Seven Careers with Very Good Upward Mobility

In today’s competitive job market, everyone wants to find a job that they can eventually turn into a high-paying career. Here are five careers that are not only lucrative at the onset, but that provide opportunities for upward mobility and career advancement.

Pipeline Inspection and Maintenance

In this field you’ll be able to interact with some of the most profitable industries in the world. Oil and mining machinery is what you’d usually be working with. Since this field is such a specific niche, employers set up very accommodating systems to help win their employees.

A great example is 20/20 NDT, a pipeline inspection company in Fort St. John. They recruit talent and provide multiple opportunities to gain senior status in a very short amount of time. Because 20/20 NDT works regularly with local natural resource companies, they have plenty of opportunities to give their employees.

Security Guard

The role of a security guard might seem like a very temporary sort of job, the sort of position where someone works to just kill time while looking for a different career. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, security positions offer great opportunities to move up to upper management and supervisor roles. Furthermore, if you’re considering a career in law enforcement, security guard work looks great on a resume.

Nurse

Most nurses will begin their careers as practical nurses, which is the most basic type of nurse. However, as you continue on in your career, opportunities to rise to better pay brackets will present themselves. Furthermore, many nurses can study to become RNs (Registered Nurses) while still maintaining a full work schedule and often on their employer’s dime.

IT Technician

The IT world is one of the fastest growing fields where no more than an associates’ degree is required. Even if you start in something as basic as help desk support, there are tons of opportunities to move upward in most companies, especially if you stay current on your industry certifications.

Dental Assistant

If you’re looking for a career in the dental world, begin as a dental assistant. This role involves aiding dentists in both their work with patients and the paperwork around the office. While working as a dental assistant, you can take courses at a community college that will enable you to eventually become a dental hygienist. Beginning as a dental assistant will help you to get an "in" at a dentist’s office and gain invaluable experience in the industry.

Legal Secretary

If you’re interested in working in the legal field, find a position as a secretary at a law firm. From there, you can follow two paths towards career advancement. You can either earn your degree in paralegal work from a technical school or you can simply gain invaluable experience and look for paralegal positions to open at your firm. While many firms prefer a degree, it is not required for paralegal work and oftentimes firms will train secretaries to fill paralegal roles.

Plumber

Plumbing is a hands on job that many consider to be a job that doesn’t have a lot of potential. However that is not the case. After working for a few years in the industry, you can be equipped with the tools you need to start your own business. Since plumbing is such a localized practice, you’ll be able to easily find a niche of your own to give birth to a business in. Business owners have the highest roof for their mid-life salaries, so this is a great option.