Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Top 7 (G)

Cube-Busting Careers
#1 – Meeting and Event Planner
Convention halls and hotels are thankfully a cubicle-free zone. Organized and responsible professionals who work well with others are the right fit since event planners interact with people (like clients, vendors, and potential customers) in all phases of the job.
Get started: If you're coming from an office job, you likely have some organizational skills that translate well into this field. Employers generally look for candidates with a bachelor's in an area like marketing, public relations or business.
Salary: Meeting and convention planners have an average salary of $44,260.
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#2 – Private Investigator (PI)
If hunting down clues instead of fax confirmations appeals to you, consider a career as a private detective. Yes, there is likely some desk work, but you'll also be able to get up and out the door to track down leads. Not only is the work intriguing, it's a big growth industry. The U.S. Department of Labor forecasts a 22 percent growth in job opportunities between 2008 and 2018.
Get started: An associate's or bachelor's degree in criminal justice is a good way to earn your stripes.
Salary: PIs have an average annual salary of $41,760, though it varies a great deal by location. For example, according to Department of Labor May 2009 wage estimates, private investigators in Virginia have an annual mean wage of $68,420, while New Jersey PIs average at $61,750.
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#3 – Registered Nurse
Moving around all day is a great way to cure a case of the cubicle blues. Registered nurses do that - and so much more - by helping others in this incredibly rewarding and noble profession. To top it off, the job outlook is excellent, according to the Department of Labor, with nearly 600,000 new registered nursing positions expected between 2008 and 2018.
Get started: Enrolling in a nursing training program is the first step to a career as a registered nurse, and that can involve earning your nursing diploma, associate's degree, or bachelor's degree.
Salary: Registered nurses earn $62,450.
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#4 - Chef
If you're feeling stressed out at work - and want to save big on dry cleaning - consider trading in your suit for a chef's hat and apron. But seriously, if you have a real passion for food and flavors, this could be the gig for you.
Get started: Chefs and head cooks usually work their way up the ladder. To begin that climb to the top, enroll in a culinary school. Programs usually include on-the-job training in a restaurant.
Salary: Chefs and head cooks earn an average of $38,770. This varies greatly according to location and restaurant quality.
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#5 – Teacher
We all can recall a favorite teacher who inspired us, but it's unlikely that you'll ever think back fondly on your corner cubicle. By becoming a teacher, you'll be at the front of the class, rather than in a cube. Plus you'll be making a difference in students' lives.
Get started: You'll need a bachelor's degree in the subject you plan to teach, or an education or teaching degree. You also need a teacher's certificate. You can earn this online or through a campus-based teacher's certification program. Getting a master's in your field will boost your qualifications even more and, even better, increase your earning potential.
Salary: The average salary for public school teachers was $53,910 in 2008–09, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
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#6 – Police Officer
There's a reason that little kids dream of becoming police officers. It's exciting! By trading in that office ID card for a badge, you may find yourself handcuffing a suspect, digging around for clues, or protecting and serving your community in a myriad of other ways that likely won't involve a cube. Just keep in mind that you will still have to do some desk work.
Get started: Many cops study criminal justice in school prior to applying for the job.
Salary: Police make an average annual salary of $51,410, though overtime work can push this figure much higher.
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#7 – Restaurant Manager
If you have a head for business but can't stand another day in an office, you may be well-suited to become a restaurant manager. The job calls for running the day-to-day operations of a restaurant. Yes, there's a desk involved, but rest assured, you won't find many cubicles in the restaurant industry.
Get started: Look into restaurant hospitality training programs. An associate's degree in accounting or business could also serve as great preparation for running a restaurant.
Salary: Food service managers usually earn $46,320.

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