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Don't want to be one of those people stuck in a minimum wage job? Then you may want to pursue one of the best entry-level jobs, compiled by the fine folks at Wallet Hub, an online personal finance resource.
They compared 109 different types of entry-level jobs based on 11 key metrics*, including the following factors:
Topping the Wallet Hub list of best entry-level jobs is web
applications developer. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, as an
applications software developer, you would design and develop
applications that allow people to do specific tasks on computers or
other devices.
Why It's Top-Notch: The reason this job tops the list comes down to one thing - versatility. The real world skills you'd develop in this job are transferrable across industries, says Vincent Tuscano, a senior web developer and founder and CTO of Upfront, an app designed to connect influencers with their fans.
In addition to coding, you're constantly exposed to how people interact on the web in this entry-level job, which is valuable, he adds.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Computer Science Program.
How to Get Started: To pursue this career, you usually need a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field, says the Department of Labor. A math degree is also acceptable, and strong computer programming skills are needed.
Coming in hot at number two on WalletHub's list is another
entry-level career that focuses on computers and the Internet, but in
another capacity. As an information security analyst, you would protect
an organization's computer network and systems by monitoring for
security breaches, installing firewalls and data encryption programs,
and researching the latest IT security trends, reports the U.S.
Department of Labor.
Why It's Top-Notch: Companies are investing more and more into their IT teams, so now is the perfect time for someone in an entry-level position to get into the field, says Stephanie Kinkaid, a career counselor at the Wackerle Career Center at Monmouth College.
"To be a reputable organization, your customers have to trust you. Without a solid information security analyst on your team, you're opening yourself up to vulnerability and the potential loss of cash flow if your customers leave," she explains.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Programming & Software Program.
How to Get Started: According to the Department of Labor, you would typically need at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, programming or a related field. Employers sometimes prefer applicants with a master's in business administration (MBA) in information systems.
We're rounding the bases on the WalletHub list with another tech
career: web designer. If you pursue this career path, you would be
responsible for how a website looks, notes the U.S. Department of Labor.
As a web designer, you would create the site's layout and incorporate
graphics, applications, and other content into the site.
Why It's Top-Notch: "With so many companies requiring assistance with web design, this position allows a new graduate the freedom to be creative," says Kinkaid.
"That's because every company wants to stand out from the competition with their own unique edge and look, which many times is left up to a creative web designer to advise upon and then execute," she explains.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Computer Science Program.
How to Get Started: Usually, you would need an associate's degree in web design or a related field to pursue this job. For more technical positions, employers prefer candidates who hold at least a bachelor's in computer science, programming, or a related area of study.
Tied for number three in WalletHub's rankings, we're moving away from
tech and into the world of law. As an attorney, you would advise and
represent clients in court, before government agencies and in private
legal matters, says the U.S. Department of Labor. You'd also be
responsible for interpreting laws, presenting facts in writing, and
acting as both an advocates and an advisor.
Why It's Top-Notch: A career as an attorney is a great entry-level gig, because it works across industries, says Michael Maggiano, attorney-at-law and founder of the law firm Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, Trial Attorneys.
The legal skills you'd develop in this job are in demand and could later open doors not just in the legal field per se but also in corporate America, he says.
How to Get Started: To pursue a career as a lawyer, you must have a law degree and must also typically pass a state's written bar examination.
Back to the world of tech on the WalletHub list. As a software
engineer, you would research, design, and test operating systems and
network software for applications in various fields, from the aerospace
to business industries, reports the U.S. Department of Labor**.
Why It's Top-Notch: Software engineer is a great entry-level job, because everyone and everything is going deeper into digital, says Adam Grealish, co- founder of Roletroll, a job engine for the tech and finance communities.
"Because of this rapid digital growth, there are many more openings than there are people to fill them," he says. "And even if you don't end up as a coder your entire career, being able to communicate with developers and 'think like a programmer' will be a huge asset wherever your career path takes you."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Programming & Software Program.
How to Get Started: To pursue a career as a software engineer, you'll usually need a bachelor's degree in computer science, programming, or a related field, in addition to strong computer programming skills, according to the Department of Labor**.
