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March 11, 2010
Considering the standard American workweek is 40 hours long, who doesn't want to love what they do? But with so many choices available, sometimes it is hard to pinpoint exactly what that might be. If long division brings you down and geometry gives you hives, you may be looking for a profession that doesn't involve numbers. Whether you are fresh out of college or considering a career change, this guide to "math-free" careers can help you identify your perfect career path.
By analyzing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics using four measurements--pay, job growth, current unemployment levels, as well as the specific characteristic of the week--our experts have categorized careers in a way that will make your decision regarding which career to pursue significantly easier. This week we examine 7 jobs that don't require strong math skills.
Chiropractor
You won't have to crack the spine of a math textbook to become a chiropractor. Gentle hands that know their way around the musculoskeletal system are the tools of this trade.
What do they do?
Chiropractors diagnose patients with health problems of the musculoskeletal system and treat the effects of these problems on their patients' health. Many chiropractic treatments deal specifically with the spine and the manipulation of the spine. Some chiropractors use additional procedures in their practices, including heat, water and light therapies, massage, ultrasound, electric currents, and acupuncture.
Chiropractic medicine is founded on the principle that spinal joint misalignments can interfere with the nervous system and may result in pain and in lower resistance to disease. Chiropractors focus on the patient's overall health by providing drugless, non-surgical health treatments based on the theory that the body possesses inherent recuperative abilities. They also focus on other factors that affect health, including exercise, diet and rest.
What do they earn?
Since nearly half of all chiropractors are self-employed, earnings are typically relatively low in the beginning but increase as the practice grows. The median annual income of a salaried chiropractor was $66,490 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $45K and $97K a year.
How you can become one:
Chiropractors must be licensed, which requires 2 to 4 years of undergraduate education, the completion of a 4-year chiropractic college course, and a passing scores on national and State examinations.
Public Relations Specialists
You may need to add some spice to a client's reputation or subtract the drama from an unfolding situation but you won't have to crunch any numbers as a PR specialist. Strong communications skills and the ability to put out fires are required for success in a public relations position.
What do they do?
An organization's profitability, and even its continued existence--as we've seen over the past several years--can depend on reputation. Public relations specialists--also referred to as communications specialists and media specialists--serve as advocates for clients seeking to build and maintain positive relationships with the public. Their clients include all types of businesses, nonprofit associations, universities and hospitals.On a day-to-day basis, public relations specialists handle responsibilities which may include media and community relations, conflict mediation and employee and investor relations. Public relations specialists draft press releases about initiatives, products and services, and contact people in the media who might print or broadcast their material. For this reason, PR specialists must have terrific communications skills and a real understanding of their clients' goals in order to negotiate the concerns of community, consumer, employee, and public interest groups and establish a cooperative relationship with print and broadcast journalists.
What do they earn?
The median annual income for salaried public relations specialists is $51,280, with most earning between $38K and $72K.
How you can become one:
There are no hard and fast requirements to work in PR, though college graduates with a degree in public relations, journalism, or another communications-related field and who have completed a public relations internship will have the best opportunities.Lawyer
The legal system has a hand in nearly every important part of life, from buying a new home to adopting a baby to drafting a will. Lawyers, as a result, must be calculating in the courtroom, but not necessarily great at calculus.
What do they do?
Lawyers are the legal advisors and advocates in our society. As advisors, lawyers counsel their clients about their legal rights, protocols and obligations. As advocates, they represent their client in criminal and/or civil trials by presenting evidence and formulating a defense to support their client.
The day-to-day details of a lawyer's job depend upon the lawyer's field of specialization. Some lawyers are frequently in court, while others spend most of their time in an office environment. Lawyers often specialize in a specific area, such as family, international or environmental law.
What do they earn?
The median annual incoem of all wage-and-salaried lawyers was $110,590, with most lawyers earning between $75K and $164K.
