8 Top Jobs to Go For While You’re Trying to Figure Out What You Truly Want, and make a good salary while doing so.
Y’all the world is changing. The way we work is changing. Gone are the days that people know from elementary school what they want to be, and then go through with it. There are so many more options than a lawyer, or doctor, or businessman.
Covid, The world of tech, content creation… There are so many new avenues to ..well to make money. You can go to college for 4 years, or 5 (who freaking cares?), move on to grad school, or don’t graduate at all, in fact you can not go to college period. You can get certifications, you can go to trade school, you can go the entrepreneur route. The options are endless – which means that you need time to choose.
Thus I have come up with 8 jobs that you can definitely work in, and see if it blossoms into something more or if you end up going the complete opposite way on the spectrum – hey at least you made a bit of money for the time being right?
1. Executive Assistant – Sometimes I feel like people sleep on being an executive assistant. But an EA is crucial to how an organization runs. They work with leadership intimately on handling logistical, operational, and internal issues. Being an EA can get you into the door of wherever you ultimately want to go. Whether it's becoming an operations manager, or a project manager, or on your way to being a CEO yourself. You get a hands on crash course in how a company runs, and you basically are in many ways a manager to your boss, because you've got to keep them in line and able to function. As an executive assistant you end up meeting some really cool people in your field you learn incredible organization skills and if you're personable or someone that really wants to learn this is definitely the job for you. Depending on who you work for this can be a fully on site job, hybrid, or fully remote. You also don’t need a degree, and if you do have one it doesn't necessarily have to be in something related to the industry you’re working in. Like you can graduate with a degree in anthropology and go and be an executive assistant at a real estate company. It's a pretty fluid position.
Also I should mention this now, this is not the part where I tell you how long you should be at a certain job. Do what fits right for your wallet, and motives.
Avg. Salary range – 50,000-80,000
2. Project Coordinator – How do you feel about timelines? Can you handle them? I feel like a project coordinator is your first step into being a project management. So what does a project coordinator do? According to Workable Resources Project Coordinators are responsible for ensuring the schedule, budget and details of a given task are well organized. They communicate with various departments to keep everyone on board about any changes to the project plan. In addition, they organize reporting, plan meetings, and provide updates to project managers. AKA they support the Project Managers and the project. Understanding how to use certain tools like Asana and Jira is beneficial. But don’t worry, more companies will put you through training and honestly these systems are used to help move projects along so you can pick up on them, but make sure you actually try to learn. I mean go on YouTube for a few tutorials, just so you feel extra confident. This job can be strenuous, its high pace, and there is pressure to make sure everything is running smoothly. However people who like to be organized, and are personable – can work with others well are definitely going to succeed! Before you know it, you’ll be a senior project manager showing someone else the ropes. Salary – 55,000- 70,000 (don’t settle for anything less)
3. Office Manager – Okay have you watched The Office? Around like season 5, Pam was promoted to Office Manager from Reception, which really was an Executive Assistant position. So what is an Office Manager? I was trying to figure it out too, but really it is pretty self explanatory, a receptionist may be the front of the house, an Executive Assistant supports the company leader or leaders, but an Office Manager pretty much runs the office as a whole. Sometimes it can be on the lighter end of organizing supplies, filing, office events, supporting employee morale, and other times as an Office Manager you have your hands in everything, from HR Payroll, to working with Vendors and clients via in person, email, and phone call. An Office Manager is a job where it is very evident when there isn’t one. It’s a great way in overall seeing how a company runs, picking a department youd could see yourself in, or deciding if 9-5 life or the industry you’re in is even for you.
Salary ranges between 41,000-85,000 but if I find out you accepted a position with this much responsibility and versatility for anything less than 50,000 I may actually cry. Oh and this goes without saying most time, this is an in person role – maybe hybrid.
4. Account Manager- according to Investopedia.com An account manager is an entry- to mid-level employee who is responsible for the day-to-day management of a particular customer's account within a business. An account manager is often more interested in the client satisfaction aspect of a business. Account managers walked so client success managers could run. Any customer service-based company needs account managers. This job is made for people who have strong writing skills and communication skills. I am not saying you have to be the most invasive, chatty person out there, but just caring about solving the problems of clients. Its ambiguous enough to transition to different industries so don’t be surprised if you start at Yelp and end up working for a marketing agency. As someone who has been on the client side there are some companies that I asked the most annoying questions too frequently, and others who I barely speak too unless I need something. Regardless they collect a check. It’s a major step up from a babysitting, but with the same amount of care.
5. Analyst – I want to tell a quick story within this story. I had a friend who was working at a job for a very long time, she was in one specific industry and began hunting for something else. Eventually she found a job as an analyst and couldn’t be happier. The end. An analyst basically interprets data using analytics, research methodology methodologies, and statistical techniques from their data they implement and analysis and come up with strategies to optimize efficiency and quality within an organization. Now let me simplify, an analyst reads data and turns it into something that is beneficial for the organization. You can do this! And get paid well. This job is usually remote, but you can go into the office you work on teams to analyze data or at least to come up with findings and I can't think of a single industry that doesn't need an analyst whether consulting, or tech, or marketing, or healthcare. It's such a flexible profession. It does help if you understand data and are fast learner. But like most jobs, with practice comes expertise.
6. Teacher – Salaries are increasing on the east coast babe, go get you a job. Seriously while you’re young (in the career game) or trying to figure things out. This job is 9 times out of 10 in person, so that may be a bummer if you’re looking for something more flexible. You get to work with kids and really make a difference. You work 10 months but paid all 12. Charters and magnet schools especially will pay upwords of 70-90K for teachers. So consider it you may find yourself wanting to stay in education and work in more administrative roles, or get out while you can and you use your time off, all of those school breaks and the summer to prepare for something else.
7. Social Media Manager - listen nine times out of 10 you were working for someone who was either from Gen X or a Boomer, and they need you to run their social media. And sometimes this job is more intense like if you're working in marketing or advertising. However sometimes you may find yourself working for a healthcare company, somewhere where the social media doesn’t need to be super up to date with the trends but, it doesn't hurt to at least be in the know. You don't necessarily need a degree and this job can even be remote. There's so much flexibility because technology is evolving at a rapid pace. Hop on the social media trend while you find out what exactly you like it's a great way to expand your creativity. Salary range 45,000-80,000.
8. Cosmetologist - This is pretty broad, because you can do anything from hair, to being a nail tech, to an esthetician. If the nine to five life isn't for you, if you want a little bit more freedom, and you want your settings to be just different while also getting to explore your own creative abilities, I would definitely say that working in the beauty industry is for you. There is always money in this and honestly, you're better off being licensed and really making a name for yourself. There's so much potential in this industry, from working at a shop, to working for large hospitality organizations, to eventually making it out on your own. This job is great if you really care about people and want to make a difference in their lives. Salary for this really varies on hours, commission, and clientele.
Being in a pivotal career change can be scary, but you can do it. I have either worked or have friends who have worked one of these positions, there is hope out there, remember your mental health, your goals, and your interests matter.
Tighten that resume, go on LinkedIn and know you will find something. So go on and apply!
