Correctional officers — sometimes called jailers or detention officers — are crucial to operate the system. They help make sure inmates follow the rules and supervise their work assignments. In the rehabilitation process of people sent to jails and prisons, correctional officers are on the front lines.

It’s an in-demand job and, while not for everyone, can be rewarding for some.

Median Wages

• $ 18.78 hourly
• $ 39,050 annually

Things to Consider

• Do you have strong self-control, even in stressful environments?
• Are you willing to guide yourself with little supervision and take on new responsibilities and challenges?
• Do you work well with people — especially people who may be unpleasant to work with?
• Would you consider yourself honest and ethical?
• Can you defend yourself while unarmed?

Career Growth

The demand for correctional officers is supposed to grow at an average (7 to 13 percent) pace between 2008 and 2018, with a projected 143,600 job openings during those ten years. The job has earned a Bright Outlook designation from O*Net Online.

Typical Work Activities

• Conduct head counts and ensure that each inmate is where they should be.
• Monitor inmates in their housing unit, or during work and recreational periods.
• Inspect the facility to make sure it’s safe and secure.
• Inspect mail and screen visitors to be sure no contraband is entering the building.
• Process new inmates, keep and maintain records.
• Follow rules and regulations.

Work Environment and Hours

Being a correctional officer is a dangerous and stressful job. The career has one of the highest rates of nonfatal workplace injuries, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is especially true in jails, where inmates come-and-go more frequently.

Officers may work indoors or outdoors, depending on the facility. While some newer facilities may be air-conditioned and well-lit, other facilities are overcrowded, hot, noisy and stressful. Because officers have to be on-duty around-the-clock, you will have to work evenings, weekends and holidays. Paid overtime is a possibility, as well.

How Do I Become a Correctional Officer?

Facilities at every level — municipal, county, state or federal — require officers to be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have no felony convictions, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. At least two years work experience, to show stability, is also required in some areas.

Experience with law enforcement or the military is sometimes preferred, but can be substituted with training and college coursework. Many institutions will hire officers with a high school diploma or equivalent, but the Federal Bureau of Prisons requires entry-level officers to have at least a bachelor’s degree, three years full-time experience or a combination of the two.

For more information about becoming a correctional officer visit the related articles on O*NET OnLine and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook our source for this article.

Fitness trainers - including aerobics instructors, yoga instructors, fitness coordinators and personal trainers - help people improve their physical fitness by teaching them exercises, either one-on-one or in groups. It’s a fun job for those people who love to work out and work with people, but almost half of all fitness trainers work part time and injuries can be common.

(If you’re looking for information about athletic trainers, who prevent and treat athletic injuries, please see our article about that profession.)

Median Wages

• $14.74 hourly
• $30,670 annually

Things to Consider

• Are you in good physical condition, with the stamina and strength to perform the same exercises several times a day?
• Do you have basic teaching skills?
• Are you good at recognizing other peoples’ reactions and understanding them?
• Are you comfortable working with people?
• Are you comfortable with physical contact with others?

Career Growth

In 2008, there were 261,000 fitness trainers employed in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The job is expected to grow much faster than average - 20 percent or more - until 2018, and there are a projected 123,800 job openings during that time period. The field has earned a Bright Outlook designation from O*NET OnLine.

Typical Work Activities

• Instruct clients on the best exercises, techniques and level of effort to make the most of exercises
• Plan routines for single clients or groups, including exercises for different levels of fitness
• Determine clients’ physical fitness levels to customize your plans
• Provide students with information about what they should eat, controlling their weight and their general health
• Administer first aid or refer clients to doctors when needed

Work Environment and Hours

Most fitness trainers work indoors in fitness centers and health clubs, working directly with clients. Fitness directors and supervisors spend much of their time in offices, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many fitness trainers work evenings, weekends and holiday to accommodate their clients, and 40 percent of all fitness workers were part time in 2008. Trainers have a fair amount of freedom and autonomy while teaching and planning their own classes and designing their own exercise regimens. But, because it is a physical job, injuries are common.

How Do I Become a Fitness Trainer?

