Business Consulting

When you first look at the list of the top three careers highlighted in my last post, you may think to yourself.  "Jason, these are all over the place.  This process didn't help at all."  My friend, I respectfully disagree.  If we look closer at the three careers, I see some very common threads.  Lets start from the bottom and work our way up.

First, we have "Sales Engineer".  I've been saying all along that I am an analytical, problem-solver that likes to work with people.  Boom!  Sales - working with people.  Engineer - analytical.  Enough said?

Next, we find "Human Resources Manager".  I have to be honest.  I mostly just like the "Manager" part.  In fact, I like the manager part a lot!  Don't get me wrong - human resources is a wonderful profession.  You get to work with people constantly and develop structures to allow them to do their job.  But, the real reason this career ended number 2 is because of the "Manager".

Finally, we get to the big dog on the list - Management Consultant.  Let's see.  "Management" is the first word, so it's instantly on par with number 2 on the list.  Next we come to "Consultant", which is someone that works with people to analyze their problems and come up with a solution.  Doesn't that sound familiar? It should.  It's exactly the explanation of why Sales Engineer was so great.

In summary, a Management Consultant does the same job as a Sales Engineer, but he focuses on management structures instead of engineering products and services.  There we have it.  Connections between the top three careers as I see them, and a number one spot that appears to be the clear leader.  Winner.  Winner.  Chicken dinner!

With this said, I've put some more thought into getting into the Management Consulting industry.  I know that it is projected to be one of the fastest growing industry in the next 10 years, but I don't have much experience.  However, I have found that there are more business consulting areas that may be useful.

• IT Consulting
• Strategy Consulting
• Technology Consulting

I am excited about what Management Consulting has to offer, but the industries listed above may have a very valuable role in getting me to that point.  Next, I need to take what I have learned from this reflection and apply it to my job searching efforts.  Wish me luck!

Finding Your Dream Career

Here I sit.  Thirty-some odd careers that have been researched.  A number of blog posts.  Several different categories of careers (finance, sales, engineering, education, management).  What do I do from here?

I'm going back to the beginning.  Before I looked at any of these careers, I highlighted, my skills, interests, and the importance of money.  To help me narrow down this list to something that I can work with, I'm going to use these components.

First, the skills that I highlighted as being my strongest are that I am a good problem solver and I like working with (or leading) a team.  Second, I expressed an interest in finding a career that will allow me to make a difference by helping people and working as an analyzer and/or planner.  Finally, I highlighted that money is not my main concern, but I do need to account for it.

In addition to these areas, I felt it was important to find a career with a few other characteristics.  With the economy not being incredibly strong, finding a career that will have some growth despite the poor industry will be worthwhile.  In addition, I want to be sure that I can get into the career.  Lastly, I need to feel good about what I am going to do.  I need to feel a passion for the career in my "gut".

So, here is the list of things that I want my next career to have:

• Problem solving
• Working with a team
• Making a difference
• Analyzing and/or planning
• A good salary
• Growth in the field
• Ability to enter the career
• The "gut check" factor

From this, I made a table.  The columns were made of the 8 criteria listed above.  The rows were all of the careers that I had a positive reflection on in my blog posts.  In each of the cells (where my rows meet my columns), I assigned a numerical value of 1 to 5.  "1" being a very poor representation and "5" being the best I could hope for.

I went through the whole table assigning values.  For example, Top Executives make $167,280 (higher than any other I found), so where Top Executives met Good Salary, I gave a 5.  I feel that being an Education or Career Counselor would allow me to make a big difference in people's lives.  For the Make a Difference column, I assigned another 5.

After totaling the top 15 careers from my reflection, the top three scoring careers are below:

1. Management Consultant
2. Human Resources Manager
3. Sales Engineer

At first glance, these three seem quite different, but I have a feeling they are more similar than you may thing.  Next, I'm going to dissect these careers a little further to find why each ranked in the top three, and I hope this will show me where I truly want to work.  As always, I'd appreciate any comments you have!  Stay tuned!

More Management Careers

Here are the last of the management careers that I've chosen to highlight.  I hope you enjoy - there are some great careers!

Lodging Manager
Overview:

• Oversee day-to-day operations of hotels or motels
• Make sure customers are provided with their desired experiences

Skill Set:

• Able to communicate with a variety of people
• Problem solver
• Ability to remember details
• Calm under pressure

Other Information:

• Usually work with employees instead of only directing
• Expected to have little growth in the next 10 years
• Average salary: $53,500
• Opportunity for big bonuses with good performance

It's outstanding that lodging managers work closely with their employees instead of sitting in their office and "barking out" orders.  I've always liked to lead by example and give instructions only when needed.  I also like the idea of working to make people more comfortable during their stay.  I think this would be something that I would really enjoy.  My only concern is that I have expressed an interest in planning projects or events.  I feel this career might end up being more of implementation of the same plan, instead of making new plans to accommodate changing needs.  I still think it's a great career, but I don't know if it is at the very top of my list.

