Many started the new year with a wish to seek a new career path and search for a more fulfilling job. The pandemic of last year impacted us all and got us thinking about what we really want to do. If this is you, then this article is for you. When looking for a career to pursue, salary should not be the only motivating factor, but understanding different careers and their remuneration is important. You might actually be surprised by some of the career opportunities available today.
In the digital age we are in now, traditional professions are being supplemented by strategic opportunities in a digital economy and the number of people working online continues to grow. There are many jobs to choose from when working online and building a professional career online has never been as easy as now, but one fact remains, traditional, off-line jobs pay better.
While we acknowledge that there are prestigious jobs like professional eSports stars who make hundreds of thousands of dollars every week online, our list will mostly be focusing on careers within jobs based on hard skills, rather than talent based careers.
Let’s look at some career options, online and traditional, that might be worth considering.
Online Webmasters & Content Writers
Online jobs used to give a supplementary income at the most but today you can easily work full-time from home and make a really good income as a Freelancer. The most successful example is from the e-commerce industry where many have found an extra income working for multi-language webshops. Especially in countries with newly developed digital landscapes like the Arab countries where online shopping is becoming popular, international webshops are dependent on employees with local knowledge. According to the Arabic job portal Earnonlinedaily.net, global businesses offer a very high salary to local employees with English, French or German language skills. There are lots of open positions and the jobs vary from being a webmaster, writing product descriptions or managing sales and customer support. These jobs usually don’t require any previous experience but you must have good communication skills and be able to work independently.
Software developers
Software developers design, create and maintain software programs such as mobile apps, secure online banking platforms, digital tools for e-commerce, and so much more. This job can be done online as a Freelancer or in-house, which often pays better. To become a software developer, you require a bachelors’ degree in computer science or any other IT-related degree. They have an average annual salary of $105,590.
Chief Executive Officers (CEO)
This job requires a lot of experience in managing business and good leadership skills. The work of a CEO is to give direction to a company, set goals, create policies and to take control of the corporate ship in the organization.
To get a job as a CEO, you will be required to have many years of work experience and a proven track record of success. Annually CEO’s take home approximately $184,460 and even more depending on the organization.
Physician assistant
Are you interested in healthcare but not medical school? You have the option of being a physician assistant. They are generally medical professionals who conduct physical exams, diagnose illnesses, give immunizations, educate patients and sometimes prescribe medication.
To be a physician assistant, you have to have a masters’ degree and a license. My PA Resource can help you prepare for your dream career. According to the US Bureau of labour statistics, a physician’s annual salary is $108,610.
Dentist
Dentists diagnose and treat problems related to a patient’s teeth, gums and other parts of the mouth. They work as part of a team that include dental hygienists, dental assistants and dental lab technicians. Dentists can also be categorized into general dentists and specialists such as prosthodontics, orthodontics or oral surgery. To become a specialist, you have to undergo more training and education. You also need an additional license and will earn more than a general dentist. Their average annual salary is $159,200 and $208,000 for specialists.
Airline Pilot
Airline pilots are not only responsible for flying planes but also ensuring that planes fly safely and smoothly. They submit flight plans, perform pre-flight aircraft checks and respond to all emergencies. This job is, however, not suitable for you if you have a fear of heights.
To become an airline pilot, you must have a bachelor’s degree and have the required license. They take home approximately $121, 430 annually. It is important to note that different airlines pay different amount of salaries.
Nurse Anesthetist
It is one of the highest paying master’s level jobs in 2021. Nurse anesthetists are advanced practice nurses who offer anesthetics treatment and care to patients before, during and after surgery.
The requirements to become a nurse anesthetist is obtaining a bachelor’s degree, a nursing license and a master’s in advanced nursing. You are also required to pass a national certification exam. Their average annual salary is $113,930
Neurosurgeon
It is one of the most demanding jobs that require a lot of training and education. Neurosurgeons diagnose and treat surgical disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system. A neurosurgeon’s average annual salary is $381,500.
Petroleum Engineers
This career is best for you if you have an interest in natural gases and oil. Petroleum engineers come up with the best methods to extract oil and gas. They also design and develop extraction equipment, formulate and implement drilling plans.
They use new technologies that ensure that the extraction happens in a safe and environmentally friendly way. To become a petroleum engineer, you need a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering. A strong understanding of science and mathematics is a plus. A petroleum engineer takes home an average salary of $137, 720 annually.
These are only a few suggestions, but there are many more careers to pursue in the modern economy, and new ones are surfacing with modernization. Most of the jobs here require years of studying but it’s an investment of a life-time!
