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.
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Use hands or hand tools to perform routine cutting and trimming of meat, poultry, and seafood.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Mechanical Door Repairers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Install, service, or repair automatic door mechanisms and hydraulic doors. Includes garage door mechanics.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Mechanical Engineers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Medical Assistants
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
- Numerous Job Openings
Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Medical Dosimetrists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Generate radiation treatment plans, develop radiation dose calculations, communicate and supervise the treatment plan implementation, and…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Medical Equipment Preparers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Prepare, sterilize, install, or clean laboratory or healthcare equipment.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Medical Equipment Repairers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Test, adjust, or repair biomedical or electromedical equipment.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Medical Records Specialists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Compile, process, and maintain medical records of hospital and clinic patients in a manner consistent with medical, administrative…
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
- Numerous Job Openings
Perform secretarial duties using specific knowledge of medical terminology and hospital, clinic, or laboratory procedures.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Medical and Health Services Managers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Coordinate activities of staff, convention personnel, or clients to make arrangements for group meetings, events, or conventions.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Mental Health Counselors
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Counsel and advise individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health, with an emphasis on prevention.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Microbiologists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Investigate the growth, structure, development, and other characteristics of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, algae, or fungi.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Midwives
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Provide prenatal care and childbirth assistance.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, graders, and…
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Mold, shape, form, cast, or carve products such as food products, figurines, tile, pipes, and candles consisting of clay, glass, plaster…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Research and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Repair and adjust electrical and mechanical equipment of inboard or inboard-outboard boat engines.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Motorboat Operators
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Operate small motor-driven boats. May assist in navigational activities.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Music Therapists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Plan, organize, direct, or assess clinical and evidenced-based music therapy interventions to positively influence individuals' physical…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Nannies
- Bright Outlook
- Numerous Job Openings
Care for children in private households and provide support and expertise to parents in satisfying children's physical, emotional…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Natural Sciences Managers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and…
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Naturopathic Physicians
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases using a system of practice that is based on the natural healing capacity of individuals.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Neurodiagnostic Technologists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Conduct electroneurodiagnostic (END) tests such as electroencephalograms, evoked potentials, polysomnograms, or electronystagmograms.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Neurologists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Diagnose, manage, and treat disorders and diseases of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, with a primarily nonsurgical focus.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Nurse Anesthetists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Administer anesthesia, monitor patient's vital signs, and oversee patient recovery from anesthesia.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Nurse Midwives
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Diagnose and coordinate all aspects of the birthing process, either independently or as part of a healthcare team.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Nurse Practitioners
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Nursing Assistants
- Bright Outlook
- Numerous Job Openings
Provide or assist with basic care or support under the direction of onsite licensed nursing staff.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Demonstrate and teach patient care in classroom and clinical units to nursing students.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Review, evaluate, and analyze work environments and design programs and procedures to control, eliminate, and prevent disease or injury…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Occupational Health and Safety Technicians
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Collect data on work environments for analysis by occupational health and safety specialists.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Occupational Therapists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Assess, plan, and organize rehabilitative programs that help build or restore vocational, homemaking, and daily living skills, as well as…
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Occupational Therapy Assistants
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Office Clerks, General
- Bright Outlook
- Numerous Job Openings
Perform duties too varied and diverse to be classified in any specific office clerical occupation, requiring knowledge of office systems…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Online Merchants
- Bright Outlook
- Numerous Job Openings
Conduct retail activities of businesses operating exclusively online. May perform duties such as preparing business strategies, buying…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Operate one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Operations Research Analysts
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods to develop and interpret information that assists management with…
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions. May administer eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct…
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Ophthalmic Medical Technologists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions and ophthalmic photography.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Diagnose and perform surgery to treat and help prevent disorders and diseases of the eye.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Optometrists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Perform surgery and related procedures on the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial regions to treat diseases, injuries, or…
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Orthodontists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Examine, diagnose, and treat dental malocclusions and oral cavity anomalies.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Orthoptists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Diagnose and treat visual system disorders such as binocular vision and eye movement impairments.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Orthotists and Prosthetists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Design, measure, fit, and adapt orthopedic braces, appliances or prostheses, such as limbs or facial parts for patients with disabling…
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher