Less well-known careers?

Parent Cafe
1

<p>Hi there,</p>

<p>I'm a student but I figured the parents on the the forum would have a lot more experience for this type of question:</p>

<p>With app season winding down, I'm looking at possible future careers. I know it's very early to think about it, and I'm not making any concrete plans. However, I would like to start learning about careers that are less publicized. I'm determined to find and do something I love but I'm trying to balance that with financial obligations as well; it would help to hear about careers other than doctors, lawyer, and i-banker that can still support an upper-middle class lifestyle.</p>

<p>So parents, have you encountered any less well known careers that you think are intellectually stimulating, helpful to society, challenging, and not 80/hr week commitments?</p>

<p>Examples of the "less known" factor I'm talking about (though not necessarily the fields I want):
-Actuary
-Conservator
-Travelling nurse</p>

<p>Thanks so much for your input!</p>

2

<p>hydrologist
geologist
PA - physician's assistant, growing field... takes less schooling, very well paid
RN nurses, esp. those who specialize can be very well-paid (often long hours, though) </p>

<p>I am a student thinking about the sames issues as you.</p>

3

<p>Geologist- I am one
Food Technology (ist)- do a search on monster for good opportunities--good alternative for biological oriented kids</p>

4

<p>Association Management (management of not-for-profits)</p>

<p>
[quote]
“Administration” Makes Biggest Gain as Outsourced Function
Nonprofit Associations Mirror Outsourcing Trend by
Turning to Association Management Companies</p>

<p>ATLANTA (November 14, 2005)</p>

<p>As organizations seek to accomplish more with fewer resources, vital functions such as administration are increasingly becoming part of the outsourcing mix. In the Outsourcing Institute’s 7th Annual Outsourcing Index, “administration” is the second most mentioned function (information technology is the first) and, as a category, made the biggest percentage gain compared with the previous year’s study. Compared with only 36 percent cited in the previous year, now 50 percent of organizations surveyed mention administration as an outsourced function.</p>

<p>“There is an increased willingness for organizations to place administrative functions, in addition to areas such as information technology, in the expert hands of outsourcing partners,” says John Ruffin, president of the International Association of Association Management Companies (IAAMC), “and it’s a trend that has certainly benefited the association management company industry.”</p>

<p>Especially in the case of volunteer-run operations, managing large trade associations, professional societies and charitable organizations can be challenging for even the most dedicated individuals. Lack of volunteer time sometimes creates a tipping point. As Holly Koenig, Executive Director of the National Alliance of Medicare Set Aside Professionals (NAMSAP), explains: “With all the functions involved in administration of an association – from structuring operations and governance to buying insurance and accounting services – NAMSAP’s volunteer board realized the huge time requirements necessary and decided to tap into an association management company.”</p>

<p>Another probable catalyst for the use of association management companies (AMCs) – for-profit firms managing nonprofit organizations – is sheer volume: nine of ten Americans belong to at least one association. The association population in the United States, coupled with the growing acceptance toward outsourcing, has helped the AMC industry double in size since 1990 according to the AMCinstitute, the marketing and research arm of the International Association of Association Management Companies (IAAMC). “With volunteer leaders of associations devoting more time to their work and family, time commitments to associations have diminished. More and more, association staffs are being stretched thin. As a result, the trend of increased outsourcing to AMCs is expected to continue,” notes Rick Church, chair of the AMCinstitute.</p>

<p>AMCs are well positioned to gain most from associations. According to a recent outsourcing survey of association professionals from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), “gaining access to expertise” was quoted as the most important reason for outsourcing (at 61 percent), followed by the desire to “focus on core activities” (44 percent). On average, AMCs manage five to ten organizations under one roof – each organization with its own board of directors, committees and membership – and have developed an expertise in best administrative practices for associations, allowing clients to focus on strategic issues while the AMC manages day-to-day operations. “From membership recruitment and dues collection to mailing and fulfillment, administration is becoming a mainstay of the AMC service offering,” says Sue Pine, AMCinstitute Executive Vice President.</p>

<p>The Outsourcing Institute (OI) is a professional association recognized worldwide for its intellectual capital, outsourcing practice expertise and unbiased thought leadership. OI tracks and forecasts the rapid evolution of outsourcing.</p>

<p>About Associations and Association Management Companies
The estimated impact on the economy represented by non-profit organizations including trade associations and professional societies is 10-12 percent of the Gross Domestic Product. </p>

<p>Association Management Companies (AMCs) are professional service firms that provide association management and other association services through experienced staff, proven practices and shared resources. AMCs in the United States now manage non-profit budgets exceeding $2 billion collectively. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.amcinstitute.org%5B/url%5D.%5B/quote%5D"&gt;www.amcinstitute.org.

