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Careers Where Quiet People Are Assets

Careers for Quiet Types

Feel like your quiet personality makes you the office outsider? Here are six careers where a reserved nature is an asset, not a limitation.

By Amy Howell Hirt
Does the phrase "small talk" make you cringe? If you're a quiet person, navigating the social niceties of the professional world could be a real drag. You may even feel like your personality is holding you back from getting a leg up in your current career.
But don't count yourself out just yet. A quiet demeanor could conceal great powers of observation or analysis.
"People who are quiet might focus on data and things, rather than people, so there are some occupations [in which] they might be able to do a better job," says Laurence Shatkin, a career expert and author of several books, including "50 Best Jobs for Your Personality."
Ready to let your quiet attributes do the talking? Consider pursuing these careers where your natural inclinations could be your greatest assets.

Career #1: Accountant

When data talks, are you usually listening? An ability to sit quietly while poring over numbers could serve you well as an accountant.
"Shhhh!" Factor: If you prefer to keep quiet and focus on the details, this number-driven occupation could play to your strengths, Shatkin says. Reviewing financial statements, computing taxes, and reviewing accounting systems are some of the duties required of accountants, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Accountants carry out their duties in either an office or at home, according to the Department of Labor. Sounds like you'll have plenty of quality time to spend with your number-friends.
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Just keep in mind that this job may require meeting face-to-face with clients on occasion, in order to provide recommendations or explain your findings, the Department notes.
Education Options:*

Career #2: Graphic Designer

Would you rather express yourself through images than words? Your skills as a visual communicator could take center stage in a graphic design career.
"Shhhh!" Factor: Quiet people are often considered better listeners, Shatkin says, which means they may have an advantage in this creative field.
Why do graphic designers need active listening skills? In order to "really focus on what the client is trying to convey with the graphic," Shatkin says.
But taking direction from clients isn't the only time you'll find yourself keeping mum. As a graphic designer, you might spend much of your time figuring out the best way to use colors, images, text, and layouts to communicate ideas, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Click to Find the Right Graphic Design Program Now.
Sounding a little lonely? Don't worry, graphic designers aren't completely solitary. Being able to work in teams is also an important quality, as graphic designers often collaborate directly with a client or in conjunction with marketers, programmers, or other graphic designers, the Department of Labor notes.
Education Options:*

Career #3: Software Developer

If you come up with your best ideas during quiet contemplation, a career as a software developer could deliver rewarding work.
"Shhhh!" Factor: "Software developers are the creative minds behind computer programs," according to the U.S. Department of Labor. While they may work in teams, most of the day-to-day work is solo, Shatkin says.
Daily tasks might include designing computer applications such as word processors or games, or creating the operating systems used in consumer electronics, the Department of Labor reports.
Click to Find the Right Computer Science Program Now.
Still, software developers don't work in a vacuum. They will need to address feedback from customers about programs they develop, says the Department.
The good news: if a customer finds a problem with a program, it's likely back to the quiet drawing board for the software developer, where he or she will work independently to fix it.
Education Options*:

Career #4: Database Administrator

Do you like to quietly and thoroughly think over the task at hand before taking action? If so, you may want to think over a career as a database administrator.
"Shhhh!" Factor: Talk about the need for quiet concentration: According to the U.S. Department of Labor, in this career "a minor error can cause major problems."
That's because database administrators are responsible for organizing large amounts of data for important processes, like credit card transactions, the Department of Labor reports.
Click to Find the Right Database Technology Program Now.
Of course, where there are important databases, there are also users of those databases, which is why this career can also require "a fair amount of collaborative work," Shatkin notes.
Education Options*:

Career #5: Writer

Do you feel most comfortable when you're up to your eyeballs in research and facts - with not a person in sight? Then you might have a calling as a writer.
"Shhhh!" Factor: Quiet people often have a great ability to concentrate on slogging through information, Shatkin says. This kind of endurance can be a prized skill for writers, who, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, need to demonstrate strong research and proper citation methods to establish credibility in their work.
Writers produce work for many different mediums. In addition to writing for books and magazines, writers might create content for an advertisement, website, or TV or film script, according to the Department of Labor.
Click to Find the Right Communications Program Now.
Yes, writing is often a solitary endeavor, but a supporting cast is needed to see manuscripts through to publication. As a writer, you would likely communicate regularly with an editor or client, the Department notes.
Education options*:
  • Bachelor's degree, preferably in English, journalism, or communications

Career #6: Survey Researcher

Surveys are used regularly to help organizations test the waters of public opinion, but did you ever wonder who designs the questions? Survey researchers - that's who. If you're one for long hours of quiet contemplation, this could be the career for you.
"Shhhh!" Factor: The listening skills that seem to go hand-in-hand with quiet personalities can be the key to designing surveys that deliver reliable, meaningful results, Shatkin says.
No, surveys won't tell you how they should be designed, but your employers might. "Part of [survey research] is finding out what someone needs to learn from the survey, and that requires really listening," Shatkin says.
As a survey researcher, you could enjoy a good amount of silent work - like researching the survey topic, determining the best method for accurately capturing the desired information, or using statistical software to analyze the results, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
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Just note that you won't be spending all of your time on Silent Street. Survey researchers can also be responsible for conducting surveys themselves by facilitating focus groups or interviewing people over the phone or in-person, according to the Department of Labor.
Education Options*:

Six Careers That Are High In Salary, Short on School

Good-Pay Jobs With An Associate's

Earning a bachelor's isn't necessary to pursue these hot, high-paying careers.

By Danielle Blundell
Want to make a career switch to a more lucrative field, but worried about starting from scratch in terms of education requirements? We hear you loud and clear. Earning a degree can be a strain on your time, energy, and money, so it's not a decision to take lightly.
But what if we told you that some well-paying jobs might not require four long years of preparation in school? It's true - you could spend as little as two years in school and pursue a high-paying job upon completion.
To make your own career search a little simpler, we've homed in on a few fields that are worth looking into for their short-on-school, big-on-pay potential. Read on for our picks.

Career #1: Paralegal

Median Annual Salary*: $46,990
Top 10 Percent of Earners: $75,410
Bottom 10 Percent of Earners: $29,420
Think you might have what it takes to prepare facts and search for witnesses for a big case? Then a career as a paralegal might be a good option for you. The best news of all? You could pursue this path without ever stepping foot into law school and still manage to be compensated quite nicely year after year.
What They Do: According to the U.S. Department of Labor, paralegals might help lawyers stay on top of duties such as drafting correspondence, preparing and filing documents for court use, and conducting research for cases.
Why It Pays: Even though paralegals don't go to law school, Cheryl Lynch Simpson, an Ohio-based job search coach and owner of ExecutiveResumeRescue.com, points out that a lot of the skills paralegals must possess are the same as lawyers themselves.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Paralegal Program.
"Sometimes paralegals know more about the given cases, because they've done all the prep and grunt work behind the scenes, and the lawyer's the one that comes out to present in court," she says. "Because of that skill set, pay is high. It's a combination of having that legal mind - being probing and investigative - and balancing just a huge workload of research that involves critical thinking."
How To Prepare: According to the Department of Labor, most paralegals have either an associate's degree in paralegal studies or a bachelor's degree in a different field and a certificate in paralegal studies. Some firms may hire candidates with bachelor's degrees and then provide them with on-the-job related training, says the Department.

Career #2: Registered Nurse

Median Annual Salary*: $65,470
Top 10 Percent of Earners: $94,720
Bottom 10 Percent of Earners: $45,040
Ever been told you're the empathetic type? Well, why not cash in on your good nature and pursue a career in nursing, where you could be paid pretty well to care for the sick and elderly? What's even better is that you won't have to worry about investing multiple years of your life in medical school.
What They Do: According to the U.S. Department of Labor, nurses monitor and operate medical equipment, record patients' medical histories and symptoms, and educate patients and family members on caring for their ailments.
Why It Pays: "The pay for a RN is high partly because it's a specialized field," says Simpson. "The level of technological proficiency is rising every year, too, and being a nurse requires some medical understanding that you have to have to perform the job."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Nursing Program.
Another contributing factor to high pay, says Simpson, is the human component and high risk associated with practicing nursing. "You need interpersonal skills and that attention to detail here, too, because, quite frankly, one mistake could mean life or death."
How to Prepare: According to the Department of Labor, RNs usually complete one of three paths to pursue the job: a bachelor of science in nursing, an associate's degree in nursing, or an approved nursing diploma program. RNs must also have a license.

Career #3: Police Officer

Median Annual Salary*: $55,270
Top 10 Percent of Earners: $89,310
Bottom 10 Percent of Earners: $32,350
If you've got great gut instincts and street smarts, you might want to think about pursuing a career as a police officer. And you don't have to spend years in school to prepare or to potentially see a good paycheck.
What They Do: Cops do much more than what the famous television series of the same name might lead you to believe. In addition to responding to calls and enforcing laws, the U.S. Department of Labor says officers might write detailed forms, prepare court cases, and appear in court to testify, too.
Why It Pays: For Simpson, a career as a police officer pays well, because it's a protective service that's absolutely necessary in society and can be quite dangerous on a day-to-day basis.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Criminal Justice Program.
"In a society that's increasingly violent, police officers play an important role by protecting people and property," she says. "It's a highly valued job, as it should be, and compensation reflects that. Not all people can be officers and do the job well."
How to Prepare: At a minimum, the Department of Labor says candidates must be high school graduates (or GED earners), at least 21 years old, and able to successfully pass a rigorous physical exam. Candidates must also graduate from the local police academy. According to the Department, "many agencies require some college coursework or a college degree."

