15 Occupations Where Judgment and Decision Making Plays A Major Role

by Noah Smith

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

American Institute of Chemical Engineers

Judgment and decision making, which involves considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one, is a skill that belongs to a group known as systems skills. Systems skills is a set of skills that describes developed capacities used to understand, monitor, and improve socio-technical systems. Other skills that belong in this group are

Systems Analysis
Systems Evaluation

The occupations where judgment and decision making play a major role are listed below.

Chief executives
Chief executives determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers. Other skills that are considered important for this occupation include active learning, active listening, complex problem solving, coordination, critical thinking, management of financial resources, management of material resources, management of personnel resources, monitoring, negotiation, persuasion, reading comprehension, speaking, systems analysis, systems evaluation, time management and writing.
Median Annual Salary: $165,080

Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates
Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates arbitrate, advise, adjudicate, or administer justice in a court of law. They may also sentence defendant in criminal cases according to government statutes or sentencing guidelines. They may also determine liability of defendant in civil cases. They may also perform wedding ceremonies. Other skills that are considered important for this occupation include active learning, active listening, complex problem solving, critical thinking, reading comprehension, speaking and writing.
Median Annual Salary: $119,270

Actuaries
Actuaries analyze statistical data, such as mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates and construct probability tables to forecast risk and liability for payment of future benefits. They may also ascertain insurance rates required and cash reserves necessary to ensure payment of future benefits. Other skills that are considered important for this occupation include complex problem solving, critical thinking, mathematics, reading comprehension, systems analysis and systems evaluation.
Median Annual Salary: $87,650 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 21.37%

Industrial production managers
Industrial production managers plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications. Other skills that are considered important for this occupation include coordination, management of personnel resources and monitoring.
Median Annual Salary: $87,160

Mechanical engineers
Mechanical engineers perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems. Other skills that are considered important for this occupation include active learning, complex problem solving, mathematics, monitoring, operations analysis, reading comprehension and science.
Median Annual Salary: $78,160 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 6.03%

Foresters
Foresters manage public and private forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes. They may also inventory the type, amount, and location of standing timber, appraise the timber's worth, negotiate the purchase, and draw up contracts for procurement. They may also determine how to conserve wildlife habitats, creek beds, water quality, and soil stability, and how best to comply with environmental regulations. They may also devise plans for planting and growing new trees, monitor trees for healthy growth, and determine optimal harvesting schedules. Other skills that are considered important for this occupation include coordination, critical thinking, monitoring and systems analysis.
Median Annual Salary: $54,540 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 12.13%

Architects
Architects plan and design structures, such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural property. Other skills that are considered important for this occupation include critical thinking and reading comprehension.
Median Annual Salary: $72,550 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 16.24%

Chemical engineers
Chemical engineers design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering. Other skills that are considered important for this occupation include active learning, critical thinking, mathematics, operations analysis, reading comprehension, science and systems evaluation.
Median Annual Salary: $90,300

Physicists
Physicists conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories. Other skills that are considered important for this occupation include active learning, active listening, complex problem solving, critical thinking, instructing, learning strategies, mathematics, reading comprehension, science, speaking and writing.
Median Annual Salary: $106,370 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 15.89%

Biomedical engineers
Biomedical engineers apply knowledge of engineering, biology, and biomechanical principles to the design, development, and evaluation of biological and health systems and products, such as artificial organs, prostheses, instrumentation, medical information systems, and heath management and care delivery systems. Other skills that are considered important for this occupation include active learning, complex problem solving, critical thinking, mathematics, operations analysis, reading comprehension, science and speaking.
Median Annual Salary: $81,540 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 72.02%

Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers
Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers conduct hearings to recommend or make decisions on claims concerning government programs or other government-related matters. Determine liability, sanctions, or penalties, or recommend the acceptance or rejection of claims or settlements. Other skills that are considered important for this occupation include active listening, critical thinking, reading comprehension, speaking and writing.
Median Annual Salary: $85,500 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 8.04%

Mining and geological engineers
Mining and geological engineers conduct sub-surface surveys to identify the characteristics of potential land or mining development sites. They may also specify the ground support systems, processes and equipment for safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction or underground construction activities. They may also inspect areas for unsafe geological conditions, equipment, and working conditions. They may also design, implement, and coordinate mine safety programs. Other skills that are considered important for this occupation include complex problem solving, critical thinking, mathematics, monitoring and reading comprehension.
Median Annual Salary: $82,870 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 15.3%

Environmental engineers
Environmental engineers research, design, plan, or perform engineering duties in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental hazards using various engineering disciplines. Work may include waste treatment, site remediation, or pollution control technology. Other skills that are considered important for this occupation include complex problem solving, mathematics, monitoring and reading comprehension.
Median Annual Salary: $78,740 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 30.62%

Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers
Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing, multi-engine aircraft, usually on scheduled air carrier routes, for the transport of passengers and cargo. Requires Federal Air Transport certificate and rating for specific aircraft type used. Includes regional, National, and international airline pilots and flight instructors of airline pilots. Other skills that are considered important for this occupation include operation and control and operation monitoring.
Median Annual Salary: $103,210 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 8.37%

Urban and regional planners
Urban and regional planners develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas. Other skills that are considered important for this occupation include critical thinking, reading comprehension and systems analysis.
Median Annual Salary: $63,040 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 19.02%