Choosing a career path can be challenging. Many people aren’t familiar with the range of career opportunities they could consider, and career opportunities evolve. New opportunities that interest you may arise years after you complete your undergraduate degree.
People may change their profession several times. Lack of satisfaction with their current career path, insufficient income, and lack of advancement opportunities are primary reasons people change careers. The career options discussed here are ideal new career paths because of the range of opportunities in each field.
Lawyer
Lawyers are legal experts. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), lawyers earned a median annual salary of $122,960 per year in 2019. Lawyers must obtain a bachelor’s degree and a law degree. Once they pass the bar exam, lawyers can work in a wide range of legal fields, including business, family, and labor law.
Successful attorneys, such as Malliha Wilson, use their skills and training to serve in various positions. Malliha Wilson was the Assistant Deputy Attorney General for the Government of Ontario. Wilson has since served as a special legal advisor and a human rights attorney. Lawyers can establish their practice or may opt to work for the government or join a law firm like Wilson.
Lawyers can also use their legal experience to become a judge, leading to opportunities serving on the Supreme Court of Canada or U.S. Supreme Court.
Biotechnologist
Biotechnologists can prepare for their career by earning a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry or another life sciences discipline. You can also opt to complete a biotechnology certificate program if you majored in a different subject. A certificate or undergraduate degree can lead to an entry-level position in this field. With experience or a master’s degree, you can pursue advancement opportunities. Biotechnologists work in a lab and use their scientific knowledge to develop pharmaceuticals and new products.
If you’re considering becoming a biotechnologist, you’ll need strong logical thinking, observation, analytical, and communication skills. The average salary for biotech scientists was $99,983 per year in 2020.
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Occupational therapy assistants must complete undergraduate coursework and earn an associate’s degree in their field. These assistants work under the direction of an occupational therapist. They help patients perform exercises, teach patients how to use assistive devices, and assess their progress. Occupational therapists work with individuals whose motor skills have been impaired by illness, injuries, or disabilities.
With further training, occupational therapy assistants can become an occupational therapist. The BLS reported occupational therapy assistants earned median salaries of $61,510 per year in 2019.
Information Security Analyst
Computers are used in almost every industry, and computer security is a crucial concern for businesses. Hackers may try to access consumer data, credit card numbers, or proprietary information. With a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field, you can qualify to become test network defenses and investigate breaches.
The BLS reported information security analysts earned median annual salaries of $99,730 in 2019. Computer programmers, network architects, and computer and information systems managers have the training required to switch to a career path in information security.
Occupational Health and Safety Technician
Occupational health and safety technicians can learn the skills for their role through on-the-job training. They may also complete a certificate or associate’s degree before entering this field. These technicians inspect workplaces to ensure they’re safe. They cite employers for failing to follow safety regulations or provide safety equipment. They also investigate workplace accidents.
The BLS reported occupational health and safety technicians enjoyed median annual incomes of $70,480 in 2019. With a bachelor’s degree, technicians can become an occupational health and safety specialists.
Financial Analyst
Financial analysts help people or companies manage their investments. Financial analysts must have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, such as finance, statistics, or economics.
People working as accountants, insurance underwriters, auditors, budget analysts, loan officers, or financial advisors have the education and skills needed to become a financial analyst. Financial analysts also enjoy advancement opportunities, which increase if they earn a master’s degree. $81,590 was the median annual income for these finance experts in 2019, per the BLS.
Changing careers can be stressful, but you may already qualify for several career opportunities with a versatile degree. Fields such as biotechnology and law offer a wide range of career options and opportunities for advancement. You can also pursue entry-level jobs in healthcare while completing coursework to advance in your career field.
