20 Occupations Where Critical Thinking Plays A Major Role

by Alex Garcia

Friday, November 27, 2015

Critical thinking, which involves using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems, is a skill that belongs to a group known as process. Process is a set of skills that describes procedures that contribute to the more rapid acquisition of knowledge and skill across a variety of domains. Other skills that belong in this group are

Active Learning
Learning Strategies
Monitoring

The occupations where critical thinking play a major role are listed below.

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, judgment and decision making, reading comprehension, speaking and writing.
Median Annual Salary: $119,270

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, judgment and decision making, reading comprehension, speaking and writing.
Median Annual Salary: $85,500 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 8.04%

Mathematicians
Mathematicians conduct research in fundamental mathematics or in application of mathematical techniques to science, management, and other fields. Solve problems in various fields using mathematical methods. Other skills that are considered important for this occupation include active learning, complex problem solving, mathematics, reading comprehension and science.
Median Annual Salary: $99,380 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 22.48%

Mathematical technicians
Mathematical technicians apply standardized mathematical formulas, principles, and methodology to technological problems in engineering and physical sciences in relation to specific industrial and research objectives, processes, equipment, and products. Other skills that are considered important for this occupation include active learning, active listening, mathematics and reading comprehension.
Median Annual Salary: $44,880 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 8.48%

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, instructing, judgment and decision making, learning strategies, mathematics, reading comprehension, science, speaking and writing.
Median Annual Salary: $106,370 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 15.89%

Lawyers
Lawyers represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. They may also specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law. Other skills that are considered important for this occupation include active listening, persuasion, reading comprehension, speaking and writing.
Median Annual Salary: $112,760 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 12.98%

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, judgment and decision making, mathematics, operations analysis, reading comprehension, science and speaking.
Median Annual Salary: $81,540 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 72.02%

Medical scientists
Medical scientists conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health. Engage in clinical investigation, research and development, or other related activities. Includes physicians, dentists, public health specialists, pharmacologists, and medical pathologists who primarily conduct research. Other skills that are considered important for this occupation include active learning, complex problem solving, instructing, reading comprehension, science and writing.
Median Annual Salary: $76,700 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 40.36%

Biochemists and biophysicists
Biochemists and biophysicists study the chemical composition or physical principles of living cells and organisms, their electrical and mechanical energy, and related phenomena. They may also conduct research to further understanding of the complex chemical combinations and reactions involved in metabolism, reproduction, growth, and heredity. They may also determine the effects of foods, drugs, serums, hormones, and other substances on tissues and vital processes of living organisms. Other skills that are considered important for this occupation include active learning, learning strategies, reading comprehension and writing.
Median Annual Salary: $79,390 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 37.42%

Political scientists
Political scientists study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. They may also study topics, such as public opinion, political decision-making, and ideology. They may also analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various political entities. They may also conduct public opinion surveys, analyze election results, or analyze public documents. Other skills that are considered important for this occupation include active listening, reading comprehension, speaking and writing.
Median Annual Salary: $107,420 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 19.49%

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, judgment and decision making, mathematics, reading comprehension, systems analysis and systems evaluation.
Median Annual Salary: $87,650 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 21.37%

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 judgment and decision making 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, judgment and decision making, mathematics, operations analysis, reading comprehension, science and systems evaluation.
Median Annual Salary: $90,300

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, judgment and decision making, 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

Industrial-organizational psychologists
Industrial-organizational psychologists apply principles of psychology to human resources, administration, management, sales, and marketing problems. Activities may include policy planning; employee testing and selection, training and development; and organizational development and analysis. They may also work with management to organize the work setting to improve worker productivity. Other skills that are considered important for this occupation include active listening, monitoring, reading comprehension, speaking and writing.
Median Annual Salary: $87,330 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 26.26%

Civil engineers
Civil engineers perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures, and facilities, such as roads, railroads, airports, bridges, harbors, channels, dams, irrigation projects, pipelines, power plants, and water and sewage systems. Includes architectural, structural, traffic, ocean, and geo-technical engineers. Other skills that are considered important for this occupation include active learning, mathematics, monitoring, operations analysis and reading comprehension.
Median Annual Salary: $77,560 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 24.27%

Nuclear engineers
Nuclear engineers conduct research on nuclear engineering projects or apply principles and theory of nuclear science to problems concerned with release, control, and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal. Other skills that are considered important for this occupation include operations analysis and reading comprehension.
Median Annual Salary: $99,920 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 10.95%

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, judgment and decision making, mathematics, monitoring and reading comprehension.
Median Annual Salary: $82,870 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 15.3%

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, judgment and decision making, monitoring and systems analysis.
Median Annual Salary: $54,540 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 12.13%

Economists
Economists conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. They may also collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods. Other skills that are considered important for this occupation include reading comprehension and writing.
Median Annual Salary: $89,450 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 5.82%