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.
Chemists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Chief Executives
Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines…
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Chief Sustainability Officers
Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Childcare Workers
- Bright Outlook
- Numerous Job Openings
Attend to children at schools, businesses, private households, and childcare institutions.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Chiropractors
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Assess, treat, and care for patients by manipulation of spine and musculoskeletal system.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Choreographers
Create new dance routines. Rehearse performance of routines. May direct and stage presentations.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Apply theory and principles of civil engineering in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of structures and…
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Civil Engineers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures and facilities, such…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators
Review settled claims to determine that payments and settlements are made in accordance with company practices and procedures.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment
Wash or otherwise clean vehicles, machinery, and other equipment. Use such materials as water, cleaning agents, brushes, cloths, and hoses.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
Operate or tend machines to wash or clean products, such as barrels or kegs, glass items, tin plate, food, pulp, coal, plastic, or rubber…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Clergy
Conduct religious worship and perform other spiritual functions associated with beliefs and practices of religious faith or denomination.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Climate Change Policy Analysts
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Research and analyze policy developments related to climate change. Make climate-related recommendations for actions such as legislation…
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Clinical Data Managers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Apply knowledge of health care and database management to analyze clinical data, and to identify and report trends.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Clinical Neuropsychologists
Assess and diagnose patients with neurobehavioral problems related to acquired or developmental disorders of the nervous system, such as…
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Clinical Nurse Specialists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
- Numerous Job Openings
Direct nursing staff in the provision of patient care in a clinical practice setting, such as a hospital, hospice, clinic, or home.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Clinical Research Coordinators
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Coaches and Scouts
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Instruct or coach groups or individuals in the fundamentals of sports for the primary purpose of competition.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Set up, operate, or tend spraying or rolling machines to coat or paint any of a wide variety of products, including glassware, cloth…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers
Wind wire coils used in electrical components, such as resistors and transformers, and in electrical equipment and instruments, such as…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers
Install, service, adjust, or repair coin, vending, or amusement machines including video games, juke boxes, pinball machines, or slot…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Command and Control Center Officers
Manage the operation of communications, detection, and weapons systems essential for controlling air, ground, and naval operations.
Command and Control Center Specialists
Operate and monitor communications, detection, and weapons systems essential for controlling air, ground, and naval operations.
Commercial Divers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Work below surface of water, using surface-supplied air or scuba equipment to inspect, repair, remove, or install equipment and structures.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Commercial Pilots
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft on nonscheduled air carrier routes, or helicopters.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Commercial and Industrial Designers
Design and develop manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Communications Equipment Operators, All Other
All communications equipment operators not listed separately.
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses in communications, such as organizational communications, public relations, radio/television broadcasting, and journalism.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Community Health Workers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Promote health within a community by assisting individuals to adopt healthy behaviors.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
All community and social service specialists not listed separately.
Compensation and Benefits Managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate compensation and benefits activities of an organization.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Conduct programs of compensation and benefits and job analysis for employer.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Compliance Managers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
- Numerous Job Openings
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Compliance Officers
Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Computer Hardware Engineers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Research, design, develop, or test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Computer Network Architects
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Computer Network Support Specialists
Analyze, test, troubleshoot, and evaluate existing network systems, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), cloud…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators
Operate computer-controlled tools, machines, or robots to machine or process parts, tools, or other work pieces made of metal, plastic…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Develop programs to control machining or processing of materials by automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Computer Occupations, All Other
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
All computer occupations not listed separately.
Computer Programmers
Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or…
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Computer Systems Analysts
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Analyze science, engineering, business, and other data processing problems to develop and implement solutions to complex applications…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Design and develop solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Computer User Support Specialists
Provide technical assistance to computer users. Answer questions or resolve computer problems for clients in person, via telephone, or…
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Computer and Information Research Scientists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors.
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher