6 smart career changes that could boost your pay

Source: Yahoo

Focus on making a career change into one of these promising fields with high pay, high growth, or both.

By Danielle Blundell

Do you ever wonder if there's a better job out there for you? Perhaps you're interested in making more money or more opportunities for professional growth. Making a career switch may seem intimidating, but it is possible to leverage your experience and background into a bigger, better opportunity. But how can you decide if embarking on a new professional path is worth it?
According to Laura Rose, business and career management coach at Rose Coaching, the ideal career switch is "a position where you can leverage your current role, earn higher pay, and have high job growth." However, the key is understanding that "it may be difficult to accomplish all of the above in just one switch or move," she says. And that seems to be the case, as some of the best careers to switch into are high-level and may require years of advanced experience. But not to worry, you can start taking steps toward that career path today.
Where to start? Read on to discover new possible career paths  and how you can make a logical switch.

Career-Change #1: Public Relations Manager

Find Degree Programs You're a people-person who can strike up a conversation with almost anyone. Maybe you enjoy working in customer service or retail, but you're looking for more responsibility as well as marketability. Sounds like you could be the perfect candidate for a gig as a public relations manager.
Why It's An Ideal Switch: For career coach Scott Barlow, founder of Happentoyourcareer.com, a career counseling and advice website, transitioning from a customer service rep job into a public relations manager role takes advantage of both professions' overlapping communication-based skills - only the latter requires a more in-depth mastery, which means higher salaries.
"A customer service representative job can require extensive communication skills and an ability to tailor communication to a situation," says Barlow. While all of that is relevant in PR, he says that the PR manager role pays much more, because it often requires managing much larger projects, programs, and more people than what a customer service rep typically would encounter.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, that's the case, as PR managers are often responsible for drafting speeches and press releases, arranging interviews for an organization's top executives,  and evaluating advertising and promotion programs to determine compatibility with an organization's public relations efforts.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Communications Program.
Salary Info:*

• Median Annual Salary: $95,450
• Highest 10 Percent of Earners: $180,480
• Lowest 10 Percent of Earners: $51,630

Job Growth from 2010 to 2020:** 65,700 jobs
How to Prepare: According to the Department of Labor, public relations managers typically have a bachelor's degree in a discipline such as public relations, English, journalism, business, or communications. They also need related work experience, says the Department.

Career-Change #2: Accountant

Find Degree Programs Crunching numbers and working with stats is what you were born to do. Yet toiling away as a bookkeeper, bank teller, or in some other job just isn't as fulfilling as you thought, and you know you've got the math savvy and potential to do more. Pursuing a career as an accountant, which is often a higher-paying, higher-growth position, might just be the career that makes the most dollars and sense for you.
Why It's An Ideal Switch: Again, according to Barlow, making the switch from bookkeeping to accounting makes sense, as both positions entail working with numbers,  spreadsheets, and software. The difference, he says, is that accountants are often called on to advise clients and companies, rather than just give them the raw data as a bookkeeper might, and therein lies the higher pay and importance.
"An accountant requires critical thought and analytical and communication abilities to make recommendations or act in an advisor role," he says. The U.S. Department of Labor details the role of an accountant, saying that accountants are often tasked with managing the accuracy of a company's financial statements, computing taxes, and suggesting cost-cutting measures when and where applicable.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Accounting Program.
Salary Info:*

• Median Annual Salary: $63,550
• Highest 10 Percent of Earners: $111,510
• Lowest 10 Percent of Earners: $39,930

Job Growth from 2010 to 2020:** 190,700
How to Prepare: Ready to see what it will take to make the jump? Well, according to the Department of Labor, you'll need to earn a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related discipline first. Certification, such as becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), could improve job prospects.

Career-Change #3: Police Officer

Find Degree Programs Friends are always telling you that you've got a strong presence and an attitude that says,"Don't mess with me." And that's a good thing to project, because maybe your line of work is in security. But have you ever considered a potentially higher-paying position as a police officer? Being cool under pressure, and authoritative, would serve you well in this field, too.
Why It's An Ideal Switch: Both jobs rely on keen observation, says Barlow, and "some security guards may also gain firearms experience." A combination of those skills could make for an easy transition into the Police Academy. Once completed, advanced training and education in this field typically leads to more pay down the line, adds Barlow.
He explains, "The police officer requires a high degree of training and sometimes physical fitness that the security guard does not."
Specifically, as stated by the U.S. Department of Labor, you will have to graduate from the local agency's police academy, where you'll learn everything from handling firearms safely to responding to calls for service and more.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Criminal Justice Program.
Salary Info:*

• Median Annual Salary: $55,270
• Highest 10 Percent of Earners: $89,310
• Lowest 10 Percent of Earners: $32,350

Job Growth from 2010 to 2020:** 54,600
How to Prepare: At a minimum, the Department of Labor says cops must be at least 21 years old, meet rigorous physical and personal qualifications, and graduate from a training police academy.
That said, according to the Department, a significant number of entry-level positions are filled by college graduates, and many applicants have at least taken some college courses.

Career-Change #4: Graphic Designer

Find Degree Programs You're the creative type, and integrating text and words into a brochure, pamphlet, or journal barely feels like work to you. Well, instead of being pigeonholed as a desktop publisher, who predominantly works in the dying print medium, why not skill up and expand your artsy horizons as a graphic designer?
Why It's An Ideal Switch: According to Bettina Seidman of Seidbet Associates, an executive coaching and career counseling firm, graphic designers get paid more than desktop publishers because, while their skill sets are similar, graphic design requires more creative conceptualization and idea germination. In essence, designers aren't just cutting and pasting images and words - they're generating the ideas behind ads, commercials, and other materials. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, they create visual concepts to communicate ideas that captivate, inform, or inspire consumers.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Graphic Design Program.
Salary Info:*

• Median Annual Salary: $44,150
• Highest 10 Percent of Earners: $77,490
• Lowest 10 Percent of Earners: $26,250  

Job Growth from 2010 to 2020:** 37,300
How to Prepare: The U.S. Department of Labor says a bachelor's degree in graphic design or a related field is usually required for these positions.

Career-Change #5: Medical and Health Services Manager

Find Degree Programs Have you found your niche in the health care industry? Or perhaps you enjoy using your organizational skills in administration. In either case, your next professional step could be taking up more responsibility or even a leadership role. Making the switch to medical or health services manager could be a smart move and might be more straightforward than you think.
Why It's An Ideal Switch: In Seidman's opinion, taking on managerial work in the same field is a logical move that pays off financially, and health care administration is no exception to this rule. Plus, Seidman notes that it might require more education and preparation than more clerical or technical positions in health care.
Barlow agrees. The technician may be well-versed in technical and medical terminology and able to navigate common problems for that industry, he says. On the other hand, "The manager requires a higher level of problem-solving and decision-making capability as well as the skill sets to manage programs or lead people," Barlow explains.
And that's just the case, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, which says that medical and health services managers not only keep track of a hospital or facility's finances, they also often create work schedules, communicate with members of the medical staff and department heads, and help improve efficiency and quality in the delivery of health care services.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Health Care Administration Program.
Salary Info:*

• Median Annual Salary: $88,580
• Highest 10 Percent of Earners: $150,560
• Lowest 10 Percent of Earners:$53,940

Job Growth from 2010 to 2020:** 68,000
How to Prepare: According to the Department of Labor, the first step in getting this career switch underway is a bachelor's in a subject like health care administration. Master's degrees are also common in fields such as business administration, health services, public health, public administration, or long-term administration, according to the Department.

Career-Change #6: Information Security Analyst

Find Degree Programs You understand both users' needs and the nuances of technology, but at your heart, you are that computer nerd that could spend hours just looking at data, computer languages, and code. Instead of just wasting your talents behind a help desk as a computer support specialist or another entry-level position, how about switching into a lucrative career path as an information security analyst?
Why It's An Ideal Switch: According to Rose, there are transferable skills between a job as a computer support specialist and an information security analyst that make for a smooth transition. The key here, she says, is likely going back to school or attempting to fill whatever skills gap exists during your spare time and working with a mentor or coach to formulate a plan to pursue this higher-paying career. In an information security analyst position, you should be prepared to provide critical analysis and recommendations to your company.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, you could be responsible for planning your company's strategy for security, developing security standards and best practices for your organization, and monitoring your company's network for security breaches.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Computer Science Program.
Salary Info:*

• Median Annual Salary: $86,170
• Highest 10 Percent of Earners: $135,600
• Lowest 10 Percent of Earners: $49,960

Job Growth from 2010 to 2020:** 65,700
How to Prepare: A bachelor's degree in computer science, programming, or a related field could have you right on your way to pursuing a career as an information security analyst, says the Department of Labor. Some employers may prefer applicants who have a master's of business administration (MBA) in information systems, says the Department.

