Entry-level jobs often leave you feeling like you're just clocking time. You don't feel challenged or like you're working up to your potential. When you first make the leap from college to the working world, it's a shock. Cost of living is up, and salaries haven't kept pace in a lot of industries. Maybe, it's time to take a look at your career path and choose a different avenue.
Industries to Watch
The Young Invincibles recently released a list of the top 25 careers for millennials, and some of the job titles might surprise you. What they all have in common is a median income of $75,000 or higher and expected growth rates well above average.
You can connect with some of these opportunities through staffing companies like The McIntyre Group, which prioritize people over data and help millennials find jobs in some of today's most in-demand industries. There are some great opportunities out there for Millennials, so take a look at these off-the-beaten-path options that may come along with six-figure salaries.
- Healthcare Careers - The healthcare industry is expected to explode over the next decade and several jobs in the industry command top salaries without the need for a stint in medical school. Dieticians, therapists, and nutritionists all have plenty of job growth while pharmacists bring in a median income of more than $115,000 per year. Physicians assistants also earn a median salary almost in the six- figure range, and all of these job titles require less time in the classroom than going for a position as a doctor.
- Blue Collar Work - If additional education is not on the menu, there are some blue collar jobs that make the list for top millennial employment opportunities. Elevator installers and repairers hit number eight on the list with a median income of $76,650.
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- Big Business - While top management jobs usually require a slow climb up the corporate ladder, there are some ways to reach high salaries without an executive title. Statisticians and market research analysts draw down high salaries without the corner office. Knowing what and where to spend money helps businesses create long-term success strategies. Analysis plays a key role, and jobs in these fields come with good compensation and double-digit growth expectations.
Finding Your Dream Job
Creating career success doesn't just mean pulling in the big bucks. Money is one motivator to go into work every day, but satisfaction often means more. If you don't enjoy your job, burnout is a real possibility. Take steps to make sure you blend the right ingredients to give you a career you love that can financially support you.
- Accept Failure; It Happens - In life and work, failure is not the measure of success, but it is the only way to get there. If you don't try, you won't fail, but neither will you succeed. This might seem a little obvious, but with all the naysayers out there telling you to follow a standard path, sometimes you need a reminder that failure is temporary and a learning experience. As business author Tom Peters once said, "Test fast, fail fast, adjust fast."
- Take Risks - If you never take a risk with your career, you can never go as far as you are able. Following the straight path might offer safety, but it doesn't offer nearly as much reward. Iveta Chernova, political scientist and business writer, may have said it best. "Only those who play win. Only those who risk win. History favors risk-takers. Forgets the timid. Everything else is commentary."
- Look Up, Not In - Having role models can inspire you to go above and beyond, but make sure that you look up to them, not compare yourself to them. You are not them, and your path to success will never be identical. If you get lost in envy or jealousy, you won't be focused on the long game. Life is not a sprint. In the words of Steve Jobs, ""Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."
When entering the job market, always remember that accepting a position is not a once-in-a-lifetime decision. If your interests grow and change, you can always shift gears. You always have the chance to skill up by skilling up. Testing.org is a great resource for test prep - specifically new skills like PMP exam, or new careers like the real estate sales exam or Series 63 financial advisor exam. Find something you want to do and then lay out the steps to get there. Some of the best jobs out there have nothing to do with traditional employment paths. Don't be afraid to go after what you want, and remember that there are jobs out there that can pay the bills in virtually any field. Work with a staffing agency to find the right fit.
Sophie Turner works as a careers consultant within the education sector. Mostly working with university students now, she is keen to encourage everyone that the right job is out there waiting for them. Her career articles can be seen on education, employment and business sites.
