14 Best Jobs for Problem Solvers

From business owner to project manager, here are 14 answers to the question, “What are some of the best jobs for problem solvers, and why?”

• Business Owner
• Detective
• Data Scientist
• Social Service Manager
• CX Specialist
• Biotech Career
• Sales
• Software Developer
• Mechanical Engineer
• Consulting
• Data Analyst
• Marketing
• Artist
• Project Manager

You need to be a problem solver to own your own business. Every day, an employee comes to me with a problem, and I need to figure out the best way to fix it. It can be anything from manufacturing issues to equipment breaking to two employees not getting along. 

If I weren’t good at coming up with a suitable solution quickly, we wouldn’t be in business today. You have to think outside the typical solutions to find your answer. When you first start a business, you need to solve problems and also be able to solve those problems as cheaply as possible.

Evan McCarthy, President and CEO, Sporting Smiles

There are many jobs that involve problem-solving, especially in law enforcement; such as lawyers and detectives. However, one must choose a career that is in line with their interests and abilities. 

Detectives work to crack cases. They typically have pieces of a puzzle that they need to put together to see the picture. Nothing screams problem-solving like solving crime. It’s a general problem the world needs to solve. Therefore, becoming a detective is such a great job for a problem solver. You will also earn good money from it, especially if you decide to become a private detective.

Lydia Mwangi, Content Writer, Barbell Jobs

Data Scientists are an excellent career choice for those who enjoy problem-solving. Data Science combines the analytical skills required to identify, extract, and interpret relevant data with the creative thinking needed to develop solutions from that data. 

People who want to pursue this career must also have a good understanding of technology and be able to use various tools and programming languages to analyze large datasets. Data Scientists are in high demand because of the ever-increasing amount of data generated and will continue to play an important role in many industries. They also have the potential to develop innovative solutions that can make a real difference in the world.

Mariusz Michalowski, Community and Career Expert, Spacelift

Not only does a career in social services challenge you to think creatively and outside the box, but it also allows you to make a tangible difference in the world around you. This career provides countless opportunities for problem-solving, from dealing with difficult clients and their unique needs to finding innovative solutions that resolve long-term problems. 

Above all, seeing the positive impact made through the successful implementation of your problem-solving strategies is rewarding beyond belief! Social service managers are truly irreplaceable for making positive changes in our world today. 

Whether working with an underprivileged population or helping families in crisis or homelessness, there are countless areas within this career where problem-solving skills are desperately needed to create positive outcomes for the community!

Piotrek Sosnowski, Chief People and Culture Officer, HiJunior

Customer service is a great job for a good problem-solver. It fills your days with situations that are all entirely different and depend entirely on their individual circumstances. You’re spending your day talking to customers who are all different from one another and pose unique challenges that need to be solved quickly and tactfully. Each situation requires an entirely different solution, and if you have a knack for problem-solving, a job in CX is a good choice.

Nabiha Akhtar, CEO and Founder, Lil Deenies

One of the biggest problems we face today as a society is adapting to an aging population while keeping medical processes and developments sustainable. That’s where biotechnology comes in. It’s a growing sector dedicated to finding solutions rooted in our natural world. 

Problem-solvers will find it satisfying to tackle multiple issues at once, like reducing agricultural waste via advancements in medical repurposing, or protecting genetic diversity in order to adapt the human genome to better shield against disease. Consider biotechnology if you genuinely enjoy the pursuit of a better world; its holistic approach to health will excite anyone looking for a challenge.

Debbie Winkelbauer, CEO, Surf Search

Whether you are selling something tangible like steel or intangible, like online visibility growth, you must solve the problem of what your buyer wants and what they will pay for it. In essence, the true art of sales technique is solving a Rubik’s Cube (i.e. your buyer) while the Rubik’s Cube fights back with its own agenda. 

The role of a salesperson combines problem-solving with creative thinking and strong communication skills, making it a great fit for individuals who enjoy solving complex problems and who can think quickly on their feet. 

In order to effectively sell a product or service, you must be able to listen actively, identify your client’s pain points, and suggest creative and effective solutions. This requires strong critical thinking skills and the ability to understand complex information quickly.