The amount of preparation you would need to become a fitness trainer depends on your ultimate goal. In many cases, certification will give you a competitive edge over other candidates. While not all gyms and fitness centers require their trainers to have certification when they are hired, they expect their employees to gain it while they work. There is little on-the-job training for most fitness trainers, because businesses expect them to be able to perform on their first day of work, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some employers also expect applicants to have a bachelor’s degree in a field such as exercise science of physical education.

For more information about becoming a fitness instructor visit the related articles on O*NET OnLine and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook our source for this article.

Median Wages

• $10.83 hourly
• $22,530 annually

Things to Consider

• Are you comfortable working with the deceased and their grieving families?
• Do you have strong communication and personal service skills?
• Are you healthy enough to do some heavy lifting?
• Are you able to work when needed, with unstructured hours?

Career Growth

The need for funeral attendants is expected to grow much faster — 20 percent or more — than the average career between 2008 and 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. About 34,000 people were employed in the field in 2008, and there are a projected 25,500 job openings in the decade after. The job has earned a “Bright Outlook” designation.

Typical Work Activities

• Greet people at the funeral home and escort them to where funerals are being held
• Clean and drive funeral vehicles, such as the hearse
• Move caskets and flowers into place for services
• Obtain burial permits and register deaths

Work Environment and Hours

Funeral attendants work in funeral homes, where their schedule is dictated by the timing of services and funerals. That means that working evenings and weekends are common, as are long hours preparing for services.

How Do I Become a Funeral Attendant?

Funeral attendants generally need to have at least a high school diploma, and work-related skills — such as experience working with the public — is preferred. Usually, funeral attendants undergo a training period under a funeral director.

For more information about becoming a funeral visit the related article on O*NET OnLine, our source for this article.

Managing and tracking the flow of money is one of the most important jobs in our society today. Businesses, non-profit organizations, governments and individuals all depend on accountants to help prepare taxes and record income and expenses. And if you’re a detail-oriented person who loves math and working with people, you should be able to find a job in the quickly expanding and in-demand field.

Median Wages

• $29.01 hourly
• $60,340 annually

Things to Consider

• Do you enjoy working with numbers and have good math skills?
• Are you an accurate, thorough person?
• Are you comfortable working with computers and learning new programs?
• Can you think critically about a situation, detect irregularities and make decisions?

Career Growth

Accounting is a large field - there were 1,291,000 people working in some accounting function in 2008, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. And that number is set to increase, with a projected growth of 20 percent or more by 2018, meaning the field will grow much faster than average and offer an expected 497,5000 job openings.

Typical Work Activities

• Prepare and analyze financial records to make sure they are accurate, complete and meet company and government standards.
• Develop and maintain record keeping and accounting systems, using new technology.
• Prepare tax returns for your employer or clients — possibly including individuals, companies and non-profit organizations.
• Maintain and analyze budget information.
• Analyze financial data to predict future revenues and expenses.

Work Environment and Hours

Most accountants work in offices, while some may work from home or travel frequently to meet with clients. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that almost have of all accountant and auditors worked a normal 40-hour week in 2008. Others worked longer hours, especially those how are self-employed, have many clients or are tax specialists, who work especially long hours around the tax deadline date.

How Do I Become an Accountant or Auditor?

Most accountants and auditors need at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some employers may also prefer to hire applicants with a master’s degree in accounting or business administration. Some people with less education — through community colleges or business schools, for example — can find a job and gain promotions through doing good work.

Many accountants and auditors are also required to become Certified Public Accountants (CPA). Most CPAs are registered with a state-level board and must pass a difficult national exam prepared by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and meet other state requirements, including additional formal education.

For more information about becoming an accountant — including preparation, picking a specialty and more — visit the related articles on O*NET OnLine and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, our primary sources for this article.

Why are animal care and service workers so needed? Because we love animals. About 71.4 million American homes owned a pet, according to a 2009/2010 survey by the The American Pet Products Association. And in 2008, the 221 members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums recorded an annual attendance of 175 million.

