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.
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 Coordinators
Supervise curbside and drop-off recycling programs for municipal governments or private firms.
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
Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons
Build or repair equipment such as furnaces, kilns, cupolas, boilers, converters, ladles, soaking pits, and ovens, using refractory…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
Collect and dump refuse or recyclable materials from containers into truck. May drive truck.
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
Regulatory Affairs Specialists
Coordinate and document internal regulatory processes, such as internal audits, inspections, license renewals, or registrations.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Rehabilitation Counselors
Counsel individuals to maximize the independence and employability of persons coping with personal, social, and vocational difficulties…
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers
Position and secure steel bars or mesh in concrete forms in order to reinforce concrete.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Religious Workers, All Other
All religious workers not listed separately.
Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists
Apply remote sensing principles and methods to analyze data and solve problems in areas such as natural resource management, urban…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Remote Sensing Technicians
Apply remote sensing technologies to assist scientists in areas such as natural resources, urban planning, or homeland security.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks
Make and confirm reservations for transportation or lodging, or sell transportation tickets.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Residential Advisors
Coordinate activities in resident facilities in secondary school and college dormitories, group homes, or similar establishments.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate'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 Loss Prevention Specialists
Implement procedures and systems to prevent merchandise loss. Conduct audits and investigations of employee activity.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
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
Riggers
Set up or repair rigging for construction projects, manufacturing plants, logging yards, ships and shipyards, or for the entertainment…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Robotics Engineers
Research, design, develop, or test robotic applications.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Robotics Technicians
Build, install, test, or maintain robotic equipment or related automated production systems.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
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
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Set up, operate, or tend machines to roll steel or plastic forming bends, beads, knurls, rolls, or plate, or to flatten, temper, or reduce…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Roof Bolters, Mining
Operate machinery to install roof support bolts in underground mine.
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
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
Set up or operate a variety of drills to remove underground oil and gas, or remove core samples for testing during oil and gas exploration.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas
Assemble or repair oil field equipment using hand and power tools. Perform other tasks as needed.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Sailors and Marine Oilers
Stand watch to look for obstructions in path of vessel, measure water depth, turn wheel on bridge, or use emergency equipment as directed…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Sales Engineers
Sell business goods or services, the selling of which requires a technical background equivalent to a baccalaureate degree in engineering.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
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
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products
Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers where technical or scientific knowledge is required in such areas as biology, engineering…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Sales and Related Workers, All Other
All sales and related workers not listed separately.
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood
Set up, operate, or tend wood sawing machines. May operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment. Includes lead sawyers.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
School Bus Monitors
Maintain order among students on a school bus. Duties include helping students safely board and exit and communicating behavioral problems.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
School Psychologists
Diagnose and implement individual or schoolwide interventions or strategies to address educational, behavioral, or developmental issues…
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
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
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.
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
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
Buy and sell securities or commodities in investment and trading firms, or provide financial services to businesses and individuals.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
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
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Install, program, maintain, and repair security and fire alarm wiring and equipment. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Segmental Pavers
Lay out, cut, and place segmental paving units. Includes installers of bedding and restraining materials for the paving units.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Self-Enrichment Teachers
Teach or instruct individuals or groups for the primary purpose of self-enrichment or recreation, rather than for an occupational…
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Semiconductor Processing Technicians
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Perform any or all of the following functions in the manufacture of electronic semiconductors: load semiconductor material into furnace…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one