Best Jobs in America and the connection to Quality
Periodically the Management and Strategy Institute updates this article with some of the newest jobs focused on QUALITY from the 100 Best Jobs list from US News. As expected, many of the jobs in the top 100 continue to focus on quality processes. This is why Continuous Improvement and Six Sigma certifications continue to be an essential addition to your education.
Some careers have moved up, while others have fallen off the list completely. Jobs focused on quality have remained strong. Lets look at some of the new careers focused on improvement processes and quality.
If you’re interested in jobs in quality, consider certifications on the following topics:
Quality Careers for 2023
Software Developers are the architects of the digital world, creating applications and systems that drive businesses and improve the lives of individuals. Quality is a critical aspect of their work as it directly impacts user experience and the efficiency of software solutions. Developers ensure the quality of their code through rigorous testing, debugging, and adherence to best practices. The demand for skilled Software Developers continues to surge due to the ever-growing reliance on technology, making it one of the best jobs in the US.
Health Service Managers are essential in maintaining the quality of healthcare services. They oversee the daily operations of healthcare facilities, ensuring efficient and effective delivery of care to patients. Quality assurance and compliance with healthcare regulations are paramount in this role. Health Service Managers play a crucial part in improving healthcare outcomes while managing costs, making it a rewarding career and one of the best jobs in the US.
IT Managers are responsible for overseeing an organization’s technology infrastructure, ensuring that systems run smoothly and securely. Quality in IT is critical as it affects business operations and data integrity. IT Managers work on optimizing processes, implementing security measures, and maintaining hardware and software to deliver high-quality technology services. With the increasing reliance on technology in today’s world, IT Manager positions are in high demand and rank among the best jobs in the US.
Logisticians are the professionals behind the scenes who ensure that products and services are delivered efficiently and cost-effectively. They manage the supply chain, coordinating transportation, distribution, and inventory to maintain quality while minimizing waste and delays. Quality control is essential in logistics to meet customer expectations and reduce costs. The role of a Logistician is highly regarded and is among the best jobs in the US due to its impact on an organization’s operations.
Management Analysts are problem solvers who help organizations improve their efficiency and effectiveness. They analyze processes, identify areas for improvement, and recommend solutions to enhance quality and productivity. Quality assurance and optimization are central to their role. Management Analysts play a crucial part in helping organizations stay competitive and adapt to changing markets, making this profession one of the best jobs in the US.
Quality Careers for 2022
Medical and health services managers are the planners, directors and coordinators who work behind the scenes to keep hospitals, nursing homes, group practices and other health care facilities running efficiently. In short, they are super-organized professionals.
Operations research analysts are high-level problem-solvers who use advanced techniques, such as optimization, data mining, statistical analysis and mathematical modeling, to develop solutions that help businesses and organizations operate more efficiently and cost-effectively. For example, UPS uses operations research to chart the flow of packages, provide real-time route guidance to drivers and help plan and manage distribution. In the health care field, the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York used operations research to design a radiation treatment plan for prostate patients using sophisticated modeling and computation techniques.
Management analysts – also known as management consultants – are typically hired to find ways to improve an organization’s efficiency and increase profits. Management consultants collect and analyze data about how a company works and then recommend changes that will decrease costs or boost revenue. Consultants often present their suggestions as a written report and oral presentation, which can help companies implement their recommendations.
Logisticians coordinate the responses to major natural disasters, such as hurricanes or earthquakes, or plan cleanups of environmental disasters like oil spills. Logisticians make sure the necessary equipment, supplies and skilled technicians arrive quickly and with the right tools at their side. Their skills lie in making these behind-the-the scenes undertakings appear effortless, so companies and governments can continue running smoothly. But logisticians don’t just deal in disaster response. They also focus on supply chains, identifying areas for improvement and developing strategies to minimize costs and maximize efficiency. Logisticians populate almost every field, from retail to finance to government. In the private sector, they handle shipping, distribution, warehousing and quick deliveries to customers.
Previous information from 2017
In 2017 a detailed report was released by CNNMoney & Payscale on the best jobs in America. They focused on the top 100 careers and based their decisions on the careers growth potential, pay rate, and overall worker satisfaction.
When looking at the list of 100 careers you quickly realize that a distinct pattern emerges. That is the pattern of “Quality” based jobs. The Management and Strategy Institute has been reporting for years that as automation and smaller workforce needs become prevalent, the need for people trained in quality control measures will continue to rise. This is because companies need employees who know how to reduce process-waste and streamline operations.
In all we counted at least 39 of the top 100 jobs had some form of direct correlation to quality and process improvement methodologies. While we won’t cover all of them in detail, let’s take a look at a some of these jobs and what they represent:
Job #6 – Quality Assurance Coordinator
For the purposes of this report, the QA Coordinator is in the field of Healthcare. These positions are generally held by nurses and they coordinate nursing practices with the patient. They are responsible for the overall quality and safety of patents and often implement changes and new quality initiatives. This is exactly why MSI offers Green Belts and Black Belts in Six Sigma for the Healthcare industry.
#16 – Quality Management Director
- Another career in the healthcare field – reading the job description of a Quality Management Director sounds a lot like the skill set of a Six Sigma Master Black Belt. Their job is to find ways to improve patient care, improve quality, and make sure staff is properly trained. The median pay for this type of position is high, coming in at over $109,000 per year.
#28 – Continuous Improvement Manager
- No surprise here, people with the skills to cut waste and inefficiencies will always be in demand. These positions are used heavily in manufacturing, but are used in almost every industry today. Improvement managers are constantly reviewing processes to look for ways to improve processes and increase profits. They generally need an understanding of all quality initiatives, not just one or two. They may even develop new processes, depending on the industry they work in.
When looking at the jobs on this list is clear that people with training and education will always be in demand. There are still plenty of high-paying jobs out there, but education will be critical in the future. All 100 of the jobs listed here require education to some degree. Many will also require some time of on-the-job training or apprenticeship. The rewards are worth it though considering the high medium income that most provide.
You can view the entire list of CNNMonday/Payscale jobs at this link:
http://money.cnn.com/pf/best-jobs/2017/list/index.html