Median Wages

• $9.31 to $14.94 hourly
• $19,360 to $31,080 annually

Things to Consider

• First and foremost: Do you love animals?
• Are you physically fit enough to deal with the type of animal you want to work with?
• Do you mind working weekends and holiday?
• Can you easily identify changes or problems in a situation?
• Are you comfortable working directly with the public?

Career Growth

The demand for animal care and service workers is expected to grow much faster - 20 percent of more - than the average career between 2008 and 2018. About 173,000 people were employed in the field in 2008, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and there were 73,600 projected job openings by 2018. The field is growing so quickly it’s earned a “Bright Outlook” designation.

Typical Work Activities

Because of the different careers in this field, typical activities may vary from job to job. But, generally, animal care and service workers:

• Feed animals according to schedules and instructions
• Clean, repair and disinfect animal pens, stables, cages, yards, etc., and animal equipment.
• Examine and observe animals, sometimes collecting and recording information such as weight, size and condition
• Groom animals - including sometimes cutting nails and cleaning ears
• Exercise and sometimes train animals
• Interact with pet owners, zoo or aquarium patrons and others, answering questions about animals

Work Environment and Hours

Caring for animals isn’t an easy job. It can be dirty and dangerous and require long work hours. Animal care workers experience a higher work-related injury rate than other careers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is due, in part, to workers interactions with animals, but also from physically strenuous work. Animal workers also often work irregular hours - including night, weekend and holiday shifts.

How Do I Become an Animal Care and Service Worker?

Every employer in this field prefers to hire people with experience with animals, but formal training varies from position to position.

• Zoos and aquariums require their caretakers to have bachelor’s degrees in biology, animal science or a similar area of study, and prefer to hire people with zoo experience.
• Pet groomers often have to complete an informal six-to-10 week apprenticeship with someone in the field.
• Caretakers in shelters are not required to have any specialist training, but a number of animal rights groups provide programs that will help in the search for a job.

To learn more about training, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ article about the field.

For more information about the different types of animal care workers and related positions, visit the related articles on O*NET OnLine and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, our primary sources for this article.

Median Wages

• $9.12 hourly
• $18,970 annually

Things to Consider

• Do you love working with children?
• Do you enjoy teaching and helping people learn new things?
• Do you communicate well?
• Do you do well dividing your attention between several people at the same time?

Career Growth

Childcare is a large field, with about 1.3 million people employed in child care jobs in 2008, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs in the sector are supposed to grow at an average rate - about 7 to 13 percent - between 2008 and 2018, but turnover in the field will produce an expected 523,100 job openings during the same 10 years. The job has received a “Bright Outlook” designation.

Typical Work Activities

• Care for children in homes or institutional settings (like nursery schools, private businesses, schools for children who are handicapped or group homes)
• Teach children basic knowledge about health, reading, personal habits and more
• Help support children’s emotional development and identify signs of growth or problems and alert parents
• Keep records on individual children
• Organize and participate in activities, crafts and games

Work Environment and Hours

Childcare can be as strenuous as it can be rewarding. Workers in this field experience work-related injuries and illnesses more than the average job because of the physical nature of their work — constantly standing, stooping, bending and lifting. Many childcare workers work early-morning and evening hours to accommodate parents’ work schedules, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Some childcare workers operate out of their own homes, watching several children. Some others work in private households, going to their clients. Most childcare workers, however, live in their own homes and commute to their jobs in schools, daycare centers and other businesses.

About 36 percent of all childcare workers work part time.

How Do I Become a Child Care Worker?

Each state regulates licensing and requirements for childcare workers, so the level of preparation can vary, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In some private situations, a high school diploma is not requires, but many companies and publicly funded programs require some education. Often that means receiving at least an associate’s degree in early childhood education.

Most childcare workers in licensed facilities must pass a background check, get immunizations and meet minimum training requirements. Others may need a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.

Next Steps in this Career

Opportunities for advancement in this career are limited, though as workers become more experienced and gain formal education, they may take supervisory roles or move on to childcare referral agencies, become teachers or set up their own childcare business.

For more information about this and related positions, visit the related articles on O*NET OnLine and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, our sources for this article.

You can start by becoming a surveying technician, a member of a surveying team working to determine boundaries and measurements on the Earth’s surface. With a little training, you can join the field - which is growing much faster than other careers - and spend your days working outside. It can be physically challenging work, but it can also be rewarding.

Median Wages

• $16.88 hourly
• $35,120 annually

Things to Consider

• Are you good at math?
• Are you a detail-oriented person who is always focused on accuracy?
• Are you able to work outside for most of the day, sometimes walking long distances and carrying heavy equipment?

Career Growth

In 2008, there were about 77,000 surveying technicians in the work force. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the need for surveying technicians will grow much faster - 20 percent or more - between 2008 and 2018, earning the position a “Bright Outlook” designation. There are a projected 29,400 job openings in the field in that time period.

Typical Work Activities

• Adjust and operate surveying instruments to lay out grids, find property lines and more.
• Use math to correct measurements to account for the Earth’s curvature, atmospheric impacts and more.
• Position and hold the targets for a theodolite operator to measure angles, distances and elevations.
• Direct and supervise work of other members of the surveying group.
• Determine the locations of natural and man-made features on the Earth’s surface, underground or underwater.

Work Environment and Hours

Most surveying technicians work eight hours a day during weekdays, though they can work longer hours during construction season or while the weather is nice because they often work outside. The job sometimes involves physically strenuous work, including long periods of standing, walking long distances and carrying heavy packs full of surveying equipment. Traveling is often necessary, and surveying technicians may have to stay away from home overnight on some occasions.

How Do I Become a Surveying Technician?

Most surveying technician jobs require training in a vocational school, on-the-job experience or an associate’s degree, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. These training programs can be either one, two or three years.

There is also one recognized apprentice specialty associated with this occupation: Surveyor Assistant, Instruments. To learn about specific apprenticeship opportunities, check the U.S. Department of Labor State Apprenticeship Information website.

Next Steps in this Career

At one time, people could join a surveying company with little or no experience in the field and eventually become a licensed surveyor - but that’s often no longer the case. Most surveyors now need a bachelor’s degree, as well as licensure, to become a surveyor. The median wage of a surveyor is  about $52,980, considerably more than that of a technician, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

For more information about this and related positions, visit the related articles on O*NET OnLine and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, our sources for this article.

Trainers also work in colleges and universities, with professional sports teams, and in hospitals and clinics treating athletes and workers in physically demanding positions. They don’t concentrate on training the body to be fit, but training it to avoid injury, working on preventative and rehabilitative exercises. It’s a job with long hours, but if you love athletics, it might be the career for you.

Median Wages

• $39,640 annual

Things to Consider

• Do you enjoy athletics and have an understanding of the stresses put on the body during physical activity?
• Do you think in a reasoned, logical way when determining the solution to a problem?
• Are you an active listener, capable of taking in a lot of information and acting on it?
• Would you consider yourself a caring person?

Career Growth

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the need for athletic trainers will grow much - at least 20 percent - faster than other careers between 2008 and 2018, earning the position the “Bright Outlook” designation. During those 10 years, there are 11,500 openings forecast in the field.

Typical Work Activities

• Work with athletes and people who work in physically demanding professions to conduct an initial assessment of an injury and provide emergency or continued care, sometimes referring the patient to other doctors or specialists.
• Apply tape, bandages or braces to prevent athletes from injury or further injury.
• Work with doctors to develop rehabilitation programs for athletic injuries.
• Work with athletes to design preventative workout routines to build strength and balance.
• Travel with athletic teams to provide services during sporting events.

Work Environment and Hours

Both work environment and hours are very dependent on an athletic trainer’s employer, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. An athletic trainer who works for a hospital or non-sports employer can have an established schedule and work mostly indoors. An athletic trainer working for a high school may teach during the day and stay at the school in the evenings to cover practices and games, working 60 to 70 hours a week or more. Trainers for professional teams could work as much as 12 hours a day.

How Do I Become an Athletic Trainer?

A bachelor’s degree is a minimum requirement for most athletic trainers and about 70 percent have master’s or doctoral degrees, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Fortunately, there is likely an accredited program near you - in 2009, there were about 350 recognized programs in the U.S. Most athletic trainers working in high schools also have to hold a teaching certificate.

In 2009, 47 states also required that athletic trainers be either licensed or registered from the Board of Certification.

Next Steps in this Career

While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement, a master’s or doctoral degree will allow you to get a position with a college, university or professional athletic team.  Trainers can also move on to become athletic directors at schools, or move on to a management role in a hospital. Some athletic trainers also move into sales and marketing positions, selling medical and athletic equipment.

For more information about this and related positions, visit the related articles on O*NET OnLine and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, our sources for this article.

Median Wages

• $22.18 hourly
• $46,120 annual

Things to Consider

• Do you usually remember what you read?
• Do you think logically and critically about the order things happen and the relationships between events?
• Do you do well managing your time between several projects at one time?
• Do you write and communicate well?

Career Growth

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has classified paralegal positions as a “Bright Outlook Occupation,” because it is expected to grow much faster than other jobs at more than 20 percent between 2008 and 2018. During that 10-year period, there are a predicted 104,000 paralegal job openings.

Typical Work Activities

• Prepare and maintain a record of legal documents (including briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts and real estate closing statements)
• Prepare for trial by organizing exhibits and information
• Meet with clients and other legal professionals to discuss details of cases
• Investigate the facts of legal cases

Work Environment and Hours

Paralegals, especially those new to the field, often work primarily in offices and libraries, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some travel may be required to collect facts for a case.  Experienced paralegals take on more responsibilities.

A workday can be long and pressure-filled for the 71 percent of paralegals who work for law firms, as they work on hard deadlines for clients and prepare for trials. Paralegals employed by the government or a private company often work about 40 hours a week.

How Do I Become a Paralegal?

Paralegals most often have an associate’s degree from a community college, though some have bachelor’s or master’s degrees and others are trained on the job. More than 1,000 institutions offer formal paralegal training, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but of those programs, only about 260 are recognized by the American Bar Association. It’s advised you talk to recent graduates of a program before committing to it.

There is 1 recognized apprenticeable specialty associated with this occupation: Paralegal. To learn about specific apprenticeship opportunities, please consult the U.S. Department of Labor State Apprenticeship Information website.

Next Steps in this Career

Paralegals often take on more responsibility the longer they are with the firm, and may eventually be promoted to a managerial position over other paralegals or take another law-related promotion. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also maintains a list of related positions.

For more information about this and related positions, visit the related articles on O*NET OnLine and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, our sources for this article.

If you choose a job as an energy auditor - or move to the career from another related field - you can help people make those changes. Energy auditors identify areas of improvement for energy efficiency and put together a plan to correct problems. It’s a growing field where you can thrive.

Median Wages

• $28.81 hourly
• $59,920 annual

Things to Consider

• Do you communicate well, both by speaking and by writing?
• Do you do well with basic math and working with numbers?
• Do you think logically? Are you able to apply reasoning to a problem to solve it?

Career Growth

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has labeled this job as having a “bright outlook,” meaning it should add positions in the coming years. In 2008, about 1.09 million people were employed as energy auditors and other business operations specialists. Between 2008 and 2018, there are a project 368,300 job openings in this career.

Typical Work Activities

• Identify and prioritize ways to save energy by collecting field data.
• Prepare written audit reports with test results, analysis and recommendations for changes.
• Perform tests to identify air leaks that reduce home heating efficiency.
• Educate customers on a variety of energy efficiency issues, including appliances and energy usage.
• Determine a home’s energy consumption and baselines for energy use and need.

Work Environment and Hours

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that workers in similar positions generally work about 35 hours a week, but may have to quickly produce reports for clients, which can make for long, stressful days. Weekend and evening work may also be necessary in this position.

Because of the nature of the work, you should also expect to travel around your area frequently, because energy audits require field tests in your clients’ homes and businesses. The working conditions are generally safe, but workers may encounter some hazardous materials depending on the location.

How Do I Become an Energy Auditor?

Most energy auditors need one or two years of training, including on-the-job experience and time working with experienced workers. Workers with training in another related field - such as electricians or HVAC technicians - can easily transfer to this career with some training.

For more information about this and related positions, visit the related article on O*NET OnLine, our sources for this article.