iLooking for a new job? Thinking about switching careers? CareerCast.com recently created a list of 12 great job opportunities for women in 2014 based on career projections from the department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Of course, they’re great options for men, too!) All of them have these factors in common: strong projected growth, high average annual salaries, smaller pay gaps between men and women than other fields, and high percentages of women working in the field.
Here’s a closer look at the top five:
1. Actuary
What do they do? Actuaries analyze the financial costs of risk and uncertainty. They use mathematics statistics, and financial theory to assess the risk that an event will occur and they help businesses and clients develop policies that minimize the cost of that risk.
What are the opportunities? The median pay in 2012 was $93,680 per year, and the predicted job growth in this field between 2012 and 2022 is 26 percent. (For reference, the average predicted growth for all fields is 11 percent.)
Make it happen: Actuaries need a bachelor’s degree to enter the field, and are expected to complete on-the-job training and must undergo exams to become certified. Strong backgrounds in business, mathematics and statistics are useful in entering the field.
2. Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers
What do they do? Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers design plans to promote products and services. They work with art directors, sales agents, and financial staff members.
What are the opportunities? The median pay in 2012 was $115,750 per year, and the predicted job growth in this field between 2012 and 2022 is 12 percent.
Make it happen: Most positions require a bachelor’s degree to enter into the field of advertising,
promotions, and marketing; managers also typically have several years of experience in the field. Find jobs or training to be an advertising/promotions manager or a marketing manager.
3. Computer Systems Analyst
What do they do? Computer systems analysts study an organization’s current computer systems and procedures and design information systems solutions to help the organization operate more efficiently and effectively. They bring business and information technology together by understanding the needs and limitations of both.
What are the opportunities? The median pay in 2012 was $79,680, and the predicted job growth in this field between 2012 and 2022 is 25 percent.
Make it happen: Computer systems analysts need a bachelor’s degree, generally in computer science or information technology, to enter the field.
4. Dental Hygienist
What do they do? Dental hygienists provide dental care in the form of teeth cleaning, examination, and education.
What are the opportunities? The median pay in 2012 was $70,210 per year, and the predicted job growth in this field between 2012 and 2022 is 33 percent.
Make it happen: Dental hygienists can enter the field with an associate degree in dental hygiene, as well as a license to practice.
5. Postsecondary Education Administrator
What do they do? Postsecondary education administrators coordinate the logistics of colleges and universities, in areas such as admissions and student life.
What are the opportunities? The median pay in 2012 was $86,490 per year, and the predicted job growth in this field between 2012 and 2022 is 15 percent.
Make it happen: An entrant into the field of postsecondary education administration generally needs a bachelor’s (and sometimes also a master’s) degree. Administrators generally have a master’s or Ph.D., as well as several years of experience in the field.