[/quote]
</a></p>

5

<p>Become a speech language pathologist. There is a HUGE shortage in this field. The options for employment range from public school work to private practice. You can work hourly or get a salaried position. Job requires a master's degree, licensing by the state in which your reside...and most folks choose to become certified by the American Speech Language and Hearing Association. You can google that organization for more information about programs, etc.</p>

6

<p>Wow-true to form, I haven't heard of any of the career options contributed. Thanks so much and please let me know if you've got more!</p>

<p>Another I thought of that others might want to consider:
-patent lawyer (for those interested in science-recommended undergrad science/engineer major and science graduate school a plus)</p>

7

<p>Well...won't support a upper middle class lifestyle...but if you want to do something valuable, become a math or science teacher. There are huge shortages across the nation, especially Chemistry, Physics and upper maths like PreCalc and Calc.</p>

<p>God bless the teachers; they do it for love not money. :-)</p>

8

<p>Physical Therapist, Occupational therapist, Registered Dietician/Nutritionist. As the baby boomer population ages,think of all the services that they will require...</p>

9

<p>seiclan: My parents were checking out some sites regarding job opportunities in the UAE, and in doign so they actually saw that bothe physical therapists and occupational therapists had tons of job opportunities there, with really really high salaries. I just mentioned it becuase I thought it was interesting.</p>

10

<p>pharmacist
pharmaceutical rep -- good people skills a must, not sure of salary, but I think its decent</p>

11

<p>Mongolian sheep herder</p>

<h1>7 (you've seen the tags, "Inspected by #7")</h1>

<p>bikini inspector
philanthropist
translator of political speeches into Mime
TV critic
forensic writing analyst
food critic & writer of restaurant columns
pheasant plucker</p>

12

<p>Haha. The search can end now: pheasant plucker it is! j/k :)</p>

13

<p>"intellectually stimulating, helpful to society, challenging, and not 80/hr week commitments"</p>

<p>My corner-- my career area, enviromental consulting, fits all of those criteria. Possible exception: 80 hrs/week is not the norm, but sometimes a big time commitment is needed, but as with any career you enjoy, such a commitment is not a big deal. What is especially rewarding to me is that the environmental area is (1) fairly unique, none of my investment banker friends have a clue as to what I do (& I like that), (2) its very academically stimulating, and (3) I'm no tree-hugger, but I feel I've done something good by helping industry & government grapple with their environmental responsibilities. Now, the money is generally not as great as some other careers, but most of the people I work with can't believe they are making the money they do for doing what they really enjoy.</p>

<p>1st step in my career selection process was picking a college major...I picked geology because I loved the west & wanted to be outdoors. Although I enjoy neither now in any big way, I don't regret my choice at all. Picking a major you really enjoy is, IMHO, a great first step. The environmental consulting industry did not exist when I was in college, but started up in earnest in the early 80's....I just stumbled into it frankly, its been fantastic. I've augmented my education in engineering & business to match the needs of my career.</p>

<p>My advice is, pick your studies to match your passions & enjoyments, and simply try to apply those skills as you seek out careers. So, its great to be thinking about careers now, but who knows, there may be a career for you that doesn't exist now. Have a good time in college.</p>

<p>Here's the Bur of Labor Stats employment handbook...decent read, but please remember to study what you love now, and figure out how to make a living when the time comes:
<a href="http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

14

<p>How about accounting? I read an article recently that is a looming shortage of accounting graduates. (Not that this job is so unusual, but it doesn't seem like many people go into it. My D's friend is a senior accounting major and already has a contract for employment after graduation with a well-known company at a good starting salary (the highest on record for the business dept. at her college!).</p>

<p>I also read recently about the field of construction management. This job interacts between builders and the construction workers.</p>

15

<p>MCOP, there's a joke that goes with "pheasant plucker" but I can't tell it on CC. I know some people who work in construction management; many of them have a background either in engineering or architecture.</p>

16

<p>I knew a guy who once worked as a "chicken de-beaker." Hour after hour he would be handed a chicken and snip off the point of it's beak so it wouldn't be sharp and hurt the other birds.</p>

17

<p>TheDad: Now you've sparked my interest in pheasant plucker. A PMis in order, maybe? </p>

<p>Accounting, pharmaceuticals, and the environmental occupations all seem to have some exciting angles. Thank you for all your input!</p>

18

<p>I was thinking about random jobs yesterday. Has anyone ever met a piano tuner? i hear it is a job but i never seem to meet anyone who works in that field. I dont think the money would be that great so i suppose that suggestions out!</p>

<p>My dishwasher broke the other day and it was a real pain trying to find someone to fix it. Sometimes jobs that dont involve degrees can still be in demand and give good $... by all means go get a degree and strech your mind but sometimes there can be really good jobs that dont require college. (Tree dr's for example)</p>

19

<p>I would recommend that you visit your school guidance office and ask them if they could provide you with a career interest inventory. The inventory will then suggest lots of different careers that will match your interests and I am sure there will be plenty that you have never heard of.</p>

20

<p>
[quote]
So parents, have you encountered any less well known careers that you think are intellectually stimulating, helpful to society, challenging, and not 80/hr week commitments?

[/quote]
You never know for sure what careers will open up before you, so you should think about developing a set of skills that will allow you many good choices later. You shouldn't dare to set some arbitrary limit on the number of hours a week you will work -- so much depends on the type of work you end up doing, and you may need to sacrifice your free time to get where you want to go.</p>

<p>My son has developed the following unconventional career, drawing on his lifetime interest in baseball, talents in math and writing, and his major in economics: baseball writer/analyst/statistician and poker player.</p>