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.
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Operate or tend equipment such as cooling and freezing units, refrigerators, batch freezers, and freezing tunnels, to cool or freeze…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Costume Attendants
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Select, fit, and take care of costumes for cast members, and aid entertainers. May assist with multiple costume changes during performances.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Counselors, All Other
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
All counselors not listed separately.
Couriers and Messengers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Pick up and deliver messages, documents, packages, and other items between offices or departments within an establishment or directly to…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Critical Care Nurses
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
- Numerous Job Openings
Provide specialized nursing care for patients in critical or coronary care units.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Curators
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Administer collections, such as artwork, collectibles, historic items, or scientific specimens of museums or other institutions.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Customer Service Representatives
- Bright Outlook
- Numerous Job Openings
Interact with customers to provide basic or scripted information in response to routine inquiries about products and services.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Data Scientists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Data Warehousing Specialists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Design, model, or implement corporate data warehousing activities. Program and configure warehouses of database information and provide…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Database Architects
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Dental Assistants
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization…
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Dental Hygienists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Administer oral hygiene care to patients. Assess patient oral hygiene problems or needs and maintain health records.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Dentists, General
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Dermatologists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Diagnose and treat diseases relating to the skin, hair, and nails. May perform both medical and dermatological surgery functions.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians. Includes vascular technologists.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Dietitians and Nutritionists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to assist in the promotion of health and control of disease.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Digital Forensics Analysts
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
- New & Emerging
Conduct investigations on computer-based crimes establishing documentary or physical evidence, such as digital media and logs associated…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
- Numerous Job Openings
Facilitate food service. Clean tables; remove dirty dishes; replace soiled table linens; set tables; replenish supply of clean linens…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Document Management Specialists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Implement and administer enterprise-wide document management systems and related procedures that allow organizations to capture, store…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Driver/Sales Workers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Drive truck or other vehicle over established routes or within an established territory and sell or deliver goods, such as food products…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Economists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and…
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Electrical Engineers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Research, design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Assemble or modify electrical or electronic equipment, such as computers, test equipment telemetering systems, electric motors, and…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Install, adjust, or maintain mobile electronics communication equipment, including sound, sonar, security, navigation, and surveillance…
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Inspect, test, repair, or maintain electrical equipment in generating stations, substations, and in-service relays.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Electricians
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Assemble or modify electromechanical equipment or devices, such as servomechanisms, gyros, dynamometers, magnetic drums, tape drives…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
- Bright Outlook
- Numerous Job Openings
Teach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Assemble, install, repair, or maintain electric or hydraulic freight or passenger elevators, escalators, or dumbwaiters.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Emergency Medical Technicians
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Assess injuries and illnesses and administer basic emergency medical care. May transport injured or sick persons to medical facilities.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Endoscopy Technicians
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Maintain a sterile field to provide support for physicians and nurses during endoscopy procedures.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Teach courses pertaining to the application of physical laws and principles of engineering for the development of machines, materials…
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
All entertainers and performers, sports and related workers not listed separately.
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Plan, direct, or coordinate entertainment and recreational activities and operations of a recreational facility, including cruise ships…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Environmental Economists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable…
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Environmental Engineers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Research, design, plan, or perform engineering duties in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental hazards using various…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Environmental Restoration Planners
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Collaborate with field and biology staff to oversee the implementation of restoration projects and to develop new products.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Perform laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution, including those that affect health…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Epidemiologists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Investigate and describe the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, or health outcomes.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Exercise Physiologists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Assess, plan, or implement fitness programs that include exercise or physical activities such as those designed to improve…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Instruct or coach groups or individuals in exercise activities for the primary purpose of personal fitness.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Facilities Managers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul farm machinery and vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters, dairy equipment, and irrigation systems.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Farm Labor Contractors
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Recruit and hire seasonal or temporary agricultural laborers. May transport, house, and provide meals for workers.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Fast Food and Counter Workers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
- Numerous Job Openings
Perform duties such as taking orders and serving food and beverages. Serve customers at counter or from a steam table. May take payment.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Fence Erectors
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Erect and repair fences and fence gates, using hand and power tools.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one