It's great to be a realist during pandemic times, but there are also reasons to be optimistic when it comes to considering the jobs front this year. Last year dealt many of us a wicked blow to our pockets and our careers, but experts are reporting that though there's been a "short-term jump" in unemployment, the outlook is set to improve by the end of the year. Though some positions are not set to come back after cuts, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are still some jobs in high demand this year and into the future.
If you're looking to change careers, upgrade your chance for job success, or take the next step to advance in your industry, check out these options:
1. Industrial Engineers
At least 30,000 new positions are set to open by 2029, and the median annual income is more than $88,000. Typically, a bachelor's degree is required and you'll have to be into ensuring efficiency in systems that affect mechanics, materials, information and energy.
Shutterstock
2. Human Resource Specialists
This job has a median salary of more than $61,000 per year, and it involves talent acquisition, management and training. If you have a passion for putting the right people in the right roles, cultivating (and enforcing) workplace practices that create cultures that retain the best of the best, and ensuring professionals are able to thrive, this is for you. A bachelor's degree is required.
3. Marketing Managers
You can earn more than $135,000 per year with this job, and the growth is faster than average. A four-year degree in advertising, marketing, or other related media studies is required, and you'll need to be passionate about how audiences consume media, buy into concepts, or get into products and services in order to tap in and be successful working for a brand.
4. Computer Support Professionals
With an annual salary of more than $54,700, this job is one where you are responsible for providing aid to individual computer users and companies to troubleshoot issues, train, or implement new protocols or policies. Some jobs require a bachelor's degree, while others will let you in the door with an associates or other professional certificates.
Shutterstock
5. Licensed Practical and Vocational Nurses (LPNs and LVNs)
The Bureau reports that healthcare industry occupations make up 13 of the 30 fastest growing jobs from 2019 to 2029, and the demand for healthcare services by aging baby boomers as well as people with chronic illnesses will drive the projected employment growth. With that said, LPNs and LVNs are in demand and can earn at least $47,000 per year. You can complete a one-year, state-approved program and then go for your licensure credentials to be qualified for this job. (Registered nurses are required to have at least a two-year degree, and those with bachelor's degrees command salaries of more than $73,000 per year. If you want to get your foot in the door and are not interested in the increased RN responsibilities or education requirements to become an RN, this is a great route for you.)
6. Speech Pathologists
You can earn at least $79,000 a year as a speech pathologist, and you'd be assessing, diagnosing and treating communication and swallowing disorders. A master's degree is typically required for this job, and the prospects for openings are expected to grow a whopping 25% (well above average) due to the growth of the baby boomer generation that are susceptible to issues such as strokes that cause communication and eating challenges.
7. Industrial Machine Mechanics
You can make about $52,000 per year as an industrial machine mechanic, and ladies, don't sleep on this. If you like working with your hands, fixing issues with machinery or equipment, or even have a knack with mechanics and systems, this might be a good fit for you. A high school diploma is the minimum requirement and the outlook for openings is at a 13% growth rate (which is above average.)
Shutterstock
8. Information Security Analysts
Cybersecurity is huge in terms of highly emerging industries, especially with many elements of business and everyday life going 100% digital or virtual. This job involves implementing, managing, and monitoring security measures to protect a company or organization's computer systems and sensitive information, and the outlook for growth is at 31%. You can make more than $99,000 per year in median salary with a bachelor's degree.
9. Specialized Health Industry Instructors
Depending on the level of education in which you teach, you can make from $43,000 to more than $160,000 in median yearly salary as a specialized health industry instructor. Specifically, those who specialize in areas such as dentistry, lab technology, medicine, or pharmacy are in high demand, and you'll need at least a Ph.D. for the post-secondary positions with higher salaries that are set to see growth this year.
10. Financial Managers
These professionals work in a variety of industries, from banking to tech to healthcare, and they can earn a median annual salary of more than $129,000 per year. The job requires a bachelor's degree along with at least 5 years of experience and professionals who enjoy this are into creating financial reports, managing funds, building lucrative portfolios, or helping individuals or groups reach their personal finance goals.
Are you a member of our insiders squad? Join us in the xoTribe Members Community today!
Featured image by Shutterstock
- 10 Best Side Hustles For 2020 - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love ... ›
- High-Paying Jobs For Women With No Degree - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love, Wellness, Beauty ›
RELATED
One day, I might really get into just how actually evil that is (because sex is never supposed to be a bribe in a relationship). For now, though, I want to talk about how motives reveal oh so very much when it comes to physical (and even emotional) intimacy. Hmph. It reminds me of one of my favorite quotes on the topic of motives: “People’s behavior makes sense when you think about it in terms of goals, needs, and motives.” An author by the name of Thomas Mann said that, and indeed it does because, when you are doing something merely to get your way, that is a form of manipulation or control.
On the other hand, when you’re doing it merely for the holistic pleasure of doing so — that is when you are experiencing intimacy in the way that it was intended to be.
So, when it comes to your personal motive for sex, what is it really all about?
What Are You Really Hoping to Get Out of Sex?
When It Comes to Your ‘What’, You Always Need to Know Your WHY
GiphyOh, I’ve got some more motives quotes for you. Psychologist Albert Ellis once said, “People have motives and thoughts of which they are unaware.” Author Paul David Trip once said, “We rarely do anything with one single motive.” It’s pretty ironic that actor Chris Noth (because if you know, you know) once said, “Since women ask me about male motives all the time, I can offer a bit of advice. If you feel like you're going to get hurt, then you shouldn't be there in the first place. That's the way I look at relationships.”
