Find Jobs
Keywords
Location

Gallery: The 10 Best Jobs of 2010

life insurance policy By Andrew Strieber

Actuary, a job that entails calculating the probability and financial impact of illness and property loss, ranks as the best job for 2010, based on research into 200 different positions in this year's exclusive CareerCast.com Jobs Rated report. Using five key measurement criteria – stress, working environment, physical demands, income and hiring outlook – the Jobs Rated report seeks to compare and contrast careers across a multitude of industries, skill levels and salary ranges, sorting them into a definitive list of jobs that can be called "worst" and "best."

Need a new career? The 2010 Jobs Rated report ranks 200 different jobs, from best to worst:

  • Actuary

    Pros: Great work environment, few tight deadlines, low stress.
    Cons: Moderate unemployment (expexted to improve).
    How Do You Get That Job?: Besides skill at math, becoming an Actuary requires passing several exams and taking courses from the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) or the Society of Actuaries. However, many companies will employ prospective Actuaries while they are still training for the exams.
    1 of 10

  • Software Engineer

    Pros: Excellent hiring outlook (ranked 1st), relatively good pay (ranked 23rd for median income).
    Cons: Tight deadlines, extremely long hours during product launches.
    How Do You Get That Job?: Typically a degree in Computer Science or Management Information Systems is required, as well as supplemental training in the latest technologies and programming languages.
    2 of 10

  • Computer Systems Analyst

    Pros: Excellent work conditions, strong hiring outlook (4th), relatively high median income (32nd).
    Cons: Sudden emergencies if systems crash, long, unstable hours when problems need to be fixed "right now."
    How Do You Get That Job?: A degree is Computer Science or Information Science is usually necessary, as well as (at times) an MBA. Highly detailed knowledge of servers and data networks is also key.
    3 of 10

  • Biologist

    Pros: Strong hiring outlook, good income, low stress and few short-term deadlines.
    Cons: A highly competitive field, many biologists must fight to be the first to find the right answers to problems they're studying – or risk losing funding.
    How Do You Get That Job?: Strength in math and science is necessary, and good writing skills are extremely useful. A degree in Biology, Zoology, Botany or Microbiology is required, along with a masters or doctorate in a more specialized field.
    4 of 10

  • Historian

    Pros: Excellent work environment, a need for "scholarship" that usually means little pressure to meet deadlines.
    Cons: Precise research into primary sources is often slow, working in a classroom environment can be trying.
    How Do You Get That Job?: Strong writing and research skills are necessary, as well as attention to detail. A Ph.D. and specialty are typically required for professional work, which varies from teaching and academic settings to the defense industry and State Department.
    5 of 10

  • Mathematician

    Pros: High median income (ranked 17th), excellent working conditions, low stress.
    Cons: Primary employers are universities and governments, both of which have had to cut budgets in the past year, hurting the career's hiring outlook.
    How Do You Get That Job?: Obviously math skills are a must. A bachelor of science in Mathematics is necessary, plus an advanced degree (master's or doctorate) in Applied or Theoretical Mathematics.
    6 of 10

  • Paralegal Assistant

    Pros: Strong hiring outlook (ranked 21st) and improving pay as courts have allowed paralegals to do more legal work than before.
    Cons: Long hours, high stress, without a Law degree there is a limit to how far you can advance.
    How Do You Get That Job?: Strong research and writing skills are needed. Obtaining either a paralegal certificate or an associate degree in a paralegal program is necessary for certification by the National Association of Legal Assistants.
    7 of 10

  • Statistician

    Pros: Excellent work environment and low physical demands (ranks 1st in both categories), high median income.
    Cons: Low hiring outlook (ranked 105th) due to the availability of statistical data online, work can often be monotonous "number-crunching."
    How Do You Get That Job?: Math, science and writing skills are all extremely important to becoming a Statistician. A major in Applied Mathematics or a minor in mathematics or statistics is required, but having a master's degree or Ph.D. is also very helpful.
    8 of 10

  • Accountant

    Pros: Great work environment, good hiring outlook (ranked 28th) and a relatively high median income for a job that doesn't require a master's degree or Ph.D.
    Cons: Frequent deadlines, stress from the need for absolute accuracy, long hours during the period leading up to when taxes are due on April 15th.
    How Do You Get That Job?: ath skills and attention to detail are essential. A bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance is helpful, and extensive study is needed to pass the CPA or CMA exam and become licensed.
    9 of 10

  • Dental Hygenist

    Pros: Strong hiring outlook, relatively good pay for a job that doesn't require an advanced degree.
    Cons: onotony, limited upward mobility unless you go to Dental school, a work environment that includes potential exposure to germs and infections.
    How Do You Get That Job?: Strength in Biology, Chemistry and Math is helpful. An associate’s degree from an accredited American Dental Association education program is required, and candidates need to pass clinical licensing exams in the state where they want to work.
    10 of 10


Post new comment

© 2012 Adicio Inc.
Our Partner Sites: