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The Most Underrated In-Demand Skill Employers Want

The Most Underrated Skill

Employers across the board demand this underrated skill.

By Terence Loose
Are you under the impression that earning a college degree is fairly straightforward? Go to class. Take a test. Write an essay. Repeat. Well, think again.
Truth be told, not all college majors are created equal. The most important lessons in school go beyond what you'd learn from filling out bubbles on a multiple-choice test. And the best college degrees should help you build real world skills that future employers want, says Jillian Kinzie, associate director of the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) Institute, a higher education research organization.
You might even be able to guess some of those in-demand skills - strong writing, problem-solving, and complex thinking abilities. But one that's probably not on your radar: quantitative reasoning.
"It's the ability to understand and use statistical information," says Kinzie, who coauthored the NSSE's 2013 report, "A Fresh Look at Student Engagement." The report found that regardless of careers, employers demand quantitative skills from college graduates. However, about only one-third of college graduates demonstrated proficiency in quantitative literacy, according to a 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy.
Thankfully, you don't need to be a math major to refine this essential skill. According to Kinzie, many fields of study teach the ability to take quantitative data and use it to come to solid conclusions. Some real-world applications include determining how to market a product better, build a better iPhone app, or make better sales projections.
"It's a skill that everyone needs these days. There isn't a major I can think of, even arts majors, that don't need to have some quantitative understanding," Kinzie says.
There are some majors, however, that help students build this skill better than others. So we spoke to Kinzie about degrees that might teach this in-demand skill.

Bachelor's Degree #1: Computer Science

When working with computers, speaking their language - of numbers and data - is essential. So it makes sense that this tech degree is heavy on quantitative reasoning.
The Hot Skill Factor: Quantitative reasoning is vital for computer science students, says Kinzie, because in the real world, workarounds will not get the job done, impress employers, or advance careers in technology fields. "These fields require creative problem solving, often based on quantitative data, and that's what's often required in the professions the degree leads to," she says.
Possible Careers:*

Bachelor's Degree #2: Finance

This major involves learning how to make financial decisions. And when lots of money is at stake, one of the most solid problem-solving methods is to use quantitative reasoning.
The Hot Skill Factor: The world of finance has changed and now requires the ability to respond to complex, ever-changing global situations. Finding solutions in finance usually involves making sophisticated calculations and using complicated financial instruments that demand quantitative literacy, says Kinzie.
Possible Careers:*

Bachelor's Degree #3: Engineering

Let's put it this way: You're not going to find the load strength of a structure by analyzing a poem. But as an engineering major, you may use quantitative reasoning to solve practical problems and create everything from bridges to electronics.
The Hot Skill Factor: "This major has carefully crafted assignments and projects that invite students to use and rely on numerical information," says Kinzie. They mirror the real world situations that engineers face, she explains.
"So, by the time they graduate, they're very comfortable with using that reasoning in new and different applications," she says. For employers, she adds, that's extremely important.
Possible Careers:*

Bachelor's Degree #4: Mathematics

Have you ever wondered how often you'd need math in real life? Well, this major does have a place in the real world and in the job market.
The Hot Skill Factor: "I think math has gotten a bad rap. It's not just about solving complex equations and crunching numbers in a dry, purely theoretical way," says Kinzie. She says that math has very meaningful real world applications.
"The strong quantitative reasoning skills a concentration in math gives students is applicable in so many fields and is a very marketable skill set," she says.
Possible Careers:*
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Personal Financial Advisor

Bachelor's Degree #5: Business

In business, the bottom line is everything. And if you major in business, you may learn how to work toward that goal through quantitative reasoning - again, the ability to understand, use, and apply statistical information.
The Hot Skill Factor: "Business majors use quantitative reasoning constantly to come up with solutions to everyday problems that happen in the real world of business," says Kinzie.
You could apply this skill to various areas - marketing with data on customer trends, accounting with cost and profit analysis, or even management with growth projections, she explains.
Possible Careers:*

Six Careers With Six Figure Potential

Six-Figure Jobs

You could make more than just a decent living in these high-paying careers...

