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105 Career paths to explore

PublishedOct 25, 2024|Time to read min
Dhara Singh

Senior Associate, JPMorgan Chase

    Whether you’re just starting out in your professional life or if you’re experienced in the workforce and looking for a new career path, you may be exploring the many potential career paths that are available.

    While it may feel like a lot of pressure to pick a career path know that your decision doesn’t have to be permanent, many individuals change careers some even more than once. On top of that, many college graduates have no idea what career path they even want to pursue, according to multiple studies. According to a poll from Colorado State University, 34% said they had no plan after they graduate.

    You aren’t alone if you aren’t completely sure what you want to do career-wise, a lot of people have no idea!

    In this article, we’ve broken down career paths into the following categories as a starting place to begin your search:

    • Finance
    • Technology
    • Graphic arts and design
    • Marketing, public relations, and content
    • Health and medical
    • Education
    • Construction and architecture
    • Hospitality and event planning
    • Entertainment
    • Life sciences
    • Legal

    Explore your interests, talk to people in the jobs you’re interested in, and maybe even consider a job that wasn’t on your radar before. The sky is the limit.

    Financial career paths

    If you have a knack for numbers and solving problems, you may want to consider exploring a career in finance or business. Here are a few paths to examine:

    1. Business Analyst

    A business analyst is a broad role within in an organization that can mean many different things depending on the company and role, but on a high level those in these roles often act as a bridge between stakeholders in an organization to help improve processes, products, and services, often through data analysis. In many cases, business analysts may also assist in designing and testing solutions alongside an information technology team.

    2. Investment Banker

    Investment bankers are financial professionals who help companies, governments, and other entities raise capital and make financial decisions. Their responsibilities can include working on mergers and acquisitions, performing valuations of companies, offering advisory services, working on bringing companies public, and raising capital

    3. Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

    Certified public accountants (CPAs) are licensed accountants who advise individuals and companies on their taxes and may support the effort of filing taxes. They may also play a hand in auditing a company’s financials to make sure they are accurate. Besides taking their state’s accredited CPA exam and passing, those following this career path usually need to complete a certain number of hours of coursework to be a working CPA.

    4. Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

    Certified financial planners (CFPs) help clients create financial plans and advise them on an assortment of different financial subjects ranging from saving for retirement, to saving for college, to investing, among others. Those aspiring to be a CFP must take an exam to gain the credential, and in some cases take on apprenticeships or other roles before becoming full-time CFPs.

    5. Bank Teller

    If you’re looking to begin a career in financial services, you may want to explore the role of bank teller. These professionals often work with clients in a bank setting, helping with transactions, including when clients need to deposit and withdraw money, to issuing checks, and completing wire transfers, among other tasks. A college degree is usually not needed for this position.

    6. Loan Officer

    A loan officer evaluates, authorizes, and recommends approvals of loan applications. These loans may be for individuals or businesses. People in these positions may meet with clients to understand their financial needs and figure out, based on the client’s credit history and financial information, if they’re a good candidate for the loan they’re applying for.

    Loan officers often must be mindful of ensuring documentation is accurate at each step of the process, so these positions are often best suited for highly detail-oriented people.

    7. Equity Research Analyst

    If you’re analytical by nature and are passionate about the stock market, maybe a career as an equity research analyst is up your alley. Equity research analysts look at financial data and trends to provide investment recommendations.

    This may involve looking at the performance of companies, overall industry conditions, and broader economic factors to create forecasts and reports. Investors may refer to equity research analysts and their reports to decide whether to buy, hold, or sell a stock.

    8. Investment Manager

    Investment managers play the role of helping their clients manage their money. This may involve overseeing their clients’ investment portfolios and helping them make decisions to achieve certain financial goals. The day-to-day work may involve studying market trends, economic data, and the performance of investments to buy or sell investments in their clients’ portfolios or to make recommendations to their clients. Most often, their goal is to help their clients gain a return on their invested money.

    9. Auditor

    An auditor is a professional who you’ll find in many different industries. They often look at the financial records, internal controls, and accounting systems of a company to evaluate financial records to ensure accuracy, compliance with laws and regulations, and to check for fraud or mismanagement. There are different kinds of auditors, including external and internal auditors, and they work to file reports and recommendations to companies to uphold a sense of financial transparency and accountability.

    10. Financial Controller

    If you enjoy accounting and strategy, then you may consider the role of financial controller. A financial controller oversees a company’s accounting operations and financial reporting. They will often oversee the budgeting and forecasting of a company and provide recommendations on how to improve a company’s bottom line.

    11. Accounts Payable Manager

    An accounts payable manager oversees the processing of payments owed by a company to its suppliers and vendors. Their role often involves managing the team responsible for handling a company’s outgoing financial obligations. Their daily responsibilities may include managing vendor relations, supervising the accounts payable team, invoice processing, and more.

    12. Quantitative Analyst

    A quantitative analyst, sometimes referred to as a “Quant” often uses mathematical models, statistical techniques, and algorithms to analyze data. Their work tends to be highly data driven and some of their responsibilities include developing financial models, programming, working on algorithms, and more

    13. Hedge Fund Manager

    A hedge fund manager is a professional who makes investment decisions on behalf of their clients. They may analyze market trends, watch portfolio performance, and share their insights with investors about the fund’s activities as well as results.

    14. Tax Preparer

    Tax preparers will prepare and finish tax returns for individuals or businesses. They need to ensure tax filings are compliant with federal and state level tax laws. They may also support their clients looking for potential deductions and credits that may be available to them.

    15. Private Equity Associate

    Private equity associates handle supporting the investment activities of a private equity firm. This may involve sourcing, evaluating, executing, and managing investments in companies. These roles may require an ability to create financial models, an interest in due diligence, and portfolio management.

    16. Broker

    Another career path for those interested in finance to consider is that of a broker. A broker is an individual that engages in the business of buying and selling securities such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and certain other investment products on behalf of its customer or for an account dealer, or both, according to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

    17. Actuary

    An actuary is a professional who often works in the insurance or financial industry and uses a combination of mathematics, statistics, and financial theory to assess the risk of potential events. As a result of this work, organizations may be able to design policies and strategies to minimize costs when it comes to risks.

    For instance, an actuary may look into the risk of natural disasters (historical weather patterns and property value data) to help a company decide what the premium should be for a product such as homeowner’s insurance in a particular area. With this help, a company can decide how to price premiums competitively while also factoring in potential losses.

    18. Business Intelligence Analyst

    A business intelligence analyst helps a company make informed decisions based off of internal data. They likely need advanced skills ranging from data analysis and cleanup to modeling and programming to analyze data into actionable insights.

    Technology career paths

    If you have a love for computers or a deep curiosity when it comes to technology, there are more than a few jobs to explore. It’s important to note that many jobs in technology may require you to have skills like coding, project management and others, so make sure to research the individual requirements of specific career paths.

    19. Software Programmer

    If coding is either a passion or a strong interest, you may want to consider the role of a computer programmer. Computer programmers write, modify, and test code that supports the development of computer software and applications. Those in these roles may work with adjacent teams such as product, content, and design to enhance a software product.

    20. Network Engineer

    Network engineers are responsible for designing, implementing, managing, and maintaining computer networks. They often ensure that organizations have reliable and secure network infrastructure, which allows for efficient communication and data flow.

    21. Cybersecurity Analyst

    A cybersecurity analyst often works to safeguard a company’s data. People in these roles may also proactively seek to find out if there are any security vulnerabilities in a company’s network to prevent any hacks or breaches.

    22. Data Scientist

    Data scientists, in essence, are often responsible for analyzing heaps of data. Data science often involves using data to forecast future trends. These jobs may require a more technical skillset such as knowledge of machine learning, descriptive analysis, as well as other data forecasting methods.

    23. Web Developer

    With a bird's eye view, web developers want to make sure a company’s website is accessible and functional for its users. Web developers create and maintain websites as well as oversee websites’ performance and how much traffic the sites can handle. They may write code using common languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

    24. Product Manager

    A technology-focused product manager collaborates with teams in areas such as technology, design, and content to bring a software product to fruition. After a product’s launch, a product manager will guide the involved stakeholders to make improvements as necessary. Think of this role as a business manager for a technology product.

    25. SQL Developer

    A SQL developer is a type of developer that uses Structured Query Language (SQL) to add new data or edit existing data in a search database. Companies rely on SQL developers to ensure their data is accurate across all their systems and that it can be retrieved for any reporting purposes.

    26. Computer Support Specialist

    A computer support specialist provides help and technical assistance to individuals and organizations with their computer systems, software, and hardware. They may help to ensure that users can effectively use their technology and troubleshoot issues when they arise.

    Graphic arts and design career paths

    If you’re looking for a creative career path, you may want to consider one of the many graphic arts and design careers below. Aren’t sure if a specific role is right for you? You may consider shadowing a few of these roles below to see which role feels like the right path before deciding to pursue it.

    27. Web Design

    If you’d prefer designing a website over developing it, consider a career in web design. Web designers are responsible for the visual appeal of a website. They may focus on elements such as photos, colors, and more to create an optimal experience for both first-time and regular visitors to a site.

    28. Multimedia Animator

    Another creative field you may consider when evaluating career paths is that of a multimedia animator. A multimedia animator works to create graphics and animations often with the help of technology. They may collaborate with directors, other animators, game designers, or clients in their work.

    29. Logo Designer

    Another creative field you may consider if you’re skilled in bringing a visual concept to life is that of a logo designer. A logo designer is a graphic designer who specializes in creating symbols to build a brand’s identity. While some logo designers work on projects for multinational firms, others work with smaller businesses — there are a lot of different opportunities when it comes to these roles.

    30. User Experience (UX) Designer

    A UX designer weaves together elements such as colors, branding, content, and other features to help create a technology product. UX designers may conduct user research to understand the needs and behaviors of potential customers and help design or improve prototypes for a company’s products based on these insights.

    31. Video Game Designer

    Another role you may consider if you’re passionate about design is that of a video game designer. A video game designer creates the plotline, characters, rules, and other elements that bring a video game to life. There’s both a creative and a product-focused mindset that someone must bring to these roles.

    32. Photographer

    If you enjoy capturing images for individuals or even brands, you may consider looking into photography as an occupation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics there are a range of roles for photographers to consider, from photojournalists to portrait photographers to event photographers.

    33. Cinematographer

    A cinematographer is a professional who takes video content to create films, music videos, television, and even short form video content. Small businesses to large companies hire cinematographers for their video needs.

    Marketing, public relations, and content career paths

    If you’re creative and enjoy using words as a medium, you may consider one of the many writing-related career paths below.

    34. Digital Marketer

    A digital marketer is responsible for creating, managing and executing marketing campaigns that promote a company’s products or services online. They use various digital channels and tools to reach target audiences, drive traffic, generate leads, and hopefully increase sales.

    35. Journalist

    Have you ever found yourself interested in piecing bits and pieces of information together like a detective? Or do you enjoy talking to people as well as research and writing? If so, you may consider the field of journalism. Journalists gather, investigate, and report on news, events, and issues to inform the public. They work in different media formats, including magazines, television, radio, and digital platforms

    36. Book Editor

    If you have a love for editing the written word, you may consider the career path of book editor. A book editor improves manuscripts for authors and must pay attention to details such as grammar, spelling, and word choice in support of an author’s work.

    37. Technical Writer

    A technical writer, unlike a novelist or journalist, may need some specialty knowledge in a field such as science or engineering to write everything from how-to guides to instruction manuals to explain complex topics.

    38. Grant Writer

    If you want to write to make a large impact, you may consider grant writing as a career path. A grant writer is often responsible for researching, preparing, and submitting proposals to secure funding for an organization, typically from government agencies, foundations, corporations, or other entities. Their primary goal is to help organizations such as nonprofits, educational institutions, or businesses obtain financial support for projects.

    39. Screenwriter

    If you have a knack for words, screenwriting may be up your alley, especially if you’re passionate about writing movies or TV scripts. Alongside writing on your own, as a screenwriter, you may also collaborate with directors and producers to refine a script and tell a compelling narrative.

    40. Novelist

    If you’ve ever had dreams of becoming an author, you may consider becoming a novelist. A novelist usually writes fiction and weaves together characters, plots, and other details to create books.

    41. Public Relations Specialist

    Public relations specialists work to build a reputable and positive image for their clients. While writing press releases may be one responsibility of the job, they also may have to develop a social media strategy, work on a response to a reputational crisis, or come up with a strategy to promote a new project for a client

    42. Content Marketing Manager

    A content marketing manager is responsible for planning, developing, and overseeing the execution of content strategies that help to drive brand awareness, engagement, and customer acquisition. They may develop studies, create email campaigns, write blog posts, and strategize around other types of content to nurture audiences.

    43. Social Media Manager

    A social media manager helps build an individual or company’s brand on different social channels. They may develop content including social media posts, short form videos, and more to help boost the presence of a brand or an individual on a single or multiple social media site.

    Health and medical career paths

    If you have a heart for helping others or a knack for science, you may consider looking into careers in health and medicine. It’s important to note that some of these careers require rigorous study and specific credentials, so be mindful of the requirements demanded by some of these career paths.

    44. Physician

    If working in healthcare has always been an aspiration for you, you may consider becoming a physician. These healthcare professionals are responsible for diagnosing, treating, and preventing illnesses, injuries, and medical conditions. They are often central to maintaining the health and well-being of their patients.

    45. Therapist

    Another career in the health field worth considering if you enjoy helping others is that of a therapist. A therapist is a trained professional who helps individuals, couples, or groups address and manage emotional, psychological, and mental health issues. They may use therapeutic techniques to guide their clients toward great self-awareness, emotional well-being, and personal growth.

    46. Pharmacy Technician

    If you want to work in healthcare but may not want or be able to spend the years in school required to become a doctor, you may want to consider pursuing a career as a pharmacy technician. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a pharmacy technician collects information needed to fill a prescription from customers or health professionals, measures medication for prescriptions, and packages and labels prescriptions, among other tasks.

    47. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

    Another role that allows you to make an impact on the lives of others is that of EMT. These professionals often provide emergency medical care and may transport patients to medical facilities from the scene of an accident or a medical emergency.

    48. Registered Nurse (RN)

    RNs provide and coordinate patient care, assist with medical procedures, and play a critical role in the overall healthcare system by supporting patients’ physical and emotional needs. RNs work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and community health centers.

    49. Dentist

    Dentists, like nurses and doctors, help patients, but focus more on treating a patient’s teeth, gums, and other areas of their mouth. They may perform procedures such as teeth cleanings, fillings, and extractions.

    50. Surgeon

    A surgeon is a medical doctor who performs operations to help treat injuries and diseases. They may specialize in a specific area such as neurosurgery, cardiovascular surgery, plastic surgery, among other areas. These professionals not only plan and perform surgical procedures but also provide postoperative care to help support their patients’ recovery.

    51. Veterinarian

    If you have a love of animals, consider the role of veterinarian. Veterinarians, like doctors diagnose, research and treat medical conditions, but for pets and other animals.

    52. Physician Assistant

    Physician assistants work under the supervision of a physician but still can examine, diagnose, and treat patients. These roles do require an advanced education, though the requirements are often less intense than what it takes to become a doctor.

    53. Occupational Therapist

    Occupational therapists work with people to develop, recover, or maintain the skills needed for daily living and working. They may assist people with physical, emotional, or cognitive challenges and work to improve their ability to perform tasks in their everyday lives.

    54. Dietician

    Dietitians are healthcare professionals who specialize in nutrition and the regulation of diet. Their primary role is to help individuals achieve and maintain optimal health by providing personalized dietary advice and creating nutrition plans that address specific health needs or conditions.

    55. Healthcare Administrator

    A healthcare administrator, also known as a healthcare executive or a healthcare manager, oversees the operations and management of healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, or medical practices. Their goal is to ensure that healthcare services are delivered efficiently, effectively, and in compliance with regulations.

    Education career paths

    Another career sector you may want to consider if you want to help others or better your community is education. While some careers in education involve working with students, others may be in an administrative capacity.

    56. School Superintendent

    School superintendents are essentially the chief executive officers of school districts. You’ll find them managing issues such as student achievement, resources, and relations with government agencies and other stakeholders. They may enforce educational policies, manage budgets, and make sure their district complies with any federal or state regulations.

    57. Elementary School Teacher

    If you enjoy working with kids and teaching, you may want to investigate the role of elementary school teachers. These teaching professionals help younger students (typically from kindergarten through fifth or sixth grade) in subject areas such as math and reading. They play a vital role in developing the academic, social, and emotional skills of children in their early years of education

    58. Pre-K Teacher

    Like an elementary school teacher, a Pre-K teacher works with young students, but these students are usually aged five and under. These teachers may cover basic skills such as the letters of the alphabet, the numerical system, different shapes, and more, in support of early childhood development.

    59. Special Education Teacher

    A special education teacher is responsible for teaching and supporting students with disabilities or special needs, ensuring they receive individualized instruction tailored to their needs. These educators work with children who have a wide range of learning, emotional, physical, or developmental challenges.

    60. School Principal

    School principals make sure their respective schools are running smoothly. They oversee the curriculum and staff and make sure there are appropriate rules in place to create a safe and effective environment for students.

    61. Librarian

    A librarian is a professional responsible for managing, organizing, and facilitating access to information and resources in libraries. They help individuals and communities find, use, and understand information, and they may play a vital role in fostering literacy in the library where they work.

    62. Curriculum Developer

    If you have a background in education, you may consider transitioning into the role of a curriculum developer. A curriculum developer develops the instructional materials and resources used in a classroom. They may also analyze a classroom’s existing curriculum to make sure it’s benefiting students and achieving the necessary goals.

    63. College Professor

    A college professor is responsible for teaching, conducting research, and contributing to the academic growth of students at the post-secondary level (in layman’s terms, post-high school). Professors work in universities, colleges, and other higher education institutions, often specializing in a particular subject or field of study.

    64. Dean of Students

    Those interested in a leadership position in academia may consider planning their career around becoming a dean. A dean of students is a senior administrator at an educational institution, typically at the college or university level, responsible for overseeing student affairs. They tend to act as the bridge between students and a school’s administration, handling various aspects of student life, well-being, and campus activities.

    65. Tutor

    Tutors guide students one-on-one or in small groups in support of their academic growth. Beyond tutors who help students with their coursework, some tutors help students with standardized or admissions tests

    Construction and architecture career paths

    If you enjoy designing and building, then there are several career paths to get on your radar that may be compatible with your aspirations.

    66. Civil Engineer

    If you enjoy project design and have some technical chops, you may consider looking into the field of civil engineering. A civil engineer plans, designs, and supervises the construction and maintenance of building and infrastructure projects. These projects may include everything from bridges to tunnels.

    67. Construction Engineer

    As a construction engineer, a type of civil engineering, you’ll use your engineering and design background to see a construction project through from beginning to end. In this role, you’ll oversee everything from selecting materials to making sure all safety codes are in place

    68. Architect

    If design is your passion, you may consider exploring a career as an architect. An architect plans and designs houses, factories, and other structures. Architects combine creativity, technical knowledge, and problem-solving skills to create spaces. They work with clients, engineers, contractors, and others to ensure that a project meets all the requirements from concept to completion.

    69. Construction Manager

    Those interested in construction may want to consider a career in construction management. As a construction manager, you supervise projects such as public, residential, and commercial structures.

    70. Roofer

    A hands-on career path you may want to explore is that of a roofer. Roofers, per to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, repair and install the roofs of many different types of buildings.

    71. Carpenter

    A carpenter is a skilled tradesperson who builds, repairs, and installs structures and components in various settings, including residential and commercial buildings. Carpenters work with a wide range of materials, including wood, plywood, drywall, and more.

    72. Painter

    A painter applies paint, stains, and other finishes to buildings, structures, and various other surfaces both in interior and exterior settings. Painters enhance the appearance and protect surfaces from damage due to weather, wear, and other factors too. It’s hard to imagine a space coming together without the support of a painter.

    73. Cost Estimator

    Another role in the construction field you may want to consider is that of a cost estimator. A cost estimator collects data and decides how much time, money, materials, and labor is needed to successfully complete a construction or manufacturing project.

    74. Electrician

    If you’re looking for a career path that doesn’t necessarily require you to spend the bulk of your time in an office and that involves working with your hands, you may want to explore becoming an electrician. An electrician installs, helps to maintain, and repairs electrical systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.

    75. Plumber

    Another career that may be on your list of hands-on roles to explore is that of a plumber. Plumbers do everything from inspecting pipelines to repairing plumbing systems. They take care of water, gas, and other piping systems in different facilities ranging from homes to factories.

    76. Interior Designer

    If you want to channel your creativity into interior spaces, you may consider exploring becoming an interior designer. An interior designer will do everything from sketching design plans to procuring furniture to working on details such as wall finishes and flooring. Interior designers work on projects for individuals but also for corporations (think designing an entire office space!).

    Hospitality and event planning career paths

    Another career cluster you may consider exploring is hospitality and event planning. These roles may be customer-facing, but not always.

    77. Travel Agent

    A travel agent helps individuals, groups, and companies arrange and book travel itineraries. Their responsibilities can involve advising clients, booking travel, providing information on travel and destinations, managing travel plans, and more.

    78. Concierge

    A concierge may work in hotels, luxury apartments, or high-end businesses, and their main role is to assist guests or residents when it comes to providing services and fulfilling special requests. Some of their responsibilities may include making reservations, arranging transportation, problem-solving, and organizing personal services like personal shopping, babysitting, or laundry services.

    79. Hostess

    A host greets and sometimes seats new customers as they enter an establishment such as a restaurant. This is an entry-level position for someone who likes to be at the front-line of interacting with customers.

    80. Chef

    If you enjoy cooking, you may consider looking into a career path as a professional chef. A chef will plan a restaurant’s menu, oversee junior kitchen staff, and manage food preparations for a restaurant, a hotel, or even a company’s cafeteria.

    81. Flight Attendant

    If you like to travel the world while interacting with people, you may want to consider the role of a flight attendant. A flight attendant ensures all plane passengers are safe and comfortable on an aircraft. They also provide customer service, catering to the needs of passengers, and help hand out food and refreshments on a flight.

    82. Wedding Coordinator

    If you have an eye for detail and love seeing people celebrate their special day, you may consider a role as a wedding coordinator. A wedding coordinator oversees everything from securing vendors that suit a couple’s liking to assisting with the design of a wedding venue and more.

    83. Catering Supervisor

    A catering supervisor is responsible for overseeing a catering service's operations, whether for events, banquets, or ongoing food service in establishments like hotels, corporate offices, or schools. Their responsibilities may involve event planning, supervising staff, managing supplies, and managing the budget of an event.

    84. Hotel Manager

    A hotel manager is often the beating heart of a hotel who helps to keep everything running. A hotel is in charge of the daily operations of a hotel, ensuring everything runs efficiently. Their daily tasks can involve staff management, managing guests, sales and marketing for the hotel, and the supervision of maintenance and upkeep of a hotel.

    Entertainment career paths

    Do you enjoy performing in front of large crowds? If large crowds aren’t your thing, do you have an artistic talent that might lend itself to you working in the entertainment world? If so, here’s a list of career paths that may pique your interest.

    85. Actor or Actress

    Actors and actresses perform in various types of media such as films, television shows, theater productions, commercials, and much more, bringing characters to life in their portrayals. The range of acting work has grown in recent years because of the growth of social media, and the roles available can be much more far reaching than working on Hollywood movies if you have an open mind.

    86. Stage Manager

    Another career path in the theater or creative arts to consider is that of a stage manager. A stage manager will supervise the physical aspects of a stage production such as the lights, scenery, sound effects, and other elements to ensure a successful live show.

    87. Choreographer

    If acting isn’t your thing or you simply excel at dancing, you may want to look into becoming a choreographer. A choreographer designs and creates dance routines and movement sequences for performances in various settings, such as theater, film, music videos, dance shows, and concerts. If you’ve ever seen a concert or a large production of some kind, it’s highly likely that a choreographer played a hand in it.

    88. Sound Designer

    Another career in the entertainment industry to consider is that of a sound designer. Sound designers create, edit, and integrate audio elements into various forms of media, such as films, television shows, video games, theater productions, and live events. They may help to create sound effects, record and edit audio, synchronize sound and visuals, and much more.

    89. Lighting Designer

    You may find that if you have a knack for visuals that the role of lighting designer may capture your eye. A lighting designer creates a lighting plan for performances or events such as theater productions, concerts, television shows, and more. They may design lighting effects, collaborate with a production’s creative team, work on lighting cues, manage the lighting equipment, and much more. It’s hard to imagine an entertainment production without lighting, so these roles are integral.

    90. Talent Agent

    If acting isn’t your forte, but you’re interested in supporting the careers of actors (and have a skillset for building relationships), consider looking into the role of a talent agent. In this career path, professionals represent the careers of actors by booking auditions for their clients and guiding their careers in other ways. In exchange, they usually get a percentage of their client’s pay.

    91. Producer

    An entertainment producer is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the production of various forms of entertainment, including television shows, films, theater performances, music videos, and live events. Their roles may involve managing both the creative and logistical aspects of a project. This may look like developing concepts for projects, securing funding for projects, hiring personnel, and overseeing the production process overall.

    92. Director

    There are many kinds of directors, but in the entertainment space, a director working in theater, television, and movies is responsible for guiding the artistic and creative aspects of a production. They interpret scripts, work with actors, and lead the overall vision to bring stories to life for audiences.

    93. Wardrobe Director

    If you’re passionate about styling, you may consider a career as a wardrobe director (also known as a costume designer) in an entertainment production. People in these roles are responsible for overseeing the design, creation, and management of costumes and wardrobe for theater productions, films, television shows, commercials, and other performances. Their role ensures that costumes not only reflect the characters in the production but also align with the overall artistic vision of the production. They may also oversee the production budget for wardrobe.

    94. Musician

    Have a musical inclination, and are you skilled when it comes to performing? You may consider taking up the role of a musician. A musician plays instruments live for audiences but may also do other work like assisting with sound for TV shows, movies, and other productions. Being a musician means a lot more than being a rock star, too. You may do work that ranges from performing at weddings to recording jingles for commercials and much more.

    95. Voice-Over Talent

    Another role you might want to consider in the entertainment industry if being on camera isn’t a passion is becoming voice-over talent. Voice-over talents will lend their voice to projects ranging from video games to TV shows. Many must audition, just like actors.

    96. Model

    The role of a model may be broader than what might first come to mind for you. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, models can pose for artists, brands, photographers, and other creatives. Outside of working with artists, in many cases, models help to advertise products ranging from clothing to food.

    Life sciences career paths

    If you’re passionate about understanding how living organisms function and thrive and want to contribute to advancements that improve health and the environment, a career path in the life sciences may be the right fit for you.

    97. Microbiologist

    A microbiologist studies microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae, and parasites to understand their behavior, genetics, and impact on humans, animals, plants, and the environment. In this role, they may conduct research, analyze samples, collaborate with other scientists, and much more.

    98. Zoologist

    A zoologist studies animals in captivity and in the wild to see how they interact with their broader ecosystems. Their work helps to improve our understanding of animal species and contributes to conservation, wildlife management, and scientific research.

    99. Chemist

    A chemist researches and analyzes the chemical properties of substances to develop materials and products. Chemists don’t just work in schools; they may also work in companies, so this role may be far reaching than you might think at first glance.

    100. Ecologist

    An ecologist studies ecosystems, focusing on the relationships between living organisms and their environments, including how they interact with each other and with non-living elements like water, air, and soil. Their work helps us understand how ecosystems function and how they may be able to be preserved or restored.

    101. Neuroscientist

    If the human brain interests you, you may consider a career as a neuroscientist. A neuroscientist focuses on the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and neural networks to understand how they function and influence behaviors, though processes, emotions, and overall health. Those in these roles may work in various fields from biology, psychology, and medicine.

    Legal and political career paths

    102. Lawyer

    If you’re considering a career in the legal field, becoming a lawyer is probably the first option that comes to mind. A lawyer advises and represents clients in criminal or civil proceedings and other legal matters. They also draft legal documents and research as well as interpret the law. Some lawyers also help clients draft business formation documents and home closure documents, among other paperwork.

    103. Politician

    A politician is an elected professional who uses their position to influence law or public policy. They represent the public in government at various levels and must gain the support of their constituents in most cases through an election to step into the role. The role of a politician is much more far reaching than being the president or a senator, so if this interests you, consider all of the options that may be available from the local, state, and national levels.

    104. Lobbyist

    Another career in the legal arena is that of a lobbyist. A lobbyist advocates on behalf of organizations, businesses, or interest groups to influence legislation, policies, and regulations at various levels of government. Their goal is to ensure that the interests of their clients or causes are represented in the decision-making processes of lawmakers and government officials.

    105. Paralegal

    If the law intrigues you but you don’t want to necessarily work as a lawyer, you might want to consider a career as a paralegal. A paralegal performs various tasks, including maintaining and organizing files, conducting legal research, and drafting documents, often working closely with lawyers

    Final thoughts

    If, after researching a wide range of career paths, you’re still feeling unsure of the path that you want to set out on, consider taking a career test to try to figure out the types of roles your skills and personality are best suited for. Beyond that, you may want to seek help from a career counselor (in many instances, schools offer these services pro bono) or reach out to mentors you trust for guidance on careers to explore.