Management Consultant
Overview:

• Think of ways to increase company's profit and productivity

Skill Set:

• Strong communication skills
• Works well with others
• Problem solver
• Able to juggle projects on tight deadlines

Other Information:

• About one quarter are self-employed
• A lot of growth in the next 10 years
• Competitive job hunt
• Graduate degree and sales skills are helpful
• Average salary: $85,000

What a great career!  As a consultant, I would constantly be working on new projects.  I would be analyzing and problem solving all the time.  I would work with a lot of people, and I would make a difference in the companies that I consult.  On top of this, there is expected to be a lot of growth in the career, and the average salary is pretty notable.  I realize that it will likely be a lot of work and very competitive, but I feel that I want to learn the industry well enough to put forth the effort needed.  Very cool!

Top Executive
Overview:

• Run a business or organization
• Combine knowledge of industry with business intelligence

Skill Set:

• Able to analyze lots of information
• Strong leadership, communication skills, and ability to motivate
• Balance of being flexible and decisive

Other Information:

• Lots of travel
• Average salary: $167,280

The skill set for this career really speaks to me.  I feel that I would be able to fit a role like that quite well.  However, I feel that being a top executive would be a hard career to go for as a twenty-something young man just getting into the working world.  I hope that I can move into management positions throughout my career and maybe become a top executive at some point, but I don't see it as being my career path at this point in time.  Check back with me in 30 years, and you might hear something different ...

Well, I hope you've enjoyed the ride.  That concludes the list of careers that I wanted to explore.  I've enjoyed a lot of what I've seen.  Now, I'm going to take a look back at the careers and try to narrow down this list to a top three.  Tune in to find out my "dream career"!

Management Careers

As I was researching careers in the management realm, I came across many that seemed appealing at first glance.  I explored a large number of careers, and I don't feel it would be very worthwhile to highlight all of them here.  Instead, I'm going to highlight some of the ones that I was most found of.  I hope it will still give a good overview of what management careers have to offer and highlight some of my decision-making process.  If you're curious at all about the careers I'm skipping over, feel free to contact me!

Education Administrator
Overview:

• Provide direction for day-to-day management of child-care centers and schools
• Oversee education program at other businesses and institutions

Skill Set:

• Strong leadership and communication skills
• Organized and efficient
• Able to handle day-to-day operations and long-term planning

Other Information:

• There is expect to be little to now growth in higher education administration
• Average salary:
• Child-care: $48,170
• Elementary & Secondary: $87,390
• Higher Education: $95,340

Having spent the last two years teaching in a school, I have considered the possibility of getting into education administration somewhat.  A few of my former roommates were working on their master's degree in order to be a principal in the future.  In talking with them, I haven't always felt that being a principal is exactly what I would like to do.  I have considered, however, working in higher education as an admissions counselor, and I've also reflected on the possibility of leading education programs in a business capacity.  I think that education administration is a possibility for me, but I see it playing out in ways besides being a school principal.

Engineering and Science Manager
Overview:

• Engineering managers oversee engineers, scientists, or technicians
• Science managers direct research and development divisions
• Both work to translate complicated concepts to the consumer

Skill Set:

• Good at math and science
• Work well with people from various backgrounds
• Able to manage a team

Other Information:

• Most begin as an engineer or a scientist
• Science managers are expected to have some growth, but engineering managers will see very little growth in the next 10 years
• This can vary depending on the specific industry
• Average salary:
• Engineering: $122,810
• Science: $127,000

I feel that this is another career that seems to allow me to utilize my engineering background.  I like the fact that I would work in both the engineering world and the world of the consumer.  I feel that I am able to communicate with a variety of people, and this could make me a great asset to this type of position.  The average salary for this career is much higher than the others I've found so far, which is definitely exciting.  Although, I'm curious as to how qualified I would be for this position; I may need more work experience in an engineering field to qualify.

Financial Manager
Overview:

• Oversee monetary concerns of businesses or organizations

Skill Set:

• Problem solver
• Clear communicator
• Likes to work with numbers

Other Information:

• Many work for insurance companies or banks
• This field requires continued education to be effective
• Job market can be very competitive
• Having a master's degree or certification is helpful
• Average salary: $113,730

This career seemed very appealing at first glance.  I enjoyed many of the finance careers that I looked at earlier.  Plus, I've expressed interest in managing and leading teams.  It appeared this might be a great blend of the two.  Upon a closer look, I feel the "management" part of this career is overseeing the money - not the people.  While it is still attractive, I am not overly excited about this position.

