With male domination in certain corporate sectors, it’s nice to know there are still plenty of incredible careers waiting for intelligent, ambitious women of all ages.
In particular, tech-based employers are looking for women to diversify their workforce. In fact, a recent study conducted by the trade association for the tech industry, CompTIA, details some of the more interesting ones. Here are seven of them, with average salaries according to GlassDoor:
Music Data Scientist
Music data scientists use machine learning to test and refine playlist algorithms. The ‘Einsteins of Sound,’ like those at Pandora and Spotify, analyze everything from music similarity to music knowledge, playlist generation and more to help customers discover music they will love.
AVERAGE SALARY: $113,309
Virtual Museum Curator
Virtual museum curators choose communication and navigation technologies that extend and enrich the total museum experience. These curators are hired by museums to allow people to experience a museum and gallery from the comfort of their own home.
Think about it: One day we won’t have to leave the house for anything —partly thanks to you!
AVERAGE SALARY: $60,218
Wildlife Technician
A wildlife technician works in the field assessing the health of wildlife and resources that pertain to animals’ natural habitat. Responsibilities include boat handling, applying the use of GPS units, fish netting, sampling and tagging, as well as working under standardized protocols for habitat assessment, wetland classification, bird banding and use of wildlife monitoring technologies. EnvironmentalScience.org has a comprehensive rundown of what it takes to be a wildlife technician, including how to find courses of study and resources to available job openings.
AVERAGE SALARY: $49,720
Informatics Nurse
An informatics nurse integrates nursing science with multiple information management and analytical sciences. One of the primary responsibilities of an informatics nurse is to ensure information technology systems are as up-to-date as possible, and all information is accessible to doctors, nurses, specialists and the patients themselves to drive better decision-making. While a bachelor’s degree may suffice, many employers prefer candidates with a Master’s degree in Health Informatics, Healthcare Management, or Quality Management due to the specialized nature of the work.
AVERAGE SALARY: $65,870
Textiles Engineer
From clothes to bed sheets, draperies, carpeting, upholstery fabrics and towels, textile engineers design and develop the processes, equipment and procedures that create their associated fibers, yarns and fabrics.
I don’t know why this description reminds me of Miranda Priestly’s cerulean monologue in the Devil Wears Prada, but if you play your cards right you could be the one designing overpriced garments for fashion magazines one day.
AVERAGE SALARY: $55,371
Visual Journalist
Visual journalists use technology to make news more interactive, more engaging and creative, and to get users more involved. For modern visual journalists, it isn’t just about images but moving 3-dimensional models, quizzes, surveys, and finding newer, brighter ways of not only presenting data to the public but getting them involved in it, making the reader a part of the story instead of just a consumer of information.
I once worked with a visual journalist who illustrated our meeting on a dry-erase board in real time. It was fascinating to watch; the meeting was much more entertaining and engaging, and the artist was paid a pretty penny for her skills.
AVERAGE SALARY: $44,477
Smart Cities Analyst
A smart cities analyst guides urban development as cities become smarter, and technology becomes an even bigger part of city living. The role requires using technology systems to improve energy conservation, transportation, public services and more.
Of course, a robot may still replace you someday, but that’s par for the course.
AVERAGE SALARY: $64,616
Photo Credit: DonkeyHotey