Which Jobs Pay New Hires Best?

Charles Purdy, Yahoo! HotJobs, Yahoo! HotJobs

Most college grads enter the workforce with thousands of dollars in student-loan debt–the College Board cites an average of close to $20,000 for bachelor’s degree recipients. And then come the lean years: at the beginning of a career, many people expect to live on the cheap as they build a resume, develop relationships with clients, or continue to hone their skills.

But not all careers require a long apprenticeship. People who want to earn high salaries right from the start of their careers can choose from several fields in which newcomers are relatively well paid, according to the new, second edition of Laurence Shatkin’s “250 Best-Paying Jobs” (Jist Publishing).

“Within these occupations, the workers who earn at the 10th percentile–meaning that 90 percent of the workers in the occupation earn more than they do–still earn at least $51,540,” explains Shatkin.

In other words, the lowest-earning 10 percent of workers in these careers earn more than 75 percent of all American earners. (Shatkin’s salary figures are based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment Survey released in May 2008.)

The following list features ten occupations from Shatkin’s list of jobs in which even beginners are paid well. People who want an immediate return on their educational investment may want to take note. Have an interest in teeth? Even better:

1. Orthodontists
Beginning Wage: $100,980
Median Earnings: $166,400+

2. Prosthodontists
Beginning Wage: $72,710
Median Earnings: $166,400+

3. Nuclear Engineers
Beginning Wage: $68,300
Median Earnings: $97,080

4. Computer and Information Scientists, Research
Beginning Wage: $57,480
Median Earnings: $97,970

5. Education Administrators, Elementary and Secondary School
Beginning Wage: $55,580
Median Earnings: $83,880

6. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Beginning Wage: $55,330
Median Earnings: $111,680

7. Lawyers
Beginning Wage: $54,460
Median Earnings: $110,590

8. Financial Managers
Beginning Wage: $53,860
Median Earnings: $99,330

9. Chemical Engineers
Beginning Wage: $53,730
Median Earnings: $84,680

10. Mathematicians
Beginning Wage: $53,570
Median Earnings: $95,150

Hitler reacts to Google!

One “aw $hit” wipes out ten “attaboys”

I was taught not to take compliments, nor criticizm too seriously. What does that mean? Well, basically it means that when people are criticizing you, you should really let it roll off your back as much as you are able. Most criticizm is done in a such a way that it does not really improve the situation, or the performance of the person being criticized, but just makes the target feel badly.

Compliments are no different. When you are complimented it feels very good at that moment, but is nearly as short lived as the criticism. When being complimented, simply learn to say thank you and move on. If you try too long to revel in it, it will be much harder when you come down from that high.

One important point to remember as well, is that all it takes is one bad moment, what I call an “aw shit” to wipe out ten compliments, or what I like to call “an attaboy”.

Why is that?

I think it is because mistakes often invoke anger, and an air of superiority over the person having made the mistake. The idea that people make mistakes is a known fact, but for some reason we seem to forget it and become angry when humans do what is normal for them – to be human. Unfortunately, it is much harder to forgive the mistake in the moment, than it is to simply criticize it.

So, never forget that one bad moment will wipe out ten very good ones.

Mike

The future of laptop computing

Take charge and don’t name drop

I have been in business for some time now.  I love business and I love management.  I have had my fair share of challenges, but I have worked to learn from each one.

Some years ago, as a new manager, I had a bad tendency to drop my boss’s name anytime I had to deliver bad, or less than happy news.  I used to say “Ken said we need to work overtime” or “Ken said that we need to improve our quality.”  In my mind, I was not the bad guy, so that would make my staff  love me.  I never had a problem delivering good news, only bad.

One day, after a particularly tough meeting, a meeting I probably dropped Ken’s name 15 or 20 times so to avoid being the bad guy, I had a visit to my office shortly after the meeting had ended.  Tena came in, sat down and sheeplishly and asked if I had a minute.  I had a good relationship with Tena, so her visits were normally pleasant and I invited her in.  I could tell from her body language that this was not a normal visit. 

She began by telling me that she really liked me, and enjoyed working, but…..  A friend  once told me that everything before the “but” is bull. so I waited for the rest of the story.   She went on to say that I should stop using Ken’s name.  She explained that believed that I had no authority with the group by doing so.  She suggested that I just needed to just say “I need you to do this by Friday” or “I am not happy with your quality.”   She advised me to stop dropping names immediately.

Well, I was a little taken aback by her critique, but also knew on a gut level that I was guilty.  I knew that I had been dropping Ken’s and other bosses names for years so to avoid responsibility for things.  I thought for a second and agreed with her.  I was embarrassed, but after Tena called me on it, I worked to stop doing it.  I still had an instinct to do so, but any time I did, I immediately took corrective action.  As time passed, I stopped blaming Ken and took complete responsibility for the good and bad news.

That small change affected my management style forever.  My team slowly began to respond to me differently, and my confidence, along with my personal authority grew.

If you are dropping names, or blaming others in your job, marriage, school, family or life in general, start to stop that today.  You need to take complete ownership of your career and every other aspect of your life.  Blaming others, if they own part of it, will never pay off.  And, if you are a boss, will have an adverse affect on your standing with your staff.

Hope that helps!  Leave me a comment or email me at michael_e_anderson@yahoo.com.

Just suit up and show up

“Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.”

Thomas Alva Edison

When I first heard that quote, I thought it was an utterly ridiculous concept, even if it did come from one of our greatest inventors.  Surely he was wrong, and in fact genius was a God given talent that allows those in possession of it to breeze through life by lending their divine gift to society in order to solve the world’s problems without lifting hardly a finger.  Perspiration? No way.

I know you have been taught how many failures our greatest heroes have had to endure before they reached the heights of their success.  I know you have heard of the lack of education that some very successful people have had, but yet they seem to overcome it and become our greatest thinkers.  And, I know you have heard or no of the man that starts a sandwich shop, landscape company, or car wash that is able to turn it into a multi million dollar success with a thousand dollars borrowed from an elderly aunt.  But how?  I will tell you – perspiration.  By working at it long and hard.  By perspiring 99%.

I was taught to get up, suit up, and show up every day.  I often tell my employees to give me a good eight hours and go home.   Woody Allen said “Eight percent of success is just showing up.”  Woody is right.

My point is that you will not be brilliant every day.  You will not be a genius every time out.  Nor will you shine every minute of every day, but you will be brilliant, a genius, and shine at some of moment of your life.  But, if you are not suited up and have not shown up, no will be there to observe your inspiration.

Just keeping putting one foot in front the other, no matter what curve life may throw you.

As long as you are breathing, the race isn’t over.

Leave me a comment.

Thanks,

Mike

Just Do It! Excellent video!!

Are you a Chicken Little?

There are many versions of the story of Chicken Little, but one such story line is that a chicken named Chicken Little is hit on the head by an acorn while eating lunch.  In her panic, she comes to the irrational conclusion that the sky is falling, and decides she must warn the King.  On her way to see him, she meets up with many other animals, namely Henny Penny, Cocky Lockey and Goosey Loosey.  When she encouters them, she screams ”the sky is falling, the sky is falling!!” and even gets them to join her on the way to warn the King.  Finally, they come across Foxy Loxy, a sly fox who offers the chicken and her friends his help.  The fox is not a good character, and uses their fear to take of advantage of them. 

How does that apply to you?

Every office is full of Chicken Littles.  They go around the office spreading rumors, gossip, and creating fear.  They ask questions with a hint of the worst possible outcome, and sew seeds of discontent.  I had one such friend years ago.  Each conversation would start in the most normal way.  We would talk sports or the weather, sometimes even family.  Then, he would ask the question.  “Did you see those people in Pat’s office yesterday?  I think they are here to start the sale of the company.  We may be out of jobs.”

The first few times he did it, I was terrified.  I was Henny Penny to his Chicken Little.  I would ring my hands out of increasing desperation.  I might even go to another co-worker and propapate the rumor.  Then I would find out that those people had nothing to do with buying the company.  I fell for it a few more times, but soon started to see what he was doing.  He was a classic Chicken Little.  I finally stopped visiting him.  I then came to realize he simply found himself another Henny Penny to whom he could spread his rumors.   He was the office Chicken Little.

