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.
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 Aides
Under close supervision of an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks…
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
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
Office Machine Operators, Except Computer
Operate one or more of a variety of office machines, such as photocopying, photographic, and duplicating machines, or other office machines.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other
All office and administrative support workers not listed separately.
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 Laboratory Technicians
Cut, grind, and polish eyeglasses, contact lenses, or other precision optical elements.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
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
Opticians, Dispensing
Design, measure, fit, and adapt lenses and frames for client according to written optical prescription or specification.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
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
Order Clerks
Receive and process incoming orders for materials, merchandise, classified ads, or services such as repairs, installations, or rental of…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Orderlies
Transport patients to areas such as operating rooms or x-ray rooms using wheelchairs, stretchers, or moveable beds.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
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
Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
Diagnose and perform surgery to treat and prevent rheumatic and other diseases in the musculoskeletal system.
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
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul small engines used to power lawn mowers, chain saws, recreational sporting equipment, and related…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
Operate or tend machines to prepare industrial or consumer products for storage or shipment.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Packers and Packagers, Hand
Pack or package by hand a wide variety of products and materials.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Painters, Construction and Maintenance
Paint walls, equipment, buildings, bridges, and other structural surfaces, using brushes, rollers, and spray guns.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers
Paint, coat, or decorate articles, such as furniture, glass, plateware, pottery, jewelry, toys, books, or leather.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Set up, operate, or tend paper goods machines that perform a variety of functions, such as converting, sawing, corrugating, banding…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Paperhangers
Cover interior walls or ceilings of rooms with decorative wallpaper or fabric, or attach advertising posters on surfaces such as walls and…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
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
Parking Attendants
Park vehicles or issue tickets for customers in a parking lot or garage.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Parking Enforcement Workers
Patrol assigned area, such as public parking lot or city streets to issue tickets to overtime parking violators and illegally parked…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Parts Salespersons
Sell spare and replacement parts and equipment in repair shop or parts store.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
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
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
Lay out, machine, fit, and assemble castings and parts to metal or plastic foundry patterns, core boxes, or match plates.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Patternmakers, Wood
Plan, lay out, and construct wooden unit or sectional patterns used in forming sand molds for castings.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
Operate equipment used for applying concrete, asphalt, or other materials to road beds, parking lots, or airport runways and taxiways or…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
Compile and record employee time and payroll data. May compute employees' time worked, production, and commission.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Pediatric Surgeons
Diagnose and perform surgery to treat fetal abnormalities and birth defects, diseases, and injuries in fetuses, premature and newborn…
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Pediatricians, General
Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases and injuries in children. May refer patients to specialists for further diagnosis or treatment…
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
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.