How you can become one:
Formal requirements to become a lawyer usually include a 4-year college degree, 3 years of law school, and passing a written bar examination, though some requirements may vary by state. Be forewarned, competition for admission to most law schools is intense and, once finished, competition for job openings is expected to increase because of the large number of students graduating from law school each year.
Dental Hygienist
You'll need to know the difference between the 2nd molar and the 2nd Bicuspid and the numerical notation for teeth, but otherwise numbers don't play much of a role in the day-to-day responsibilities of a dental hygienist.
What do they do?
Dental hygienists examine patients' teeth and gums, looking for the presence of diseases or abnormalities. They also remove deposits from teeth, teach patients how to practice good oral hygiene, and provide other preventive dental care. Hygienists also take x-rays of teeth, and may apply cavity-preventative agents to patients' teeth.
In some states, hygienists are allowed to administer anesthetics, while in others they administer local anesthetics using syringes. Some states also allow hygienists to place and carve filling materials, temporary fillings, and periodontal dressings, remove sutures, and smooth and polish metal restorations.
A major perk: Most dental hygienists have the ability to work flexible hours or even part time.
What do they earn?
The median annual income of dental hygienists was $66,570, with most earning between $55K and $79K.
How you can become one:
A high school diploma and college entrance test scores are usually required for admission to a dental hygiene program. A degree from an accredited dental hygiene school and a State license are required for this job.
Air Traffic Controller
Being an air traffic controller may be a highly stressful career but it is not a highly mathematical one. The National Airspace System (NAS) is a vast network of people and equipment that ensures the safe operation of commercial and private aircraft. Air traffic controllers work within the NAS to coordinate the movement of air traffic to make certain that planes stay a safe distance apart. Concentration is crucial in this position but long division is not.
What do they do?
Air traffic controllers watch over all planes traveling in an airport's airspace. The immediate concern of air traffic controllers is safety, but controllers also must direct planes efficiently to minimize airline delays. As a result, some regulate airport traffic through designated airspaces, while others regulate airport arrivals and departures.
During busy times, controllers must work rapidly and efficiently. Total concentration is required to keep track of several planes at the same time and to make certain that all pilots receive correct instructions. The mental stress of being responsible for the safety of several aircraft and their passengers can be exhausting.
What do they earn?
For all the stress involved in the job, air traffic controllers earn high pay and have good benefits. The median annual wages of air traffic controllers was $111,870, with most earning between $71K and $144K.
How you can become one:
There are several pathways to become an air traffic controller with the FAA, including prior experience at the FAA, or the successful completion of an aviation-related program of study. Regardless of your path, everyone must achieve a qualifying score on the FAA-authorized pre-employment test and meet the basic qualification requirements in accordance with Federal law. Those without prior air traffic control experience must be 30 years of age or younger.
Bailiff
While you do have to know how to count--specifically how to count prisoners--serious math skills aren't necessary for bailiffs. But patience and the ability to handle work-related stress are key, as bailiffs have one of the highest rates of nonfatal on-the-job injuries.
What do they do?
Bailiffs, also known as detention officers, are responsible for overseeing individuals who have been arrested and are awaiting trial or who have been convicted of a crime and sentenced to serve time in a jail, reformatory, or penitentiary. Bailiffs can work at a courthouse, a jail or a prison and are charged with admitting and processing the approximately 13 million people who are arrested every year.
Aside from guarding prisoners, bailiffs report orally and in writing on inmate conduct and on the quality and quantity of work done by inmates they are supervising. Officers also report security breaches, disturbances, violations of rules, and any unusual occurrences. Bailiffs also usually keep a daily log or record of their activities so having string communications skills is key in this position.
What do they earn?
The median annual income of bailiffs was $38,380 in May 2008, with most earning between $29K and $51K.
How you can become one:
Bailiffs are required to go through a training academy. Once training is complete, they are assigned to a facility where they learn through on-the-job training. Qualifications vary by agency, but all agencies require a high school diploma or equivalent, and some also require some college education or full-time work experience. Military experience is often seen as a plus for corrections employment.
Written By Heather O'Neill
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