Now, before I attempt to build on these quotes, let’s first look at a very basic definition of motive:
Motive: a reason for doing something, especially one that is hidden or not obvious
Did you catch that? Oftentimes, when someone is moving based on a motive, the reason is hidden. Is it just me or does that sound semi-sneaky or opportunistic, right off the bat? Interestingly enough, some synonyms for motive include grounds, basis and root. All of those words make me think of the foundation of something. So, since we are talking about sex, specifically, today — before you decide to sleep with someone, you really should ask yourself what your foundational reason is and, if you’re choosing not to share it with said-partner…why is that?
Pick Your Top 3 Motives, Then Reflect
Let’s keep going. Some other synonyms for motive include aim; emotion; idea; impulse; intent; motivation; passion; rationale; occasion; incentive; consideration, and inspiration. Aight, so here’s another thing to ponder — out of these 12 words, select your top three that “connect the dots” as it relates to your motive (or motives). It could be that you feel passion for him, your intent is to show him that and, since you’ve been dating for a hot minute, you think that it’s the right occasion. In this case, what’s shady or opportunistic about that?
If that is indeed your motive, it would fall less into the “hidden” category and more in the “not obvious” once you really thought it through. On the other hand, if it’s more like you aim to have sex, because your rationale is to get some sort of incentive out of it — do you see how that’s totally different? And if indeed that is the case, WHY do you think that is okay?
Sex Is Not A Transaction — It’s An Exchange
I’m telling you, if there is one thing that I damn near loathe is how transactional sex sounds these days: “Unless you’re going to pay my bills, I’m not going to give you any.” What in the world? Listen, I don’t care how unpopular the opinion may be, sometimes — hell, oftentimes — the truth isn’t popular and the truth about copulation is IT IS AN EVEN EXCHANGE. No one should be paying you for it. He got pleasure, you got pleasure. Over and out. And if that isn’t happening, either there is more communication that needs to be going on (which is just one of the reasons why I’m not a fan of faking orgasms) or there is something “off” when it comes to you and your partner.
Whatever the case may be, before engaging in physical intimacy with someone, it’s beyond wise to spend some time getting really honest with yourself about what your motives truly are — because how we start something oftentimes sets the tone for the experience overall. Indeed, motives are a lot like cause and effect — they play a significantly profound role in determining the outcome of matters.
Real Compatibility Includes Mutual Motives
Sexual Compatibility Includes Having Mutual Motives
GiphyOkay, so now that we’ve discussed motives, in general — say that your motives are pure (and you are being really honest with yourself about that). You’re not hiding anything because there is nothing to hide. You simply feel so connected to someone that you are motivated and inspired to take things to another level.
Well, that’s where author Lebo Grand and something that he once said comes in: “Sensuality is the purest motive that exists on earth.” When something is sensual, it gratifies the senses. When something is sensual, it arouses the appetite — and yes, when you want to be intimate with someone, simply because you want to get closer to them, there is something that is very sweet, very sincere and even pure — in the sense of being authentic and real — about that.
If that is your motive, share that with your partner. If that is also his motive, then it’s time to get into what the mutual motives of what a healthy sexual relationship should be: pleasure, joy and satisfaction. Y’all, something else that messes many couples up is there is so much focus on what they want to get out of sex that they fail to fully tune in and tap into their partner — and that is unfortunate. You know why? Because it has been both my experience as well as my observation that when both people are totally invested in making sure that their partner is sexually satisfied both individuals end up feeling gratified and quenched. Yeah, a selfish motive rarely brings contentment like a selfless one does — and you can take that to the bank!
And that is why, although I think that sexual compatibility is important, you’d be amazed how much clear communication, patience and selflessness can “get you there” if sex seems awkward at first. Again, if the motives are right, goodness can come from it, even if it takes a bit of time and effort to get there.
When Your Sexual Motives Shift, Say Something
If Your Motives Shift, You Need to Speak Up
GiphyFinal point. It is the Greek philosopher Heraclitus who once said, “Change is the only constant in life” and this applies to every aspect of it — including sex. That said, some of you may recall back when I wrote an article entitled, “BDE: Please Let The 'It Needs To Be Huge' Myth Go.” The wife who I featured in that piece, we were recently talking about it and how she remains 10 toes down about the fact that a “big one” ain’t all it’s cracked up to be if the man who owns it is attached to a huge ego and not much else.
When I asked her to reflect on how much of her dissatisfaction was — and kinda still is — about him vs. who she now is as a person, she admitted that so much of who she is has changed from when they first got together. She’s older and so her hormones have shifted. She has spiritually evolved and so a profound emotional connection is more desired. She knows herself better and so she has some sexual needs that she never had before. And so, her motives have shifted from pretty much just having a good time (only) to longing for something…deeper.
This isn’t abnormal; many people go through this. Thing is, instead of being forthcoming with their partner, they would rather have them pick up on hints or, even worse, attempt to read their mind. Yeah, that’s not how effective communication works, y’all — if your motives for sex have changed, you’ve got to say something. Otherwise, you’re going to end up frustrated or unfulfilled…and honestly, your partner probably will too because if you are different and you don’t share it, eventually there will be a “disconnect” (and not just in the bedroom).
____
As I bring this to a close, take a moment to circle back to the first motive quote that I shared in the intro (“People’s behavior makes sense when you think about it in terms of goals, needs and motives.”). Whatever your sex life is like right now, what are your goals, needs and motives? What are his?
Figure that out and you’ll better understand where you’re at and, if you don’t like it, how to get to where you want to be.
It all begins with the right motives, sis. It really and truly does.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Giphy