We're nearing the end of WalletHub's best entry-level jobs ranking,
but not nearly the end of the possibilities. Placed sixth on the
WalletHub list is financial analyst. In this job, you'd give financial
advice to people on everything from investments to insurance decisions.
Why It's Top-Notch: The skills you'll acquire starting out as a personal financial advisor are valuable from your very first client until the end of your career, says Kinkaid.
"Entry-level financial advisors need to be determined and focused when it comes to building a book of clients and making them happy. A strong work ethic and long hours at the beginning of your career sets the stage for success in both the short- and long-term."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Finance Program.
How to Get Started: Typically, you need a bachelor's degree to pursue this career, according to the Department of Labor. While employers usually don't specify a required area of study, a degree in finance, economics, accounting, business, mathematics, or law is good preparation for this profession.
Last but not least, market research analyst comes in at number seven
on the WalletHub list. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, you
would spend your days monitoring and forecasting marketing and sales
trends to help companies understand what products people want, who will
buy them, and for what price.
Why It's Top-Notch: An entry-level job as a market research analyst could help you develop useful skills that are highly valued in the real world, says Kinkaid.
"No matter where your career takes you, understanding how people make purchase decisions and how to analyze data for practical use are skills that are transferrable to many industries and across many markets," she explains
Next step: Click to Find the Right Marketing & Communications Program.
How to Get Started: To pursue this career path, you would need a bachelor's degree in market research or a related field for most positions, according to the Department of Labor. Many analysts have degrees in fields like statistics, math and computer science, while others have backgrounds in business administration, social sciences or communications.
Wondering how to launch your career? Then check out the best entry-level jobs that could offer high pay and ample growth.
Whether you're graduating soon or just looking to start over, it can be discouraging to look for an entry-level gig. After all, the Wall Street Journal reported that 284,000 American college graduates were working in minimum wage jobs in 2012.Don't want to be one of those people stuck in a minimum wage job? Then you may want to pursue one of the best entry-level jobs, compiled by the fine folks at Wallet Hub, an online personal finance resource.
They compared 109 different types of entry-level jobs based on 11 key metrics*, including the following factors:
- Median starting salary
- Number of job openings
- Unemployment rate
- Projected job growth by 2022
- Income growth potential
Career #1: Web Applications Developer
Find Degree Programs
Topping the Wallet Hub list of best entry-level jobs is web
applications developer. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, as an
applications software developer, you would design and develop
applications that allow people to do specific tasks on computers or
other devices.Why It's Top-Notch: The reason this job tops the list comes down to one thing - versatility. The real world skills you'd develop in this job are transferrable across industries, says Vincent Tuscano, a senior web developer and founder and CTO of Upfront, an app designed to connect influencers with their fans.
In addition to coding, you're constantly exposed to how people interact on the web in this entry-level job, which is valuable, he adds.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Computer Science Program.
How to Get Started: To pursue this career, you usually need a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field, says the Department of Labor. A math degree is also acceptable, and strong computer programming skills are needed.
Career #2: Information Security Analyst
Find Degree Programs
Coming in hot at number two on WalletHub's list is another
entry-level career that focuses on computers and the Internet, but in
another capacity. As an information security analyst, you would protect
an organization's computer network and systems by monitoring for
security breaches, installing firewalls and data encryption programs,
and researching the latest IT security trends, reports the U.S.
Department of Labor. Why It's Top-Notch: Companies are investing more and more into their IT teams, so now is the perfect time for someone in an entry-level position to get into the field, says Stephanie Kinkaid, a career counselor at the Wackerle Career Center at Monmouth College.
"To be a reputable organization, your customers have to trust you. Without a solid information security analyst on your team, you're opening yourself up to vulnerability and the potential loss of cash flow if your customers leave," she explains.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Programming & Software Program.
How to Get Started: According to the Department of Labor, you would typically need at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, programming or a related field. Employers sometimes prefer applicants with a master's in business administration (MBA) in information systems.
Career #3: Web Designer
Find Degree Programs
We're rounding the bases on the WalletHub list with another tech
career: web designer. If you pursue this career path, you would be
responsible for how a website looks, notes the U.S. Department of Labor.
As a web designer, you would create the site's layout and incorporate
graphics, applications, and other content into the site.Why It's Top-Notch: "With so many companies requiring assistance with web design, this position allows a new graduate the freedom to be creative," says Kinkaid.
"That's because every company wants to stand out from the competition with their own unique edge and look, which many times is left up to a creative web designer to advise upon and then execute," she explains.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Computer Science Program.
How to Get Started: Usually, you would need an associate's degree in web design or a related field to pursue this job. For more technical positions, employers prefer candidates who hold at least a bachelor's in computer science, programming, or a related area of study.
Career #4: Attorney
Tied for number three in WalletHub's rankings, we're moving away from
tech and into the world of law. As an attorney, you would advise and
represent clients in court, before government agencies and in private
legal matters, says the U.S. Department of Labor. You'd also be
responsible for interpreting laws, presenting facts in writing, and
acting as both an advocates and an advisor.Why It's Top-Notch: A career as an attorney is a great entry-level gig, because it works across industries, says Michael Maggiano, attorney-at-law and founder of the law firm Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, Trial Attorneys.
The legal skills you'd develop in this job are in demand and could later open doors not just in the legal field per se but also in corporate America, he says.
How to Get Started: To pursue a career as a lawyer, you must have a law degree and must also typically pass a state's written bar examination.
Career #5: Software Engineer
Find Degree Programs
Back to the world of tech on the WalletHub list. As a software
engineer, you would research, design, and test operating systems and
network software for applications in various fields, from the aerospace
to business industries, reports the U.S. Department of Labor**. Why It's Top-Notch: Software engineer is a great entry-level job, because everyone and everything is going deeper into digital, says Adam Grealish, co- founder of Roletroll, a job engine for the tech and finance communities.
"Because of this rapid digital growth, there are many more openings than there are people to fill them," he says. "And even if you don't end up as a coder your entire career, being able to communicate with developers and 'think like a programmer' will be a huge asset wherever your career path takes you."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Programming & Software Program.
How to Get Started: To pursue a career as a software engineer, you'll usually need a bachelor's degree in computer science, programming, or a related field, in addition to strong computer programming skills, according to the Department of Labor**.
Career #6: Financial Analyst
Find Degree Programs
We're nearing the end of WalletHub's best entry-level jobs ranking,
but not nearly the end of the possibilities. Placed sixth on the
WalletHub list is financial analyst. In this job, you'd give financial
advice to people on everything from investments to insurance decisions.Why It's Top-Notch: The skills you'll acquire starting out as a personal financial advisor are valuable from your very first client until the end of your career, says Kinkaid.
"Entry-level financial advisors need to be determined and focused when it comes to building a book of clients and making them happy. A strong work ethic and long hours at the beginning of your career sets the stage for success in both the short- and long-term."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Finance Program.
How to Get Started: Typically, you need a bachelor's degree to pursue this career, according to the Department of Labor. While employers usually don't specify a required area of study, a degree in finance, economics, accounting, business, mathematics, or law is good preparation for this profession.
Career #7: Market Research Analyst
Find Degree Programs
Last but not least, market research analyst comes in at number seven
on the WalletHub list. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, you
would spend your days monitoring and forecasting marketing and sales
trends to help companies understand what products people want, who will
buy them, and for what price. Why It's Top-Notch: An entry-level job as a market research analyst could help you develop useful skills that are highly valued in the real world, says Kinkaid.
"No matter where your career takes you, understanding how people make purchase decisions and how to analyze data for practical use are skills that are transferrable to many industries and across many markets," she explains
Next step: Click to Find the Right Marketing & Communications Program.
How to Get Started: To pursue this career path, you would need a bachelor's degree in market research or a related field for most positions, according to the Department of Labor. Many analysts have degrees in fields like statistics, math and computer science, while others have backgrounds in business administration, social sciences or communications.