Careers
Plain-language guides to what people in a career do, the skills it asks for and how to get there. Careers with a bright outlook are marked.
Accountants and Auditors
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
- Numerous Job Openings
Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Actuaries
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Analyze statistical data, such as mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates and construct probability tables to…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Acupuncturists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Diagnose, treat, and prevent disorders by stimulating specific acupuncture points within the body using acupuncture needles.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Acute Care Nurses
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
- Numerous Job Openings
Provide advanced nursing care for patients with acute conditions such as heart attacks, respiratory distress syndrome, or shock.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Administrative Services Managers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail…
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
- Numerous Job Openings
Assess, diagnose, and treat individuals and families with mental health or substance use disorders or the potential for such disorders.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Operate, install, adjust, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems, consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test…
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Aerospace Engineers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Perform engineering duties in designing, constructing, and testing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Represent and promote artists, performers, and athletes in dealings with current or prospective employers.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Agricultural Engineers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Apply knowledge of engineering technology and biological science to agricultural problems concerned with power and machinery…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Agricultural Equipment Operators
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Drive and control equipment to support agricultural activities such as tilling soil; planting, cultivating, and harvesting crops; feeding…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Agricultural Technicians
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Work with agricultural scientists in plant, fiber, and animal research, or assist with animal breeding and nutrition.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Supervise and coordinate the activities of ground crew in the loading, unloading, securing, and staging of aircraft cargo or baggage.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Aircraft Service Attendants
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Service aircraft with fuel. May de-ice aircraft, refill water and cooling agents, empty sewage tanks, service air and oxygen systems, or…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Airfield Operations Specialists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Ensure the safe takeoff and landing of commercial and military aircraft.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft, usually on scheduled air carrier routes, for the transport of passengers and cargo.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Amusement and Recreation Attendants
- Bright Outlook
- Numerous Job Openings
Perform a variety of attending duties at amusement or recreation facility.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Anesthesiologist Assistants
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Assist anesthesiologists in the administration of anesthesia for surgical and non-surgical procedures.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Animal Caretakers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Feed, water, groom, bathe, exercise, or otherwise provide care to promote and maintain the well-being of pets and other animals that are…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Animal Scientists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Conduct research in the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development of domestic farm animals.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Anthropologists and Archeologists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Study the origin, development, and behavior of human beings. May study the way of life, language, or physical characteristics of people in…
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Facilitate negotiation and conflict resolution through dialogue. Resolve conflicts outside of the court system by mutual consent of…
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Architectural and Civil Drafters
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Prepare detailed drawings of architectural and structural features of buildings or drawings and topographical relief maps used in civil…
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Architectural and Engineering Managers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Art Therapists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Plan or conduct art therapy sessions or programs to improve clients' physical, cognitive, or emotional well-being.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Astronomers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Athletes and Sports Competitors
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Compete in athletic events.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Athletic Trainers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Evaluate and treat musculoskeletal injuries or illnesses. Provide preventive, therapeutic, emergency, and rehabilitative care.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Audiologists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Assess and treat persons with hearing and related disorders. May fit hearing aids and provide auditory training.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Install, repair, or adjust audio or television receivers, stereo systems, camcorders, video systems, or other electronic entertainment…
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Automotive Engineers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Develop new or improved designs for vehicle structural members, engines, transmissions, or other vehicle systems, using computer-assisted…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Replace or repair broken windshields and window glass in motor vehicles.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Avionics Technicians
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair avionics equipment, such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or…
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Bakers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Mix and bake ingredients to produce breads, rolls, cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, or other baked goods.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Baristas
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
- Numerous Job Openings
Prepare or serve specialty coffee or other beverages. Serve food such as baked goods or sandwiches to patrons.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Bartenders
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
- Numerous Job Openings
Mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Biochemists and Biophysicists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Study the chemical composition or physical principles of living cells and organisms, their electrical and mechanical energy, and related…
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Apply knowledge of engineering, biology, chemistry, computer science, and biomechanical principles to the design, development, and…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Define, plan, or execute biofuels/biodiesel research programs that evaluate alternative feedstock and process technologies with near-term…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Bioinformatics Scientists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Conduct research using bioinformatics theory and methods in areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical technology, biotechnology…
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Bioinformatics Technicians
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Apply principles and methods of bioinformatics to assist scientists in areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical technology, biotechnology…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and…
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Biological Scientists, All Other
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
All biological scientists not listed separately.
Biological Technicians
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Assist biological and medical scientists. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, collect…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Biologists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Research or study basic principles of plant and animal life, such as origin, relationship, development, anatomy, and functions.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Biostatisticians
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Develop and apply biostatistical theory and methods to the study of life sciences.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher