Top Ten Careers in America

America is known to be a land of equal opportunities. While going through a financial update recently, I was surprised to find that even in America, like many other countries, some jobs are considered more prestigious than others. If you are a fresh graduate and are still indecisive about a career just go through the options below to decide upon your career pick. You’ll get an idea of the career, the eligibility criteria and how rewarding it is monetarily.

Firefighting

Did you know that firefighting happens to be the most prestigious profession in America with about 61 % of the population vouching for it? I ask, why not? This profession requires you to put your life in danger constantly to save the life of others. Is there a nobler cause? You need to be dynamic, willing to take on hard-work and arduous training. Generally, a high school certification makes you eligible for a career in firefighting but it always does good to be armed with a specialized degree in firefighting if you want to have a competitive edge over others. In terms of money, you’re going to be paid well. Your annual earnings are going to range from $41,000 to $ 95 000 per annum the most common figures ranging from $43,000 to $73,000 approximately. If you think you’ve got it in you go ahead and apply.

Scientist/Researcher

If you have a passion for researching and contributing to the development of science, you can always aspire to be a professional scientist.  You can be a medical scientist, computer scientist, pharmaceutical scientist, physicist or a researcher in any industrial units. Did you know that 54 % of America feels that the job of a scientist to a very prestigious one? You’ve got to have a generally probing mind and you should be academically well versed with general science and the specialized subjects that you want to pursue. This job requires superior levels of intelligence, hard work and an eye for precision. It is best for you to have a master’s degree to be a scientist. Doctorate degree holders have an edge over others. The annual income varies typically from $ 70,000 to $ 90,000.

Teaching

Teaching, by far, is a very respectable profession, not only in America but the rest of the world. After all, teachers are imparters of knowledge and many of us owe our successes in our professional fields to those teachers who led us in our path to knowledge. A teacher’s job is one of the most comfortable jobs that you can expect to take up. With fixed working hours and ample holidays, you can never expect a better deal. This is the best suited for women. Interacting with young minds is an experience by itself.  You need to have at least a graduate degree to be a teacher and of course an educator’s certification.  To become a higher level educator, you need to be armed with a Ph D in your respective field. In the coming times the teaching industry is expected to experience a boom with about 23% progress from 2009-2016. The salaries are quite encouraging. A primary level teacher is expected to get a minimum of $42,000 annually. Higher education teachers can expect to make an income of $ 53,000 annually. A teacher’s income is seen to reach to $70,000 annually.

Medical Practitioner

A medical practitioner is unsurprisingly one of the most occupationally prestigious persons as he/she is the giver of life. 52 per cent of Americans vote for doctors as the most prestigious careerists of their country. As a medical practitioner you’ll be dealing with life and therefore you are expected to have a good academic track record and very authentic qualifications. The competition is very high for specialization and your experience should be through. Superior intelligence and exceptional knowledge of the human body and medical judgmental skills will see you through as a good doctor. You’ve got to prepare to work for long hours and take an oath to be available to your patients during emergency, no matter whatever your personal situation is. Six figure annual incomes ranging from $ 137, 000 to $ 250, 000 is what you can expect after wearing that stethoscope round your neck.

Military Officer

Being a military officer is one of the best ways in which you can satiate your patriotic feelings for your country. Go ahead and take all the risks to help people who are fighting war. I don’t think there are better nobler ventures. You can join the military as a soldier, a physician, a nurse, lawyer etc. Be prepared for emergencies and arduous schedules even during peace. Your basic pay will vary depending on your rank and you can expect it to range from $2000 to $3,500 monthly. Apart from basic pay, you’ll get a lot of perks. Being a government job you can expect it to be a secure one.

Nursing

Nurses are one of the most depended upon and sought-after medical professionals after the doctor. Nursing seems to be thriving in the present times with an expected growth rate of 23 % in the coming 7 years. You can either be a registered nurse or a License Practical and Licensed Vocational nurse. The annual income of a nurse varies from $ 50,000 to $ 60,000 per annum. It’s one of the most apt professions for girls.

Police

Be a police officer if you want to take law and order under your control. Make your city a more lawful place. If you’ve got the guts to show criminals their real place (i.e. under the firm foot of law) and if you think you can be as adventurous to risk your life and maintain an uncertain lifestyle; go ahead and be a police! Just hone up your alertness to sniff anything wrong. Though a high school diploma is the least that you can possess academically, it’s always better to take up a college course. Your annual income will range from $ 43,000 to $ 65, 000 annually.

A Religious Head

If you are spiritually inclined and want to spread the message of peace and tolerance amongst your folks, try out priesthood. You are highly esteemed for your religious knowledge and are most wanted in the community for spreading the message of God. A clergyman is a well respected person in American society. Though understanding of spirituality and religion are inherent virtues, you can g ahead and take a formal course in religious sciences to prove yourself more authentic. Your annual income will range from $ 41,000 to $ 75,000 depending upon your seniority.

Farming

You’ll be surprised to know that 41 % of Americans feel that farming is a very prestigious job. Well, it’s through farming that we get our food and other products for sailing smooth through our daily lives. You can take up a formal degree in farming or ranch. I think its mandatory recommendation for people who own farms or ranches. You might earn a weekly amount of $ 1000 to $ 2000.

Engineering

If you’ve got your mathematics and science knowledge intact and want to work for the techno-economical development of your country, just opt for engineering. You can expect to become an aerospace, aeronautical, civil, computer, mechanical, electrical, electronic engineer amongst many others. Environmental and civil engineers seem to be in great demand these days. A bachelor’s degree in engineering is a must. You can expect your salary to vary from $ 40,000 to $ 80,000 for a bachelor degree holder to a master’s degree holder respectively.

These are the top 10 prestigious and high paying careers that you can opt for. You’ll be surprised to know that athletics, business, journalism, union leadership, stock brokering, entertainment, accountancy, banking, acting, and real estate brokering being listed amongst the least prestigious careers in America.

Personally, I feel a career is a matter of your passion. No matter what you choose, do it whole heartedly and it will reap you sweet fruits whatever the career be. Of course it should be towards the welfare of your own self and society. Every job is prestigious and ensures dignity to the doer. So, proceed ahead with confidence in your self.

THE BEST career advice given to the young is- Find out what you like doing best and get someone to pay you for doing it – Katherine Whitehorn.