6 Great Career Choices for the 21st Century
These six great career choices for the 21st century give women key opportunities to pursue leadership and C-level positions in the public and private sectors. These career paths are challenging and exciting, giving women real voices in conversations that shape business and consumer policy.
Software Developer
Image via Flickr via NASA HQ PHOTO
The tech industry is notorious for its boys’ clubs and overriding bro culture that’s kept women largely out of leadership positions. Those attempting to become an air pilot experienced similar forms of gender discrimination and overt misogyny. As software developers, women have opportunities to make decisions that shape platforms and programs for systems across all business and consumer sectors. With median annual pay of more than $90,000 and projected employment opportunities to rise by 22 percent through 2022, says the Bureau of Labor Statistics, software development is a perfect storm of in-demand skills and growth potential.
Member of Congress
As of 2014, there are just 100 women serving in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate combined. Public service presents a singular opportunity for women to step into powerful leadership positions. As lawmakers, women are in powerful positions to tackle issues that speak to the nation as a whole, lending their voices to key legislative pieces, including healthcare, immigration, and jobs creation. Winning a job in these major halls of government isn’t easy. The average cost of a winning campaign is $1 million to $10 million, depending on the seat.
Marketing Executive
Marketing and advertising executives earn a median annual salary of $115,700 and have employment opportunities that researchers expect to increase by 12 percent through 2022. Women armed with MBAs have ideal skill sets and experience to start their own agencies or assume managerial positions in established companies working with big brands. These leadership positions do more than give women authority; they turn them into business owners and integral parts of their communities. As the digital marketing space continues to expand with new screens and wearable tech, the industry will have great need for women with the vision to take companies to new users.
Health Services Manager
Demand for managers in the health services field will rise “much faster than average,” according to federal employment data. Hospitals and private medical facilities could add as many as 73,000 health service managers through 2022. As executives in the healthcare industry, women direct policy, manage entire medical facilities, and help develop regulations that affect all procedures and treatments. Under-represented as executives in healthcare, women need to pursue these authority positions in the 21st century to make sure that new rules and regulations serve their interests. Median annual wages for these jobs is about $88,000. You can even get a healthcare administration degree online, so there’s no need to attend a regular university.
Officer, United States Armed Services
There’s perhaps no greater leadership role than that of an officer in any branch of the U.S. Armed Services. Women as commissioned officers in the 21st century can shift the power balance that has long favored men, shifting military culture to become more inclusive and accountable. As leaders, women officers set the example for their troops, both giving orders and expecting the highest standards of excellence and performance. Despite recent gains, there’s still a long way to go. Army General Ann Dunwoody became the first female four-star general in United States history in 2008.
Network Systems Administrator
For corporations and consumers alike, access to data is everything. Without data, projects don’t get completed, and sales transactions don’t close. Network systems administrators keep up servers and data flow integrity, making sure the digital wheels keep spinning. As more people and companies move to cloud storage, keeping these systems working properly is more important than ever. Just like software development, women can take advantage of high expected demand in this area to build stable careers. The median annual pay for network systems administrators — now at over $72,000 — should only increase as workers continue to use data points through more complex devices. Here is a book to guide you if you want to know more about [amazon template=product&asin=0201702711].
Transcending traditional gender roles and stereotypes is necessary for women to have a real say in breaking into male-dominated industries. A more inclusive culture, with women at the helm of prominent companies, can only benefit the landscape going forward.