By Sarita Harbour
So you want to make top dollar doing something you love? You're not alone.
The good news is that there are quite a few opportunities out there with six-figure earning potential. But here's a dose of reality: Those extra zeros in your paycheck won't appear overnight and will depend on a variety of factors like locale and level of experience.
Of course every goal must have its starting point. Joining a company with high integrity, an excellent reputation, and potential for growth is a good place to start, says Michael Provitera, author of the book "Mastering Self-Motivation: Preparing Yourself for Personal Excellence."
"The key is to make two or three moves in your industry, either up the ranks in your current position or to jump ship and join a new company," Provitera says. Other significant factors in earning a hefty salary include your network of contacts and your job performance, he adds.
Are you ready to learn more about careers with $100K earning potential? We've compiled details on six careers where top earners have median annual salaries in the six-figures. Keep reading to learn more.

Career #1: Human Resources Manager

Top 10 Percent of Earners*
More than $173,140
Median Annual Salary*
$99,720
Bottom 10 Percent of Earners*
Less than $59,020
If you've got a combination of people skills and business savvy, then a career as a human resources (HR) manager could be your dream job. Those in this role may generally direct recruiting, interviewing, and hiring efforts, says the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why It Tends to Pay: The higher pay in this career is due to the strategic role human resources managers play in organizations, says Provitera. They tend to advise and collaborate with chief executive officers and other senior managers to ensure that business strategies are successful, he explains.
Provitera adds that the best way to reach a six figure salary as a human resources manager is to join a large company that needs organizational development and change.
How to Prepare: Consider earning a bachelor's degree in human resources or business administration. According to the Department of Labor, one of those degrees, combined with several years of related work experience, are needed for this position. Some higher-level positions require a master's degree in human resources, business administration, or labor relations, says the Department.

Career #2: Art Director

Top 10 Percent of Earners*
More than $162,800
Median Annual Salary*
$80,880
Bottom 10 Percent of Earners*
Less than $43,870
If life as a starving artist doesn't appeal to you, then consider applying your creativity in a career as an art director. As an art director, your responsibilities may include overseeing the visual style and images in newspapers, packaging, and movie and television productions, notes the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why It Tends to Pay: Art directors can work in a variety of settings and for diverse clients, notes the Department of Labor.
But the one constant is that their skills have the potential to pay off - in any medium. They have the ability to command high salaries, because they possess a great eye for design plus business smarts, says Provitera.
He also offers a few words of advice: Compile a list of clients that you have served and the art that you recommended to them in order to show the value of your advice and knowledge.
How to Prepare: You will need at least a bachelor's degree in an art or design subject along with work experience in an art or design occupation, says the Department of Labor. In fact, many art directors start out as graphic, industrial, and set designers, and usually have earned a bachelor of arts or bachelor of fine arts.

Career #3: Medical and Health Services Manager

Top 10 Percent of Earners*
More than $150,560
Median Annual Salary*
$88,500
Bottom 10 Percent of Earners*
Less than $53,940
If you're keen on working in the health care field but not on the front lines with patients, consider a career as a medical and health services manager. Also known as health care executives or health care administrators, these managers organize and plan medical and health services, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why It Tends to Pay: Provitera says that medical and health services managers earn high incomes because of the growing demand for health care. That demand, according to the Department of Labor, is due to the aging baby-boomer population who will need medical services.
Medical health services managers are so highly valued because physicians place a great deal of reliance on them to coordinate and help treat the increased amount of people seeking health care, says Provitera.
How to Prepare: Look into earning a bachelor's degree or a master's. According to the Department, prospective health care executives should have a bachelor's in health services. Master's degrees in fields such as health services, public health, public administration, long-term care administration, and business administration are also common.

Career #4: Computer Systems Analyst

Top 10 Percent of Earners*
More than $122,090
Median Annual Salary*
$79,680
Bottom 10 Percent of Earners*
Less than $49,950
Your tech skills could translate well in a career as a computer systems analyst. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, these analysts use their understanding of business and information technology to improve current computer systems and procedures.
Why It Tends to Pay: "Computer systems analysts have such high earning potential, because they maintain the safety, security, and [performance] of the computer networks," Provitera says.
And since this field is constantly changing, the best paid professionals in this industry must continually learn and grow. "[You must] never let your skills become obsolete in a rapidly changing computer environment," he explains.
How to Prepare: While a bachelor's degree in a computer or information science-subject is common among computer systems analysts, according to the Department of Labor, it may not always be required. Some may hire those with business or liberal arts degrees and computer and IT skills, while others may prefer to hire applicants with a master's in business administration with a concentration in information systems.