Six career switches that could boost your pay

Source: Yahoo

Turn your current skills into potentially better pay with one of these six career moves. 

By Lia Sestric

You've found a line of work that you love. The only problem is that the pay isn't much to brag about. Don't worry; there is a silver lining.
You don't have to pursue a career in a new industry to make more money. In fact, there are some career alternatives within your field that could offer a higher wage. The career shift could mean going back to school, but it certainly doesn't mean tossing the skills you've developed - along with prior experience - to the wayside.
Are you ready to learn which career alternatives you should consider pursuing? Keep reading to find out how you can prepare for one of these sensible career moves that could lead to some more cash.

Career #1: Bookkeeper

Find Degree Programs

Median
annual wage*

$35,170

Bottom 10 percent of earners

$21,610

Top 10 percent of earners

$54,310

While a bookkeeper's work is important, they could find better pay as an accountant, says William Knese, chair of the Association of Accountants and Financial Professionals in Business (IMA), a world-wide association for accountants and financial professionals.

Higher-Paying Alternative: Accountant

Find Degree Programs

Median
annual wage*

$63,550

Bottom 10 percent of earners

$39,930

Top 10 percent of earners

$111,510

Those who work as a bookkeeper may already have a natural interest in continuing their education and making a career move to accounting, says Knese. "Management accountants contribute to an organization's decision-making process. It's an exciting role with potential for career mobility and earning power."
Taunee Besson, president of Career Dimensions, a consulting firm in Dallas, also agrees that this is a wise move. "Accounting positions require people who have training and expertise in a broad range of financial areas. Consequently, they are more valuable to their employers than bookkeepers, who are often confined to posting and balancing the general ledger."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Accounting Program.
Life on the Job: Accountants prepare and examine financial records and assess financial operations to make sure a company runs efficiently, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Education Requirements: The Department of Labor says most accountants need at least a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related subject. Some employers do prefer to hire candidates with a master's degree in accounting or in business administration with a concentration in accounting, adds the Department.

Career #2: Registered Nurse

Find Degree Programs

Median
annual wage*

$65,470

Bottom 10 percent of earners

$45,040

Top 10 percent of earners

$94,720

Undeniably, nurses have the potential to make a reasonable paycheck and are in great demand. But Marty Witrak, dean of the School of Nursing at The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota notes that if you're looking for higher pay while staying in the industry, you could trade in your scrubs for an administrative position in health care.

Higher-Paying Alternative: Medical and Health Services Manager

Find Degree Programs

Median
annual wage*

$88,580

Bottom 10 percent of earners

$53,940

Top 10 percent of earners

$150,560

While direct patient care would be out of the scope of duties with this higher-paying alternative, it could be just as rewarding."It really depends on the individual and what is very satisfying to them about their work life," says Witrak. Although nurses initially enter the profession because of their interest in patient care, she says "a nurse often will discover that he or she has administrative talents or interest." And taking advantage of those talents could pay off with a pay increase, since Witrak says that health care facilities are always looking for people "with a good business head on their shoulders".
Next step: Click to Find the Right Health Care Administration Program.
Life on the Job: Instead of providing direct patient care like nurses do, medical and health services managers plan, direct, and coordinate health services, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Education Requirements: The Department of Labor says prospective health care administrators have a bachelor's degree in health care administration. However, master's degrees are common, too, in fields such as health services, long-term care administration, public health, public administration, or business administration.

Career #3: Childcare Worker

Find Degree Programs

Median
annual wage*

$19,510

Bottom 10 percent of earners

$16,340

Top 10 percent of earners

$29,510

While this job may give you the chance to work with little ones, Besson says childcare workers are usually paid much less than they are worth. But don't worry. There is a logical career move if you enjoy working with children, adds Besson.

Higher-Paying Alternative: Kindergarten Teacher

Find Degree Programs

Median
annual wage*

$50,120

Bottom 10 percent of earners

$32,450

Top 10 percent of earners

$78,230

Life as a kindergarten teacher would still be filled with children, but you'll be better compensated for your efforts."Kindergarten teachers typically work for institutions whose compensation structure is substantially better," says Besson. "One reason the income differs is the qualifications for the two positions. Kindergarten teachers must have specific educational credentials, while childcare workers may have very few."
Next step: Click to Find the Right K-12 Program.
Life on the Job: Kindergarten teachers teach younger students subjects like reading and math to prepare them for future school, says the U.S. Department of Labor.
Education Requirements: All states require public kindergarten school teachers to have at least a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, in addition to being licensed, reports the Department of Labor.

Career #4: File Clerk

Median
annual wage*

$26,190

Bottom 10 percent of earners

$17,930

Top 10 percent of earners

$41,230

Unfortunately this profession has a dismal future, as technology now performs most of the same work as file clerks did in the past, says Besson. But fear not: There is an alternative profession that could use your talents.

Higher-Paying Alternative: Paralegal

Find Degree Programs

Median
annual wage*

$46,990

Bottom 10 percent of earners

$29,420

Top 10 percent of earners

$75,410

Besson says pay is higher for a paralegal than a file clerk, because the career requires specific credentials to qualify for the work, which entails more than organizing files.
For one, this job is highly valued because "a great paralegal is an attorney's most important asset," says Besson. "He can do many things a lawyer can, which frees up time for his boss to handle those activities only JDs are qualified to address."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Paralegal Program.
Life on the Job: Paralegals perform a variety of tasks to support lawyers, like organizing files, and conducting research of legal issues, the U.S. Department of Labor says.
Education Requirements: Most of these professionals have an associate's degree in paralegal studies or a bachelor's degree in another major and a certificate in paralegal studies, says the Department of Labor.

Career #5: Personal Care Aide

Median
annual wage*

$19,910

Bottom 10 percent of earners

$16,330

Top 10 percent of earners

$27,580

While this work is very important, it unfortunately offers little pay and advancement, says Robynn Anwar, a professor at Camden County College in Blackwood, New Jersey. What should you do instead, then? Try medical assisting, says Anwar.

Higher-Paying Alternative: Medical Assistant

Find Degree Programs

Median
annual wage*

$29,370

Bottom 10 percent of earners

$21,080

Top 10 percent of earners

$41,570

"Getting the training and earning the certification as a certified medical assistant would be a step forward in the health care field," says Anwar. "It would allow the person to become more marketable, because they would be trained, qualified, and certified with a universal credential that speaks to their capabilities."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Medical Assisting Program.
Life on the Job: Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks in medical offices, although their roles may vary with location, specialty, and size of the practice, the U.S. Department of Labor says.
Education Requirements: In most states, there are not any formal training requirements to pursue a career as a medical assistant, says the Department of Labor. Although, the Department does say employers may prefer candidates who graduate from a formal program. These programs could lead to a certificate, diploma, or an associate's degree.

Career #6: Computer Support Specialist

Find Degree Programs

Median
annual wage*

$46,420

Bottom 10 percent of earners

$27,620

Top 10 percent of earners

$77,430

If you feel connected to this technological line of work but want to see higher pay, there is a career leap you can make to significantly grow your salary.

Higher-Paying Alternative: Computer Programmer

Find Degree Programs

Median
annual wage*

$74,280

Bottom 10 percent of earners

$42,850

Top 10 percent of earners

$117,890

"Moving from computer support specialist to programmer, more commonly known as developer, is a frequent and logical career move," says Bob Makarowski, an instructor of technology programs at Baruch College in New York City.
Makarowski adds that "developer positions offer higher salaries, because there is a broader and more comprehensive level of organizational literacy needed in that position."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Computer Science Program.
Life on the Job: According to the U.S. Department of Labor, computer programmers write code to make software programs. Essentially, they take designs created by developers and turn it into language that a computer can read.
Education Requirements: Most of these professionals have a bachelor's degree, although some employers may hire applicants who have an associate's degree, says the Department of Labor. Programmers commonly major in computer science or a related subject.

The 7 hottest careers for college grads

Source: Yahoo

Are you a college student - or thinking about going back to school? You need to check out this list of the 7 hottest careers for college grads.

By Jennifer Berry

Would you pick your major more carefully if you knew certain fields of study could help you launch a hot career? If you answered "yes," than you should check out the recent UC San Diego Extension report, "Hot Careers For College Grads and Returning Students 2013," which is based on data from the U.S. Department of Labor. These hot careers were chosen because of their job growth, salary, and work environment - all important factors in building a satisfying professional life.
"All of these jobs are forecasted to be in high demand," says Chandlee Bryan, job search strategist and career coach at Best Fit Forward, a provider of career and consulting services. Combined with strong salaries and a good work environment, it's easy to see why these careers made the "hot" list.
"A simple recipe to increase your odds of finding good employment is to pursue a career where there are fewer potential employees than there are number of jobs," Bryan adds. "All of these positions fall into that category."
So if you can find a line of work that interests you on this list, it might be a career well worth considering. Keep reading to learn about the seven hottest careers to begin preparing for today.

