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.
Prepress Technicians and Workers
Format and proof text and images submitted by designers and clients into finished pages that can be printed.
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
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials
Press or shape articles by hand or machine.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Preventive Medicine Physicians
Apply knowledge of general preventive medicine and public health issues to promote health care to groups or individuals, and aid in the…
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Print Binding and Finishing Workers
Bind books and other publications or finish printed products by hand or machine. May set up binding and finishing machines.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Printing Press Operators
Set up and operate digital, letterpress, lithographic, flexographic, gravure, or other printing machines.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
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
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
Provide social services to assist in rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Procurement Clerks
Compile information and records to draw up purchase orders for procurement of materials and services.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Producers and Directors
Produce or direct stage, television, radio, video, or film productions for entertainment, information, or instruction.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Production Workers, All Other
All production workers not listed separately.
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks
Coordinate and expedite the flow of work and materials within or between departments of an establishment according to production schedule.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
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
Proofreaders and Copy Markers
Read transcript or proof type setup to detect and mark for correction any grammatical, typographical, or compositional errors.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate the selling, buying, leasing, or governance activities of commercial, industrial, or residential real estate…
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
Protective Service Workers, All Other
All protective service workers not listed separately.
Psychiatric Aides
Assist mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed patients, working under direction of nursing and medical staff.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
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
Psychologists, All Other
All psychologists not listed separately.
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and psychological counseling.
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
Public Relations Specialists
Promote or create an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Public Safety Telecommunicators
Operate telephone, radio, or other communication systems to receive and communicate requests for emergency assistance at 9-1-1 public…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers
Tend, control, or operate power-driven, stationary, or portable pumps and manifold systems to transfer gases, oil, other liquids…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
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
Purchasing Managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of buyers, purchasing officers, and related workers involved in purchasing materials, products…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Quality Control Analysts
Conduct tests to determine quality of raw materials, bulk intermediate and finished products. May conduct stability sample tests.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Quality Control Systems Managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate quality assurance programs. Formulate quality control policies and control quality of laboratory and…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Radiation Therapists
Provide radiation therapy to patients as prescribed by a radiation oncologist according to established practices and standards.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists
Design and implement radio frequency identification device (RFID) systems used to track shipments or goods.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers
Repair, install, or maintain mobile or stationary radio transmitting, broadcasting, and receiving equipment, and two-way radio…
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate'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
Radiologists
Diagnose and treat diseases and injuries using medical imaging techniques, such as x rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear…
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Rail Car Repairers
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul railroad rolling stock, mine cars, or mass transit rail cars.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Rail Transportation Workers, All Other
All rail transportation workers not listed separately.
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
Drive switching or other locomotive or dinkey engines within railroad yard, industrial plant, quarry, construction project, or similar…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
Lay, repair, and maintain track for standard or narrow-gauge railroad equipment used in regular railroad service or in plant yards…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers
Operate or monitor railroad track switches or locomotive instruments. May couple or uncouple rolling stock to make up or break up trains.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
Coordinate activities of switch-engine crew within railroad yard, industrial plant, or similar location.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
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
Real Estate Brokers
Operate real estate office, or work for commercial real estate firm, overseeing real estate transactions.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Real Estate Sales Agents
Rent, buy, or sell property for clients. Perform duties such as study property listings, interview prospective clients, accompany clients…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
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
Recreation Workers
Conduct recreation activities with groups in public, private, or volunteer agencies or recreation facilities.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses pertaining to recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, including exercise physiology and facilities management.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
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