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Personality Types Fit For High-Powered Careers


Personality Types Fit for High-Power Jobs

Certain personality types are a better fit for high-powered careers - find out what career may suit your style.

By Lia Sestric
When you see people in positions of power, do you ever wonder whether or not they have anything in common? Beyond education, knowledge, and experience, there could be another factor at work.
To an extent, the qualities of your personality can determine how satisfied you may be in your career. Just ask Erin Nichole Smith, a success coach for the National Society of Leadership and Success.
"Understanding what environments your personality is more predisposed to thrive in may help provide important insights," she explains. Discovering your personality type could help you tap into your passion and cultivate lasting satisfaction in your work, says Smith.
We have come up with some common traits of six high-powered careers based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test (MBTI). This test divides personalities into 16 types, but it is really the combination of four main categories that creates four letter codes.
  1. Extroversion (E)/Introversion (I)
  2. Sensing(S)/Intuition (I)
  3. Thinking (T)/Feeling (F)
  4. Judging (J)/Perceiving (P)
Dr. Carole Stovall, a psychologist and the CEO of SLS Global Assess, an online test site that offers the MBTI test, says the test does not necessarily measure one’s success in a given career but rather helps determine the best fit for your persona.
Of course, there is more than one personality type that could fit these careers, but here are a few examples of some good matches according to our career and personality experts. Also, it may take years of experience in order to reach these high-powered careers, but you could take steps toward these careers today. Keep reading if you’re ready to find out which career could best suit your personality and empower you, too.

Career #1: Financial Manager

Personality Match: The Duty Fulfiller (ISTJ)
If your personality type reveals that you are dependable, orderly, and logical, such as an ISTJ, a high-power career as a financial manager might be one you may want to consider.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, financial managers help keep an organization in good financial standing. It is their responsibility to produce reports, coordinate investments, and strategize how to help reach financial goals.
Why It's A Match: "You want someone who is good with handling money as well as thinking with that money," says Stovall. "An ISTJ-type person likes structure, details, and they like a world that is pretty predictable. They’re also very big planners and that’s very important in terms of being a financial manager."
Education: To pursue a financial manager career, you usually need at least a bachelor’s degree and five years of experience in another business or financial occupation such as loan officer or accountant, says the Department of Labor. The minimum education for this job is a bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, business administration, or accounting. The Department also says many companies often now seek applicants with a master’s degree, preferably in business administration, economics, or finance.

Career # 2: Public Relations Manager

Personality Match: The Doer (ESTP)
Are you a creative thinker and a solid communicator? Would others describe you as friendly, action-oriented, and persuasive? An influential career as a public relations manager sounds like it’s written all over you.
Public relations managers and specialists strive to keep a positive persona of their employer or client with the public, according the U.S. Department of Labor. Their key responsibilities include writing press releases, coordinating and evaluating public relations campaigns, and raising funds for their company.
Why It's A Match: Smith says ESTP is a good fit, because "they are often ‘the doers’ and their ability to calmly respond to and solve pressing problems inspires confidence and helps to persuade others."
Education: A bachelor’s degree in public relations, journalism, English, business, or communications is typically a requirement, says the Department of Labor. Some companies prefer a master’s degree in public relations or journalism.

Career # 3: Medical or Health Services Manager

Personality Match:The Duty Fulfiller (ISTJ) or The Guardian (ESTJ)
Are you keen on being organized and getting the job done right? Are you best described as hardworking and practical? Whether you’re introverted or extroverted, you could do well in the important career of medical or health services manager.
As the U.S. Department of Labor notes, these professionals work closely with medical staff in the planning and delivery of health care. Their job involves creating work schedules, managing a facility's finances, and keeping up-to-date on new laws and regulations. Heath care service managers may work in the offices of hospitals, nursing homes, or group medical practices, adds the Department of Labor.
Why It's A Match: Stovall says there are many personalities that are suitable for this high-power career path depending on their reasons for entering the profession. "If they enter health care to make money and are interested in the business, they could easily be I/ESTJ! Their type could be more similar to a business executive."
Education: Most medical or health services managers need at minimum a bachelor's degree in health administration to enter the profession, says the Department. Master’s degrees in health services, long-term care administration, public health, public administration, or business administration are also common.