Jocelyn Bowmaker, Marketing Manager, The Mindset Development Group

If you’re a problem solver, the software developer’s job may be the perfect career path to follow for you. The role of a software developer is to design, manage, test, and evaluate new programs. You deal with a broad range of complex technical problems to find the best possible solutions, adjusting to the circumstances. 

It requires analytical thinking and breaking down problems into smaller parts. Doing the job in question, you brainstorm, theorize, observe, and interpret data to decide based on multiple factors. Investigative problem solvers may find a software developer’s job rewarding, inspiring, and enjoyable.

Agata Szczepanek, Community Manager, LiveCareer

Mechanical engineers design, create, and maintain machines and mechanical systems. They require strong problem-solving skills because their job is to analyze problems and create solutions that meet the needs of their employers or clients. 

Mechanical engineers must be able to think through complex scenarios and identify flaws in existing designs. For problem solvers who enjoy tinkering with technology and have an eye for design, being a mechanical engineer can be an exciting career path. 

Additionally, this type of engineering offers potential for growth; as technology advances, so do the roles of mechanical engineers. In order to succeed as a mechanical engineer, one should possess good analytical thinking skills, creativity for developing solutions, communication abilities to express thoughts clearly, and attention to detail.

Yusuf Shurbaji, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Prismfly

One good job for problem solvers is as a consultant. Businesses hire consultants to help them solve problems, improve performance, and achieve their goals. Consulting requires strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to think creatively and come up with innovative solutions.

Consulting can be a challenging and rewarding career, as it allows problem solvers to work on a wide range of projects and industries, and tackle distinct problems. It also allows for continuous learning and personal growth as consultants are exposed to different clients and projects.

Will Baker, Founder, Skirtings R Us

I believe Data Analyst jobs are a brilliant choice for problem solvers because these professionals collect, organize, and analyze large amounts of data to draw insights for supporting important decisions. 

This requires a keen eye for detail and great problem-solving skills to identify patterns and trends. Data analysts also need to evaluate data and make recommendations based on their findings, which requires not only the ability to think critically but also the ability to explain complex concepts in simple terms. All these skills make data analysis an incredibly rewarding job for problem solvers.

Shaun Connell, CEO and Founder, Learn Financial Strategy

Marketing requires creative solutions to promote and improve a business’s brand image and increase sales opportunities. It is an ideal job for people who are good at coming up with solutions to complex problems. They have to think of solutions that best fit the target audience. 

Working in marketing also provides an incredibly rewarding experience that constantly challenges people to come up with new ideas and strategies that result in successful outcomes. In summary, marketing is the best job for problem solvers who crave the challenge of finding solutions that best match the client’s needs.

Colleen Sproull, Content Marketing Manager, Evinex

Being an artist is not just about creating beauty; it’s about solving problems. Every stroke of the brush (or, in my case, a palette knife) is an opportunity to tackle a new challenge and bring something truly captivating to life. 

From mixing colors accurately to learning programs such as Photoshop, and even stretching canvas and measuring and hanging work properly, an artist’s work is a constant exercise in problem-solving. 

The challenge of creating something lifelike and relatable, capturing the perfect light and colors in a photograph, all requires the skills of a true problem solver. That’s what makes the work of an artist so rewarding: the ability to take on any challenge and turn it into a masterpiece.

Emilie Fantuz, Artist, Emilie Fantuz

Project managers are the first line of defense when problems occur. When deadlines loom or targets are at risk of shortfalls, it’s the project manager’s job to resolve issues and maintain productivity. 

Often, these solutions must be innovative, as a multitude of problems arises when managing complex projects. Consequently, skilled project managers are in high demand, particularly in tech, engineering, and management consultancy. Some smaller companies also use freelance project managers.

In these industries, deadlines can be tight and costs can be high, with significant potential to upset paying clients. We, therefore, rely on project managers to identify, resolve, and avoid problems from every angle, ensuring the smooth running of their operations.

Oliver Savill, CEO and Founder, AssessmentDay