The workforce is rapidly changing — for reasons ranging from economic upheaval, “the great resignation” of 2020, and more.
In light of an evolving professional landscape, workers every day are deciding to leave jobs that aren’t serving them in search of new opportunities that compliment their long term professional goals, personal interests, and overall happiness/satisfaction.
If you consider yourself a creative and critical thinker, then you have the unique opportunity to explore careers that are well suited for creative minds today. And some of them may surprise you — because after all, every single industry can benefit from someone who can think outside the box.
Best Careers for Creative Minds and Critical Thinkers
If you are seeking a new career in a field different from your current one, or if one of the below disciplines aligns with your existing field, these creative careers are not only fulfilling but also advance your career. Here are just a few of the best careers for creative-minded professionals.
Data Science
As technology continues to advance, an increasing number of industries reap the benefits of data science. From infrastructure to health care, from marketing to sustainability, data allows these industries to perpetuate progress in a variety of ways.
Data science, while a technical field, is perfect for creative thinkers — as the field requires the combination of innovative thinking and strategic decision making in order to help businesses stay relevant in the market. Ultimately, data scientists are responsible for envisioning new, creative solutions to problems and using inventive processes to visualize potential data changes and trends years down the line — all with the goal of increasing the bottom line for businesses.
As a professional working within a data science-related field, you can expect to secure roles, such as data scientist, market research analyst, machine learning engineer, and more.
Landscape Architecture
Landscape architecture applies both art and science to achieve the best use of land. A quality landscape architecture master’s degree program prepares students to become effective professionals and citizens, and this is achieved by emphasizing a philosophy of responsibility and commitment to ethical standards regarding the natural environment, professional practice, and personal relationships.
While professionals working in landscape architecture do need to master scientific knowledge of our natural environments, the field of landscape architecture also relies heavily on the creation of aesthetically pleasing and human-centered amenities that are useful and enjoyable to those interacting with the space. This requires creative-minded professionals who can make strategic decisions specifically with humans and cultural intricacies in mind.
Further, landscape architects are sought after due to emerging environmental markets and projected shortages of graduates from accredited landscape architecture programs — making this career an incredible choice for creative professionals who are interested in environmental stability and landscape design.
Robotics Engineering
Robotics is a sophisticated branch of technology that blends disciplines like computer science, engineering, and cyber-physical systems to create, evaluate, and utilize intelligent machines that are capable of working in tandem with or in place of humans.
Consider the ground-breaking technological inventions imagined in surgery today; the smart machines being used as first responders in the public safety sector; the automation systems being employed to reduce waste in agriculture. These are all (but certainly not the only) cutting-edge creations being imagined and implemented by visionary engineering professionals who also have critical interest in robotics-related disciplines.
Since the impacts of robotics engineering are felt in myriad fields — from exploration to mining, from surgery and intervention to smart car manufacturing — you can expect to use your creative and critical thinking skills to make a difference in the industry you are most passionate about.
Public Administration
Public administration is one of the most mission-driven, impactful fields today. Professionals working in public administration are tasked with envisioning, reviewing, and implementing transformative, creative public policy initiatives that make the world a better place.
Because public administration professionals are responsible for impacting public policy initiatives across multiple industries, there is a real need for creative-minded, empathetic public servants who can harness transferable skills and apply them in diverse contexts. Doing so requires thinking outside the box — taking into account the impacts of public policy in diverse social systems and adjusting with inventive solutions based on data-driven results.
Armed with a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree, you will have the opportunity to impact public policy in many areas, such as environmental instability, education reform, infrastructure management, and other important initiatives that make up the world of public administration and public policy.
Marketing
The marketing industry is home to myriad roles that combine technical and creative skills. You can expect to find roles that are creative in nature, such as creative director, content editor, design strategist, and more. Conversely, you can also seek out roles that are more technical (but still creative) in nature, such as web developer, marketing manager, or marketing analyst.
No matter the role you choose within the dynamic field of marketing, you will be tasked with consistently thinking outside the normal scope of operations — and will be responsible for envisioning, testing, and refining cutting-edge marketing strategies across digital mediums. Being asked to innovate on a day-to-day basis requires resilience in addition to inventive thinking, and for this reason, competitive, creative-minded professionals can expect to find a space to thrive within marketing and advertising.
Marketing is also one of the fastest-growing fields in today’s overwhelming digital world — making it a fantastic option for professionals seeking a dynamic and creative career.
Sports Management
If you are a former athlete looking for a career still rooted in sports, then you should research opportunities within the field of sport management. Sport management, sometimes referred to as sport business, provides real-world training in a range of areas including sport marketing and finance, fund-raising and development, sponsorship and sales, and more.
No matter the area of sport management you choose, you will be tasked with imagining and developing cutting-edge solutions to challenges that confront the sport management industry every single day, including technology application, marketing plan development, budgeting, and fundraising strategies. While success in the sport management field does require a data-driven approach, the combination of creative problem solving and strategy will always be invaluable in this industry.
Within the sport management industry, you can expect to secure dynamic and interesting sports-related roles, such as personal trainer, athletic director, executive sports recruiter, and more.
Take the Next Step In Your Creative-Minded Career; Connect with WVU!
As a skilled and marketable professional, you have the unique opportunity to secure a career that really speaks to your personal interests and professional goals. You also deserve to work in a field/role that aligns with your personality and strengths.
So, if you consider yourself a creative and critical thinker, then you are in the right place. At West Virginia University, we offer dozens of respected graduate programs that will prepare you for your dream career.
If you are ready to join a community of driven professionals at WVU, then get in touch with us today!
Learn more about how to become a graduate assistant with our Graduate Assistantship Guide!
