Some of the Highest Paid Jobs Can Also Be the Most Rewarding.....
The career path you choose has an enormous effect on your whole life, in terms of wealth and happiness. Which careers can bring you both?
It is often said that choosing your career is far too important a decision to make when you are a mere teenager, yet that is of course what all of us are expected to do.
We all know that a good work/life balance is important, and that the career we follow needs to be something we will enjoy and find rewarding. But with all that said, most people work to live rather than live to work, and very few of us would go out to work tomorrow morning if they stopped paying us.
So what are the best paying careers out there? And is it too late to change our mind if we have made a terrible mistake?
Airline Pilot
Who hasn't dreamt of putting on those Ray-Bans and channelling their inner Tom Cruise? Well, the role of an airline pilot might not quite be “Top Gun” but there is an undeniable glamour, and the opportunity to earn up to £140,000 per year.
Of course, it is not something you can walk straight into. You need an Airline Transport Pilot's Licence (ATPL), which means 18 months of full-time training that costs around £75,000.
You will also need to be in tip-top medical condition, with good hearing, eyesight and general fitness. For a job that involves international travel, a working knowledge of one or two foreign languages is definitely a bonus, too.
Lawyer
If you prefer to keep your feet planted firmly on the ground, there are few jobs that pay better than a lawyer. The average lawyer earns £67,500 per year, and top barristers can bring in well over £250,000.
To reach those heights takes years of hard work, both practical and academic, starting with a good law degree. From there, you will need to build up experience and pass the Bar Course Aptitude Test.
Only the best can reach the highest echelons – top lawyers and barristers are able to analyse and retain large amounts of complex information, and draw conclusions that they can present in a compelling and persuasive way. That means excellent written and presentation skills, and confidence in speaking publicly in a high-pressure environment.
Doctor
Everyone needs a good doctor from time to time, and it is no secret that top doctors earn top-notch salaries. Of course, this is another career that involves many years of training, both theoretical and practical, before you can reach those heights.
The good news is that medical practitioners are in short supply, so NHS funding might be available to help with your tuition fees and expenses.
Once qualified, there are many specialities to choose from, but a General Practitioner can expect to earn up to £85,000 per year.
Police Officer
There can be few jobs that are as challenging, but also as rewarding, as a career in the police force. But you might be surprised to hear that it can also be an extremely well-paid job, with senior officers earning around £60,000 per year.
The structure is very hierarchical, but after the first two years, there are a variety of career paths available, such as traffic, anti-fraud, counter terrorism and firearms.
One thing they all have in common is the chance to supplement your salary through overtime opportunities and a pension scheme that most careers can only dream of.