College and University Blog

You’re not alone if the idea of giving a speech in front of hundreds of people gives you clammy hands, or the thought of making a presentation in front of a dozen colleagues leaves a feeling of dread in the pit of your stomach.

A lot of people aren’t big fans of standing up in front of others. But if you prefer to spend the majority of your time alone because you’re on the shy side, even interacting with others in a basic office setting each day could seem like a nightmare.

Finding the “perfect” career isn’t easy for anyone, regardless of their personality and likes or dislikes, but some careers are better suited for shy people than others. Earning a decent living while completely escaping all human interaction is just about impossible, but one of these seven good paying careers might be right up your alley. They do involve speaking and interacting with others, but the majority of the common job duties involved are performed alone or in quiet environments.

1. Accountant / Auditor

Accountants and auditors examine and prepare financial records, ensuring that things are accurate and up to date while complying with laws. Common job duties include:

• Preparing tax returns

• Auditing companies’ account books

• Organizing financial records

• Suggesting ways that companies can cut costs and improve profits

There are several different types of accountants and auditors, including:

• Public accountants

• Managerial accountants

• Government accountants

• Internal auditors

Accountants and auditors can be employed by a variety of organizations as well as accounting firms. Most accountants and auditors work full time. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2010 median pay for accountants / auditors was $61,690/year or $29.66/hour. A bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field is required and an advanced degree or certification (such as Certified Public Accountant) may help improve earning potential.

Related or similar jobs include bookkeeper and budget analyst.

2. Network Administrator

Network administrators, also known as computer systems administrators, are the people who are responsible for designing, installing and supporting a company or organization’s computer systems and computer networks as well as other data and communication systems. Common job duties include:

• Determining what an organization’s computer network and computer system needs

• Installing necessary hardware and software

• Managing an organizations computers, servers, and network security

• Upgrading and/or solving problems as necessary

• Collecting data to evaluate network and/or system performance

Network administrators can work for a variety of organizations and IT firms. A bachelor’s degree is often a requirement, but professional certification and work experience may suffice in some cases. Most work full time. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2010 median pay for network administrators was $69,160/year or $33.25/hour. Related or similar jobs include computer programmers and hardware engineers.

3. Graphic Designer

Graphic designers create visual concepts by hand or with computer software or a combination of the two. They may work for IT companies, design firms, publishing companies, advertising agencies, or in communications departments. Many graphic designers have specialties such as logo creation or web design, but common job duties often include:

• Creating images that identify products or convey messages

• Developing graphics for websites and print materials

• Choosing colors, font sizes and layouts

• Making necessary changes based on supervisor, colleague, and client input

• Reviewing designs prior to publication or display

Graphic designers can work for large organizations, small businesses, or for themselves as self-employed freelance graphic artists. A bachelor’s degree in design or a related field may be required at some places of employment, but non-college training or certification may suffice if talent and experience are deemed adequate. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2010 median pay for graphic designers was $43,500/year or $20.92/hour. Related or similar jobs include art directors and multimedia artists.

4. Computer Programmer

Computer programmers write code to create software programs, websites, or even smartphone apps. Most work for various IT development companies, and they generally specialize in a few programming languages. Common job duties usually include:

• Writing new computer programs in various programming languages

• Updating or improving existing computer programs

• Testing and fixing existing code for errors and bugs

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2010 median pay for computer programmers was $71,380/year or $34.32/hour. A bachelor’s degree is generally required, but an associate’s degree and/or job experience may substitute. Related or similar jobs include software developer and computer hardware engineer.

5. Writer

Writers, copywriters, and authors create original written content. Competition is fairly strong for salaried full-time writing positions, but many freelance writers are self-employed and able to work from home while making their own schedules. Excellent writing skills are an obvious requirement, but computer proficiency is also necessary. Common job duties may include:

• Writing original content for books, newspapers, magazines, online publications, advertisements, and more

• Proofreading written content before submitting to an editor or supervisor for feedback and approval Rewriting or revising content as deemed necessary

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2010 median pay for writers and authors was $55,420/year or $26.64/hour. Similar jobs include editor and technical writer.

6. Market Research Analyst

Market research analysts study market conditions in particular areas to research the sales potential of a particular product or service to help companies determine what people want, who wants them, and what price they are willing to pay. They work in nearly all industries. Common job duties include:

• Gathering information regarding data and sales history

• Analyzing data

• Preparing reports

• Projecting sales potential in a particular area

A bachelor’s degree or higher is generally required to be hired as a market research analyst. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2010 median pay for market research analysts was $60,570/year or $29.12/hour. Similar jobs include cost estimators and economists.

7. Paralegal

Paralegals, or legal assistants, support lawyers by performing a variety of tasks. These include:

• Maintaining and organizing files

• Legal research regarding previous cases

• Drafting and preparing documents

An associate’s degree or certification in paralegal studies is a common requirement, but some law firms hire college graduates with degrees in unrelated fields while providing on the job training. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2010 median pay for paralegals and legal assistants was $46,680/year or $22.44/hour. Similar jobs include claims adjusters and administrative assistants.

Posted on 13 May

Melissa Rhone+

Melissa Rhone earned her Bachelor of Music in Education from the University of Tampa. She resides in the Tampa Bay area and enjoys writing about college, pop culture, and epilepsy awareness.