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Careers: Straight Talk About Your Options.

Our careers section doesn't pull any punches. We deliver a realistic assessment of hundreds of careers-in all areas of the economy. Whether you're interested in business and finance, law, the arts, teaching, or any number of other careers, this section covers it all-and it's growing. Here's an overview of the information you'll be able to find here on the careers that interest you most:
 

Of course, only you can decide which career is the best bet for you personally-but our analysis will let you know what you're in for. Our aim is to provide realistic, exhaustive information on the industries and jobs our audience is most interested in-and help you make the best decision possible for your future career. Topics covered include:

The job description.

Find out what the job actually involves. We discuss the skills usually required to do the job; the areas of specialty within specific careers; and the typical job description. We’ll also talk about where people in these careers usually work; whether they’re often salaried or self-employed; and who hires them.

The salary information.

Find out how much you’re likely to be paid. We get our salary information from sources such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook, Salary.com, Indeed.com, and Glassdoor.com. We show a range of salaries, from entry-level to those at the top—so you’ll have a good idea of what you’ll likely make when you graduate, and the most you’re likely to earn throughout your career.

What it takes to break in.

We talk in depth about education requirements for specific careers—including all postgraduate, licensing, and certification requirements. The higher the education requirement for a certain job, the bigger the entry-level investment is likely to be—and the higher your student loan debt. Compare this with the typical entry-level and average salaries, and you’ll be able to gauge whether this career makes sense as a financial investment.

Acceptance of online degrees.

Online degrees are becoming more and more accepted in a wide range of careers—but some industries and sectors have been slower to accept them than others. Here, we’ll talk realistically about how employers in various areas are likely to regard your online degree—and strategies for getting around any biases that may occur.

Job outlook.

We get our job outlook information from the Occupational Outlook Handbook—which gives in-depth, realistic assessments of projected growth in the coming decade. You’ll learn how safe a bet this job will be in a shaky economy—and whether your choice of career is likely to be stable or at risk of drying up before you hit retirement.

The pros and cons.

We'll provide a concise analysis of whether each career is a solid bet in today's economy-based on the forecasts for the next ten years. Our assessments are based on factors such as the amount of education it takes to land an entry-level job; the level of competition you're likely to face; the potential for high earnings now or in the future; and the projected job growth.

Our analysis is based on websites such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook, the Department of Education, and other reputable sources-and we provide links to more information whenever it's applicable.

This section is growing every day—so check back here to find the career you’re most interested in. Our careers section can help you figure out which jobs are a shaky bet—and which are likely to pay off regardless of the economy.

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  • Aviation Mechanic Careers

    Aircraft are highly complex machines—and it takes someone with specialized electrical and mechanical skill to keep them running safely. Aircraft mechanics inspect, repair and maintain airplanes and helicopters, following

  • Assistant District Attorney Careers

    The District Attorney is the people’s lawyer. A district attorney brings criminal charges against those accused of committing crimes, on behalf of the state in which they work...

  • Audio Engineering Careers

    Audio engineers record, mix, and reproduce sound for television, broadcast, music, performance, radio, and more...

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  • Biostatistics Careers

    Biostatisticians are statistical researchers who specialize in health topics...

  • Business Intelligence Analyst Careers

    Business intelligence analysts see the big picture of a business. They analyze production, logistics, operations, sales, IT, and other business functions; identify opportunities for improvement; and develop plans for implementation...

  • Biomedical Engineering Careers

    Biomedical engineers design devices and solutions to improve patient health, replace limbs after injuries, and solve other medical problems...

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  • Construction Manager Careers

    Construction managers oversee all aspects of construction projects—including planning, scheduling, budget management, contractor hiring and management, and quality control...

  • Correctional Officer Careers

    Correctional officers have a tough job...

  • Call Center Representative Careers

    Call center representatives help customers place orders, provide information, and solve customer service issues over the phone...

  • Creative Manager Careers

    Creative managers oversee advertising, marketing, and other promotional work for companies and agencies. They work to decide what types of images and messages to use, where they’ll promote their services, and which products to advertise...

  • Certified Financial Planner Careers

    Most financial planners give individual advice to individuals regarding personal financial matters such as investment, retirement planning, taxes, and insurance...

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  • Dental Hygienist Careers

    Dental hygienists clean teeth, examine patients for signs of oral diseases such as gingivitis, and provide other preventative dental care. They also educate patients on ways to improve and maintain good oral health...

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  • Environmental Engineering Careers

    An environmental scientist needs to have a solid grounding in topics such as soil science, chemistry, biology, and engineering to develop solutions to often-profound environmental issues...

  • Epidemiology Careers

    Epidemiologists specialize in researching infectious diseases and other public health issues. They often work in a public health capacity, investigating the causes and vectors of diseases and developing strategies to prevent them from...

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  • Forensic Accountant Careers

    Forensic accountants are the detectives of the accounting world. They analyze financial transactions, records, and accounts to find evidence for criminal activity...

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  • Human Resources Management Careers

    Human resources directors and managers serve as the primary connection between a company or organization and its most important asset—its workforce...

  • Healthcare Administrator Careers

    Healthcare administrators oversee the smooth and efficient delivery of health care in many different settings, working behind the scenes to plan and coordinate medical services...

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  • Immigration Lawyer Careers

    Immigration lawyers help non-native immigrants to the United States manage their immigration issues—including green cards, naturalizations, and visa renewals...

  • Inventory Control Specialist Careers

    Inventory control specialists work in warehouses, managing data that allows them to track and manage the inventory...

  • IT Support Specialist Careers

    IT support specialists help computer users with software, hardware, peripherals, and other computer-related systems and equipment...

  • Insurance Underwriter Careers

    Insurance underwriters decide who an insurance company covers, the amount of coverage provided, and the cost of premiums...

  • Information Systems Security Careers

    Companies could stand to lose millions—or even go bankrupt altogether—if they lose valuable data or see their IT networks go down fully for a significant length of time...

  • Industrial Psychologist Careers

    Industrial psychologists apply psychology principles to internal business challenges—ranging from Human Resources, retention, and productivity issues to marketing, sales, management, and use of resources...

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  • Lobbyist Careers

    Lobbyists work to sway elected officials regarding specific opinions and legislation on behalf of a special interest organization...

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  • Mental Health Counselor Careers

    Mental health counselors help people deal with emotional and personal issues in a wide variety of fields. This description is extremely broad, and applies to many different specialties, from marriage counselors to substance abuse...

  • Medical Assistant Careers

    Medical assistants play a key role in delivering medical care to patients and managing the operations of medical facilities...

  • Marketing Manager Careers

    Marketing managers oversee promotional efforts for companies, products, programs, and services...

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  • Nurse Anesthetist Careers

    Nurse anesthetists administer anesthesia for medical and surgical procedures. They work closely with doctors, often in surgical environments...

  • Nurse Anesthetist Careers

    Nurse anesthetists administer anesthesia for medical and surgical procedures. They work closely with doctors, often in surgical environments...

  • Nuclear Pharmacist Careers

    Radioactive materials, while dangerous, are also used both to diagnose and treat diseases...

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  • Optometrist Careers

    Optometrists keep patients’ eyes healthy. They diagnose and treat diseases and injuries to the eyes. They also perform eye exams and prescribe contact lenses and eyeglasses...

  • Orthodontist Careers

    Orthodontists are dentists who specialize in treating both cosmetic and health-threatening issues that include crooked teeth, underbites and overbites, misaligned jaws, and other abnormalities in the face, jaw, and teeth...

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  • Podiatrist Careers

    Podiatrists are foot, ankle, and lower leg doctors. They treat patient injuries, diagnose problems, and often perform surgeries...

  • Pastry Chef Careers

    A pastry chef works in professional kitchens naming desserts, breads, pastries, and other baked goods. A pastry chef can find work in restaurants, hotels, bistros, cafes, and bistros throughout the country—and throughout the world...

  • Phlebotomist Careers

    Phlebotomists work in hospitals, doctors’ offices, and other medical facilities. Their specialty is the drawing and proper handling of blood for lab tests and other procedures...

  • Photographer Careers

    A professional photographer takes pictures to record events and market to clients or customers...

  • Pharmacist Careers

    Pharmacists work to dispense medications to patients on a prescription basis—and deliver advice regarding how to safely take medications...

  • Project Manager Careers

    Project managers work in a variety of different industries and specializations—and at first glance, a construction project manager’s job look very different from that of a software development project manager...

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  • Radiation Therapist Careers

    Radiation therapists deliver radiation therapy to patients with cancer and other diseases. They talk with patients about their treatment, maintain radiation therapy machines, monitor patient progress and response, and keep records of treatment...

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  • Substance Abuse Counselor Careers

    Substance abuse counselors play an important role in the recovery process for people suffering with addiction issues...

  • Sociologist Careers

    Sociologists study large-scale social behavior—the behavior of cultures, groups, social institutions, organizations, and societies—and determine the way social pressures, institutional behavior, and other factors influence the...

  • School Psychologist Careers

    School psychologists work in elementary and secondary schools. They counsel students, administer psychological tests, and consult with parents and teachers to solve student behavior problems...

  • Software Development Careers

    Software developers design computer programs. Most software developers work throughout all phases of the software development lifecycle...

  • SharePoint Developer Careers

    Microsoft SharePoint is a web application development platform typically tied with content and document management—although later iterations of the software offer much broader capabilities, including development of Intranet and Extranet...

  • Social Media Consultant Careers

    A social media consultant manages a company or individual’s marketing and branding strategies across a range of social media, which might include Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest, Flickr, and a range of other specialized or...

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  • Urban Planner Careers

    Urban planners assess the needs of communities—whether those communities are small towns, huge metropolitan areas, or any region in between—and develop plans to establish, grow, and re-energize those communities to ensure they...

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  • Visual Merchandiser Careers

    Visual merchandisers use their design skills to create retail displays and floor plans—to show products to their best effect, make the store beautiful, and motivate sales...