Career #5: Accountant and Auditor

Top 10 Percent of Earners*
More than $111,510
Median Annual Salary*
$63,550
Bottom 10 Percent of Earners*
Less than $39,930
Have a love for numbers and money? If so, a career as an accountant or auditor may fit the bill. In this type of role, you might spend your days preparing and studying financial records for accuracy and to ensure taxes are correct and on time, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why It Tends to Pay: Accountants and auditors know how and why numbers change and are able to predict future changes - making them valuable assets to employers, says Provitera.
Even more importantly, these professionals are responsible for presenting the bottom line. They establish important processes and ensure that a company is accurately reporting its revenue, which is essential for any business, he adds.
How to Prepare: Consider earning your bachelor's degree in accounting or a related area. According to the Department of Labor, that's what most positions require. Some employers may prefer those with a master's in accounting or business administration and an accounting specialization.

Career #6: Public Relations Specialist

Top 10 Percent of Earners*
More than $101,030
Median Annual Salary*
$54,170
Bottom 10 Percent of Earners*
Less than $30,760
Don't mind taking center stage or hobnobbing for a living? Well then a job as a public relations specialist could be the perfect career match. In this career, you might develop and maintain a positive public image for your employer or client, says the U.S. Department of Labor. Your workday may include writing material for media releases, helping your client communicate with the public, or evaluating advertising and promotion programs.
Why It Tends to Pay: Public relations specialists are well-compensated for protecting the image of the people and organizations that employ them, says Provitera.
And as with any client-based profession, it pays off to build an established track record and well-recognized reputation for success yourself, he adds.
How to Prepare: Typically, you would need a bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, business, journalism, or English to pursue this career, according to the Department of Labor.

How to survive a bad review or termination



Receiving a bad performance review or leaving a job on bad terms is a low point in anybody's career. However, by no means is your professional life tarnished. In fact, it can even be an opportunity to grow. While the circumstances of a bad review or termination can vary, how you react to either situation is key.
Read on to find out how to make the best of a bad review or how to address a bad termination in your job search.


In a bad review, get specific
If you find yourself in a review gone bad, it can be tempting to get emotional, defensive, angry or embarrassed. However, keeping your cool and remembering the purpose of a review is the first step down a path to improvement. "The focus of any evaluation should be feedback: telling employees what they do well and highlighting areas that need improvement," says Timothy G. Wiedman, associate professor of management and human resources at Doane College in Crete, Neb.

Instead of putting up a wall between you and your manager, participate in the review and try to get specifics about where the problem is and what needs to change. "For example, if an employee is told that his or her research reports are substandard, what does that really mean?" Wiedman says. "Is it a problem with the data collection or the spreadsheets, charts and graphs included in the report? Or is it a poorly written narrative that is full of grammatical errors, making it difficult to understand the implications of the analytical information?"
The key to recovering from a bad review is to show the employer that you understand his criticism and you're going to take action. "When the employee participates in the discussion during the evaluation, it indicates that he or she wants to make the effort to fix the problem," Wiedman says. "And since most good bosses are problem solvers, they will support an employee who is committed to improvement. But that employee must then demonstrate a genuine commitment to a workable improvement strategy. Just talking about improvement will not cut it."


After a bad termination, do damage control
While a poor review is enough to cause concern, leaving a job on bad terms can be problematic for your career if you don't take steps to remedy the situation. Whether you were completely to blame for the bad split or you believe your boss was, it's best not to rehash the dirty details in a job interview. Instead, address the issues in a professional, matter-of-fact way, focusing on your interest in the position and why you're a good fit.

"A multi-reason explanation is always best [when discussing why you left]," says Roy Cohen, career coach and author of "The Wall Street Professional's Survival Guide." "If one idea doesn't resonate, it is likely another will." Cohen suggests attributing your exit to a number of factors, such as preferring a better commute, looking for a role with expanded responsibilities and moving on after cuts to budgets and headcount. It's important to remain truthful, since references give employers the means to catch you in a lie. But keeping the conversation focused on the future instead of the past shows the employer that you're ready to move forward.
For instance, if a bad break-up with an employer is brought up through references or in the interview, demonstrate that you've moved on, learned from the situation and aren't bringing baggage to the new position. Cohen recommends this response: "'Yes, she is a tough boss but I learned a lot from her -- about setting and meeting exacting standards, working under pressure and following up. I learned from her that the devil is in the details. Those lessons were invaluable and I'm grateful for them.'"
Neither employees nor employers like to dwell on negative performance reviews or an uncomfortable termination. By making it clear that you understood the circumstances and have made efforts to improve, you're signaling to employers that you can take criticism well and you can grow in a role and make the needs of the business a priority.