Career #4: Construction Manager

Personality Match: The Mechanic (ISTP)
Are you more hands-on in nature and a methodical thinker? Do you find yourself interested in the way things work? Then a powerful career as a construction manager may be right up your alley.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, construction managers oversee construction projects from early development to completion, as well as coordinate the plans and the budget.
Why It's A Match: "A career in construction management is a good fit for ISTP personality types," says Smith. "As ‘The Mechanics,’ ISTPs are at their best when they take on tasks that require immediate action. ISTPs can stay calm under pressure and focus attention on the most pressing issues at hand."
Education: Employers increasingly prefer applicants with a combination of work experience and a bachelor's degree in a construction-related field, such as architecture, engineering, construction management, or construction science, says the Department of Labor. However, for some positions,  an associate's degree with relevant work experience is enough.

Career # 5: Human Resources Manager

Personality Match: The Caregiver (ESFJ)
Are you loyal, dependable, and sensitive to the needs of others? A career as a human resources manager might be suitable for you and also give you the responsibility you're seeking.
What are the responsibilities of this high-power position? Human resources managers coordinate everything from employee relations to payroll and benefits, says the U.S. Department of Labor. They often oversee recruiting, interviewing, and hiring of new employees, as well as act as a liaison between management and its employees.
Why It's A Match: Stovall says ESFJ "is somebody who needs to be good at understanding and working with people." She adds that human resources managers must value people, and ESFJs fit that bill.
Education: The Department of Labor says that most employers prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree in human resources, business, or a related field.

Career #6: Marketing Manager

Personality Match: The Guardian (ESTJ)
Are your strong points in leadership and organization? If you also have a creative eye and commonly make decisions on logic rather than emotion, you may want to look at the high-powered career of marketing manager.
Marketing managers monitor trends and markets to predict demands for goods and services that a business and its competitors offer, notes the U.S. Department of Labor. They also develop pricing strategies to help companies maximize profits while ensuring customer satisfaction.
These professionals may also be responsible for creating price plans to help maximize a company’s bottom dollar while meeting expectations of their customers, says the Department of Labor.
Why It's A Match: Stovall says ESTJs would be well-suited to marketing manager positions, because ESTJs are natural managers and leaders. She adds, however, that "you could have some sales people who are ESTP who work their way through the company and end up managing people." 
Education: The Department of Labor says most marketing manager positions require a bachelor’s degree. Courses in business law, management, economics, accounting, finance, mathematics, and statistics are useful in this field.

Associate's and Master's Degrees That Could Pay You Back

Degrees With Payoff Potential

The right associate's or master's degree could pay you back in time and in marketable skills to boost your career.

By Amy Howell Hirt
School is a huge investment of time and money, not to mention the sweat and tears. But what if you could cut your time invested in half, while still setting yourself up to reap financial benefits?
While not all degrees will deliver on both fronts, there are several programs that could take as little as two years and give you a leg up on pursuing a career that pays well. Whether you are ready to change jobs or go after that promotion, these associate's and master's degrees offer valuable skills in a reasonable timeline.
Keep reading to learn about seven programs that could pay off big down the road.

Degree #1: Associate's in Nursing

Looking for a degree that could offer rewards in more ways than one? In as little as two years, an associate's in nursing could prepare you to go after a high-paying career in nursing.
As for what you'll study in a nursing program, the College Board, a non-profit organization that promotes higher education, says you might take courses like pathophysiology, anatomy and physiology, and pharmacology. You'll also learn how to examine patients and how to design a plan of care.
Payback Potential*: Beth Jorgensen, a career counselor with Talent Curve, a career and education guidance company, also sees value in this degree. Although she says some employers prefer four-year degrees, an associate's degree in nursing could help you land a high-wage nursing job because the field has more open positions than qualified applicants. And here's what it comes down to: "You have a better chance of getting a decent-paying job without experience," she says.
And according to the U.S. Department of Labor, in addition to a license, an associate's degree in nursing is one path to pursuing a career as a registered nurse.
But how big is the payback potential for this career? Well, according to the Department of Labor, registered nurses report a median annual salary of $65,470. The bottom 10 percent earn $45,040, and the top 10 percent earn $94,720.

Degree #2: Master's in Education Leadership

Already working in education and looking to move up - in salary and responsibility? A master's degree in education administration could help you reach that payoff - in as few as two years.
Educational administration majors learn how to serve as school principals and may take courses that focus on how to supervise teachers, according to the College Board. And that knowledge could provide an advantage if you're pursuing a high-paying management role like an elementary school principal.
Payback Potential: This degree is valuable to an employer because it signifies that you are prepared to handle the administrative duties of the role, Jorgensen says. What kind of role, exactly? Well, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, a master's degree in education administration or leadership is required of most elementary school principals.
The degree could also prepare you to handle a bigger paycheck. Education administrators see a median annual salary of $87,760, according to the Department of Labor. The top 10 percent earn $130,810, and the bottom 10 percent makes $58,530.

Degree #3: Master's in Counseling

If you love helping people work out their problems and have already received a bachelor's degree in psychology, this graduate degree could provide a stepping stone toward a higher-paying career.
In a counseling psychology program, your courses might cover topics such as child, marital, and family therapy, according to the College Board. You could also expect to learn how to provide counseling individually or in groups.
Payback Potential: As for employers, this degree is attractive for the occupation-specific training it offers, Jorgensen says. What kind of occupations? According to the U.S. Department of Labor, a master's degree in counseling or marriage and family therapy is required to practice as - you guessed it - a marriage and family therapist. A state license is also needed.
And what does the ultimate payoff look like? Marriage and family therapists take home a median annual salary of $46,670, according to the Department of Labor. The top 10 percent make $75,120, while the bottom 10 percent make $25,540.

Degree #4: Associate's in Dental Hygiene

If you're a detail-oriented people-person, this degree could help you pursue a high-paying gig where you can put those traits to work - on teeth. The best part? You could pick up this degree in as few as two years.
In an associate's program in dental hygiene, you could learn how to care for teeth and gums and how to treat tooth decay and oral disease, according to the College Board.
Payback Potential: Employers value the knowledge that the degree provides, but also the hands-on experience that most programs include, Jorgensen says. And armed with that knowledge and experience, you could be ready to pursue a career as a dental hygienist. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, dental hygienists typically need an associate's degree in dental hygiene, in addition to being required to have state licensure.
As for monetary payoff, the median annual salary of dental hygienists is $70,210, according to the Department. The top 10 percent make $96,280, while the bottom 10 percent make $46,540.

Degree #5: Associate's in Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Would you like to find a way to help people, and maybe help out your checkbook at the same time? An associate's degree in diagnostic medical sonography could point you in the right direction - all in as few as two years.
Common courses include medical terminology, abdominal and obstetrical sonography, and ultrasound physics, according to the College Board.
Payback Potential: Because this is a technical, machinery-focused occupation, employers value the degree's job-specific training, Jorgensen says. And according to the U.S. Department of Labor, formal education, such as an associate's degree or postsecondary certificate, is needed to pursue this career. Most employers prefer those with professional certification as well.
But the formal education could be worth it. Diagnostic medical sonographers report a median annual salary of $65,860, according to the Department of Labor. The top 10 percent make $91,070, while the bottom 10 percent make $44,990.

