The job market has changed almost beyond recognition in the past 10 years. Advances in technology have created tons of new jobs, and now digital jobs are driving the economy. Ten years ago, who would’ve guessed that we’d be using artificial intelligence and posting on the internet about our lives for money (see “influencers” below)? While it’s hard to believe we weren’t pining over hundreds of likes on Instagram just a decade ago, it’s amazing to see now how many more jobs are available.
Here are 10 jobs we couldn’t have dreamed of a few years ago—and why women should conquer them all:
1. Airbnb host
Renting out your property is a great way to earn supplemental income. Many women are using Airbnb as a way to make a passive income when they travel— almost 56 percent of Airbnb hosts are now women. Women are also taking advantage of Airbnb‘experiences’ like cooking classes or photography lessons to rake in some extra cash. It’s an excellent way to profit off their passions and meet new people.
2. User experience designer
User experience designers, often called UX designers, are responsible for improving the accessibility, usability, and overall customer satisfaction related to products and applications. Women are the minority in the design field, so we need to encourage more women to bring their unique perspectives to developing products and services. With the rise of social media and an array of different mobile apps, UX designers are now in high-demand— and well-paid. So ladies, start applying!
3. Social media manager
If you’re extremely organized and well-versed in all the social media platforms, you could excel as a social media manager. Women use social media more, and 74 percent of women-owned businesses compared to 66 percent of men-owned businesses use the platforms —so this is an important position for women. Managers make all the important decisions regarding social strategy, like which platforms to use, what content to push out, and how often to post. Mastering social media will also serve you well in many fields—it’s a skill highly sought-after by employers these days.
4. Ride-sharing
Craving more flexibility and downtime? Driving for a ride-sharing company may be the perfect gig for you. You’ll get to be your own boss, pick your own hours (key to women’s love of flexibility in the workplace), and benefit from surge-area pricing. Ride-sharing service Uber reported that almost one-third of new driver sign-ups are women, but there are a few safety precautions you should take as a female driver. Always encourage passengers to buckle up, call it a night when you’re tired, and you can always end a ride early if you’re feeling really uneasy.
5. Bloggers and influencers
Whether you’re into writing or videography, social media has completely changed the way we communicate with and influence audiences. Women make up almost 51 percent of bloggers —and many have made millions of dollars through advertising, social media management, and sponsorship deals. These women are passionate about sharing their lifestyle or reviewing products, and thanks to the rise of YouTube, there are now‘vloggers’ as well, video bloggers who share daily or weekly videos on the platform.
6. SEO specialist
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, and it’s a strategy used to naturally boost a site’s traffic and visibility. Women have been slightly more likely than men to start businesses in recent years, and promoting your business through a good SEO strategy is key. An SEO specialist will create content while keeping in mind trending keywords and phrases. Once the content is created, they’ll usually test out different layout, design, and advertising techniques to ensure maximum success.
7. Millennial generational expert
Yup, you can be an expert on the millennial generation and all of their wants and needs. These experts help companies understand the age group and how to effectively engage and interact with them. To be successful, you’ll either want to be a millennial or have close contact to the group and conduct in-depth primary research. Fun fact: Millennial women are on course to be the most educated group in generations by the time they finish their educational tracks. Maybe it’s time they educate everyone else on millennial needs and wants
8. Digital marketing specialist
If you’re digitally savvy and love creating campaigns, this could be the job for you. Digital marketing specialists create and design marketing deliverables to support the growth and expansion of a company’s products or services. Women have a ton of purchasing power and marketers are increasingly focusing on women, so employing female marketing specialists to understand the target is imperative. To be successful, you need to keep up with marketing trends, must be proficient in web development and graphics, and should have off-the-charts communication skills.
9. Podcast producer
In this field, there are still many more male producers than females, but the trend is looking up. If you’re super passionate about a niche topic, love interviewing interesting people, or your friends describe you as a “talker,” podcasting could be a great career for you. You are deadline-oriented, super organized, a natural leader, and never run out of fresh ideas. If you have a background in production or editing, you’re already ahead of the game.
10. Telemedicine physician
Thanks to advances in technology, health care is now accessible over the internet. Telemedicine physicians provide remote patient care through virtual communication outlets like video or online chat. The new field is especially helpful for women and young girls in developing nations who would otherwise have restricted access to proper health care—it helps patients bypass traveling long distances to doctor’s offices and allows them to easily ask questions about sexual and reproductive health.
