Ten Jobs You Never Knew Existed
Don't be limited in your choice of major or career due to ignorance or a lack of information. Here are Ten Jobs You Never Knew Existed!
By Patricia Roy — November 11, 2022
When I was a kid, there was no "social media specialist" or a "UX writer" — jobs I might have been interested in if I had known they existed. Of course, these jobs did not exist in the "olden days,” but they do now. Do you know what they are? Don't be limited in your choice of major or career due to ignorance or a lack of information. Here are Ten Jobs You Never Knew Existed!
Health Administrator
Health care does not just happen. Delivering sound medical attention to patients requires both clinical workers — usually doctors and nurses — and support staff who handle the business side of our hospitals and clinics. Health admins handle budgets, staff, and project planning. Usually, these workers have a bachelor's degree, maybe a master's, in either health or business administration. Some of the larger employers may require candidates to have clinical experience, usually in nursing. Consider this role if you are organized, interested in health, and can handle numbers. Job growth for this occupation is at a whopping 28%. The median salary for this work is over 100K, with an entry-level salary from 70-90K.
Information Security Analyst
With industries conducting most business online, securing sensitive data created in those mediated environments is extremely important. This is an exciting field choice for anyone who loves working with computers and solving problems. To be successful in this role, you need to be able to be a divergent thinker as well as be precise with numbers. These workers may also be expected to guide other workers in a company to use technology safely and effectively. Some information security analysts have a bachelor's, but certification does not always require a degree. The median salary for this kind of position is about 102K.
Genetic Counselor
In this role, advances in medicine intersect with those in technology. Genetic counselors advise families about genetic illnesses, congenital disabilities, or inherited conditions. They also help families manage risks using the latest technologies. These workers usually have a master's degree in genetic counseling or a related field. Genetic counselors must be board certified. The median salary is around 80K.
Compliance Officer
In both industry and government, adherence to protocol and regulation improves efficiency and performance. Compliance officers help entities help keep everyone on track, and they get paid well. Median salaries vary from industry to industry and state to state, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics has good information here.
Environmental Science and Protection Technician
Compliance with environmental regulation is a special field and usually requires a bachelor's in environmental science or public health. The median salary for ESPTs is lower on this list, around 46K, partly due to the differences between the states. If you want a higher salary, seek to be employed by a state with environmental regulation.
Logistician
If you have seen empty shelves in stores or longer-than-expected wait times for deliveries lately, you have seen why logisticians are in high demand. These people follow and analyze supply chains for raw materials, commodities, products, inventory, and transportation. Business is booming for logisticians in all sectors. While this work can be demanding and high-stress, the median pay for logisticians is 77K. Jobs in this area can be attained after an associate's or bachelor's degree or through certification.
User Experience (UX/UI) Designer or Researcher
Design is not just about the look of a thing — it's also about usability. Have you ever visited a confusing website that did not work? That website probably could have benefited from better UX design. While software engineers write the code for all our technology, UX designers, writers, and researchers focus on how a person interacts with an app, game, or product. These "human factor engineers" design for human engagement. This differs from marketing research, which focuses on how best to sell the product. UX design and research seeks to understand and enable positive experiences with products.
The market is hot for this area as more and more of our lives involve app-mediated environments. The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook does not list UX design or research as a separate category (yet). Still, data for web developers and digital designers indicates high growth and salaries — generally over 80K. Getting into this field will require a bachelor's degree, but various degrees can prepare you for different strands within this field. For instance, social science majors or former educators might find UX research to be a rewarding application of their abilities using qualitative methods. English and communications majors will be drawn to the storytelling, copywriting, and user profile work. The user experience interface is best for workers with specific digital design experience.
Social Media Specialist
If you host a social media channel on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or other platforms, you may already have a skillset here. This job requires workers to be savvy with all the latest tech and conversant on social media trends. A bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, or English is usually required or helpful. While there is job growth in this area, you may find a lot of competition. However, the median income is about 56K, so recent college graduates with social media experts can make or exceed that amount not long into their careers, making social media specialists attractive jobs for young people.
Mental Health Provider
People are letting go of some of the social stigma associated with seeking mental health care. Likewise, insurance companies are starting to (finally) pay for some of these services, and this trend is likely to continue. While psychiatrists may need advanced degrees, licenses and certifications, the mental health field has entry points for workers with bachelor's degrees as well. The demand is high, especially in family and peer therapy, life coaching, and addiction services. The pay range goes from modest to high, with the best salaries going to top-notch psychiatrists, as much as 200K. However, if you are interested in substance abuse counseling, for example, there are loan forgiveness programs available just for this job.
Elder Care/In-home Health Care Provider
These are two separate areas, but both deal with taking care of the infirm or elderly. As the baby boomers retire, their large numbers (and relative wealth) will demand an increase in a wide range of health programs for senior citizens. All of us will age and need care, so this is an area of growth and security. As health care improves, people will live longer, requiring more care for longer. Some in-home healthcare providers work with non-elderly patients, but the aging demographic commands most of the market. Some personal care aide jobs do not require a degree and may earn below-average income as a result, but with degrees and certifications, there is room to grow as a professional in elder care.
When markets fluctuate, and economic uncertainty arises, your career path becomes a critical consideration, either by offering you the security to weather the storm or narrowing your options. Not only do you want to choose a calling that interests you and uses your talents, but you also want your job to exist ten or twenty years later. Moreover, to stay engaged and productive, expansion of the field or industry may be an important consideration.
What jobs are you interested in? Did you learn something new today? I hope so! As you can see, it helps you think strategically about your career.
Patricia Roy
Patricia Roy is a writer and professor who has helped students succeed for over 25 years. She started her career as a high school English teacher and then moved into higher education at Tuition Rewards member school, Lasell University in Newton, Massachusetts. Her practical guidance and enthusiasm motivate and inspire students to fearlessly explore their own passions. Professor Roy is also a freelance writer and published poet.
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