For some of us, we love utilizing data and numbers in an engaging format because it's always enjoyable. So the potential of doing so in a professional arena is the best case scenario; it provides challenges and enjoyment in equal measure.
Not only that, but the numbers that refer back to the growth of related math career sectors are good - really good. Forbes overviewed a study done by IBM that predicted that jobs that fall under the umbrella of data science will "soar 28 percent by 2020."
Thus, it is a prime time for individuals interested in pursuing a data or numbers job to get out there. We've outlined four examples of how a career solving puzzles and thinking through the numbers can look on a practical level.
Careers as Health Informatics Specialist
One of the industries that has historically struggled to keep pace with the rest of the world in terms of technology is the healthcare sector. As technology had throttled forward, all industries have had to keep pace to remain relevant and viable, and healthcare has often failed to do so.
For that reason, there is a clear demand for health informatics specialists who can bring a specific organization's information systems up to speed.
As the University of Cincinnati experts note, the individual who takes this career on must have "exceptional computer skills as well as network and cyber security knowledge, as he or she will be involved in researching, implementing, troubleshooting and updating technology systems."
In many ways, this career provides a means for the non-healthcare professional to engage with the industry in a meaningful, supportive manner.
Careers as Accountant
While it may be tempting to believe that if you pursue a degree in accounting your options are limited to becoming a CPA, in reality, that isn't the case at all. A degree in accounting does create a platform from which an individual can progress onto multiple distinct careers.
For example, Ohio University contends, "Government accountants specialize in accounting actions regulated by anything from municipal to federal legislation and might work for either public or private employers."
The lay person relies on an accountant because they possess a certain skill set. Those same skills are relied upon by industries across the board.
Whether you're preparing taxes or assisting taxpayers in relation to issues with the IRS, that accounting degree is what will provide the tools necessary to make it happen. You can be a CPA who gets to play with numbers all day, but you can also become an enrolled agent, which is "(a) federally licensed tax practitioners that are empowered by the U.S Department of the Treasury to represent taxpayers in front of all areas of the IRS."
A traditional degree, like accounting, can lead to a plethora of jobs outside what we typically expect when we think of the career.
Careers as an Actuary
Actuaries utilize financial theory, statistics, and math to assess the level of risk associated with the venture a client or business is undertaking.
As we've explained before, "They use numbers and statistics to work out the balance of probability of whether a future event is likely. A skilled actuary is often able to advise management teams within larger businesses to plan for the future."
Given the fact that actuaries are typically working in fields like insurance, where a major component is people, the best actuaries also understand the psychology of people.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports, "Employment of actuaries is projected to grow 22 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations." So, if it's a field you're interested in, there's likely a place for you within it.
Careers as a Tutor
What better way to spread your love of numbers and data than to teach others to understand and excel at it? Teaching others, either as a full-time career or a side-gig is a fulfilling way to spend your time working with numbers. There are multiple options for this, from utilizing your own network, working with local schools and nonprofits, or finding a tutoring business to be a part of.
Becoming a tutor is a great way to spread the love of mathematics and inspire young girls to follow their data-driven dreams. Having a successful mentor in the field can go a long way into encouraging more young women to pursue careers in technical fields.
A successful career in the finance industry comes when an individual has two distinct qualities: the innate enjoyment of crunching the numbers, as well as the willingness and drive to work hard. The robust growth of jobs in associated sectors should not be translated as an easy climb of the career ladder but rather as an opportunity for those willing to learn their chosen industry well and work up the ranks with competency.
This guest post was authored by Brooke Faulkner
Ms. Career Girl was started in 2008 to help ambitious young professional women figure out who they are, what they want and how to get it.