Career #4: Dental Hygienist

Median Annual Salary*: $70,210
Top 10 Percent of Earners: $96,280
Bottom 10 Percent of Earners: $46,540
Think about it: Your smile wouldn't be the same without brushing, flossing, and that regular professional cleaning performed by a dental hygienist. Turns out honing this craft can take less time than going to dental school but still pays big.
What They Do: The U.S. Department of Labor says dental hygienists often clean and examine teeth to look for signs of oral disease. They may also educate patients on proper oral hygiene and ways to prevent diseases, says the Department of Labor.
Why It Pays: For Simpson, the technical skills required to pursue a job as a dental hygienist along with the essential tasks make for a fairly high-paying profession.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Dental Hygiene Program.
"Not everyone can or is willing to put their hands in somebody's mouth," says Simpson. "In fact, all dentistry-related occupations are high on the list of hated jobs, and that's why salaries in this field can be high."
How to Prepare: While every state has specific certification requirements, an associate's degree in dental hygiene is typically needed to pursue a career as a dental hygienist, according to the Department. Every state also requires dental hygienists to be licensed, the Department notes.

Career #5: Computer Programmer

Median Annual Salary*: $74,280
Top 10 Percent of Earners: $117,890
Bottom 10 Percent of Earners: $42,850
Were you the kind of person that tricked out your Myspace page by editing the CSS scripts? Or maybe you've published your own website and have experience manipulating code? You could parlay those coding fundamentals into a potentially high-paying career as a computer programmer by earning just an associate's degree.
What They Do: Computer programmers may utilize their deep knowledge of different programming languages such as C++ to create and modify software applications, says the U.S. Department of Labor. Common tasks might include debugging program code and designing flowcharts to help plan software coding, the Department of Labor notes.
Why It Pays: "A job as a computer programmer is part of the most reliable, high-paying occupation cluster out there right now that doesn't require an advanced degree," says Simpson.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Computer Science Program.
"It's hot, and it's going to stay hot simply because the ability to maximize technology and marry that with people skills is not something that everyone possesses. You have to be able to understand languages and how a computer works, and then be able to communicate that to others," she says.
How to Prepare: According to the Department, while most computer programmers have a bachelor's degree, some employers hire workers with an associate's degree. Most of these professionals pursue a degree in computer science or a related field.

Career #6: Medical Records and Health Information Technician

Median Annual Salary*: $34,160
Top 10 Percent of Earners: $56,200
Bottom 10 Percent of Earners: $22,250
Want to get in on the big business of health care, but know you don't have the desire to work one-on-one with patients? Well, professional certification may be all you need to pursue a behind-the-scenes career as a medical records and health information technician.
What They Do: According to the U.S. Department of Labor, medical records and health information technicians might organize and maintain patients' medical information. They may also be responsible for helping keep patient information private and confidential, says the Department of Labor.
Why It Pays: Simpson says that salaries are high for medical records and health information technicians, relative to the amount of education required to pursue the job. This is due to a "perfect storm of a few things - the regulatory environment that surrounds medical information, the fact that Obamacare is going to require different levels of privacy for medical records, and the fact that medical data is being computerized rapidly right now," she says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Health Information Technology Program.
"The people that make these systems work are going to be key to health care in the future by accurately recording data so the right caregivers and patients can access and understand it," says Simpson.
How to Prepare: According to the Department, medical records and health information technicians usually need a postsecondary certificate, although it also notes that these workers may have an associate's degree. Many employers also require professional certification from one of several organizations, says the Department, which can involve graduating from an approved program and/or passing an exam.

The Top Majors Employers Want To Hire

Degrees Employers Want

Studying the right major in college could greatly improve your job prospects after graduation.

By Lia Sestric
If you're in the market for a new job, you know how important it is for your resume to stand out from the pack. But you may not realize how much your degree takes center stage. In fact, the degree on your resume could mean the difference between sealing the deal and getting tossed out.
It's true. Findings from "2013 Job Outlook," a study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), suggest that certain degrees may put you in a better position for employment than others.
After surveying 244 employers, the NACE determined which six degrees are at the top of employers' lists when it comes to hiring.
So before you commit to one field of study, why not find out where the odds are in your favor? Keep reading to learn about six degrees that most employers will find impressive.

