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.
Paramedics
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Administer basic or advanced emergency medical care and assess injuries and illnesses.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Park Naturalists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Plan, develop, and conduct programs to inform public of historical, natural, and scientific features of national, state, or local park.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Passenger Attendants
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Provide services to ensure the safety of passengers aboard ships, buses, trains, or within the station or terminal.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Patient Representatives
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Assist patients in obtaining services, understanding policies and making health care decisions.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Penetration Testers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
- New & Emerging
Evaluate network system security by conducting simulated internal and external cyberattacks using adversary tools and techniques.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Personal Care Aides
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
- Numerous Job Openings
Provide personalized assistance to individuals with disabilities or illness who require help with personal care and activities of daily…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
All personal care and service workers not listed separately.
Personal Service Managers, All Other
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
All personal service managers not listed separately.
Pest Control Workers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Apply or release chemical solutions or toxic gases and set traps to kill or remove pests and vermin that infest buildings and surrounding…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Pharmacists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Pharmacy Technicians
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications…
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Phlebotomists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Draw blood for tests, transfusions, donations, or research. May explain the procedure to patients and assist in the recovery of patients…
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Physical Therapist Assistants
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Physical Therapists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or…
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Physician Assistants
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Physicians, Pathologists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Diagnose diseases and conduct lab tests using organs, body tissues, and fluids. Includes medical examiners.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Physicists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply…
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Potters, Manufacturing
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Operate production machines such as pug mill, jigger machine, or potter's wheel to process clay in manufacture of ceramic, pottery and…
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Precision Agriculture Technicians
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Apply geospatial technologies, including geographic information systems (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS), to agricultural…
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Instruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and…
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Private Detectives and Investigators
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Gather, analyze, compile, and report information regarding individuals or organizations to clients, or detect occurrences of unlawful acts…
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Project Management Specialists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
- Numerous Job Openings
Analyze and coordinate the schedule, timeline, procurement, staffing, and budget of a product or service on a per project basis.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Prosthodontists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Diagnose, treat, rehabilitate, design, and fit prostheses that maintain oral function, health, and appearance for patients with clinical…
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Psychiatric Technicians
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Care for individuals with mental or emotional conditions or disabilities, following the instructions of physicians or other health…
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Psychiatrists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Diagnose, treat, and help prevent mental disorders.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Public Relations Managers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image or raise issue awareness for their…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Purchase machinery, equipment, tools, parts, supplies, or services necessary for the operation of an establishment.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Take x-rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials into patient's bloodstream for diagnostic or research purposes.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Range Managers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Research or study range land management practices to provide sustained production of forage, livestock, and wildlife.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Receptionists and Information Clerks
- Bright Outlook
- Numerous Job Openings
Answer inquiries and provide information to the general public, customers, visitors, and other interested parties regarding activities…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Recreational Therapists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Plan, direct, or coordinate medically-approved recreation programs for patients in hospitals, nursing homes, or other institutions.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Diagnose, inspect, adjust, repair, or overhaul recreational vehicles including travel trailers.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Recycling and Reclamation Workers
- Bright Outlook
- Numerous Job Openings
Prepare and sort materials or products for recycling. Identify and remove hazardous substances.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Registered Nurses
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
- Numerous Job Openings
Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Regulatory Affairs Managers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
- Numerous Job Openings
Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Respiratory Therapists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities…
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Retail Salespersons
- Bright Outlook
- Numerous Job Openings
Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Rock Splitters, Quarry
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Separate blocks of rough dimension stone from quarry mass using jackhammers, wedges, or chop saws.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Roofers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Cover roofs of structures with shingles, slate, asphalt, aluminum, wood, or related materials.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Sales Managers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel
- Bright Outlook
- Numerous Job Openings
Sell services to individuals or businesses. May describe options or resolve client problems.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
- Bright Outlook
- Numerous Job Openings
Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires substantial knowledge of items sold.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Search Marketing Strategists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
- Numerous Job Openings
Employ search marketing tactics to increase visibility and engagement with content, products, or services in Internet-enabled devices or…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
- Bright Outlook
- Numerous Job Openings
Perform routine administrative functions such as drafting correspondence, scheduling appointments, organizing and maintaining paper and…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Security Guards
- Bright Outlook
- Numerous Job Openings
Guard, patrol, or monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules. May operate x-ray and metal detector equipment.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Security Management Specialists
- Bright Outlook
- Numerous Job Openings
Conduct security assessments for organizations, and design security systems and processes.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Security Managers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree