"I want to be a..." Are you a future teacher, vet, writer, or something else? Find out more about your dream job!

Here are the different careers you can learn about on this page. Sorry, I don't have any way to make these links to go to separate pages-- you'll have to scroll through to get to the career you want to view. They are, however, in alphabetical order to make it easier.

1. Child Life Specialist
2. Child Psychiatrist
3. Chiropractor
*. Electrician
4. Historian
5. Lawyer
6. Librarian
!. Shadowing Story
7. Music Therapist
8. Pastor
9. Pilot
10. Reporter
11. Speech Therapist
12. Teacher
13. Veterinarian
14. Writer
15. Zookeeper

Here we go!

* A career proceeded by a star (*) instead of a number indicates one suggested by a reader. To see YOUR favorite career listed on this site, head on down to the guestbook and name it.

! A career proceeded by an exclamation mark (!) indicates a Shadowing Story. Shadowing someone is a good way to learn more about a career you're interested in. So, if you are a "shadow" for a few hours, tell us about it! Just stop by the guestbook.

A child life specialist provides therapy to kids in hospitals and in other places where kids experience stress (like funeral homes; sometimes child life specialists also work in schools or special camps). For example, through play, music, and art, child life specialists help prepare kids (mentally and emotionally) to go through surgery. Or sometimes they just play with kids to help them grow up "normally" even though they're in a hospital most of the time. There are lots of different things child life specialists do to help kids and their families.
Educational background needed
A bachelor's degree in child life (there are a only few colleges that offer this), or in early childhood, psychology, recreational therapy, or something similar. You also need to pass a test.
What about the salary? (How much money do they usually make?)
The median salary for a child life specialist is around $45,000; however, it varies depending on where you live. You can usually expect the pay to be about the same as what teachers make.
What are some advantages?
Something that could be considered advantageous to being a child life specialist is getting to help kids (and their families) who are going through hard times, and making them smile despite what they're going through.
Are there any disadvantages?
You most likely won't get to be as rich as Bill Gates if you do this job (but this is true for LOTS of jobs!). Some people consider the pay a disadvantage, but most child life specialists love what they are doing-- their work makes them happier than being a millionaire. Remember, you should do a job that makes you happy, not because of how much or how little money you make.
Where can I find out more about this job?
If you want to know more about being a child life specialist, check out these great websites and books!
Child Life Council-- The Child Life Profession
What is a Child Life Specialist?
Child Life Specialist Job Profile

A child psychiatrist helps kids, teens, and their families work out problems they're having at home or at school. They can help kids whose parents are going through divorce... or when a loved one dies... or if the child has something like ADHD or OCD, or an eating disorder, a learning disorder, or something else, child psychiatrists can help with that, too. They diagnose and treat the problems. Then they use other methods in addition to (or instead of) verbal communication (talking), like drawing and play-therapy to help. Psychiatrists are MDs, so they can also write prescriptions for medicines if needed.
Educational background needed
First they need a bachelor's degree, usually in some type of science. Next they need a four-year medical school program and then four years doing a residency. Child psychiatrists must first be certified in general practice, and then in children.
Where are they employed?
Child psychiatrists work in hospitals, schools, and private practices.
Salary?
The median amount after a year of practice with child specialty is around $180,000. The median starting salary (in 2000 and 2001) was $141,000.
What's an advantage to this job?
Well, right now there is a big shortage of child psychiatrists, so if you want to do something in this field, you'll have a really good chance of getting a job. (It's thought the shortage is because so many kids have problems now, and also it takes so much training to be a child psychiatrist that it takes a while to get more people to do the job.)
Sounds cool! Any disadvantages?
For me, I don't like math and science all that much. I'd rather do something without all that, which means that, for me, a child psychiatrist has a huge disadvantage because you have to take lots of science classes. However, you might love science and math--that's great!--and so my disadvantage is definitely NOT a disadvantage to you. As with all of the jobs on here, the advantages/disadvantages are really just opinions. You should come up with your own advantages and disadvantages for each job.
How can I find out more about this job?
Check out these great websites!
HealthyMinds.org- What is a Psychiatrist?
ExploreHealthCareers.org: Career Overview- Psychiatrist
Choosing Child and Adolescent Psychiatry as a Career

A chiropractor (also called a "Doctor of Chiropractic (DC)" or a "chiropractic physician") diagnoses and treats people using natural, medicine-free, and non-surgical methods. They adjust the spinal column and use different types of therapies to help different people. They help people learn about nutrition, exercise, and things like that that help keep your body healthy.
Educational background needed
A DC from a chiropractic college. A bachelor's degree is required in a few states.
Is there required continued education?
Most states require continued education for the license.
Where are they employed?
Some chiropractors work at their own practice by themselves or with other chiropractors. Others teach, conduct research, or work at hospitals.
How much money do they make?
It varies (like it does for every job). In 2002, the average for salaried chiropractors was $65,330.
Advantages
Being a chiropractor would be a good choice for you if you want to do something in the health field but want a more natural approach.
Disadvantages
Well, since I don't like science, and chiropractic involves science... there's my disadvantage. Decide disadvantages/advantages for yourself!
I want to learn more.
Okay! Here are some great websites for you to check out, and after that are some books you can read.
CareerOverview.com- Chiropractor
Today's Chiropractic--What is a Chiropractor?
Career Information--Chiropractors

Simply put, electricians "bring us electricity." They wire houses and other buildings so we can have lights and computers, and sometimes they fix broken machines and things like that. For detailed information about what electricians do, see What is this job like? on BLS.gov--KIDS!
Educational background needed
You become an electrician by being an apprentice, and for that you need a high school diploma or GED. You also need to pass a test and get a license.
Kids who want to be an electrician should...
*Take math, science, technical drawing, and shop classes while in high school.
Where do they work?
Sometimes they work in factories. Sometimes they work fixing houses. Sometimes they go out of town to get to the place where wiring needs to be fixed.
How much money?
Between $16.07 and $27.71 an hour on average (as of 2006). For more detailed information, see Earnings on BLS.gov.
Advantages
What do you think is an advantage to this job? Visit the guestbook and let us know!
Disadvantages
What do you think is a disadvantage to this job? Visit the guestbook and let us know!
Learn more
Electrician on BLS.gov--KIDS!
Electrians on BLS.gov
Career: Electricians on iseek.org

Historians research the facts of history, then make connections about it (answer the "whys" and "hows"). Then they share their knowledge with other people.
Educational background needed
At least a major (in something like history). You need a Ph.D. if you don't want to be "limited."
Where employed?
A lot of historians work on a project-by-project basis. Sometimes movies will hire historians to verify facts. Some historians work as college professors.
Salary
$52,750
Any advantages?
There's lots of history, so if you like that kind of thing, you're in luck!
What about disadvantages?
Even if you get a Ph.D. it can still be hard to get a job because it is in such demand.
To learn more...
...visit these websites.
Historians--CollegeBoard.com
Historian-- Career Overview

Lawyers...
*Are hired to take someone's side in court.
*Do a lot of research because they have to know what the law says. They help their clients know what the law says and give them advice about what to do.
*Have to be good at finding facts in various ways.
*Use their research to argue why their client should win.
*Do a lot of writing. They have to write their arguments (and write other things like wills) and be very specific.
Educational background needed
A college degree, then law school for three years.(Then they have to pass a test.)
Any required continued education?
Most states do require this. That way lawyers can keep up with changes in the law.
Where employed?
Most work is done in offices, law libraries, and courtrooms. Sometimes lawyers work in hospitals or prisons. Also, some lawyers are self-employed, and some work for government or private organizations.
Salary
In 2004, the median was between $64,620 and $143,620.
Advantages
If you like reading, writing, and researching, plus you like "legal stuff," being a lawyer would be great.
Disadvantages
A lot of people want to be lawyers, so even though many people many people will be needing lawyers, it is predicted that there will be lots of competition for this job.
Kids interested in being lawyers should...
*Take English classes and other similar classes to build writing and research skills.
*Become really good readers.
More about lawyers
...can be found here!
Lawyer-- www.bls.gov KIDS!

