If you're the kind of person who thrives when interacting with other people, sitting alone in a cubicle all day can be absolute torture. If you're more comfortable chatting up clients than writing reports, check out these six "people-person" jobs.
Hospitality Management
Overseeing the day-to-day operations of hotels, restaurants and resorts is definitely not a job for a wallflower, says Dee Wilson, the career development coordinator for University of North Texas' School of Merchandising and Hospitality Management. "You need to be welcoming and energetic," Wilson says. "It requires someone who's very friendly and approachable." If you're working for a large international company, there's also the possibility of living abroad by transferring to one of the company's overseas locations.
Get to Know These Degrees: It's not unheard of to get started in this field without a degree, but a bachelor's or master's degree in hospitality management makes you more competitive for upper management positions -- and higher salaries.
Average annual wage: $48,660 (for food service managers) to $51,140 (for hotel and lodging managers).
Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives
Drug company sales reps deal with medical professionals all day long, encouraging them to buy their product. "If you are not a people person, I don't think you can be successful at it," says Tyriney Sims, a pharmaceutical sales rep in Baltimore, Md. "You're talking to physicians, nurses, physician's assistants all day long, every day." In addition to being personable, you should also have a fairly good grasp of sales techniques.
Get to Know These Degrees: Most drug companies require their reps to have at least a four-year college degree. A science degree isn't necessary, but it is helpful. "Of course, you won't know as much as a doctor, but you do have to study during training," says Sims, who has a degree in broadcast journalism. "If you have a science background, it makes it easier."
Average annual wage: $76,460 plus bonuses.
Personal Trainer
Personal trainers can carry out a number of duties, from helping gym-goers pump iron to assisting hospital patients with their physical therapy. The hands-on nature of the job necessitates an outgoing, approachable attitude.
"You should be professional, but your clients need to be able to talk to you about what's going on in their lives, because it is going to affect them physically," says Wendy Rue, a personal trainer in Boston. You don't need to be in perfect shape, but you should be fairly trim and fit -- "You should practice what you preach about exercise," Rue says.
Get to Know These Degrees: Some personal trainers have bachelor's degrees in exercise physiology or athletic training, but a degree is not required. However, certification by an accredited organization is a must. Two widely recognized certifying bodies are the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Average annual wage: $32,990.
Public Relations
PR professionals help shape the public image of the companies they represent, so a friendly demeanor and good social skills are essential. You should also be amenable to collaboration, since many PR agencies have their employees work in groups.
"If you're looking to work with different people and work with a team, PR is great," says Ami Hamilton, a senior account executive at Access Communications in San Francisco. "This is not a job for a person who wants to work independently." You'll also be composing press releases and editing other written materials, so your writing skills should be up to par.
Get to Know These Degrees: Most public relations representatives hold bachelor's degrees in communications-related majors, like journalism and English, but those with degrees in other fields may be able to get their foot in the door through an internship. "It's definitely about the experience," Hamilton says. "For a lot of people, an internship is critical."
Average annual wage: $57,100.
Human Resources
From interviewing job candidates to mediating employee disputes, HR professionals' main business is people, so anyone in that field should be able to relate to them well, says Beverly Wichman, a job interview coach and former HR rep in Nashville, Tennessee.
"You're often handling problems," Wichman says. "Very rarely does an employee come to you saying 'I just want to tell you about my great day.'" Most HR professionals also perform recruiting activities for their company, like placing job ads and working with local schools to identify potential employees. They also conduct the first round of interviews during the hiring process.
Get to Know These Degrees: The best-paying HR jobs usually go to candidates who hold 4-year or master's degrees in business administration, human resources or other related fields. However, entry-level positions are sometimes available for candidates who don't quite meet all these requirements. "Usually, they'll be able to grow from there," Wichman says.
Average annual wage: $56,740.
Licensed Professional Counselor
If you're the one friends turn to when they need advice or just to vent, then a career as an LPC might be for you. But be warned -- an LPC's client roster often runs the gamut from children to criminals, and a good counselor will need to be comfortable working with all of them.
"You do have to like people, and I do mean all types of people," says LeAnn Steen, an LPC and chair of the counseling department at Loyola University in New Orleans. LPCs work in a variety of settings, including battered women's shelters, nonprofit agencies, and their own private practices. Some LPCs also specialize in counseling a specific population, like teenagers or domestic violence offenders.
Get to Know These Degrees: Educational requirements for LPCs vary by state, but most require a master's degree in counseling, followed by a licensing exam and about 3,000 internship hours counseling clients.
Average annual wage: $40,710
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