Human Resources Manager
Overview:

• Answer questions about health care
• Work out disagreements among employees
• Ensure employees are being treated fairly

Skill Set:

• Clear communicator
• Likes to meet new people
• Able to work on many projects at once

Other Information:

• There is expected to be a lot of growth in this field over the next 10 years
• Average salary: $105,000

Although my source didn't mention anything about teaching/training employees, I envision there is definitely some possibility to utilize my education background in this area.  I know that this career doesn't seem to have as much of the technical components as some of my recent searches, but I see plenty of opportunity for problem solving and critical thinking.  I also would definitely get plenty of opportunity to work with a lot of people to help them in their job responsibilities.  I didn't necessarily have high hopes for this career at first, but I'm very pleasantly surprised!

So, there is a little taste of some of the management careers that I was drawn toward.  Tune in tomorrow, because I have a few more careers that I think are worth mentioning!

More Sales Careers

Well, yesterday, I explored some of what the world of sales has to offer.  Take a look at a few other options that I missed!

Sales Representative (Wholesale and Manufacturing)
Overview:

• Sell products from manufacturers to wholesalers
• Sell products from wholesalers to retailers

Skill Set:

• Like to interact and form relationships with people
• Persuasive communicator
• Works well with a team, but can work well alone

Other Information:

• Sales reps may work with an engineer for complex products
• Salaries are usually based on commission
• Average salary:
• Technical or scientific products - $81,370
• Other products - $61,400

I like to work with people and build relationships with them.  This field seems as though it would allow me to do that both with my clients as well as with a team of sales reps.  Also, I come from an engineering background which could make me more marketable in selling the technical products.  I might be mistaken in that assumption, but I figure it couldn't hurt too much!

Sales Worker Supervisor
Overview:

• Heads a sales team
• Keeps track of inventory
• Makes sure customers are happy

Skill Set:

• A self-starter who can make quick decisions
• Able to get along with a variety of people
• Organize and communicate with staff efficiently

Other Information:

• Expected to have very slow growth in the next 10 years
• Supervisors usually work long hours and weekends
• Having sales experience helps to get in the field
• Average salary: $39,130

I definitely think of myself as a self-starter, and I get along very well with many different people.  I have had some leadership positions, and have very much enjoyed managing a team of people.  These make me excited about this career.  However, I'm worried about the slow growth that is expected.  Also, the average salary is a little lower that I would have thought.  A lot of work with not much reward - I'm not so sure.

Travel Agent
Overview:

• Help people plan trips all over the world

Skill Set:

• Loves to travel and explore new things
• Problem solver
• Enjoys helping others

Other Information:

• Many travel agents specialize in one area or type of travel
• There is expected to be little or no growth in the field over the next 10 years
• Receiving training and becoming specialized helps
• Average salary: $32,450

I do enjoy traveling, but I don't know if I would say that I love it.  I am interested in finding a career that helps people, and I want  to do some sort of problem solving.  All good things!  Again, I'm worried about the growth in the field.  The fact that there is expected to be no growth means that the only spot I would be able to fill is the spot of someone that leaves.  Not too promising, if you ask me.  Plus, the average salary is not incredibly exciting.

That's what I found on some of the interesting fields in sales.  When I was looking at the sales worker supervisor, I was reminded of how much I enjoyed holding leadership positions while I was in college.  I seemed to have a great ability there too.  Perhaps, my next venture into the world of business should be centered on management positions.  I have a feeling this could get exciting!

Sales Careers

When I was in high school, I worked for a local bakery.  As part of my job, I took our bread to a flea market and sold it to people.  I would stand there with samples of bread on the table ready to be sliced and yell out, "Free bread samples!  Come and get 'em!"  Now, this wasn't some marketing genius that I came up with.  I was just doing what my boss told me.  On my second day at the flea market, the woman in the booth next to me said, "I've been here for 30 years, and I've never seen anyone sell like you.  How long you been doing this?"  I answered, "I just started yesterday!"  Well, I've had a few other "sales" experiences since then, and I have seemed to have an ability to sell.  Now, I'm not saying I'm the best sales person around, but I figured this might be a good place to look after the wonderful world of finance.

Insurance Sales Agent
Overview:

• Help people select policies for life, health, and property

Skill Set:

• Outgoing and confident
• Good communication of technical information
• Flexible
• Interested in continued education

Other Information:

• Online companies have slightly reduced the need for agents
• Beginners can have trouble getting enough clients to earn a living
• Pay may be on commission alone or a combination of commission and base salary
• Average salary: $61,330

I haven't always thought of insurance as an exciting place to make a career.  I can't come up with a reason why I shouldn't consider this career, but there doesn't seem to be much about the career that gets me really excited.  I will definitely keep it in mind, but I'm betting there is something out there that I will feel more passionate about!