A librarian, also called an "information professional" or "media specialist," may do the following duties from day to day:
*Help people find information in libraries
*Select/purchase materials and organize them
*Coordinate programs
*Conduct classes
*Publicize their services
*Write grants
Educational background needed
Usually a librarian needs a master's degree in library science (MLS), which takes one to two years to earn. A Ph.D. is required for some college libraries. Sometimes a teaching degree is needed in order to be a librarian at a school.
Required continued education
Most librarians continue to take technology classes because this is something that is always changing. It's important for them to know since it is used so much in their careers.
Where do librarians work?
At a library! Public libraries, school libraries, and college/university libraries...
What about the salary?
This varies by where you live and also where you work. The median salary for a librarian at a...
*Public library was $44,960 in 2006
*School library was $50,710 in 2006
*College library was $51,160 in 2006
Advantages of this job
Right now there are a lot of job openings because there aren't many people going into library science. Plus a lot of current librarians are reaching retirement age.
Disadvantages of this job
There are also fewer job openings because more information is getting easier to obtain on the internet. Because of this, people don't need librarians as much as they used to.
Where can I learn more?
Check out these websites.
Library Career and Job Description
Become a Librarian!
Librarian--Brief Career Information
Library Careers-- Comparing Library Careers
Librarians-- The Bureau of Labor Statistics

~
An old lady hunched over a desk, narrow eyeglasses resting on the tip of her nose, feverishly telling children to shush-this image is what commonly comes to people's minds when they hear the word "librarian." But time spent shadowing a real school librarian, or media specialist, quickly dispels such a myth.

Instead of watching someone sit quietly on some kind of librarian-ish throne over a kingdom of books and unruly, noisy inhabitants, I observed someone who helped students in the computer lab with their PowerPoint projects and prodded them along just as much as their teacher. Yes, the media specialist, true to her title, is someone well-versed in various areas of technology. At times, this well-versed-ness would make you wonder if she weren't some kind of wizard, for she is probably the only person in the building who can conjure interactive faces onto a magic mirror%u2026 in other words, knows how to hook up all the equipment in the distance-learning lab so kids can have a class taught by somebody miles away.

As I found out by shadowing, today's school librarian does so much more than harp on kids for overdue books (although she does that, too). She is a technology whiz, and an important part of the school and its students' lives.
~
Thanks for sharing your story, Rachel!

Want to tell us about your shadowing experience? Stop on by the guestbook!

A music therapist evaluates each patient and makes a special plan for them to help them. The special plan uses MUSIC! Listening to music, song writing, lyric discussion...
Educational background needed
Bachelor's degree or higher in music therapy
Where employed?
*Hospitals (both physical and mental)
*Schools
*Nursing homes
*Correctional facilities (like jails)
Salary
Of course, it varies depending on where you live and where you are working (like if you're working at a school or a nursing home). Visit this page at MENC.org (the National Association for Music Education) to find precise, up-to-date info about how much music therapists are paid.
Advantages
If you like playing music, you get to stay involved in it without having to, say, play concerts all the time. You get to be creative in the way you help people.
Disadvantages
You have to be good at working with lots of different kinds of people. This can be a really GREAT thing (so it's NOT a disadvantage!), but for some people it can be a little scary... According to a real music therapist, one bad thing is that sometimes it can be easy to get burnt out with the job.
How can I find out more?
American Music Therapy Association--A Career
An Interview with a Music Therapist
About.com--Music Therapist
Careers in Music
MENC.org- Music Therapists- Salary Information

A pastor is the "shepherd" of a church "flock." Some things that pastors do include preaching, preparing sermons, visiting people in hospitals, marrying people, and burying people (preaching their funeral).
Educational background needed
Most pastors go to college and to seminary school.
Where does a pastor work?
A church!
How much does a pastor get paid?
This greatly varies since pastors are paid by tithe. Some pastors look at their pay as "compensation" because they work for God and that is payment enough. What the church provides them is merely compensation.
Advantages
You get to help people find God. Also, it seems to me that a church would be a really great place to work.
Disadvantages
For me, I think it would be hard to separate my job and church/God/spiritual life, if that makes sense. Another disadvantage is that a pastor could end up working some weird hours, because they can be called in to help whenever someone dies or is sick. They are "on call" just like doctors.
Learn more...
Ask the Pastor
Pastor

