March 28, 2024

Planning For Higher Education: A Guide to High-Paying Career Paths

Considering job trends when planning for higher education is a great way to stay appraised for future job prospects. Whether you’ve recently graduated high school, retrained in another field, or looking to pursue a specialised field, knowing potential salaries is a great way to determine what could be worth the extra study.

Let’s explore some of the potential high-paying career paths that can be pursued through further education. Rather than questioning why you should start a Juris Doctor degree, a Master of Business administration or a postgraduate engineering degree, let’s explore what’s possible.

Seeking justice – careers in the legal profession.

If you’re passionate about advocating and actioning change, you may be interested in pursuing a career in the legal sector. Further education, such as that of a Juris Doctor can provide the opportunity to make the transition into a professional legal role, like a lawyer or solicitor.

For most professional careers, the option to study a JD is a good way to get into your dream legal career. In fact, there are many career changers that have shifted away from other industries, such as the media and arts, to work in a career they find rewarding.

One such notable career-changer is former media personality turned lawyer Corinne Grant. Formerly a media personality and comedian for nearly two decades, in the 2010s, she set her sights on working as a lawyer, pursuing a JD and shifting away from the media roles she held. Grant demonstrates that no matter your past career, the door is always open for a career change.

Not only may a career in law be personally rewarding, but it can also yield significant financial benefits. According to the online salary tool Seek Insights, top legal counsel earned an average salary of $162,074 per annum, ranking in the top fifty average salaries for the state. In fact, legal careers across the spectrum, particular specialisations in fields such as Construction Law, Industrial and Workplace Relations and In-House Counsel ranked highly in the ratings.

Do no harm – careers in health and medicine.

Do you care about the health and well-being of your community? Perhaps you’re an allied health professional looking to progress with your career. If so, a postgraduate medicine degree may be a course that interests you.

The healthcare industry encompasses a wide range of roles, from working in hospitals with patients in specialised roles such as a nurse, X-Ray technician or surgeon, to working with elderly residents in roles such as aged care and in-home assisted living.

Acquiring a postgraduate medical degree can be a rewarding and refreshing experience, offering a change from a standard 9-5 shift and opening up the door to high-paying roles in the industry. In fact, Nursing Practitioners earn an average of $127,958 annually, some 30% higher than Australia’s average salary. If you’re interested in a rewarding medical career or are looking to gain more specialised knowledge, you may wish to consider a medical career.

Building a body of work – careers in engineering.

From urban planning to the construction of the infrastructure of tomorrow, a career in engineering can offer a variety of rewarding employment opportunities. From being involved in public transport projects such as the Metro Tunnel or Suburban Rail Loop to constructing innovative skyscraper projects such as Australia’s tallest skyscrapers (and vertical gardens!).

Specialised engineering forms an essential part of these projects. From assessing the viability of major projects on varied geological surfaces as a geological engineer to developing building plans as a structural engineer to the implementation of construction plans as a construction engineering specialist, the role of the modern engineer can be placed in a number of roles in a major project. In fact, even after project completion, engineering forms a vital role in updating systems and workplace practices or engaging in improvements in process flow and operations.

Completing a postgraduate engineering degree may not only be personally rewarding – but it can also be financially lucrative. A role such as a Structural Engineer can earn an average of $119,008 per annum, reflecting the high demand for these roles in Australia. If you’re looking at exposure to a new career, you may want to consider further education in the engineering space.