HOW CAN I BE AN ARTIST?

WHAT IS THIS JOB LIKE? Artists make art to express what they are feeling or thinking. They use many methods including drawing, painting, and sculpting. They use an assortment of materials—different kinds of paints, pencils, and pens, plaster, clay, and even computers. An artist's work may show objects, people, nature, or events. Artists fall into one of several groups. Art directors design and look at material that is going to be in magazines, newspapers, and other printed or digital form. They decide which art to use. Multi-media artists and animators create art on film, on video, or with computers. They draw by hand and use computers to create the large pictures that form movies, television programs, and computer games. Fine artists create original art. They specialize in one or two art forms, such as painting, illustrating, sketching, sculpting, printmaking, and restoring. Many fine artists have a second job as a curator or teacher. Craft artists create or reproduce hand-made objects for sale or to exhibit in galleries or museums. They may use many different materials and the same types of techniques as those used by fine artists. Illustrators create pictures for books, magazines, and other publications. They also create pictures for products such as wrapping paper, stationery, greeting cards, and calendars. Illustrators work directly on a computer. Medical and scientific illustrators combine drawing skills with knowledge of biology or other sciences. Cartoonists draw political, advertising, social, and sports cartoons. Some cartoonists work with others who create the idea or story and write the captions. Sketch artists draw using pencil, charcoal, or pastels. Their work can be used by many different people for a wide range of purposes. Sculptors make artwork using clay, glass, wire, fabric, plaster, wood, or stone. Some combine materials to make art. Printmakers create printed images. They use wood, stone, or metal. Some also use computers to aid in their work. Painting restorers restore damaged and faded paintings. Many artists work in art studios. Others work in their homes. Some share studio space, where they may also show their work. Work areas have a lot of light and air. However, artists may be exposed to fumes from glue, paint, ink, and other materials and to dust from filings, splattered paint, or spilled fluids. They may get back pain or eyestrain, or feel tired. Artists may work extra hours to meet deadlines. Self-employed artists can set their own hours. They spend a lot of time selling their art and building a reputation. HOW DO YOU GET READY? Though formal training is not strictly necessary for artists, it is good to take art courses in high school. It is hard to be successful without some training. Many colleges and universities offer degree programs in fine arts, as do independent schools of art and design. These educational programs include training in computer techniques, so knowing how to use a computer is very important. Art directors usually start as beginner artists in a firm and work their way up to being a director. First they must show their artistic and leadership abilities. Some may get a degree in art administration. Those who want to teach art at public elementary or secondary schools must have a teaching certificate and a college degree. Artists hired by a firm often start with routine tasks. They may also sell their work privately. The most successful artists constantly come up with new ideas. Artists usually prepare a " portfolio"—a collection of samples of their work. This collection shows their talent and skill, and it helps them sell their art and get jobs. HOW MUCH DOES THIS JOB PAY? Earnings of salaried artists vary greatly among the different specialties. In May 2008 , the average yearly wages of art directors were $88 ,510 , while multi-media artists made an average $62 ,380. Fine artists made an average of $48 ,300 yearly, and craft artists made an average of $32 ,570. Earnings for self-employed artists also vary widely. Many do not make enough money just from selling their art. HOW MANY JOBS ARE THERE? Artists held about 221 ,900 jobs in 2008. About 6 out of 10 artists were self-employed. WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE? Employment of artists is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2018. However, it will be tough finding jobs because many people with a lot of talent want to be artists. Many artists will need to have a second job in order to support themselves financially. ARE THERE OTHER JOBS LIKE THIS? Architects Designers Desktop publishers Landscape architects Photographers WHERE CAN YOU FIND MORE INFORMATION? More BLS information about artists and related workers can be found in the Occupational Outlook Handbook . The Handbook also shows where to find out even more about this job.

HOW CAN I BE AN ACTOR?