His behavior was definitely extreme, but there are less obvious Chicken Littles in every office.  One such behavior is to be the negative person on a project team.  He continuously proclaims “We will never get this project done.  There is just too much work!”  Their “the sky is falling, the sky is falling” is detrimental to morale and the outcome of the project.  And ironically, more often than not, they are wrong and the work gets done.

So, I ask you, are you a Chicken Little?  Do you proclaim that the sky is falling, or do you find a way to get things done and even encourage others?  Very few Chicken Littles make it very far in business or in life.  They often get fired, or minimally, they are ignored.  My friend actually did get fired.  And, in one ending of the story, Chicken Little gets eaten by Foxy Loxy.   So, if you are a Chicken Little, I suggest you consider modifying that behavior and think twice before you go to the King or just might meet a sly fox on your way.

What do you think?  Leave a comment, or email me at michael_e_anderson@yahoo.com

Thanks,

Mike

The Princess and the Pea

Children’s story writer Hans Christian Andersen wrote this classic story about a prince who is in search of wife.  He cannot find a suitable partner anywhere.  One evening a guest knocks at the door.  A beautiful young woman asks to stay at the house, and the young prince is taken by her beauty.  His mother the queen, decides to test the quality of the girl, by placing a pea under her mattress.  The queen’s plan is that if the girl is of “princess” stock, her skin will be too sensitive to endure the discomfort of the small pea under her mattress.  Well, when morning comes, the sensitive girl proclaims she slept not a wink all night, even after piling 20 mattresses on top of each other.  She proclaimed her skin to be black and blue due to something being under her bed. 

Really?  So sensitive she could feel a pea under 20 mattresses? 

Are you, or do you know that someone like that princessw?  I am sure you do know her.  Well, don’t you be that princess.  Everyday you will be challenged by “peas” that have no lasting affect on the big picture.  You be given little problems to solve all day, every day.  You may be called into an unexpected meeting.  You may be given a last minute deadline.  Your child may get sick, and it is your turn to stay home.  The point is, don’t sweat the small stuff to the point that you are unable to focus on what is truly important at your job and in your life.

I have worked with and for the princess several times in my life, and they are truly annoying.  Everything bothers them to the point that they are ineffective.  The prince may be looking for a princess with skin so sensitive that she can’t sleep due a small pea under twenty mattresses, but I can assure you that your boss isn’t.  Your boss is looking for strong, flexible employees who can work under pressure, with very tough skin.

Are you the princess, or do you work with one?  If you are the princess, you need be aware of it and change that perspective starting today.  If you work with one, simply recognize it and work around him or her.

Tell me what you think!

Thanks,

Mike

The Emporer’s New Clothes

Do you remember the children’s story about the Emporer who asked a tailor to make him a new suit of clothes? The tailor pretended to make the clothes, and even convinced the Emporer that he looked beautiful in his new outfit, even though he was actually naked. And to make it worse, no one wanted to give the bad news to the Emporer out of fear of his reaction, so they all just said how beautiful he looked, even though he was naked! Then, during a public procession, a little boy said out loud “Mommy, why isn’t the Emporer wearing any clothes?” The Emporer, upon hearing the news that he was indeed naked, was humiliated and ran home.

Ok, so what does that children’s story have anything to do with you? Whether you are a manager or an employee, you need to create a work place whereby you can give and receive bad news without retribution. We need to be honest about situations. We need to manage up, down and sideways. If our boss needs to receive news that is less than good, you need to deliver it, but factually. Do not give excuses or deflection to someone else. Just say it. If your co-worker is not carrying his load of the effort, you need to politely, but factually tell him that. And if your staff meember is not doing what he signed up for, then you need to again tell them that, but factually. Do not, no matter who are talking to, add opinion. Facts, facts, facts. Once you add an opinion, you run the risk of being proven wrong, and becoming a significant part of the problem.

The higher up in the org chart I went, the better looking I got, the funnier I got, and I even started smelling better. Well, that is how some people made me feel. But, finding a truthful, candid co-worker who would tell me straight up what they thought, was like finding money in my jeans – priceless.

So, the next time your  boss is naked, look him in the eye and tell him – he will appreciate it.

Mike