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.
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers
- Bright Outlook
- Numerous Job Openings
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of retail sales workers in an establishment or department.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of security workers and security guards.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
First-Line Supervisors of Transportation Workers, All Other
All first-line supervisors of transportation workers not listed separately.
First-Line Supervisors of Weapons Specialists/Crew Members
Supervise and coordinate the activities of weapons specialists/crew members.
Fish and Game Wardens
Patrol assigned area to prevent fish and game law violations. Investigate reports of damage to crops or property by wildlife.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Fishing and Hunting Workers
Hunt, trap, catch, or gather wild animals or aquatic animals and plants. May use nets, traps, or other equipment.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Fitness and Wellness Coordinators
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Manage or coordinate fitness and wellness programs and services. Manage and train staff of wellness specialists, health educators, or…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Flight Attendants
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Monitor safety of the aircraft cabin. Provide services to airline passengers, explain safety information, serve food and beverages, and…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Apply blocks, strips, or sheets of shock-absorbing, sound-deadening, or decorative coverings to floors.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Floor Sanders and Finishers
Scrape and sand wooden floors to smooth surfaces using floor scraper and floor sanding machine, and apply coats of finish.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Floral Designers
Design, cut, and arrange live, dried, or artificial flowers and foliage.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Food Batchmakers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Set up and operate equipment that mixes or blends ingredients used in the manufacturing of food products.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
Operate or tend cooking equipment, such as steam cooking vats, deep fry cookers, pressure cookers, kettles, and boilers, to prepare food…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Food Preparation Workers
- Bright Outlook
- Numerous Job Openings
Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
All food preparation and serving related workers not listed separately.
Food Processing Workers, All Other
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
All food processing workers not listed separately.
Food Science Technicians
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Work with food scientists or technologists to perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical…
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Food Scientists and Technologists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Use chemistry, microbiology, engineering, and other sciences to study the principles underlying the processing and deterioration of foods…
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Serve food to individuals outside of a restaurant environment, such as in hotel rooms, hospital rooms, residential care facilities, or cars.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Food Service Managers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization or department that serves food and beverages.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders
Operate or tend food or tobacco roasting, baking, or drying equipment, including hearth ovens, kiln driers, roasters, char kilns, and…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach languages and literature courses in languages other than English. Includes teachers of American Sign Language (ASL).
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Forensic Science Technicians
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Enforce fire regulations, inspect forest for fire hazards, and recommend forest fire prevention or control measures.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Forest and Conservation Technicians
Provide technical assistance regarding the conservation of soil, water, forests, or related natural resources.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Forest and Conservation Workers
Under supervision, perform manual labor necessary to develop, maintain, or protect areas such as forests, forested areas, woodlands…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Foresters
Manage public and private forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses in forestry and conservation science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of…
Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Set up, operate, or tend forging machines to taper, shape, or form metal or plastic parts.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Foundry Mold and Coremakers
Make or form wax or sand cores or molds used in the production of metal castings in foundries.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts
Obtain evidence, take statements, produce reports, and testify to findings regarding resolution of fraud allegations.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Freight Forwarders
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Research rates, routings, or modes of transport for shipment of products.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Fuel Cell Engineers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Design, evaluate, modify, or construct fuel cell components or systems for transportation, stationary, or portable applications.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Fundraisers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Organize activities to raise funds or otherwise solicit and gather monetary donations or other gifts for an organization.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Fundraising Managers
- Bright Outlook
- Rapid Growth
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities to solicit and maintain funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations.
Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree
Funeral Attendants
Perform a variety of tasks during funeral, such as placing casket in parlor or chapel prior to service, arranging floral offerings or…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Funeral Home Managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate the services or resources of funeral homes.
Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders
Operate or tend heating equipment other than basic metal, plastic, or food processing equipment.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Furniture Finishers
Shape, finish, and refinish damaged, worn, or used furniture or new high-grade furniture to specified color or finish.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Gambling Cage Workers
In a gambling establishment, conduct financial transactions for patrons.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers
Exchange coins, tokens, and chips for patrons' money. May issue payoffs and obtain customer's signature on receipt.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Gambling Dealers
Operate table games. Stand or sit behind table and operate games of chance by dispensing the appropriate number of cards or blocks to…
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Gambling Managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate gambling operations in a casino. May formulate house rules.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Gambling Service Workers, All Other
All gambling service workers not listed separately.
Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators
Observe gambling operation for irregular activities such as cheating or theft by either employees or patrons.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners
Post information enabling patrons to wager on various races and sporting events. Assist in the operation of games such as keno and bingo.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
Operate steam-, gas-, electric motor-, or internal combustion-engine driven compressors.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one
Gas Plant Operators
Distribute or process gas for utility companies and others by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures on main pipelines.
Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one