  WHAT IS THIS JOB LIKE? Actors perform in the theatre, radio, television, video, or motion pictures. It's hard for most actors to find steady work. Only a few become famous "stars." Some well-known, skilled actors may be in supporting roles. Others work as "extras," with no lines or only one or two lines. They also teach in high school or college drama departments, acting conservatories, or public programs. Actors work under constant pressure. Many face stress from the need to find their next job. Actors need patience. Most acting jobs only last a short period of time—from 1 day to a few months—which means that actors can have a long time between jobs. Some actors have other jobs in order to make enough money. Actors work long and irregular hours. They may do one show at night and another during the day. They also might travel with a particular job. Evening and weekend work is a regular part of an actor's life. Actors should be in good physical condition. They must often endure heat from bright lights. HOW DO YOU GET READY? Actors follow many paths. They should love acting and entertaining others. Most new actors play a part in high school and college plays or act with local groups. Some have local experience and work in summer plays, on cruise lines, or in theme parks. This helps many young actors sharpen their skills and earn needed credits for membership in one of the actors' unions. Union membership and work experience in smaller communities may lead to work in larger cities, mainly New York or Los Angeles. Actors usually work their way up to larger parts and productions. Actors usually train at an acting school or in a college program. However, some people enter the field without such training. Those who want a college degree take classes in radio and television broadcasting, communications, film, theater, drama, or dramatic literature. Many continue their college training and get a master's degree in fine arts. Training may include classes in stage speech and movement, directing, playwriting, and design, as well as acting workshops. Actors often work with a drama coach. They research their roles so they can understand the story's setting and background. Sometimes they learn a foreign language or train with a coach to develop a certain accent to make their characters realistic. Actors need a lot of talent in order to play different parts. Skills such as singing, dancing, skating, or juggling may be important. Actors must have self control and be able to follow directions. Modeling experience also may be helpful. Physical appearance, such as the right size, weight, or facial look, often determines who gets selected for certain roles. Most actors have agents or managers who find work, deal with contracts, and plan their careers. Agents earn a part of the pay in an actor's contract. Other actors try out for parts on their own. To become a movie extra, an actor usually must be with a casting agency. Actors only get small parts when more people are needed to perform in a particular movie. Very few actors actually get parts this way. HOW MUCH DOES THIS JOB PAY? In May 2008 , actors on average made $29.05 per hour. The most famous actors earn much more. HOW MANY JOBS ARE THERE? In 2008 , actors held 56 ,500 jobs. Many jobs are in New York and Los Angeles, but they can work all over the country. Actors may work for television, motion pictures, and Broadway shows. Actors may also work for cruise lines, theme parks, or summer festivals, and as teachers. WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE? Employment of actors is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2018. Competition for jobs will be tough because many highly trained and talented people are trying to become actors. Many actors leave this job because the hours are long and they can't earn enough money. Only a few actors become stars. ARE THERE OTHER JOBS LIKE THIS? Choreographers Dancers Disc Jockeys Makeup artists Musicians Singers Writers WHERE CAN YOU FIND MORE INFORMATION? More BLS information about actors, producers, and directors can be found in the Occupational Outlook Handbook . The Handbook also shows where to find out even more about this job.

HOW CAN I BE A FINANCIAL ANALYST?

WHAT IS THIS JOB LIKE? Accountants and auditors keep track of a company's money. The company's managers and people outside the company read their reports. Managers look at the accountants' reports to see how well their companies are doing. Governments use the reports to tell how much tax a company should pay. Some people read them to decide if they want to do business with the company. Others use them to decide if they want to lend money to the company or not. Most accountants have a specialty. There are four main kinds of accountants. Public accountants work for public accounting companies. They do accounting, auditing, tax, and consulting work. Some have their own businesses. They do many different kinds of accounting for people outside the company. Management accountants keep track of the money spent and made by the companies for which they work. Internal auditors make sure that a company's accounting records are right. They check the records to see that no one in the company is stealing. They also check to see that no one in the company is wasting the company's money. Government accountants and auditors make sure that government accounting records are right. They also check the records of people doing business with the government. Accountants and auditors work in offices. They generally work a standard 40- hour week, but some work 50 hours a week or more. Tax accountants often work long hours during the tax season, from January to April. Accountants working for the government and public companies travel to audit other companies or branches of their own company. HOW DO YOU GET READY? Most accountants have a college degree in accounting. Public accountants have to take a special test as well, resulting in a certification. Public accountants also must have a special license from the State in which they live. Most employers want accountants who know quite a bit about computers. Previous experience in a summer or part-time internship is also a plus. People who want to be accountants should be good at math, and have good analytical skills. They also should be able to write well, so that they can tell others about their findings. HOW MUCH DOES THIS JOB PAY? In May 2008 , the average yearly wages of accountants and auditors were $65 ,840. Earnings of accountants depend on how long they have been working. HOW MANY JOBS ARE THERE? There were 1.3 million accountants and auditors in 2008. Most of them worked in cities, because that is where the large companies tend to be. WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE? Employment of accountants and auditors is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2018. Accountants have good job opportunities. This is because there will be new and changing laws that will increase the need for accountants; also, there will be more private companies that will need accountants. Accountants who have a lot of special skills, such as certified public accountants (CPAs) and certified management accountants, should have the easiest time finding a job. ARE THERE OTHER JOBS LIKE THIS? Bookkeeping clerks Budget analysts Cost estimators Financial analysts Loan officers Personal financial advisors WHERE CAN YOU FIND MORE INFORMATION? More BLS information about accountants and auditors can be found in the Occupational Outlook Handbook . The Handbook also shows where to find out even more about this job.

HOW CAN I BE AN ACCOUNTANT?

