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Science, math careers rank as best jobs during recession
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As in any industry, those working in science want to recession-proof their jobs. But which are the best types of jobs to have if you are a scientist? Well, different sources will tell you different things. Here’s a round-up of some of the "best jobs" lists I have found online. If you find a better one, please share in the comments section.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics maintains a list of all kinds of jobs and job descriptions. For the last several years, they have listed the top 10 jobs to have in science, and by top job they mean the fastest growing jobs. The top three on this list include environmental scientist, hydrologist or geoscientist. That means that people who know how to take care of the earth and know how to best extract the resources from it will continue to be in demand. This list also includes basic scientists, such as physicists and biologists, as well as people skilled in medical science and atmospheric science.
But this list has not changed in four years. Under the current economic conditions, are these jobs really the ones that will remain in demand? Time will tell.
Earlier this year, National Public Radio’s “Talk of the Nation” asked the question, “Do science jobs really make the best careers?” Their conclusion was that jobs in mathematics were really the best type of jobs to have during a tough economy. But before you roll your eyes thinking how boring that kind of career might be, consider this. Most people who practice mathematics for a living are, in fact, scientists. Many are actuaries, statisticians, accountants, and software engineers.
Actuaries. for example, typically work for insurance companies, but many become involved in other more “exciting” ventures because their job is spent determining risk. Practitioners of actuarial science can calculate how long it will take before a bridge will need to be replaced to how many times a gambler will need to pull that lever on the slot machine before the jackpot payout.
Of course, not everyone can study to be a physicist or an actuary.
Of course, not everyone can study to be a physicist or an actuary. Earning the doctorate, or at minimum the master’s degree, required to earn the best income in some of these scientific jobs takes time and money, not to mention brains. What kinds of science related jobs can you obtain with a bachelor’s or even just an associate’s degree? Plenty actually, and some good jobs in science require only vocational training that can be obtained in as little as 18 months.
Many medical professions such as nursing only a require two-year degree, yet nurses remain in high demand in nearly every state, especially Maryland. In addition, the prospects for someone trained as a scientific technician—a medical, veterinary, forensic, environmental or pharmacy technician, for example –are excellent through 2016. The demand for well trained scientific technicians parallels that of jobs for people with more advanced degrees. The downside of these technician jobs may be that you might have to work a second or third shift and that the pay will not be as high as compared to someone with an advanced scientific degree. The upside, however, is that many employers will pay for additional training so that a good nurse or technician can obtain an advanced degree. In fact, many jobs require that you continually seek to upgrade your credentials. More education will always yield higher pay over the life of your career.
So despite a downturn in the economy, there are jobs to be had, especially for people with training and interest in science. Regardless of the type of job you find, you will have the most satisfaction if, at the end of the day, you have felt that you have contributed something worthwhile to society. And if your passion is science, then the money will come.
Here are a few of the other great science job lists I found:
The Best Jobs in America Today
The Most Dangerous Science Jobs
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