Career #1 - Software Developers, Applications and Systems Software (tie)*

Find Degree Programs Are you ready to combine your creativity and technical know-how to help make things easier, more fun, or more efficient for people and businesses? Consider pursuing a career as a software developer - the number one career in the UC San Diego Extension's report on the hottest careers for college grads.
The Hot Factor: According to the report, the integration of technology into our daily lives - from personal computers to cars to smartphones, "has created an ongoing critical shortage of qualified software developers to design, develop, test, document, and maintain the complex programs that run on these hardware platforms."
In other words, the demand for software developers is and will continue to be intense. Take a minute to think about all the software you interact with every day, and you'll start to understand why.
"Our society runs on devices that are programmed via software - from apps we use to check the weather and news to word processing, spreadsheets, manufacturing production, barcode scanners, and CGI video production," says Bryan. She adds while there's a very high demand for coders, there aren't a lot of people who have the necessary skills to fill these positions.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Programming and Software Program.
What Would I Do In This Job? Your job could vary from designing a specific application to developing the underlying systems that run devices or control networks, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
How Can I Prepare For This Career? Think you'd make a great software developer? You'll usually need a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, mathematics, or a related field as well as strong programming skills to pursue this career, the Department of Labor notes.

Career #2 - Market Research Analyst

Find Degree Programs What good is a great product if it never reaches its intended market? That question is at the heart of what lands this job on the list of hottest careers for college grads.
The Hot Factor: Market research analyst jobs have exploded in every sector of the economy, according to the UC San Diego Extension report. This has created a high demand for those who can access, analyze, and extract meaningful, actionable, and tactical implications from a sea of data.
Why? Almost everyone needs them. "Every company with a product or service to offer can benefit from a trained market research analyst to decipher what their consumers want and how to market products and services to them," says Brie Reynolds, director of online content for FlexJobs, a source for flexible, telecommuting jobs.
And their efforts aren't in vain. "When products are released without the help of market research analysts, there's a bigger chance that the product will flop or fail," Bryan explains.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Marketing Program.
What Would I Do In This Job? You might forecast marketing and sales trends, gather data about consumers, and measure the effectiveness of marketing strategies, the U.S. Department of Labor says.
How Can I Prepare For This Career? You'll typically need a bachelor's degree in market research or a related field like statistics, math, computer science, business administration, one of the social sciences, or communications to get started, says the Department of Labor.

Career #3 - Accountant and Auditor

Find Degree Programs When you hear "accountant" do you picture a simple bookkeeper just scraping by? Think again. Today, "accountant and auditor" ranks third on the list of hottest careers.
The Hot Factor: Accountants and auditors earned their spot on the hot careers list, because of the sheer demand for accounting jobs, the report says. In 2010, more than 1 million people were employed as accountants and auditors, and that number is expected to grow at a healthy rate of 16 percent by 2020. The report also states that in the last three years, the mean annual salary for accounting and audit careers has increased by nearly $10,000 to $71,040. Why the demand for more accountants and auditors?
"Firms got lean during the recession. Now everyone is rebuilding capacity," says Philip Reckers, director of the School of Accountancy at the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. "Investors are demanding more information. More accountants are needed to meet this appetite, and more auditors are needed to give users assurance that the information is reliable."
Want another way to look at this? "Every industry uses money and systems," as Steve Langerud, workplace expert and principal consultant in the LiSTRA company, a boutique business transition firm, notes. "Accountants and auditors drive the systems."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Accounting Program.
What Would I Do In This Job? According to the U.S. Department of Labor, you might compute taxes owed, prepare tax returns, and help companies improve profits.
How Can I Prepare For This Career? To get started in this field, you'll need at least a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field for most positions, according to the Department of Labor. Some employers prefer candidates with master's degrees in accounting or business administration with a concentration in accounting.

Career #4 - Network and Computer Systems Administrator

Find Degree Programs Technology plays an increasingly vital role in our society - one reason why network and computer systems administrator ranks fourth on the list of hottest careers for college grads.
The Hot Factor: What landed this career on the list? "A mean annual salary of $76,320 paired with a projected growth rate of 28 percent by 2020," the report says. It explains that our increasing reliance on technology will generate a strong demand for systems administrators well into the future. Why?
"Have you ever worked in an environment where the [computer] system didn't work? Enough said. If the system doesn't function well or goes down, it comes at the cost of service and productivity," says Langerud. "Time down is money lost. So good administrators are worth every penny they get paid."
And as far as the future goes? "It's pretty safe to assume that reliance on technology is only going to increase in all businesses and organizations in the foreseeable future, so this is a career field with a lot of opportunity for college grads," says Reynolds.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Computer Science Program.
What Would I Do In This Job? According to the U.S. Department of Labor, you might install and upgrade network hardware and software, train users, and solve problems quickly when there's an issue.
How Can I Prepare For This Career? To get started in this field, you'll often need a bachelor's degree in a field related to computer or information science, according to the Department of Labor. Degrees in computer engineering or electrical engineering are also usually acceptable.