In-Demand Degree #1: Finance

What's the degree most sought-after by employers according to the NACE study? Finance. Nearly 67 percent of businesses surveyed said they planned on hiring applicants holding this degree.
Finance majors practice making investment decisions, work with complex computer programs, and learn how to manage a budget, according to the College Board, an organization that promotes higher education and administers the SAT exam.
Why It's Impressive: It boils down to money, says Stuart Mease, director of undergraduate career services at Virginia Tech's Pamplin College of Business.
"The financial work the person is doing is either generating or saving money for these companies," he says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Finance Program.
That's because they're able to understand numbers and income statements, and that information helps managers make better decisions about the business, Mease says. Managers can use this information to generate additional revenue or cut costs, so that's why finance degrees are in demand.
Potential Careers*:

In-Demand Degree #2: Computer and Information Sciences

Coming in at a close second on the NACE list is computer and information sciences (CIS), with about 65.3 percent of surveyed employers saying they planned on hiring graduates with this major.
The College Board says that information science majors learn how people interact with information. They might take courses like information architecture and database management. On the other hand, computer science majors learn how people interact with computers and might take courses such as computer system organization and software engineering.
Why It's Impressive: "It's very difficult, just like learning a different language," says Mease. "Not everyone can speak computer language."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Computer Science Program.
Plus, the need for computer and information science majors is only going to grow from here, says Mease, as business operations depend more on technology to operate smoothly.
"We are moving from a tangible manufacturing economy to a digital manufacturing economy," Mease says. "Instead of producing widgets we are producing Web and mobile apps."
Potential Careers*:

In-Demand Degree #3: Accounting

Accounting holds the third place on NACE's list of in-demand bachelor's. In fact, about 59 percent of companies expected to hire graduates who studied this field. So if calculating numbers is your forte, you may want to focus your efforts on this number-crunching major.
The College Board says that "accounting majors learn how to gather, record, analyze, interpret, and communicate information about an individual's or organization's financial performance and risks." Tax accounting, business law, and auditing are some of the courses the College Board says accompany this major.
Why It's Impressive: It comes down to showing you're serious about your career, says Mease. "If [the student is] willing to commit to the grind of studying and mastering this skill, then it shows their maturity level and desire."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Accounting Program.
Plus, he adds that the curriculum can be difficult. "The content is harder to master because you have to be exactly correct [with the numbers]. Plus, in order to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam you must have 150 semester hours of credit, which is usually 20-30 more credits needed to graduate," says Mease. Talk about showing dedication.
While you don't have to become a CPA to be considered for a position, Mease says it does lead to more opportunities.
Potential Careers*:

In-Demand Degree #4: Business Administration and Management

Business administration and management is the fourth most sought-out bachelor's degree, according to NACE. Nearly 55.6 percent of employers surveyed said they're planning to hire students with this degree. So if you're business savvy, you may want to get off to a good start by studying this major.
Some of the coursework business administration and management majors complete includes marketing, economics, and business policy and strategy, says the College Board. It also notes that the program "prepares students to plan, organize, direct, and control an organization's activities."
Why It's Impressive: It's a versatile degree, says Mease. "It's the most general major that has a lot of street credibility," he says. For example, in a small business setting, this degree may be helpful for working on multiple projects.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Business Administration Program.
On the other hand, degree-holders in this major fill a lot of sales, business development, customer service, or retail positions, says Mease.
Potential Careers*:

In-Demand Degree #5: Mechanical Engineering

Half of all employers who shared their hiring plans said they expected to employ mechanical engineering graduates, according to NACE, making this degree the most sought-after in the engineering field.
The College Board says "as a mechanical engineering major, you'll learn the science behind machines and the energy that makes them work. You'll also apply what you learn by creating your own machines." Major courses could include circuit analysis, dynamics, materials science, and mechanical design fundamentals.
Why It's Impressive: Since a mechanical engineer is the glue that holds everything together, employers find a mechanical engineering degree an asset, says Michael Mercer, CEO of The Mercer Group, a management consulting and executive search firm, and author of "Job Hunting Made Easy."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Engineering Program.
"Everything that is manufactured requires a mechanical engineer. It is the core of technology," he says. "Mechanical engineers actually have to combine a number of types of engineering: industrial, electrical, civil. It's a good, all-around degree."
Potential Career*:

In-Demand Degree #6: Management Information Systems

Not in the top five - but certainly tailing close behind - is management information systems (MIS). On this list NACE ranks it sixth, with 49.5 percent of companies surveyed planning to hire students who completed this degree.
As the College Board notes, "MIS majors study information systems and their use in business and other organizations. They learn about computer databases, networks, computer security, and more." Database design, ecommerce, networks, and telecommunications are just a few examples of possible courses for this major, the College Board adds.
Why It's Impressive: This major is in demand because companies like to have employees "who have a general understanding of computer science but can also couple business skills with the technical side," Mease says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Information Systems Program.
"They can articulate why an app or technology can benefit the corporation and can communicate to software developers what needs to be done," he says.
Potential Careers*: