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Veterinarians tend to the healthcare needs of animals, including pets, livestock, and zoo and laboratory animals. Most vets work in private clinics treating companion animals, for example dogs and cats. They diagnose illnesses and perform medical procedures. A small number are equine veterinarians who treat horses, and food animal vets who work with farm animals. There are some vets who specialize in food safety and inspection. They check livestock for illnesses that can be transmitted to humans. Others are research veterinarians who do research on human and animal health conditions.

In 2010 veterinarians held just over 61,000 jobs in the US. The vast majority had jobs in the veterinary services industry, while others worked for colleges or universities, medical or research laboratories, or the government. Approximately nine percent were self-employed.

To become a veterinarian one must earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M. or V.M.D.) degree from an accredited college of veterinary medicine. Although many schools admit applicants who don't have a bachelor's degree, having one will increase your odds of getting accepted. There is keen competition for entry into this four year program.

In order to practice in the US, a veterinarian must have a license. In addition to graduating from an accredited veterinary program, to become licensed one must pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE) administered by the . Many states also administer their own exams. Although it is not required, many veterinarians choose to become certified in an area of specialization, for example surgery or internal medicine. Requirements vary by specialty but may include experience in that area, passing an examination, spending additional time in school or completing a three to four year residency program.
In addition to formal training, to be successful as a veterinarian one needs certain qualities he or she can't learn in school. Number one on this list is compassion, both toward the animals they treat and their owners. He or she also needs good decision-making skills to aid in choosing appropriate treatment methods. Good interpersonal skills are also a must as one spends time communicating with animal owners, staff members and colleagues. Manual dexterity and strong problem-solving skills are also important.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an excellent outlook for this occupation. The agency predicts it will experience faster job growth, through 2020, than most other occupations that require at least a master's degree 

Veterinarians earned a median annual salary of $82,900 in 2011 and median hourly earnings of $39.86.

On a typical day a veterinarian working with small animals, for example dogs, cats, birds and reptiles, in clinical practice will:

• diagnose animals' health problems
• vaccinate their patients against diseases, such as distemper and rabies
• medicate animals suffering from infections or illnesses
• treat and dress wounds
• set fractures
• perform surgery
• advise owners about animal feeding, behavior and breeding
• euthanize animals when necessary

On a typical day a veterinarian working with large animals, primarily horses and cows, will:

• provide preventive care to maintain the health of food animals
• test for and vaccinate against diseases
• consult with farm or ranch owners and managers on animal production, feeding, and housing issues
• treat and dress wounds, set fractures, and perform surgery

To customers, a waiter or waitress is the public face of a restaurant. He or she greets them, tells them what the daily specials are, answers questions and may even recommend particular dishes. Of course the waiter and waitress also serves them their food. While customers see the wait staff each time they visit the establishment, they may never lay eyes on the chef.

As of 2010, there were 2,260,000 people employed in this occupation, mostly in full-service restaurants. Waiters and waitresses typically work part-time, early in the morning, late in the evening, and on weekends and holidays. Some jobs, in resorts for example, are seasonal and may last for only a few months at a time. This job can be mentally and physically stressful. A waiter or waitress must serve food quickly and efficiently. Being the public face of a restaurant isn't an easy job as it is often the server who takes the blame when patrons don't have a satisfying dining experience. He or she carries heavy trays filled with plates of food and beverages and spends a lot of time on his or her feet.

While some employers prefer to hire wait staff who have graduated from high school or whom have earned an equivalency diploma, most employ those who are still students. Restaurants generally provide on-the-job training but some restaurants provide classroom training as well.

If you don't like people, being a waiter or waitress probably isn't the career for you. You must be personable, attentive and polite. You have to be a good communicator, a trait that will come in handy when dealing with customers as well as co-workers. A waiter or waitress should be skilled at working as part of a team since the entire restaurant staff must function well together. A good memory allows a server to recall menu items, specials and customers' orders and to remember people who dine there frequently. Physical stamina is a must given the fact that this occupation involves heavy lifting and spending long periods of time on one's feet.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts this occupation will see employment growth that is slower than the average for all occupations through. It is however at the top of a list of careers that will have the most job openings due mostly to the fact that many people will leave the field during this decade.

Waiters and waitresses earned median annual wages of $8.93 which translates into a median hourly salary of $18,570 if one were to work full-time (US, 2011). Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much a Waiter and Waitress currently earns in your city.

On a typical day a waiter's and waitress's tasks might include:

• welcoming customers to the establishment
• explaining daily specials and regular menu items
• taking orders for food and drinks from patrons
• relaying special instructions, for example accommodations for a customer's food allergies or preferences, to kitchen staff
• preparing itemized checks and processing payment
• carrying trays of food and beverages
• clearing tables of dirty dishes and glasses and preparing them for other guests

A pilot flies aircraft including planes and helicopters. He or she may work for an airline that transports people and cargo on a fixed schedule or for a company that offers charter flights, rescue operations or aerial photography. The former is known as an airline pilot while the latter is called a commercial pilot. Two pilots typically make up the cockpit crew. The more experienced crew member—the captain—is in command of the plane. His or her co-pilot is also known as the first officer. They share responsibility for flight duties that include steering the plane, communicating with air traffic controllers and monitoring instruments.

In 2010 there were about 104,000 pilots in the workforce. Airlines, delivery companies and the federal government employed approximately 71,000 airline pilots. About 33,000 commercial pilots worked for hospitals, charter companies, private business and flight schools. Airline pilots spend an average of 75 hours each month flying and 150 hours on non-flight duties while commercial pilots fly between 30 and 90 hours per month. Both have irregular schedules that involve working for several days in a row and then having several days off. Airline pilots must have, as mandated by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), at least eight hours of rest between flights. They are often away from home for a few days at a time. Those who have seniority with an airline get preferred routes.

Pilots receive their training in the military or by attending FAA certified flight schools. Most employers prefer to hire job candidates who have a bachelor's degree although the minimum requirement is two years of college. Coursework should include English, math, physics and aeronautical engineering.

To be allowed to transport people or cargo, one needs a commercial pilot's license. To qualify for it, an individual must be at least 18 years old, have 250 hours of flight experience, pass a physical exam, have vision that is correctable to 20/20 and have no physical handicaps that could affect job performance. The candidate must pass a written exam and a flight exam during which he or she demonstrates flying ability to an FAA-designated examiner. Airline captains and first officers need a transport pilot certificate. To qualify for one, a pilot must be 23 years old with 1500 hours of flight time. He or she must pass written and flight exams.
In addition to the ability to fly aircraft, pilots also need certain soft skills—or personal qualities. He or she must have good communication and problem solving skills and be detail oriented. The ability to work as part of a team is vital since pilots must not only work with one another, but with air traffic controllers and flight dispatchers as well.

Pilots can expect to see employment growth through 2020 that is about as fast as the average for all occupations. There will be better job opportunities with regional or low-cost airlines or in general aviation because there is expected to be stronger growth in these business segments. Competition at major airlines will be strong. Pilots with the greatest number of flights and instrument hours will fare best.

In the United States, airline pilots earned a median annual salary of $114,200 in 2012. Commercial pilots earned less. Their median annual salary was $73,280. Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much a pilot currently earns in your city.

On a typical day a pilot's tasks might include:

• doing preflight checks on aircraft following a prescribed checklist
• checking that cargo is loaded and properly balanced
• receiving instructions for takeoff and landing from the control tower
• monitoring engines and fuel consumption during flights
• planning flights according to weather conditions and after conferring with air traffic controllers

A flight attendant's primary responsibility is to make sure safety regulations on airplanes are followed. They also do what they can to make sure passengers are comfortable during their flights.

Flight attendants held about 90,500 jobs in 2010. Most of these jobs were with commercial airlines. Others were with corporations or chartered flight companies. Flight attendants are typically on duty 12 to 14 hours but working on international flights may require more time. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandates that there is at least a nine hour break between two on-duty periods. Flight attendants often work evenings, weekends and holidays. Those who are new to this occupation work reserve status, which means they are on call and can be called to work at any time. Fortunately, more regular schedules come with seniority.

While a high school diploma is the minimum requirement for anyone who wants to become a flight attendant, many employers prefer to hire job candidates who have a college degree. All newly hired flight attendants receive three to six weeks of formal training from their employers.

Those who want to work as flight attendants must be at least 18 years old. Airlines prefer to hire job candidates who have experience working with the public. There are also height requirements since flight attendants must be able to reach overhead bins. Vision must be correctable to 20/40 or better. Flight attendants must be certified by the FAA. This requires one to pass a proficiency check after completing his or her employer's initial training program. Certification applies to only the specific type of aircraft on which an individual is trained. Your formal training will prepare you for your job, but you need specific soft skills—personal characteristics—in order to be successful. You must be attentive to peoples' needs. Excellent communication will allow you to interact well with passengers. Strong customer service skills will help you during stressful situations. You will also need good listening skills to help you understand passengers' needs.

Once they complete formal training, new flight attendants are placed on reserve status where they could remain for at least one year, but as many as five to 10 years. This means they work when called upon to fill in for absent or vacationing employees or on extra flights. After being on reserve status for a while, they can bid for regular assignments. They generally get their choices based on seniority. Because flight attendants remain in their jobs for a longer period than in the past, advancement takes more time.

The job outlook for flight attendants isn't good. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects this occupation to experience little or no change through 2020. There will be more applicants than there will be job openings so if you want to enter this field, you should expect lots of competition. The retirement of current workers may lead to job openings for new ones, but only if airlines don't decide to cut their workforces. 

Median annual earnings of flight attendants were $37,240 in 2012. Starting pay was considerably lower. Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much flight attendants currently earn in your city.

On a typical day a flight attendant will:

• get briefed by the captain on emergency evacuation procedures, coordination of the crew, the length of the flight, expected weather conditions, and special issues having to do with passengers
• make sure that first-aid kits and other emergency equipment are aboard and in working order
• assess the passenger cabin to make sure there are adequate supplies of food, beverages, and blankets
• greet passengers as they enter the plane, check their tickets, and tell them where to store their coats and carry-on bags
• instruct passengers in the use of emergency equipment
• check to see that passengers' seat belts are fastened, seats are in the upright position, and bags are properly stowed prior to takeoff
• help passengers in the event of an emergency
• reassure passengers in the event of turbulence
• direct passengers if they must evacuate the plane if there is an emergency landing
• answer questions about the flight
• distribute blankets, pillows, and reading material
• distribute beverages, snacks, and sometimes heat and serve meals
• help those needing assistance, e.g. small children, or elderly or disabled passengers
• administer first aid to ill patients
• take inventory of headsets, alcoholic beverages, and money collected prior to landing
• report passengers' medical problems, lost and found articles, and condition of cabin equipment
• sometimes, if in a supervisory position, oversee the work of the other attendants aboard the aircraft

Protecting the environment is an environmental scientist's goal when he or she goes to work each day. Achieving that goal requires conducting research that will identify, abate or eliminate pollutants and hazards to the environment or to the health of the population.

There were 86,000 environmental scientists employed in 2008.

Although it's possible to get an entry-level job as an environmental scientist with a bachelor's degree in earth science, many employers will hire only those who have earned a master's degree in environmental science, hydrology or a related natural science.

To work as an environmental scientist one needs computer skills. Good written and oral communication skills and strong interpersonal skills are also essential. Knowledge of a second language is a plus.

An environmental scientist begins his or her work in field exploration or sometimes in the laboratory as a technician or research assistant. With experience, he or she gets more difficult assignments and may eventually move into a supervisory role.

The job outlook for environment scientists is excellent. This occupation is projected to experience much faster growth, through 2018, than other occupations requiring at least a master's degree (The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Median annual earnings of environmental scientists were $61,010 in 2009. Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much an environmental scientist currently earns in your city.

On a typical day an environmental scientist's tasks might include:

• Collecting environmental data, for example pollution emission measurements or water samples.
• Analyzing data to determine its quality and scientific significance, and looking for correlations between human activities and environmental effects.
• Reporting scientific and technical information to the public by writing about it or making presentations at workshops, conferences, training sessions or public hearings.
• Giving scientific and technical guidance and support to government agencies, industries and the public.
• Processing and reviewing environmental permits, licenses and related materials.
• Reviewing environmental policies, regulations and guidelines to make sure they meet appropriate requirements.

Dietitians and nutritionists plan food and nutrition programs, and supervise the preparation and serving of meals. They help prevent and treat illnesses by promoting healthy eating habits and suggesting diet modifications. While dietitians and nutritionists are both experts in food and nutrition, there is a difference between these healthcare professionals, explains About.com Nutrition Guide Shereen Jegtvig in her article . Jegtvig says "dietitians are considered to be nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are dietitians." The distinction between the two lies in their training and licensing which will be discussed later.
Dietitians run food service systems for institutions such as hospitals and schools, promote sound eating habits through education, and conduct research. Major areas of practice include clinical, community, management, and consultant dietetics.

Dietitians and nutritionists held over 64,000 jobs in 2010. About half of them worked in hospitals, nursing homes, and physician's offices and outpatient clinics.

To become a dietitian you need at least a bachelor's degree in dietetics, foods and nutrition, food service systems management, or a related area. College students in these majors take courses in foods, nutrition, institution management, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, and physiology. Other suggested courses include business, mathematics, statistics, computer science, psychology, sociology, and economics. According to Jegtvig, other health practitioners, for example chiropractors, osteopaths and physicians, may study and then practice clinical nutrition.   

Many states require anyone calling himself or herself a dietitian to be licensed or otherwise registered with or certified by that state. Fewer states require the same of anyone who uses the title nutritionist. This isn't a protected title in most states. It is important to thoroughly investigate the requirements in the state in which you plan to practice. See the Licensed Occupations Tool from CareerOneStop. The Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association (ADA) awards the Registered Dietitian credential to those who pass a certification exam after completing their academic coursework and supervised experience. This designation isn't required and is unrelated to state licensure although requirements for both are usually similar.
Dietitians and nutritionists need certain skills that aren't necessarily learned through formal training. He or she must, of course, have good people skills. Because a dietitian or nutritionist must be able to convey information to clients, good speaking skills are necessary. Strong analytical skills allow one to interpret scientific studies. Without organizational skills, it won't be possible to keep up with the many aspects of one's job.

Experienced dietitians may advance to assistant, associate, or director of a dietetic department, or become self-employed. Some dietitians specialize in areas such as renal or pediatric dietetics. Others may leave the occupation to become sales representatives for equipment, pharmaceutical or food manufacturers.

Employment of dietitians is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2020. An aging population will be partially responsible for this level of growth, particularly in nursing homes. An increase in interest about the role food plays in our general health, wellness and treatment of diseases will also increase demand for nutritionists.

Dietitians and nutritionists earned a median annual salary of $54,470 and median hourly wages of $26.19 in 2011.

