Gold-collar jobs have become more ubiquitous in recent years due to the ascension of technology and the growing demand for specialized skills in industries such as healthcare, technology and finance. As generative artificial intelligence continues to become more prevalent in the job market, positions that necessitate human creativity, problem-solving and critical thinking are becoming more relevant and valuable than ever before.
The term “gold-collar” jobs refers to highly-skilled professionals in high-demand fields, such as doctors, lawyers, engineers, pilots and scientists. The designation “gold-collar” distinguishes these professionals from traditional white-collar and blue-collar workers, reflecting the specialized nature of their roles and the high compensation that comes with it.
The term was first used by Robert Earl Kelley in his 1985 book the Gold-Collar Worker. This classification is not to be confused with the alternative use of the term, which refers to young, low-wage workers who invest in conspicuous luxury.
Although they’re considered “desk jobs,” gold-collar positions are focused more on premium technical execution than administration, coordination or generic analysis. These workers are highly valued for their problem-solving skills and expertise, including computer engineers, technicians, technologists, researchers and analysts.
Much like white-collar roles, gold-collar jobs have a high barrier to entry, in terms of education, and earn an annual salary rather than an hourly wage, so they are also perceived as prestigious and desirable. The term “white-collar,” popularized by American novelist Upton Sinclair in the 1930s, refers to the crisp, button-down, white shirts that are worn by business professionals. These positions comprise office, administrative and managerial work.
Blue-collar jobs tend to entail manual labor and working with hands and tools. They generally occur in factories, warehouses, outdoors, construction sites and people’s homes. The term “blue-collar” was first coined in the early 20th century when laborers donned durable fabrics, like blue denim or chambray. The dark color would help disguise the dirt and grease, which were a part of their job.
How Do You Become A Gold-Collar Worker?
Gold-collar workers typically possess an extensive knowledge of science, technology, engineering and mathematics; therefore, these types of roles generally require advanced degrees and certifications.
It is essential that these professionals commit to lifelong learning, as they must regularly update their skills to stay current with emerging technologies and rapid industry developments.
If you have a proclivity for critical thinking and problem-solving, an aptitude for STEM and a desire to take on an analytical, technical and hands-on approach to your work, you may be suitable for a gold-collar.
10 Leading Gold-Collar Jobs
- Specialized Engineers: An engineer hyper-focuses on specific areas within the engineering field such as structural engineers, electrical engineers and mechanical engineers.
- Data Scientists: Data scientists are experts responsible for leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning on large datasets to help organizations make intelligent decisions.
- Quantitative Analysts: A quantitative analyst, also known as a “quant,” is a professional who uses quantitative methods to help companies make mission critical business and financial decisions. Often employed at hedge funds and sophisticated investment banks and trading firms, they apply mathematical and statistical techniques to evaluate financial instruments, financial markets and the behavior of market participants.
- Specialized Developers: A specialized developer is a type of software developer who focuses on a specific area of expertise, such as front-end or back-end development, mobile apps, data analysis applications or security testing. Unlike full-stack developers, who work on both the front-end and back-end of a project, specialized developers concentrate on a particular element of the software.
- Genetic Counselors: A genetic counselor is a healthcare professional with specialized education and training in medical genetics. They assess an individual or family’s risk of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders or birth defects, using family history. Genetic counselors also educate patients and healthcare professionals about genetic diseases and testing, as well as advise on the social and ethical issues associated with genetic disorders. They may specialize in areas such as cardiology, neurology, oncology, pediatrics, preconception or prenatal genetics.
- Nanosystems Technologists: A nanosystems technologist, also known as a nanosystems engineer, is a professional who specializes in the design, development and application of nanoscale systems and technologies. They work at the intersection of various specializations, including materials science, physics, chemistry and electrical engineering, to manipulate matter at the nanoscale.
- SpaceTech Engineers: A space tech engineer is a professional who specializes in the design, development, and application of technologies related to space exploration and utilization. While the term “space tech engineer” may not be a standard job title, individuals in this field would likely have a background in aerospace engineering or a related discipline. Aerospace engineering is the primary field of engineering concerned with the design, development, testing, and production of aircraft, spacecraft, and related technologies.
- Neurosurgeon: A neurosurgeon is a highly specialized medical doctor, with a focus in diagnosing and surgically treating disorders affecting the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord and nerves.
- Researchers: A researcher is a person who conducts organized and systematic investigations to discover new facts, solve problems or contribute to the understanding of a particular subject. Researchers can be found in various fields, including science, academia, business and technology. They are responsible for studying a subject carefully and may be involved in activities such as experimentation, data analysis, literature review and information discovery.
- Intellectual Property Lawyers: An IP lawyer is a legal professional who specializes in the area of intellectual property law. This field encompasses the legal rights associated with intangible creations, such as patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets. For example, there has been push back over social media sites showing inappropriate depictions of pop-star Taylor Swift using AI, as well as other instances of bad actors misappropriating the use of public figures’ likeness.
Source: Forbes
