Careers for People Who Don't Like People

Debuantu — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 23:09:18 +0800

If you don't like working with others, you just may love one of these gigs.

Are you antisocial? Misanthropic to the max? Or just someone who generally prefers his own company to that of others? If so, finding an enjoyable career can be a bit of a challenge--especially in this service-based economy.
But fear not. "There's a lid for every pot," says Helen Cooke, managing director of Cooke Consulting, a management consulting firm. "There are plenty of important and well-paying jobs that require individuals to work alone."
Let's take a look at some of the best jobs for people who would rather not work with others. Of course, some people in these occupations could be super-outgoing social butterflies, but everyone from introverts to outright misanthropes can also thrive in them.

Accountant/Auditors
While just about any position will require some amount of face-time with co-workers and clients, accountants find themselves diving into a spreadsheet more often than reaching for a cell phone. With plenty of financial data and tax information to digest, chit-chat time is at a minimum.
Good News: The U.S Department of Labor predicts a 22 percent increase in job opportunities for accountants and auditors through 2018.
Average Salary for Accountants/Auditors: US$59,430 p.a.

Computer Programmer
It's not uncommon to see computer programmers listening to music while coding. Telecommuting is also an option at some companies. If you can write the code (which isn't easy) many tech managers might be happy to leave you alone.
Good News: Job opportunities are expected to soar 22 percent for computer programmers and software engineers through 2018, according to the Department of Labor.
Average Salary for Computer Programmers: US$69,620 p.a.

Writer
Writing is a solitary process. The ability to block out distractions and stay focused is essential in this career. Marketing is one industry where writers and copywriters are in demand.
Good News: The Department of Labor expects salaried writing positions to increase as the economy strengthens. Online media outlets are driving many of these writing opportunities.
Average Salary for Writers/Authors: US$53,070 p.a.

Forensic Science Technician
Although crime scene investigators have to deal with people, it's often just dealing with their hair, tissue, or DNA samples. When not collecting evidence, working in a laboratory setting is most common for forensic scientists.
Good News: Jobs for forensic science technicians are expected to grow 20 percent through 2018, according to the Department of Labor.
Average Pay for Forensic Science Technicians: US$23.97/hour

Budget Analyst
Similar to accountants, budget analysts help organizations increase profits by improving efficiency. But the bulk of their time is often spent working independently while compiling and crunching numbers.
Good News: Thankslargely to consulting opportunities, budget analysts are projected to enjoy a 15 percent increase in jobs through 2018, according to the Department of Labor.
Average Salary for Budget Analysts: US$65,320 p.a.

Medical Transcriptionist
Petty office politics and gossip don't easily reach the ears of medical transcriptionists, who wear headphones while transcribing dictated recordings from doctors and other health care pros. A no-nonsense, buttoned-up approach can help since you'll be editing reports for grammar and clarity. Many MT's work at home or off-site from their clients.
Good News: Independent contractors are common in this career, with many working from home.
Average Pay for Medical Transcriptionists: US$15.41/hour

Actuary
Risk assessment is the name of the game for actuaries, who spend their days analyzing the habits of people and companies. Instead of talking with people, though, their work is based on statistics.
Good News: Employment of actuaries is expected to jump 21 percent through 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Average Salary for Actuaries: US$84,810 p.a.

Undertaker
If you're a funeral director, you have to deal with living people who are grieving - not a good job for the people-skills-challenged worker. But the funeral industry also has good jobs in which the people you spend most of your work day with are dead. And dead people don't give boring PowerPoint presentations or talk loudly on their cell phones all day. Median salary: US$58,287

Heating ventilating air conditioning mechanic (HVAC)
This is a great occupation for people who ice over at the thought of dealing with others on the job. Contact with coworkers is usually minimal as you test equipment and try to solve heating- and cooling-system issues. Median salary: US$50,480

Trucker
Spend your days - and even your nights - alone in your truck. Median salary: US$42,237

Zookeeper
As long as you don't end up in one of the more visitor-facing gigs, like giving little kiddies tours of the exhibits, most of the time you'll be interacting with beasts of the non-human persuasion. Median salary: US$32,282

Carpenter
It's easy to work alone when you're a carpenter. And since there's always a structure in need of repair, there will always be work for a carpenter. Plus, plenty of carpenters are self-employed, so they don't even have to deal with a boss. Median salary: US$40,123

Independent consultant (of any kind)
You get to be your own boss, set your own hours, and deal with people as little or as much as you need to. Don't like interacting with someone? Write that person off forever! What could be better? Salaries are highly variable.
If you want to be your own boss, take a free entrepreneur test to find out if you have the necessary personality, skills, and motivation to succeed.

http://education.yahoo.net/articles/jobs_for_haters.htm
http://www.livecareer.com/

Do you guys agree? Anyone would like to add some other jobs to the above list? I for one prefer a solitary career

Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by Debuantu

Careers for People Who Don't Like People