8 Jobs That Pay Well

8 Jobs That Pay Well8 Jobs That Pay WellA look at eight of the high-paying occupations and industries gaining traction.If youre planning to change jobs - and perhaps boost your salary - you might first consider some lucrative industries, and then pry into those industries for specific occupations. According to an analysis of Department of Labor figures by Dr. Laurence Shatkin, a career information expert, the four industries below are worth examining. Shatkin, who is a senior product developer at JIST Publishing, also provides examples of high-paid jobs within those industries filled by at least 1,000 or more workers across the country.The following industry and occupation descriptions are based on information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and 250 Best-Paying Jobs, Second Edition, by Michael Farr and Dr. Laurence Shatkin (Jist Works).UtilitiesThe utilities industry includes companies that generate, transmit and distribute electrical power distribute natural gas treat and dist ribute fresh water and treat wastewater.1. Occupation Nuclear engineers conduct research on nuclear engineering problems or apply principles and theory of nuclear science to problems concerned with release, control and utilization of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal.Median annual salary $96,000Number of workers nationwide 8,0002. Occupation Computer software engineers, systems software research, design, develop and test operating systems-level software, compilers and network distribution software for medical, industrial, military, communications, aerospace, business, scientific and general computing applications.Median annual salary $91,000Number of workers 1,400Technology ServicesCareers in the professional, scientific and technical services industry include legal advice and representation accounting, bookkeeping and payroll architecture, engineering and specialized design computer services consulting research advertising photography translation and interpretation and vete rinary services.3. Occupation Computer hardware engineers research, design, develop and test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military or scientific use.Median annual salary $99,000Number of workers 2,2004. Occupation Aerospace engineers perform a variety of engineering work in designing constructing and testing aircraft, missiles and spacecraft.Median annual salary $98,000Number of workers 22,000Media and Content PublishingThe information industry consists of occupations in publishing, including software publishing, and both traditional publishing and publishing exclusively online motion picture and sound recording broadcasting, including traditional broadcasting and those broadcasting exclusively online telecommunications Web-search portals data processing and information services.5. Occupation Sales engineers sell business goods or services - the selling of which requires a technical background equivalent to a bachelors degree in engineering.Med ian annual salary $92,000Number of workers 8,0006. Occupation Industrial production managers plan, direct or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality and quantity specifications.Median annual salary $88,000Number of workers 2,000Government and EducationThose working for federal, state or local government agencies as well as school districts and universities perform jobs that serve the public.7. Occupation Computer and information scientists, researchersconduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers or inventors. They solve or develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.Median annual salary $99,000Number of workers 6,0008. Occupation Natural science managers plan direct or coordinate activities in life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics and research and development in these fields.Median annual salary $98,000Number of workers 14,000

What we need from our bosses to succeed at work

What we need from our bosses to succeed at workWhat we need from our bosses to succeed at workEmployee engagement is the difference between seeing your work as a job or as a career. If youve ever worked in an office counting down the hours till you can clock out, you know this intimately. But a new comprehensive human resources study can now back you up with numbers.In an Officevibe real-time datasurvey of 50,000 employees across 150 countries, the software company found that workers across the world needed the same core needs - which included recognition, feedback, personal growth, and work-life balance- met to succeed in the workplace and to stay happy at their jobs.Recognition and feedbackHaving your hard work acknowledged is key to feeling invested in your job. Too many employees, however, arent getting the recognition they need.In fact, 63% of the employees surveyed believed that their work wasnt being recognized. Thats nearly two-thirds of American workers walking around feeli ng invisible.Not feeling appreciated is coupled with the equally discouraging feeling that no one cares enough to check what youre doing. 32% of employees said they had to wait mora than three months to get feedback.This datenwolke of negativity and apathy is what causes employees to disengage and quit. More than half of employees in a Gallup study said they would jump ship for a new job that would give them more recognition and praise.Employees and managers can fix this by offering positive reinforcement early and often. Its an unlimited resource. Theres no cap to how much praise you can give.A Harvard Business Review analysis even found that positive reinforcement makes more of a difference in employee relationships with managers than corrective criticism. Managers who only give negative feedback were seen as leaders who only saw whats wrong. Employees started to think that their bosses were unfit to lead if they were unable to see the whole picture. The takeaway from all this don t withhold praise. It can only help you.One more tip dont just say good job. Thats a generic Hallmark card version of praise. Its more effective if you make it authentic and individualized to that persons contributions to the company.A chance to move up in their careersNew opportunities and challenges are how we keep growing in our careers. Unfortunately, over half of respondents in the survey said they didnt have any career advancement opportunities. When youre not getting these challenges for professional development, you start to get bored and feel stuck, and youll look at that recruiters email with more interest.Work-life balance23% percent of employees reported leaving work feeling exhausted.When your body starts to break down because of a job, it begins to feel untenable to go on. Employers should encourage wohlbefinden programs, frequent vacations, and regular breaks to prevent this burnout.Work cultureThis one makes or breaks companies. How can you increase your companys gro wth if your own employees dont recommend the pace of your place?Over 56% of employees surveyed in the study said they wouldnt recommend their organizations as good places to work. They were more willing to recommend the companys products rather than their own teams. Without that positive work culture, you have a corrosive attitude like the employees surveyed had- one that will erode any good will and job satisfaction.These findings show that employee happiness begins with feeling invested in your job and that your company is invested in you. And not just in what you bring to the table as an employee, but you, the whole human.