A pilot flies people and cargo around in a plane or helicopter. Some pilots test new planes or rescue people. Pilots have to plan and check their route and also check the plane.
Educational background needed
For an airline pilot's license, you must be at least 23 and flown 1,500 hours or gone to pilot school. You also must pass test and a doctor's exam. Most companies want you to have gone to college, too. There are different requirements for other types of pilots, which can be found here.
Where employed?
*Airlines
*The military
*Businesses that fly cargo in their own planes *Flying schools that teach people to be pilots
Salary
Airline pilots and copilots--median salary in 2004--$129,250
Working hours...
...can be very odd, because there are flights throughout the night when working at an airline.
Advantages
Lots of times, pilots can fly for personal reasons for FREE.
Disadvantages
The crazy hours, plus the responsibility of being in control of so many lives. Also, it is hard to get a job because it's getting easier to fly (technology makes everything easier), and planes hold more people. Another reason that makes it hard to get a job is that lots of people want to fly planes, and current pilots don't want to quit since they love their job and the money.
Places to learn more
Pilot Career Overview
Pilot--BLS.gov for kids!

Reporters write articles for newspapers or magazines. They gather information about the story by reading, observing, and interviewing. Then they write about it and meet deadlines.
Kids who want to be reporters should...
*Take English and journalism classes
*Be on the school newspaper staff if possible
*Write, write, write!
Educational background needed
A degree in journalism
Where do reporters work?
*Newspapers
*Magazines
*Book publishers
*And other places
Salary
In 2004, the middle half was paid $22,900 to $47,860. The lowest-paid reporters earned less than $18,470. The highest-paid earned more than $68,250.
What about the hours they work?
Reporters often work long and weird hours.
*For example, if you work at a morning newspaper, you might work from late afternoon until midnight.
*If you work at an evening newspaper, you generally work from early morning until late afternoon.
*You might need to work extra hours in order to meet a deadline, or change when you work so you can follow a story.
*Sometimes reporters also must travel.
Advantages
You get to write. A lot. If you like writing, this is great.
Disadvantages
The weird hours. Also, jobs are getting harder to find and the pay is fairly low.
Find out more.
Reporter Career Overview
Reporter--BLS.gov for kids!

Here are some of the things that speech therapists (also called speech-language pathologists) do.
*Use different methods of tests to diagnose people
*Develop a special plan to help each person
*Teach people who can't speak who to make the sounds
*Teach sign-language
*Help people who lost their speech (like from strokes) to recover
Educational background needed
Master's degree in speech-language pathology. It also helps if you can speak more than one language--especially Spanish.
Required continued education
In some states it is required to pass a test in order to be licensed. Speech therapists have to continue their education in order to keep their license up.
Where do speech therapists work?
Schools, hospitals, nursing homes, day cares... Some are self-employed, also.
How much $$$?
The average was $54,410 in 2004. However, it varies depending on where you work.
*in office of other health care providers- $57,240
*in hospitals- $55,900
*in schools- $48,320
For the most up to date salary info, visit http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos099.htm .
Advantages
You can work in a school and get your summers off!
Disadvantages
You have to take lots of science classes (to learn how the voice works), so if you don't like science...
Check these out to learn more.
Speech-Language Pathologists
Speech-Language Pathologists Career Information
Going to a Speech Therapist This is a great site to learn about all the things that speech therapists do.

The most obvious things that teachers do are helping their students learn things using various methods and exposing them to different and new things. They also plan their lessons, assign work, and grade the assignments. In addition, they sometimes meet with their students' parents and go to teaching workshops.
Educational background needed
Teachers need a college degree as well as a teaching certificate. A lot of teachers also have master's degrees. For more detailed information on this, please visit TeachersCount.org--"What do I need to become a teacher?"
Any required continued education?
Yes, most teachers attend teaching workshops regularly and many also take college classes during the summer.
Where do teachers work?
Schools (usually).
How much do teachers earn?
Around $43,580 to $48,690 (in 2006). For more specific information, check out the
Teachers--Earnings page on BLS.gov.
Advantages
According to BLS.gov, seeing students learning is very rewarding for teachers. Also since a lot of schools get a summer break, teachers get a part of that break, too (although they are often teaching summer school, taking college classes, or planning for next school year during that time), which is a plus.
Disadvantages
Dealing with unmotivated, "problem" students can be stressful. Not being able to teach what they want to teach is also frustrating for teachers. (Teachers on BLS.gov--Nature of the work)
Where to find more
"Teacher" on BLS KIDS!
TeachersCount.org--"I want to teach!"
Teachers on BLS.gov