Degree #6: Associate's in Health Information Technology

Looking for a new career with payoff potential and a bright future? An associate's degree in health information technology could get you on your way by prepping you to pursue a good-paying field that's in its infancy.
In this program, you might take courses like introduction to coding, health care statistics, medical terminology, and computers in health care, according to the College Board.
Payback Potential: This degree is valuable to hospitals and other health care facilities simply because the field is so new, Jorgensen says. Which means the degree can make up for the lack of experience that's common among applicants, she adds.
More specifically, this degree might prepare you to pursue a career in the field as a medical records and health information technician. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, these professionals are usually required to have certification, although an associate's degree may also be acceptable.
The payback potential looks strong, too. Health information technicians see a median annual salary of $34,160, according to the Department of Labor. The top 10 percent make $56,200, while the bottom 10 percent make $22,250.

Degree #7: Master's in Business Administration (MBA)

If you have your sights set on a lucrative career in business, spending a couple years pursuing a master's in business administration could make sense. And you may only need as few as two years to do it.
An MBA aims to provide a broad overview of the main areas of business and offers courses in management, finance, and decision sciences, according to the Princeton Review, an organization that provides testing resources for students applying to college and graduate school.
Payback Potential: Employers value an MBA because it provides knowledge of the broader business world, Jorgensen says. And with broader knowledge, comes broader opportunities. Financial analyst is just one of the positions that employers might expect an MBA to fill. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, financial analysts typically have a bachelor's degree, but employers often require an MBA or master's in finance.
And as for pay, financial analysts see a median annual salary of $76,950, according to the Department of Labor. The top 10 percent make $148,430, while the bottom 10 percent makes $47,130.

Hot Degrees To Earn In Your Spare Time


Hot flexible degrees

Does it seem impossible to squeeze classes into your busy schedule? Then these flexible degrees could be right for you.

By Lia Sestric
Has "earn a college degree" been written on your to-do list for quite some time? Well, you may be able to cross this off your list if you pursue a degree online.
But where should you start? Fortunately, Learning House released a survey, "Online College Students 2013," which breaks down the most popular online undergraduate degrees.
One of the key findings of this report? About two-thirds of the students who completed an online program thought it was a good investment of time and money.
If it's convenience you're after, online education can give you that. But it's important to note that online learning does require hard work and discipline and as a result, may not be for everyone.
If you're ready to make the leap to advance your education, keep reading to discover the hottest online degrees.

Online Degree #1: Business Administration

If you've considered a business administration degree, you are not alone. According to the "Online College Students" survey, business administration has the highest enrollment.
The Online Benefit: Michael Detzel, associate director of online initiatives at the College of Mount St. Joseph says pursuing a business degree online allows students to find a program "that fits individual desires and needs, without being limited to a small geographic area."
As Detzel notes, having access to unique concentrations that may not be offered at a local college could make you stand out from the pack when it comes to finding a job in the business field.  
As a business administration and management student, you may learn how to plan, organize, and direct the activities of an organization, says the College Board. Some common courses might include economics, management information systems, financial management, and business policy and strategy.
Potential Career*:

Online Degree #2: Accounting

If you already know math is your strong point, why not pursue a degree in accounting? By earning it online, you can balance your studies and your busy life.  Plus, you could see for yourself why it ranks number two in popularity among online undergraduate programs according to the "Online College Students" report.
The Online Benefit:  Detzel says accounting has always been a safe field to enter, but online learning has been tailored to fit the accounting world of today. 
"The days of the accountant with a calculator and notepad are in the past," he says. "Advanced accounting software, complex programs, and word processing are a few of the technologies modern accountants use on a daily basis.  Online classes emphasize and provide hands-on training in these computerized accounting applications, while still complementing the core accounting curriculum."
An accounting program teaches students to interpret and communicate information on how an individual or organization is performing financially, says the College Board. Classes for this degree might include multiple levels of accounting courses as well as business law and auditing.
Potential Career*:

Online Degree #3: Health Care Administration

Maybe you know you are not cut out to be a doctor. But if it is in your heart to pursue a career in health care, where you can still make a difference, why not consider an online degree in health services administration?
This degree is a popular choice to earn online, ranking number seven in the survey, and it can also fit into your busy schedule.
The Online Benefit: Detzel says an online health care administration program offers students a global perspective. Students of this online degree may also get a leg up in the profession, since they'll practice using software that's applied to real world situations in their field, he adds.
"Technology is essential to health care, from the computerization of health records to the myriad of health care software that is used in every medical office large and small," he says.
Students of health services administration could learn about the different responsibilities of overseeing health care facilities and the services they provide, says the College Board. Common courses include health care ethics, anatomy and physiology, statistics, and accounting.
Potential Career*:

Online Degree #4: Criminal Justice

Has a career in criminal justice always seemed exciting to you? You don't have to put that dream off any longer. An online criminal justice program could prep you for a career without giving up your current job. This degree ranked fourth in popularity for undergraduate degrees, according to the survey.
The Online Benefit: "Computers are playing a much larger role in criminal justice than ever before," says Detzel. As a result, many online courses teach students the computer skills and techniques to develop security systems, to compute and factor large quantities of data, and to protect companies who are finding it increasingly vital to do business online, he explains.
If you choose to pursue this degree, you may learn all aspects of the law, crime, and the justice system, says the College Board. In this program, you may interpret statistics and study court cases. The College Board reports that courses might include policing society, the U.S. criminal-justice system, and juvenile justice.
Potential Career*:

Online Degree #5: Early Childhood Education

Do you like the idea of lesson-planning and grading tests? If a degree in early childhood education has been on your radar but has seemed out of reach, an online program may be the right choice for you. According to the survey, early childhood education is the eleventh most popular online program. 
The Online Benefit: Detzel says early childhood education is very hot online right now because new technology allows for online simulations. "These simulations can play a key role in courses such as child psychology.  In these courses students can use the virtual simulations to experience situations and study reactions in ways they never ethically could before."
As an early childhood education student, you may learn how to create and manage a nurturing, safe classroom where every student thrives, says the College Board. Coursework may possibly include child development, curriculum methods, and instructional design.
Potential Career*:

Online Degree #6: Graphic Design

Can you picture yourself creating a trademark design? This vision doesn't have to feel like a pipe dream. An online graphic design program may provide you the knowledge you need without putting too much stress on your daily routine.  According to the survey, it also ranks seventh among the top 15 undergraduate online degrees.
The Online Benefit:  An online program can offer a student great professional experience, says Detzel. "The students actually find themselves immersed in the material they are studying.  This assists them in building technical skills, computer literacy, and to work on a daily basis with the technology they are learning in class," he says.
Also, Detzel points out that most graphic design firms are working with people from around the globe. "This means that the vast majority of communication will be done electronically.  Learning how to effectively communicate electronically with clients, both in expressing your ideas and providing feedback, is essential to success as a graphic designer," he adds.
In a graphic design program, you could learn about the principles of good design as well as the necessary computer skills to create the look for everything from books to websites, says the College Board. Courses might include Photoshop for designers, history of graphic design, and typography.
Potential Career*:

Online Degree #7: Psychology

Are you interested in a career where you can help people by listening to their thoughts, troubles, and feelings? A psychology degree can prep you for one of many careers where you can do just that. And if you can't get to a college campus, don't worry. You can earn this degree online. In fact, psychology ranked sixth in popularity in the survey of online undergraduate degrees.
The Online Benefit: Studying psychology online makes sense in a world where humans are interacting virtually more and more, says Detzel. "Students of psychology often learn the majority of the program basics through self-guided study and reading. This importance [placed] on literature and self-study in psychology lends itself perfectly to online education."
He adds that an online program offers the opportunity to study a specialized area within the field of psychology. This could include specializations such as industrial and organizational psychology, child development, or applied behavior analysis.
As a psychology major, you could explore human and animal behavior, says the College Board. Students might have to conduct research and maybe even be a guinea pig themselves. Some courses may include neuroscience, perception and sensation, and research methods in psychology.