5 Careers for Those Who Prefer Crunching Numbers to Crashing Parties - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 5 Careers for Those Who Prefer Crunching Numbers to Crashing Parties - Introvert Whisperer 5 Careers for Those Who Prefer Crunching Numbers to Crashing Parties Let’s face it: Not all of us want to climb the career ladder by working closely within teams, socializing every day, and trying to schmooze with the boss. Many of us introverts would rather clock in, sit down, and get to work. We’d rather crunch numbers and use hard data in our day-to-day work than get caught up in interpersonal concerns. If this sounds like you, you might want to investigate careers that allow you to impress your employer with your strengths â€" and deal with a lot less stress due to social demands during work. It’s important to find work that suits your strengths, rather than struggle to fit the mold your current employer needs filled. As noted by career advice author Jessica Kay: People are increasingly realizing that we are multi-potential and have many skills and strengths that we can turn into careers. So, knowing what your strengths are and what to do with them to turn them into viable careers in the (next) 2-3 years … is more important than ever in today’s workforce. Not only can doing this help you find a career that leads to personal fulfillment, it may also lead to higher pay and greater job security. As reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), mathematicians and statisticians in a wide range of career fields make an average of $84,760 per year. Furthermore, such careers are growing at a rate of 33 percent per year, which is substantially faster than most positions. Ready to get started with your career search? This is a great place to start. Using job growth and salary statistics from the BLS, as well as data from leading universities, let’s take a look at five excellent careers for those who prefer to crunch numbers rather than crash parties: Marketing Analyst Marketing analysts, also known as marketing research analysts, are responsible for gathering and studying data to help an organization promote its goods and services. This data includes consumer behavior, information about competitors, and other market conditions. Analyzing this data, often with the assistance of recent big data innovations, can provide organizations with powerful insights that can inform future decisions. Marketers need data to effectively do their work. By doing effective research, you can help amplify your organization’s voice â€" even if you aren’t interested in using your own. Education Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in market research (or a related field) is necessary to become a marketing analyst. If you aspire to fill a senior position one day, a master’s degree is a smart choice. Average Pay: About $62,000 per year. Career Outlook: With an estimated growth of 23 percent from 2016 to 2026, this is the fastest-growing career in this list. As noted by Villanova University, marketing analysis is “projected to grow twice the rate of many other fields that are technically oriented.” Those seeking a career in market research analysis have many career opportunities ahead of them. Financial Analyst A highly desired career, financial analysts are much like marketing analysts in that they are responsible for gathering data about a business and current market conditions in order to help an organization make smart decisions. However, they are primarily concerned with finances. They learn as much about the company’s financial situation and niche in the market as possible in order to synthesize this information in comprehensive financial models. Using this informed outlook, they often make specific recommendations to the business. If you enjoy burying yourself in research and finding solutions to financial puzzles, this work is for you. Education Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in a finance-related major, though a graduate-level degree is preferred. If you want to become a financial analyst, it’s wise to get a degree in a versatile major such as accounting. In addition to preparing you to become an analyst, it can set you up for a number of different positions in the finance world, making you a versatile candidate. Average Pay: Around $84,000 per year. Career Outlook: 11 percent growth, which is higher than average. Financial advising is a growing field with many opportunities for graduates. Health Information Manager Information is the foundation of healthcare. Thorough, up-to-date, secure health information is essential. Health information managers (HIMs) are the constructors of this foundation, responsible for ensuring that patient records are updated and safely stored. They have to stay informed about recent developments in information management technology and cybersecurity risks in order to work effectively. While the specific duties of people in health information management can differ from position to position, they all play an integral role in patient care. Your work will ensure a smooth and secure transfer of information to those who need it, but strong social skills are not required for this work. Education Requirements: A minimum of a bachelor’s in health informatics is necessary to gain employment as a health information manager, but a master’s in health informatics is recommended for a competitive edge during recruitment. Also, as noted by the University of Cincinnati, “To qualify for an HIM position, certification as a Registered Health Information Technician or Registered Health Information Administrator is also critical.” Average Pay: Pay varies depending on your specific position. Entry-level positions pay approximately $30,000 to $50,000 per year, though upper-level roles can pay well over $80,000. Career Outlook: The BLS estimates 20 percent growth for the field, which is much faster than average. With plenty of positions opening each year, this is a strong field to get into. Public Auditor Public auditors work to determine if organizations are compliant with laws and regulations. They research law, do thorough investigations, and inform others about any discrepancies. From building codes to employment policies and beyond, they regularly do audits to gather information and recommend improvements. This involves digging through documentation, crunching numbers, and formulating cost-efficient solutions. Given the nature of this work, public authors are held to strict standards in regards to confidentiality. While you may need to convey your findings to others, the bulk of your work will consist of research and ensuring compliance. Education Requirements: At minimum, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in accounting to work as a public auditor. However, a master’s in this field is necessary to be a competitive candidate. Furthermore, some employers will prefer that you have taken the steps necessary to become a certified public accountant. Average Pay: Approximately $60,000 per year. Career Outlook: 10 percent growth, which is higher than average. This makes this field reasonably secure in terms of employment. Entrepreneur If you want to take your future into your own hands, consider becoming an entrepreneur. Organizing your own business can be a financially risky move, but it also opens doors to new opportunities. Do you have a unique idea for a product or service that you think has potential? Are you so passionate about something that you want to leave your mark on the industry surrounding it? Doing research about the market will allow you to make inferences about the viability of your potential business venture. A deep understanding of market forces and data will be essential to minimize risk and maximize profits. While some social finesse will be needed to convince others to invest in your idea, rock-solid hard data and research will convince investors more than any rhetorical move could. Education Requirements: Obviously, starting your own business venture doesn’t require a specific educational background. However, having a bachelor’s or master’s in a business-related degree can help you when it comes to securing funding. Furthermore, education in the specific niche you intend on marketing within can prove to be invaluable. Average Pay: According to research, the average entrepreneur makes approximately $68,000 per year. However, this number can vary wildly depending on your venture’s success. Career Outlook: Your chances at a secure income are dependent on the viability of your idea, whether you can secure adequate funding, and the integrity of your business practices. While pundits argue that becoming an entrepreneur is becoming harder in this day and age, the right idea, at the right time, with the right execution, can land you in an enviable position â€" but it’s important to be realistic with yourself about your prospects. Tempted to look deeper into these careers? Or do you want to keep exploring more fast-growing careers that introverts can excel in? Leave your thoughts in the comments below! Author Bio: Frankie Wallace  is a freelance writer from Boise, Idaho and contributes to a wide variety of blogs online. Wallace writes about many different topics, from education to the environment. Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer