This article outlines career options that use both sides of the brain.
“Left brain” and “right brain” dominance is a popular notion that suggests that our brains have two distinct hemispheres for different functions. The left brain is often associated with analytical and logical thinking, while the right brain is typically linked to creativity and intuition.
But recent studies advocate for a more holistic perspective: that the left and right sides of our brains work in harmony to make our bodies function. Many careers, for example, require a delicate balance of both left and right brain skills.
As someone who may draw amply from both their left and right brains, there are several careers out there for you that can help you demonstrate your technical skills and express yourself through mediums like fashion and graphic design. These are also the perfect careers for dressing up at work, if that’s something you really like to do.
You can choose to represent your serious and logical side, for example, with a pencil skirt over some smart-looking women’s tights, or showcase your eclectic creative side with bold prints and statement accessories.
Careers that use left and right brains
Let’s get to know seven careers that celebrate both left and right brain skills:
1) Digital Marketer
Digital marketing is a field where data-driven decisions and creative content go hand in hand. A digital marketer may use their left-brain skills to analyze data and metrics, or to work with other specialists to implement technical search engine optimization. To be successful at what they do, they need to be logical and detail-oriented, which are traits associated with the left hemisphere of the brain.
On the creative side, they can tap into right-brain thinking to design engaging content that resonates with a human audience. This is less about numbers and formulas and more about storytelling and connecting with people on a personal level.
2) Brand Manager
Brand managers are the custodians of a brand’s identity. Their left-brain skills come into play when conducting market research, analyzing data, and managing budgets. Moreover, they’re tasked with making informed decisions and strategic plans based on facts and figures. As with digital marketers, they need to scrutinize details and constantly put on their logical thinking caps.
Meanwhile, a brand manager’s right brain may be busy crafting a unique brand identity, telling compelling stories about the brand’s products or flagship service, and building emotional connections with the brand’s audience. This blend of analytical and creative thinking is probably something that a brand manager truly enjoys about their job.
3) Copywriter
Copywriters are the wordsmiths of the marketing world. On the left-brain side, they use their analytical skills to research, structure content, and create persuasive copy. For each piece of copy, they meticulously choose the right words and phrases for maximum impact.
Yet, it’s right-brain thinking that makes their content captivating and unique. In their writing, a copywriter can paint pictures with their words, spark strong emotions, and craft compelling narratives that leave a lasting impression on readers.
4) Animator
Animation is a realm where technology and art closely converge. Animators employ their left-brain skills when they dive into the technical aspects of animation, such as understanding software, timing, and technical specifications.
But their creative right brain shines through in character design, storytelling, and visual aesthetics. Whether it’s a heartwarming kids’ movie or a mind-bending animated series for adults that they’re working on, animators use technology to create moving art that brings characters and stories to life.
5) Web Designer
Web designers are the architects of the digital world. On the left-brain side, they tackle coding, and technical problem-solving, and ensure a website’s functionality. Moreover, they pay attention to the nitty-gritty details to ensure a smooth user experience for visitors.
But a web designer’s right-brain creativity is what makes their work both visually appealing and user-friendly. The seamless combination of technical precision and artistic design is what differentiates an ordinary website from a remarkable one, and the work of a seasoned web designer from the work of an amateur.
6) Graphic Designer
Graphic designers are another group of professionals who utilize both analytical and creative thinking in their day-to-day work. Left-brain skills come into play when they’re managing projects, understanding client requirements, and ensuring that their designs align with their clients’ goals.
On the right-brain side, graphic designers must unleash their creativity to craft visually captivating designs that tell stories and set a brand apart from so many others.
7) User Experience Designer
User experience (UX) designers are all about creating interfaces that people are comfortable using. On the left-brain side, they conduct user research, analyze data, and design interfaces that are functional and intuitive. In addition, they must consider the user’s journey from a logical standpoint.
But it’s their right-brain creativity that helps them put themselves in the users’ shoes. This leads them to engineer empathetic design that truly understands the human experience. The end results are products and platforms that are not just functional, but also delightful to use.
The idea of left-brain dominance and right-brain dominance may be an oversimplified one, as studies now show that our brains are more versatile than previously thought. Both sides work together to make us multifaceted individuals.
Conclusion
Careers like the ones mentioned above don’t inherently value left-brain thinking or right-brain thinking over the other, and vice versa. Rather, they see both as necessary for today’s diverse and dynamic work environments.
Whether you identify more with your left or right brain—or love to use both—remember that the future of the professional industries requires us to embrace our full potential, just as our brains do.