Clinical dietitians provide nutritional services for patients in institutions such as hospitals and nursing homes. On a typical day a clinical dietitian will:

• assess patients' nutritional needs, develop and implement nutrition programs, and evaluate and report the results
• confer with doctors and other health care professionals in order to coordinate medical and nutritional needs

Community dietitians counsel individuals and groups on nutritional practices designed to prevent disease and promote good health. They work in places such as public health clinics, home health agencies and health maintenance organizations. On a typical day a community dietitian will:

• evaluate individual needs
• develop nutritional care plans
• instruct individuals and their families how to follow these plans

Management dietitians oversee large-scale meal planning and preparation in health care facilities, company cafeterias, prisons and schools. On a typical day a management dietitian will:

• hire, train and direct other dietitians and food service workers
• enforce sanitary and safety regulations
• prepare records and reports
• create a budget for and then purchase food, equipment and supplies
• enforce sanitary and safety regulations
• prepare records and reports

Consultant dietitians work under contract with healthcare facilities or in their own private practices. On a typical day a consultant dietitian will:

• perform nutrition screenings for their clients
• offer advice on diet-related concerns such as weight loss or cholesterol reduction

Cosmetologists provide beauty services that include caring for the cosmetic condition of hair, skin and nails. The field of cosmetology encompasses several occupations, including hairstylist and hairdresser, shampooer, barber, skin care specialist and nail technician.

Cosmetologists and other personal appearance workers held about 628,000 jobs in 2010. They typically work in hair salons and barbershops, although there are those who work in spas or resorts. Some cosmetologists are self employed. Those who are either lease space in salons or own their own shops. Many jobs are part-time positions. Hours typically include evenings and weekends because that is when clients are available. Self-employed cosmetologists usually work long hours.

To become a cosmetologist you will need to attend a state-licensed barber or cosmetology school and be at least 16 years old. In some states a high school or equivalency diploma is required as well. Full-time training programs in hairstyling and cosmetology last approximately nine months and may result in earning an associate degree. The training doesn't stop there. Most people who work in this field continue to take advanced courses that help them stay abreast of the latest trends.

All personal appearance workers, including hairstylists, hairdressers and cosmetologists, but not shampooers, must be licensed. Upon completion of a state-approved training program in cosmetology, one must take a state-administered licensing exam. There are generally separate exams for manicurists, pedicurists, and skin care specialists. Many states have reciprocity with one another, which means that if you are licensed in one state you can get a license to work in another without taking another exam. If you enroll in cosmetology school you will acquire all the technical skills needed to work in this field but there are qualities you must have that you won't necessarily pick up through formal training. Creativity is a must. You will have to be able to help your clients select new hairstyles. Good customer service skills are imperative. You need to have them if you want to build a following of customers. In order to understand what your customers want, you need good listening skills. Good time management skills keep things running smoothly in a shop and are appreciated by owners as well as customers who don't want to be kept waiting. Finally, you will spend a great deal of time on your feet. You need good physical stamina to be able to do this.

As hairstylists and cosmetologists become more experienced and gain a following, they can expect their earnings to increase. Some manage salons or decide to open their own. Others become sales representatives or image consultants. Some decide to teach in barber and cosmetology schools.

There will be job opportunities available in cosmetology over the next decade. Overall employment of barbers, cosmetologists, and other personal appearance workers is projected to grow as fast as the average for all occupations through 2020, but the amount of growth will vary by specialty. There will be strong competition for jobs in upscale salons. (The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Cosmetologists earned a median annual salary of $22,700 and median hourly wages $10.91 in 2012.
Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much cosmetologists currently earn in your city.

On a typical day a cosmetologist might perform some of the following duties, depending on his or her specialization:

• Cutting, trimming and shaping hair or hair pieces
• Applying bleach or dye to hair
• Styling hair or wigs by brushing, combing and spraying
• Attaching wigs or hairpieces to model heads
• Massaging and treating clients' scalps
• Administering therapeutic medication
• Advising patrons to seek medical treatment for chronic or contagious scalp conditions
• Recommending and applying cosmetics, lotions and creams to patrons
• Shaping and coloring eyebrows or eyelashes
• Removing facial hair using wax, thread or tweezers
• Cleaning, shaping, and polishing fingernails and toenails
• Updating and maintaining customers' information records