The Tarzan Robot Assists Agriculture

The Tarzan Robot Assists Agriculture The Tarzan Robot Assists Agriculture The Tarzan Robot Assists Agriculture Agriculture continues to evolve as the worlds population grows and the climate changes, and assessing crops as they grow requires people and time. But robots may provide a solution. The Tarzan robot named after the Edgar Rice Burroughs character because it swings around on overhead lines to see the crops from different angles is one option researchers are exploring when it comes to robotics and farming. The idea is to have many of these robots covering large square footage, and communicating with each other to check different areas and evaluate conditions. More Mouths to Feed By 2050 there is projected to be nine billion people on the planet that will need more food, and there are a whole group of researchers trying to make plants better than existing ones, says Ai-Ping Hu, senior research engineer for Georgia Tech Research Institute. With soybeans, we have a partnership with the University of Georgia working with professors there and looking for strengths like drought tolerance. You can also look at aspects such as temperature of leaves, angles, size. This is called phenotyping, looking at outward physical expression. The Tarzan robot team [from left]: Siavash Farzan, Ai-Ping Hu, Professor Jonathan Rogers, and Evan Davies. Image: Georgia Tech Theres a great deal of interest in automating this process, he says, with some looking at UAVs or drones to serve this purpose. But, he adds, a problem is that they have a short battery life. They can fly for 20 to 30 minutes, but maybe a dedicated pilot is needed, he says. There are also safety issues and FAA regulations. Making parallel clotheslines was the start of the project. By having robots with lots of sensors, on cables, and having them talking to each other, we can do really detailed phenotyping that I dont think you can get with UAVs, he explains. Our way is a swinging motion which is called brachiation, a very efficient form of locomotion. The Tarzan robots parts include two carbon fiber armsat a central pivot where the payload is and the hands are made of 3D printed plastic. There is a thermal sensor and an app that will talk to a thermal camera and look at an accelerometer and snap images when there is no longer shaking. At one point, the goal was to have the fingertips grip the cable with compression, but that was found to be unreliable because of slippage. They changed to a design where the fingertips go over the cable safety in case it slips through the grip. The robots only need to be trickle charged with solar power and dont have to leave the power lines. Because they are close to the ground, the images are very detailed. We can move the cables as we go along but they are currently about six feet above, he says. As plants grow, soybean plants get to about five feet tall and we will have to go higher than that so they dont hit them when swinging to get the field of view we want. The robot weighs 10 pounds and will cost around $1,000, Hu says. Were looking forward to getting all the results in the field, he says, But we see a strong chance at assistance for farmers, which may lower costs for consumers. Eric Butterman is an independent writer. Were looking forward to getting all the results in the field. But we see a strong chance at assistance for farmers, which may lower costs for consumers. Prof. Ai-Ping Hu, Georgia Tech Research Institute