fact that I will probably make little money. For someone who has completely mastered photoshop and maybe web design, is there a possibility for a solid career there? I am not very talented in drawing, so I do not know if I could really become an official "graphic designer," but what if I applied my knowledge of photography and photoshop (that I do not have much of yet), etc etc, into editing and producing things for clients? Does anyone understand what I mean and see what I have in mind? Just looking for some suggestions and points in the right direction in some information about all of this.

Statement....I live in Warren, so we both know how tough things are here.
I was the Operations Supervisor for MSX international for their Technical Documentation Group.
We did a ton of automotive installation sheets for the big3 and also for several after market suppliers of accessories. There is work out there but it is competitive (like everything else).

Being "Artistic" is nice but not necessary.

In addition to PhotoShop (which is critical) you should learn a good graphics drawing program like Adobe Illustrator of MacroMedia Freehand. You can "self teach" but it is the hard way to go. Grab some classes at Oakland or Wayne. Nearly everyone wants you to at least be studying for a degree. If your folks are backing you, try to get in to the Center for Creative Studies.

Being conversant in Photoshop isn't enough. I did a digital media degree, finishing last year in which I specialised in photography and video, and yet I've still found it almost impossible to get work. The trades here in the UK which involve Photoshop are varied but almost always come back to web development or graphics/page layout. To fulfill either of these roles, and to compete with the millions of other qualified by ultimately talentless oiks out there, you need experience in Illustrator, Flash, Dreamweaver and web coding such as PHP, My SQL etc.

It simply isn't enough to have Photoshop on its own. It's part of a more employable package. My goal is to be a photographer in my own right, and as I settle into an area in which I know we'll live for a while, I shall start. For me the extra knowledge I have in other packages will make me a more rounded photographer, but I don't think without further training I could sell myself as a web developer or graphic designer.

Harsh but true.

There's work for video, too. You really should ask your instructors at W.St., or may ask at CCS across the street.

There are currently 4,380 jobs posted on Monster.com with the keyword "Photoshop" in them.

It sounds like getting all types of computer skills is the way to go. I am in the beginning of an undergrad degree here at wayne state in math, which is closely related to computer science. I will try to get experience and masterful skill in all of the programs, and I bet I can get a job. Who wouldn't want someone who knows photoshop. illustrator, web design, etc, etc.. Thanks for the advice, POTN, you never fall short.

i think the more hi paying PS jobs are gonna be "Graphic artists" that said, youre 18, go get a masters in Graphic Arts... do it now, while theres still time and also, while your at it,,, forget them dreams of a non-stressful job..theres no such thing...well there kinda is, its called broke and homeless!!
seriously, dont waste your youth... sell your soul now and get out at 40 and live the good life!!! I wish id have done that.. oh wait, i was gonna be a great drummer in the best rock band in the world!!

Of the two graphic artists at work, the one with the fine arts undergrad (and a Yale masters architecture) is 'better' in that he can draw anything I can think of, but the non-degreed guy is 'faster' because he grabs stock, pulls the concept together and out the door we go.

Both are experts in Illustrator and can freehand draw.

The 'artistic' one lives in Denver, telecommutes, works about 24 hours/week and is a vegetarian. The other guy lives here in PA, has two kids and a wife and goes home every day at 5 PM. Both are happy not because of what they do at work, but because of what they have built at home.

Knowing photoshop is a good start, but there are millions who know photoshop. Your young and still in the phase where you should be adding new tools to your repertoire. Look more toward a career where photoshoping can play a significant role but don't rely on only one program to make a career.

Also, has anyone actually gotten a job via Monster.com? I always see so much advertised there but have never heard anyone actually getting an interview from a lead coming from Monster and I have helped place a lot of folks lately as we have been off shoring work aggressively and in the last 5 years have had to lay off nearly 30 folks. I have been able to find all but one a job somewhere, but all have come from personel contacts, headhunters, and basic networking. I have had zero luck with newspapers and the web.

Yup, me too. Monster is a joke.

I'd go and get some qualifications if I were you.

If you want to go into the design industry then merely knowing how to use software won't be enough. You need to develop design skills. I've been going through CVs recently trying to find a few people to employ... it's a painful task, there are so many mediocre designers out there.

Oh, and I use photoshop about 95% of my working day - and about 95% of the time my job is stress free.