WHAT IS THIS JOB LIKE? Accountants and auditors keep track of a company's money. The company's managers and people outside the company read their reports. Managers look at the accountants' reports to see how well their companies are doing. Governments use the reports to tell how much tax a company should pay. Some people read them to decide if they want to do business with the company. Others use them to decide if they want to lend money to the company or not. Most accountants have a specialty. There are four main kinds of accountants. Public accountants work for public accounting companies. They do accounting, auditing, tax, and consulting work. Some have their own businesses. They do many different kinds of accounting for people outside the company. Management accountants keep track of the money spent and made by the companies for which they work. Internal auditors make sure that a company's accounting records are right. They check the records to see that no one in the company is stealing. They also check to see that no one in the company is wasting the company's money. Government accountants and auditors make sure that government accounting records are right. They also check the records of people doing business with the government. Accountants and auditors work in offices. They generally work a standard 40- hour week, but some work 50 hours a week or more. Tax accountants often work long hours during the tax season, from January to April. Accountants working for the government and public companies travel to audit other companies or branches of their own company. HOW DO YOU GET READY? Most accountants have a college degree in accounting. Public accountants have to take a special test as well, resulting in a certification. Public accountants also must have a special license from the State in which they live. Most employers want accountants who know quite a bit about computers. Previous experience in a summer or part-time internship is also a plus. People who want to be accountants should be good at math, and have good analytical skills. They also should be able to write well, so that they can tell others about their findings. HOW MUCH DOES THIS JOB PAY? In May 2008 , the average yearly wages of accountants and auditors were $65 ,840. Earnings of accountants depend on how long they have been working. HOW MANY JOBS ARE THERE? There were 1.3 million accountants and auditors in 2008. Most of them worked in cities, because that is where the large companies tend to be. WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE? Employment of accountants and auditors is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2018. Accountants have good job opportunities. This is because there will be new and changing laws that will increase the need for accountants; also, there will be more private companies that will need accountants. Accountants who have a lot of special skills, such as certified public accountants (CPAs) and certified management accountants, should have the easiest time finding a job. ARE THERE OTHER JOBS LIKE THIS? Bookkeeping clerks Budget analysts Cost estimators Financial analysts Loan officers Personal financial advisors WHERE CAN YOU FIND MORE INFORMATION? More BLS information about accountants and auditors can be found in the Occupational Outlook Handbook . The Handbook also shows where to find out even more about this job.

HOW CAN I BE A COMPUTER SOFTWARE ENGINEER

  WHAT IS THIS JOB LIKE? Because computers are so important to our lives, there is a constant need to develop new software. Computer software engineers apply computer science, engineering, and math to design, develop, and test software. ( Computer hardware engineers design computer chips, boards, systems, modems, and printers.) Software engineers first analyze users' needs. Then they design, construct, test, and maintain the needed software or systems. In programming, or coding, they tell a computer, line by line, how to function. They also solve any problems that arise. They must possess strong coding skills, but are more likely to develop algorithms and solve problems than write code. Software engineers often work as part of a team that designs new hardware, software, and systems. A core team may have engineering, marketing, factory, and design people who work together until the product is done. Computer applications software engineers design, construct, and maintain computer programs based on what people need. They can develop a program for just one person or for many people to use separately. Computer systems software engineers construct and maintain computer programs for companies. For example, they might develop programs that do recordkeeping and payroll. They might also set up an "intranet"—an internal and secure computer network—for a company. Many software engineers work for companies that make or install new and more advanced computer systems. Software engineers normally work in well-lighted offices or labs. Most work at least 40 hours a week. If a big project is due, they may have to work nights or weekends to meet deadlines. Like other workers who sit for hours at a computer, they are susceptible to eyestrain, back ache, and hand and wrist pain. Software engineers who are employed by vendors and consulting firms spend time away from their offices to meet with customers. As networks expand, they may be able to use modems, laptops, e-mail, and the Internet to identify and fix problems from their own office. HOW DO YOU GET READY? Most employers prefer to hire people who have at least a college degree and experience with a variety of computer systems. Students seeking software engineering jobs can improve their chances by signing up as interns to get some experience. Large firms that can train new hires may take new grads with no experience. Persons looking at jobs in this field must have strong problem-solving skills. They also must be able to work with team members, other staff, and customers. Because they often deal with many tasks at the same time, they must be able to focus and pay close attention to detail. As technology advances in the computer field, employers want workers to keep up. Software engineers must learn new skills if they wish to remain in this advancing field. To help them keep up, employers, vendors, private training schools, and others offer a large number of courses. HOW MUCH DOES THIS JOB PAY? Average yearly wages for computer applications software engineers were $87 ,900 in May 2008. Average yearly wages for computer systems software engineers were $94 ,520. HOW MANY JOBS ARE THERE? Computer applications software engineers held about 514 ,800 jobs in 2008 , while computer systems software engineers held about 394 ,800. Although they have jobs in most industries, many computer software engineers work in computer systems design and related services. Employers range from startups to well-known industry leaders. A growing number of these workers get jobs on a temporary basis, or work as consultants. WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE? Both computer applications software engineers and computer systems software engineers are projected to be among the fastest growing occupations from 2008 to 2018. Rapid growth in the computer systems design industry should mean good opportunities for college grads with a degree and some experience. Employers will look for software engineers with a strong background in programming and systems analysis, along with business and people skills. The number of computer software engineers is expected to rise much faster than the average, as businesses are looking for new ways to get ahead of competition and make their computer systems the fastest. Also, growing concerns over "cyber security"—making sure only certain people can see private information—will mean more jobs for these engineers. Job growth will not be as fast as during the last decade because some work is outsourced to foreign countries. ARE THERE OTHER JOBS LIKE THIS? Computer hardware engineers Computer support specialists Computer scientists Database administrators Systems analysts WHERE CAN YOU FIND MORE INFORMATION? More BLS information about computer software engineers can be found in the Occupational Outlook Handbook . The Handbook also shows where to find out even more about this job.

