12 Careers for Problem Solvers

What's a good career for a problem solver?

To help you find a career that is perfect for problem solvers, we asked business leaders and other career experts this question for their best insights. From computer scientist to pirate detective, there are several good career options for a problem solver.

Here are 12 careers for problem solvers:

• Computer Science
• Public Policy
• Accounting
• Actuary
• Lawyer or Paralegal
• Project Manager
• Start Your Own Business
• Strategy Consultant
• Logistics Manager
• Health Inspector
• Systems Analyst
• Private Detective

Computer Science

There are a number of careers that involve problem-solving, and the best match for an individual depends on their interests and abilities. But the one option I like the most is a career in computer science.

Computer scientists work on developing algorithms and software to solve complex problems. They may also develop new ways to use technology to solve problems in other fields.

Whatever career path someone chooses, being a good problem solver can be invaluable. Those who are good at finding solutions to difficult challenges will find that they can make a real difference in their chosen field.

Antreas Koutis, Financer

Public Policy

Problem solvers should enter public policy. Shaping policy is the best way to solve problems on a structural level in a way that will benefit the most people. The world needs more creative thinkers working to fix our toughest issues. Those with a knack for solving problems can deeply engage and improve their communities by solving local issues.

Accounting

Accounting is like a rotating sudoku puzzle mixed with the DaVinci Code. Each entry you make builds on the last, and it is your responsibility to decipher the tax code to correctly categorize transactions. There are real benefits and penalties for your ability to solve these problems, and if your starting assumptions are flawed, you must work backwards to solve what is throwing off the balanced books.

Chris Vaughn, Emjay

Actuary

If you’re a problem solver who is adept at math and willing to advance your education, you’d be smart to pursue a career as an actuary. It’s a job in which you’re tasked with managing risks on behalf of stakeholders. Your job would be to protect assets and help increase profit margins. One significant benefit to being an actuary is the salary. Six-figure incomes are the norm for actuaries.

Chris Riley, USA Rx

Lawyer or Paralegal

Whether it is in the form of paralegals who help senior lawyers with all the support work they need on their cases or the attorneys themselves, every law professional is inherently a problem solver. Later in their careers, these natural problem solvers can even take on the roles of judges or move into the administrative services, using their strengths to resolve issues and working for the good of the masses.

Project Manager

Project managers solve problems for a living. They become very good at it very quickly. Project managers know the best steps for problem-solving – identify or define the problem, determine the causes of the problem, come up with ideas for solutions, select the best solution, and implement it. The third step is often the most fun. It involves a lot of collaboration and brainstorming. The last step is the most satisfying – when you know you’ve come up with a solution that solves the problem. Project managers have a fulfilling job.

Start your own business

Being an entrepreneur, at its core, is the best thing for a natural problem solver to do. After all, starting a business is identifying a need that is underserved or unavailable and offering a solution. Also, the day-to-day of starting your own business is constant problem solving of new and different problems every day. For a problem solver that enjoys being challenged to find innovative and creative solutions, doing your own thing could be the best decision you ever make.

Strategy Consultant

As a lifelong strategist and now strategy consultant, I am understandably biased about my answer, but the reality is that people who enjoy gathering facts and evaluating options to find the best or most profitable path forward would make great strategists.

In the corporate world, these positions might look like a director of strategy or a director of innovation, or even a CEO who is ultimately responsible for the vision and strategy of his/her organization.

Strategists are known for objectively gathering facts about an issue, problem, or situation and the market that surrounds that issue. Then, they can work with a team to formulate a solution or to evaluate outside solutions to the problem. Finally, they help make decisions and can assist with implementation, assuring that the integrity of a team's decision is not compromised. Simply put, strategists bring structure to solving a company's biggest problems.

Logistics Manager

As with any managerial position, the ability to problem-solve is the key to maintaining the high-quality and efficient implementation of various processes. As a logistics manager, you will be asked to oversee the day-to-day processes of warehouse workers and operations. This includes ensuring all systems are running at optimum efficiency and this is where your problem-solving skills will be most appreciated. You may have to come up with creative solutions to improve existing structures of planning, storage, and distribution of goods. The growth of this industry is strong and can be one place where your skills may shine.

Health Inspector

A problem solver is someone who like to set a plan of action in motion and see it come to fruition. Health inspection is a job that might well scratch that itch for someone who enjoys problem-solving. Health inspectors are tasked with monitoring and investigating potential threats to public safety. They often act in an advisory role for businesses like restaurants or nursing homes providing them with the necessary information to resolve any public health concerns they business may be facing.

Health inspectors provide an important service and their ability to see problems solved quickly are integral to the health and safety of the general public. This job may be a good fit for anyone who enjoys being a problem solver and knowing their job plays an important role in communities nationwide.

Systems Analyst

An excellent job opportunity for problem solvers is a career as a system analyst. A system analyst is an IT specialist responsible for analyzing, designing, and implementing solutions to information systems. The main goal of this position is to research problems, identify areas for improvement, develop changes, and implement them.

System analysts usually function as a bridge between the client and the developers. Unlike developers, they specialize in theory and do not typically involve themselves in the actual software development.

Given the high failure rate of IT systems and the need to implement improvements, every problem solver will have the opportunity to show their talent at work. What’s great about this job is that you don’t need a college degree; courses and experience matter more. As a problem solver, once you get the basics of the profession, you will have no difficulty finding a job. What about money? Systems Analysts make a median salary of $70,000 - $80,000 per year.

Private Detective

Become a private detective. This is a great career to follow for fearless, analytical thinking, and creative problem solvers. Private detectives conduct exciting cases, often help people in need, and earn decent money for it.

Good problem solvers are good thinkers. They listen to their intuition and focus on finding solutions. A detective’s job which involves solving puzzles, gathering information, and drawing conclusions can help them get the most of their natural potential as well as grow.