Six Careers in Deep Thinking That Pay Really Well

careers deep thinking

There is an increasing need for people with strong abilities to analyze and think critically as technology advances and impacts our world. 

One of the top abilities in demand in the job market nowadays is deep thinking, which involves analyzing complex problems and developing innovative solutions.

This skill is precious in fields such as data science and machine learning, where the ability to process and interpret large amounts of information is crucial. 

If you care about ideas and pressing issues, a career in deep thinking would be excellent. Along with excellent pay and job security, you’ll learn and experience things not many individuals do.

This article will explore the best, most lucrative careers in deep thinking. 

1. Design Thinking Strategist

An emerging professional path in deep thinking is design thinking strategist, which entails using design thinking approaches to address challenging business issues. 

Empathy, experimenting, and iteration are all components of the human-centered approach to solving problems – known as design thinking.

As a design thinking strategist, you would work with teams across various industries to identify and solve complex problems using a structured approach to brainstorming, prototyping, and testing ideas. You will be responsible for leading workshops and collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop innovative solutions that meet the needs of customers and stakeholders.

To become a design thinking strategist, you can earn an online design thinking certificate from a reputable institute to learn how to analyze and describe design thinking models, communicate when resolving issues, encourage new viewpoints to innovation, and gather and use feedback.

The median annual pay for a design thinking strategist is around $75,622. However, compensation can differ according to the sector, region, and amount of expertise.

2. Research Scientist

Research Scientist is a career in deep thinking involving scientific research to advance knowledge in a specific field or solve complex problems. This career requires individuals with strong analytical skills, the ability to think critically and creatively, and a deep understanding of the scientific method.

As a research scientist, you typically work in a specialized field, such as biology, chemistry, physics, or engineering. You will be responsible for designing and carrying out experiments, analyzing data, and interpreting results. 

You may also be responsible for writing scientific papers and presenting your findings at conferences or meetings.

Research scientists typically have advanced degrees, such as a Ph.D. or a postdoctoral fellowship. These positions can be highly competitive, but they offer excellent job security and the opportunity to work on cutting-edge research projects.

The salary for research scientists varies depending on the industry and location, but it is generally considered very good. As of May 2021, the average yearly wage for computer and information research scientists was $131,490, estimated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

3. Lawyer

Lawyers are professionals trained to interpret, apply, and enforce laws and legal regulations. They use their analytical, logical, and critical thinking skills to provide legal advice and representation to individuals, businesses, and organizations.

A bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, like political science or pre-law, is often required before pursuing a law degree from an approved law school to pursue a career as a lawyer. After their education, lawyers must pass the bar exam in their jurisdiction to be licensed to practice law.

One can specialize in a wide range of legal fields as a lawyer, such as business law, criminal defense, environmental law, intellectual property law, and more. Lawyers are responsible for representing clients in legal matters, such as negotiating contracts, preparing legal documents, and advocating in a court or before regulatory agencies.

The amount of money paid to solicitors often depends on their level of expertise, the area of law they practice, and where they’re located. As of May 2021, the average yearly wage for lawyers in the country was $127,990.

4. Business Analysts

Business analysts are professionals who use analytical and problem-solving skills to evaluate an organization’s processes, identify areas for improvement, and develop strategies to enhance its operations. They use data and statistical analysis to help businesses make informed decisions, increase efficiency, and maximize profits.

As a career in deep thinking, business analysis requires technical and interpersonal skills. Business analysts must be proficient in data analysis and deeply understand their industry. They must also have excellent communication skills to present their findings and recommendations to stakeholders and decision-makers.

Business analysts hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in one of these disciplines or a closely related one. Some business analysts also have professional certifications, such as the Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) designation.

Business analysts are paid highly for their duties in terms of salary. The typical base pay for a business analyst in the U.S. is roughly $76,457 per year, as reported by Glassdoor.

5. Data Scientist

Data Scientist is a rapidly growing career in deep thinking that offers excellent opportunities for those with a strong mathematics, statistics, and programming background. 

Data scientists extract insights from large, complex datasets through advanced analytical techniques and machine learning algorithms. They use their insights to inform business decisions and solve real-world problems.

One of the critical skills of a data scientist is the ability to manipulate and analyze data using statistical methods and programming languages such as Python or R. 

They work with various types of data, such as structured and unstructured data, and use data visualization tools to communicate their findings to stakeholders.

The demand for data scientists is growing rapidly as more and more companies realize the value of data-driven decision-making. The median annual wage for a data scientist in the U.S. is roughly $103,811, according to Glassdoor.

6. Algorithmic Trader

As an algorithmic trader, you will be responsible for designing, evaluating, and implementing algorithms that can analyze market data and carry out trades automatically to make money for the customers or their companies. 

It requires a strong background in mathematics and computer science and an understanding of financial markets and trading strategies. You must be comfortable working with large datasets and writing code in programming languages like Python or R.

Algorithmic traders typically work for large investment banks, hedge funds, or proprietary trading firms. The industry is highly competitive, and top performers’ salaries can be extremely lucrative. 

The average annual compensation for algorithmic traders in the United States is approximately $113,423, per statistics gathered by Glassdoor.

Conclusion

Careers in deep thinking that pay well are becoming increasingly popular as businesses and organizations recognize the value of individuals who possess strong analytical and critical thinking skills. 

Jobs in machine learning, data science, and research are in high demand and offer excellent salaries and benefits packages. However, pursuing a career in deep thinking requires a solid educational background, and individuals must be willing to learn and adapt to new technologies and methodologies continually. 

Ultimately, those eager to put in the effort can enjoy advantageous and lucrative careers in deep thinking.

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Cover Photo by Andrea Piacquadio

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