Real Estate Broker and Sales Agent
Overview:

• Sell people's properties
• Help buyers to find the right property for them

Skill Set:

• Aggressive personality
• Strong math skill
• Interest in the economy

Other Information:

• Brokers and agents typically work evenings and weekends
• Need a license to work in the field
• Typically easy to start, but can be hard to earn a living with a poor economy
• Average salary:
• Broker - $78,360
• Agent - $53,100

I've always thought that being a real estate agent would be exciting - taking people around to houses; showing all the great things that properties have to offer; working with people to try to help them find their "dream home".  That seems great!  I'm worried about the skill set of this field, though.  I wouldn't necessarily call myself an aggressive personality.  Also, I like to stay informed of what is going on in the economy, but I don't particularly have a high interest in it.  For these reasons, I'm not sure real estate agent is the career for me.

Sales Engineer
Overview:

• Sell complex products and services
• Help clients choose, customize, and troubleshoot products

Skill Set:

• Being a math fan that likes to persuade people
• Likes knowing how things work
• Likes to travel and talk with people

Other Information:

• Many sales engineers start as engineers
• Hours are usually set by each person
• Average salary: $90,540
• Incentives are often given for good performance

I come from an engineering background.  As I mentioned, I seem to have an ability to sell.  So far so good.  I like the idea of traveling to meet with people and help them find which products or services will fit their business the best.  I definitely like understanding how things work.  I think I've found a definite career possibility.  Stick around to see!

Well, there you have it.  Selling insurance, real estate, and complex engineering products.  I think I like what I've seen so far, so tune in next time as I look at other careers in the sales world.  See you then!

More Finance Careers

As promised, I've looked at some more careers in the world of finance.  Enjoy!

Meeting and Convention Planner
Overview:

• Organize events for businesses and organizations
• Travel to many places
• Meet and work with a lot of people
• Juggle a large number of details related to planning events

Skill Set:

• Personable, organized communication
• Attention to detail
• Work well under pressure and at a fast pace

Other Information:

• Long hours are usually worked immediately before and during events
• This field can be sensitive to the economy
• Average salary: $48,060

I definitely have an interest in planning events.  Also, I'm very detail focused and work well under pressure.  I am also drawn to the fact that I could work with a number of people in this field and act as a leader to help the events run smoothly.  I'm also not opposed to traveling.  I wouldn't say I want to be on the road all the time, but I do enjoy going to new places!  (Sorry this career doesn't fit as well in the finance category, but a nice career none-the-less!)

Personal Financial Planner
Overview:

• Help people manage their money (short term and long term)
• Decide on investments in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and more

Skill Set:

• Good listener and clear communicator
• Problem solver who likes to work with numbers

Other Information:

• Expected to be one of the fastest growing fields in the next 10 years
• Tends to be a large amount of competition
• Average salary: $94,180

I do like problem solving, and I love working with numbers.  I've also always been a saver, so although I don't have an expertise in financial advising, I do have a saving mindset.  However, just as I commented on the financial analyst career yesterday, I don't find the stock market a compelling component.  I definitely like this career better than financial analyst, but I don't know that it really speaks to me.

Real Estate Appraiser
Overview:

• Decide how much buildings and lands are worth
• Inspect properties, compare to similar properties, and study their locations

Skill Set:

• Math fan
• Good communicator

Other Information:

• Need a license to work as an appraiser
• Once licensed, you can appraise other things (i.e. jewelry)
• Expect to have little growth in the next 10 years
• Jobs depend on the house market
• Average salary: $53,520

I like the idea of systematically looking at a building or a property and establishing a price.  This reminds me a lot of the cost estimator that I talked about yesterday.  However, I am a little concerned about how much this career works in a team.  In my mind, an appraiser is a lone guy going to a property and giving a report to the client when it's all said and done.  If this is the case, I don't know how compelled I'd be to take on this career, but I could quite possibly be mistaken.  I'll definitely keep this career in mind, but I will need to research it more before being able to make a decision.

Well, that's what I've come up with for the wonderful world of finance.  I have to say, I've been surprised.  Perhaps, I had a mental block about this field.  I don't know why, but I think it existed.  However, my love for math and problem solving seems to fit well in a lot of the careers I've found.  Now, I'll look at other aspects of the business world.  Sales.  Marketing.  Management.  I don't know!  Keep tuning in to see where this journey goes next.