Career #5 - Elementary School Teacher (excluding special education)

Find Degree Programs Some careers are jobs, others are callings. Elementary school teacher could easily fall into the latter category, since many in this profession have a passion for shaping young minds. So even without a high salary, it lands on the list of the hottest careers.
The Hot Factor: According to the UCSD Extension report, elementary school teachers outnumber any other single occupation nationally, and a teaching career path tends to offer a form of stability that is relatively rare in other fields of pursuit. Yes, the mean annual salary at $56,130, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, is lower than other careers listed in the report. But, the report goes on to note, "for those who have the patience, passion, and persistence... educating children in the elementary grades can prove a challenging, creative, and rewarding career."
There are other benefits which might make this an attractive choice for some. "Not only do traditional schools offer flexible schedules and the coveted ‘summers off' for teachers, but there are now virtual schools hiring certified teachers to teach students online," says Reynolds. With these new technological developments, she adds, this career offers even more flexibility for college grads who want to work from home while pursuing this fulfilling career.
Next step: Click to Find the Right K-12 Education Program.
What Would I Do In This Job? As an elementary school teacher, your day might include planning and teaching lessons, grading homework, and talking with parents about their child's progress.
How Can I Prepare For This Career? To pursue an elementary school teaching position in a public school, you must have a bachelor's degree in elementary education, the U.S. Department of Labor notes. Your state might also require you to major in a content area or to earn a master's degree after receiving your teaching certification.

Career #6 - Computer Systems Analyst

Find Degree Programs Yes - another computer career. The prevalence of technology in our society helped put computer systems analyst on the list of hottest careers for college grads.
The Hot Factor: Computer systems analysts scored strongly in every category of hot careers evaluation, from growth to salary, the report states. This career is projected to grow in demand by 22 percent by 2020. And with a mean annual salary of $83,800, it is one of the most lucrative jobs on the list.
Once you understand everything that computer systems analysts do, it makes sense that they pull in decent salaries. "Computer systems analysts help companies to sort out what computer systems will make them as efficient and productive as possible," says Reynolds.
So, in addition to being technically savvy, computer systems analysts must be good communicators. "This is a great career for someone with both technical and people skills, because computer systems analysts are the go-between for IT and management," Reynolds adds. "College grads who can excel in both these areas will have lots of opportunities to choose from."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Computer Science Program.
What Would I Do In This Job? According to the U.S. Department of Labor, your day might include installing and testing new systems, training users, and writing instruction manuals if needed.
How Can I Prepare For This Career? Computer systems analysts commonly have a bachelor's degree in a computer or information science, the Department of Labor notes. Some employers hire analysts with business or liberal arts degrees who have the skills to write computer programs.

Career #7 - Management Analyst

Find Degree Programs All sorts of companies are looking for big picture thinkers to help them run more smoothly and profitably - one of the reasons why management analyst ranks seventh on the list of hottest careers.
The Hot Factor: All industries - including government and not-for-profit organizations - need management analysts to operate efficiently, according to the UC San Diego Extension report. "Utilization of management consultants has been growing [since the global economic recession], and demand for these professionals is projected to continue to grow by 22 percent by 2020. The mean annual salary for management consultants is $88,070."
There's a reason they are in such high demand. "Management analysts help improve operational efficiency which cuts an organization's operating costs and allows them to be more productive. This is a high-demand field because most businesses want to save money and produce more," Bryan explains.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Business Program.
What Would I Do In This Job? Well, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, you might offer advice to make companies more profitable, recommend new procedures, and analyze financial data.
How Can I Prepare For This Career? You'll typically be required to have a bachelor's degree for an entry-level position, the Department of Labor states. Many fields of study may help you prepare to pursue this career, including business, management, accounting, marketing, economics, statistics, computer and information science, and engineering. However, the Department also notes that some employers prefer to hire candidates with a master's degree in business administration (MBA).