HOW CAN I BE A LAWYER?

  WHAT IS THIS JOB LIKE? Lawyers give people and companies advice and tell them what they can and can't do under the law. Sometimes, they hire lawyers to take their side in court against other people or companies, or against the government. Lawyers spend a lot of time doing research. To be a good lawyer, a person must be good at finding facts in books, on computers, and in other places. Lawyers also interview people to get information. After doing research, lawyers make arguments to show that the people they work for should win in court. Some lawyers speak in court, but many lawyers don't. Lawyers also write legal documents like contracts and wills. They need to be very specific and well-written. Lawyers do most of their work in offices, law libraries, and courtrooms. They sometimes meet in clients' homes or businesses. Some lawyers meet clients in hospitals or prisons. Lawyers often work long hours, especially during a trial in court. HOW DO YOU GET READY? All lawyers need a license from the State in which they want to work. To get a license, people need to get a college degree and then go to law school for 3 years. Finally, lawyers must pass a test called the bar examination. Even after they start working, lawyers need to keep on learning about changes in the law. Most States make lawyers take classes from time to time. To start getting ready for this job, students can take English classes to learn how to write, do research, and make presentations. Social studies classes teach about research and the law. People who want to be lawyers also need strong reading skills. HOW MUCH DOES THIS JOB PAY? Lawyers are some of the highest paid workers. Although some lawyers work for themselves, many other lawyers work for governments, law firms, and corporations. In May 2008 , the average yearly wages for lawyers were $124 ,750. HOW MANY JOBS ARE THERE? Lawyers held about 759 ,200 jobs in 2008. Most lawyers worked for themselves or in law firms. Some lawyers worked for other businesses or for government. WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE? Employment of lawyers is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2018. Many people want to be lawyers, so there will be competition for good jobs. ARE THERE OTHER JOBS LIKE THIS? Court reporters Judges Law clerks Paralegals Politicians WHERE CAN YOU FIND MORE INFORMATION? More BLS information about lawyers can be found in the Occupational Outlook Handbook . The Handbook also shows where to find out even more about this job.

HOW CAN I BE A DOCTOR?

WHAT IS THIS JOB LIKE?

Doctors make people healthier. When people get sick, doctors figure out why. They examine people, listen to them describe their health problems, and do tests to see what is wrong. They give people medicine and other kinds of treatment. They also give advice about diet, exercise, and sleep. There are many kinds of doctors. Family and general practitioners are often the first doctors that people go to when they get sick. These doctors treat common problems. They also send patients to other doctors, called specialists. Specialists are experts in specific types of health problems. For example, internists focus on problems with internal organs. Pediatricians care for children and babies. Surgeons perform operations, like fixing broken bones or transplanting organs. Most doctors are doctors of medicine (M.D.). They treat all kinds of diseases and injuries. Some doctors are doctors of osteopathic medicine (D.O.). They focus on muscles and bones. Many doctors work long hours, at all times of day and night. About 3 out of 10 physicians worked more than 60 hours a week in 2008. doctors who work in small offices often have more time off. Doctors sometimes have to rush to the hospital to deal with emergencies.

HOW DO YOU GET READY?

Becoming a doctor requires more training than most other jobs. It usually takes at least 11 years to become a doctor: 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school, and 3 years working in a hospital. For some specialties, doctors may have to work in a hospital for up to 8 years before they are fully trained. To become a doctor, you should study biology, chemistry, physics, math, and English. It is not easy to get into medical school. You have to do very well in college and on medical school entrance tests. Students spend most of the first 2 years of medical school in labs and classrooms. They take lots of science courses. They also learn to ask patients the right questions and how to examine them. They learn h