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.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating…
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
- Bright Outlook
- Numerous Job Openings
Drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW).
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Help installation, maintenance, and repair workers in maintenance, parts replacement, and repair of vehicles, industrial machinery, and…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Home Health Aides
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
- Numerous Job Openings
Monitor the health status of an individual with disabilities or illness, and address their health-related needs, such as changing…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop
- Bright Outlook
- Numerous Job Openings
Welcome patrons, seat them at tables or in lounge, and help ensure quality of facilities and service.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Design objects, facilities, and environments to optimize human well-being and overall system performance, applying theory, principles, and…
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Human Resources Managers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Human Resources Specialists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Recruit, screen, interview, or place individuals within an organization. May perform other activities in multiple human resources areas.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Industrial Ecologists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Apply principles and processes of natural ecosystems to develop models for efficient industrial systems.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Industrial Engineers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Design, develop, test, and evaluate integrated systems for managing industrial production processes, including human work factors, quality…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Industrial Machinery Mechanics
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Apply principles of psychology to human resources, administration, management, sales, and marketing problems.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Information Security Analysts
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Information Security Engineers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
- New & Emerging
Develop and oversee the implementation of information security procedures and policies.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Information Technology Project Managers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Plan, initiate, and manage information technology (IT) projects. Lead and guide the work of technical staff.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Insulation Workers, Mechanical
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Apply insulating materials to pipes or ductwork, or other mechanical systems in order to help control and maintain temperature.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Investment Fund Managers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or…
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
- Bright Outlook
- Numerous Job Openings
Keep buildings in clean and orderly condition. Perform heavy cleaning duties, such as cleaning floors, shampooing rugs, washing walls and…
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
- Bright Outlook
- Numerous Job Openings
Manually move freight, stock, luggage, or other materials, or perform other general labor.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
- Numerous Job Openings
Landscape or maintain grounds of property using hand or power tools or equipment.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Lawyers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on…
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Legislators
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
- Numerous Job Openings
Develop, introduce, or enact laws and statutes at the local, tribal, state, or federal level. Includes only workers in elected positions.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Life Scientists, All Other
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
All life scientists not listed separately.
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Monitor recreational areas, such as pools, beaches, or ski slopes, to provide assistance and protection to participants.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Light Truck Drivers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
- Numerous Job Openings
Drive a light vehicle, such as a truck or van, with a capacity of less than 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), primarily to pick up…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Provide personal items to patrons or customers in locker rooms, dressing rooms, or coatrooms.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Logisticians
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Analyze and coordinate the ongoing logistical functions of a firm or organization.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Logistics Analysts
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Analyze product delivery or supply chain processes to identify or recommend changes.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Logistics Engineers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Design or analyze operational solutions for projects such as transportation optimization, network modeling, process and methods analysis…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Loss Prevention Managers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
- Numerous Job Openings
Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Provide therapy to patients with visual impairments to improve their functioning in daily life activities.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Operate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners. Monitor patient safety and comfort, and view images of area being scanned to ensure…
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
- Bright Outlook
- Numerous Job Openings
Perform any combination of light cleaning duties to maintain private households or commercial establishments, such as hotels and…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
- Bright Outlook
- Numerous Job Openings
Perform work involving the skills of two or more maintenance or craft occupations to keep machines, mechanical equipment, or the structure…
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Apply makeup to performers to reflect period, setting, and situation of their role.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Management Analysts
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
- Numerous Job Openings
Conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplification and measurement studies, and…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Managers, All Other
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
- Numerous Job Openings
All managers not listed separately.
Manicurists and Pedicurists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Clean and shape customers' fingernails and toenails. May polish or decorate nails.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Move or install mobile homes or prefabricated buildings.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Manufacturing Engineers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Design, integrate, or improve manufacturing systems or related processes.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Marine Engineers and Naval Architects
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Design, develop, and evaluate the operation of marine vessels, ship machinery, and related equipment, such as power supply and propulsion…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
- Numerous Job Openings
Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets. Gather information to determine potential sales of a product or…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Marketing Managers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Marriage and Family Therapists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of marriage and family…
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Massage Therapists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints. May assist in the assessment of range of motion and muscle strength, or propose…
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Materials Engineers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Evaluate materials and develop machinery and processes to manufacture materials for use in products that must meet specialized design and…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Materials Scientists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Research and study the structures and chemical properties of various natural and synthetic or composite materials, including metals…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
All mathematical scientists not listed separately.