Veterinarians ("vets") are "animal doctors." They might treat sick animals, perform surgeries, work with food safety issues, or even do research with "people doctors" and scientists to help treat human health problems. Only a few vets treat all different kinds of animals (for example, dogs, pigs, cats, and horses). Most specialize in either companion animals or farm animals.
Educational background needed
Most vets need four years of college and four years of vet school in order to get a DVM or VMD degree (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine). They also must get a license and pass state exams.
Required continued education
Yes, continued education is required in order to keep up with new techniques and technology, etc.
Where do vets work?
A lot of vets work at private practices. Some visit farms, and others work at zoos or labs.
How much money?
According to BLS.gov, the average salary of a new vet in a private practice was $55,031 in 2006. See Earnings on BLS.gov for detailed information on the starting salary of vets in different areas of the field.
"Normal" working hours
Vets often work long hours. They are "on call" just like regular "people doctors."
Advantages
You get to work with animals. Vets are happy that they get to help animals live better lives.
Disadvantages
Sometimes, no matter what a vet does, an animal can't be helped. That is the sad thing about the work.
Find out more
Veterinarian on BLS.gov-- KIDS!
Veterinarian on BLS.gov--Detailed information on earnings and training, etc.
Ask the Vet.com--Become a veterinarian --A vet talks about becoming a vet
American Veterinary Medical Association on becoming a vet
Talk to the Vet.com-- FAQ about VETS!

Writers research, write, revise and sell their work.
Kids who want to be writers should...
*write every day.
*read everything they can get their hands on.
*take all the English and writing classes they can.
*be on their school's newspaper staff, if possible.
Educational background needed
Most employers prefer to hire those with a college degree (usually in English, journalism, or communications).
Where employed?
Newspapers, magazines, book publishers... if you do freelance, you can work from home.
Money?
Greatly varies. The average annual wage for authors and writers (of stories and advertisements) in 2006 was about $58,080. For more detailed information, please visit Earnings on BLS.gov.
"Normal" working hours
Like reporters, writers work on deadline, so they do whatever it takes to meet that.
Advantages
You get to write -- if you love writing, that is a great thing.
Disadvantages
There is a lot of competition to get a job because so many people want to write. Another possible disadvantage is that, as a professional writer, you can't just write when you're "inspired." You have to push yourself through the writing block if you want to eat, basically.
Learn more
Writer and Editor on BLS.gov
Writer and Editor--Career Information--About.com
Advice for Aspiring Writers
All about writing for fun and for profit!

Zookeepers feed the animals in a zoo, keep the habitats clean, and teach people about the animals. Sometimes they train the animals to do certain behaviors. Overall, zookeepers make sure animals live a good, healthy life.
Educational background needed
Most go to college for 2--4 years and study science. Also, experience with animals (like on a farm or at a vet's office) is a plus.
Where do zookeepers work?
Zoos or animal parks.
How much do they earn?
The median wage was $10.40 an hour in 2004.
"Normal" working hours
Sometimes keepers have to work on weekends on holidays, because the animals need care even if it's Christmas.
Advantages
Zookeepers get to really know the animals that everybody loves! Zookeeper Sara says she "really enjoys knowing" that she's "taking care of all these fantastic animals."
Disadvantages
It's a dirty, dangerous job at times. According to Zookeeper Sara, it gets tiring working in the rain and on holidays.
Learn more about it here...
Zookeeper on BLS.gov KIDS!
Animal Care and Service Workers on BLS.gov (This includes information about zookeepers.)
Zookeeper FAQ--Interview with a zookeeper!

Careers on Kids.Gov A listing of "fun jobs" (geared for kids grades K--5).
Careers on Kids.Gov A listing of a ton of interesting jobs (geared for kids grades 6--8).
Career pages for kids A compilation of websites all about different careers.
What do they do? Another listing of all kinds of jobs.