You’ve Come a Long Way Baby!
Recent surveys indicate that the vast majority of workers plan to look for a new job this year. Many even want to choose an entirely different career path. Women, evidently, are leading the way in this pursuit. Surveys also indicate that more women than men are trying to get their MBA. We’ve come a long way baby!
Women want financial gain and above all, security. They are no longer satisfied with playing “second fiddle” to men in the work place. Women want it all and strive to balance family and work. Women who have become medical doctors seem to have the best shot at this balance. This includes dentists and optometrists. Women in these professions report high job satisfaction. This field is only projected to grow in the coming years with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Female health professionals, including registered nurses, pharmacists and dieticians, non-practicing medical scientists, and psychologists all report high satisfaction and feature good pay and strong future growth.
Women see opportunities to use their skills and education as a component of job satisfaction. They also like communication and compensation. Most jobs that create these dynamics do require higher education and commitment. For example, lawyers and judges and top-level managers and executives—jobs known for long hours and a lot of stress—have some of the highest satisfaction levels among women. These jobs offer a higher level of intellectual satisfaction.
Women like professional jobs because of the high levels of autonomy. They are free to make choices. If they want to attend a child’s baseball game, they can. If they have a sick child, they can make the choice to stay home and care for their child. Surveys all indicate that workplace autonomy plays an integral part in performance and productivity.
Other jobs that have ranked high among women include actuaries and petroleum engineers. These are typically male dominated professions. Most women who pursue these jobs have strong personalities and job skills that correlate with these professions. Women in these fields have also reported higher satisfaction levels.
Women no longer fear pursuing professional jobs that were once dominated by the male population. They are entering post graduate studies in record numbers. Who knows what the future holds for women in the workforce. There are still significant gaps as far as earning and leadership positions. But the numbers continue to move upward. Women have come a long way.
Source: “The Best Jobs for Women in 2013.” Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 26 Dec. 2012. Web. 04 June 2013.