Cool Careers Without College

Job Descriptions and Careers, Career and Job Opportunities, Career Search, and Career Choices and Profiles

ACTOR - Training, Photography, The Résumé, The Agent, Associations, Keep Working!, Pay, For More Information - Getting Started, Networking

The most obvious choice that comes to mind when you are thinking about a career in the film or television industry is that of an actor. An actor is a person who entertains people by pretending to be a character in a television show, movie, play, or commercial. Just about anyone can become a film or television actor, and certainly you do not need a college degree to become one. It can be a long, d…

1 minute read

ADVENTURE TRAVEL SPECIALIST - Description, Education And Training, For More Information - Salary, Outlook

Are you ready to lead people on a safari in Africa? Would you like to take a group on a white-water rafting trip in Chile or teach people to hang glide in the Canadian Rockies? If these trips sound good, a job as an adventure travel specialist might be right for you. Leading adventure travel groups can be a great job for people who like the outdoors and the environment, who enjoy being with grou…

1 minute read

ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVE - Education And Training, Outlook, Making The Advertising Work, For More Information - Salary

If you are creative, persuasive, and energetic, advertising sales might be the job for you. Advertising sales representatives sell advertising for media outlets, including radio and TV stations and newspapers. Small media companies are good places to start in this career. An advertising sales representative contacts local businesses and persuades them that their sales will increase if they buy t…

2 minute read

AEROSPACE (PAVIONICS) TECHNICIAN - Education And Training, Avionics Alphabet Soup, Outlook, For More Information - Salary

Aerospace technicians assist in the design, development, testing, and production of aircraft and spacecraft—rockets, missiles, helicopters, airplanes, and space vehicles. Because the field is so vast and the equipment so complex, aerospace technicians usually specialize in certain areas. They might spend several years working on one small part needed for a booster and become an expert in t…

2 minute read

AGRICULTURAL AVIATION PILOT - Description, Education And Training, How Chemical Fertilizers Were Born, For More Information - Salary, Outlook

If you love the natural landscape and crave adventure, a career as an agricultural aviation pilot might be just the ticket. Flying low, you'll spray fertilizers and other chemicals over fields and forests. You might even take aerial photographs of agricultural and wilderness areas to aid in conservation planning. Flying is risky, and exposure to chemicals can be dangerous. But for agricult…

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AIRCRAFT LAUNCH AND RECOVERY SPECIALIST - Description, Education And Training, Salary, Other Transportation Occupations In The U.s. Military - Outlook

“Imagine the rush of a roller-coaster, the heat of a furnace, the blast of 10,000 hair dryers … in your face and the sound of every rock and roll band playing right now, all around you, all rolled into one-second-and-a-half action, and that's the launch of one fighter.” That's how public relations executive Greg Rubenstein describes his visit to an aircraft carr…

less than 1 minute read

ANIMATOR - FOR MORE INFORMATION

An animator turns drawings and inanimate objects into moving, believable characters by producing a series of still shots that approximate movement when projected onto a screen flashing by at twenty frames per second or greater. Aside from standard “cartoon-style” animation, there are opportunities in stop-motion animation and digital effects animation, among other fields. Stop-moti…

2 minute read

ART DEALER - Salary, Outlook, Educate Yourself, For More Information - Education and Training

If you spend your free hours at the art museum instead of the mall, if you notice the little details in the scenes around you, if a color isn't just red but cerise or cranberry, you might look into a career as an art dealer. Art dealers own or just work at art galleries, the places where the public gets to see and buy the works of up-and-coming artists. They must be able to function in two…

3 minute read

AUCTIONEER - Education And Training, Outlook, A Short List Of Auction Terms, For More Information - Salary

If you like to talk fast, you could have a lot of fun as an auctioneer. Auctioneers sell almost anything—livestock, machinery, cars, furniture, and fine art. People sell items through an auction because they think they will get more money for their wares. Auctions also have the advantage of attracting more potential customers for an item than a retail store would. A farmer looking for an a…

2 minute read

BUS DRIVER - Requirements, Salary, Outlook, For More Information

If you like the thought of being responsible for getting a lot of people where they need to go, then driving a bus may be the job for you. The majority of opportunities for bus drivers are for school bus drivers. After all, just about every school district in America requires at least some students to be transported to and from school. But drivers are also needed for commercial outfits and privat…

2 minute read

CALLIGRAPHER - Description, Education And Training, Calligraphy: Then And Now, Outlook, For More Information - Salary

Calligraphy, a French term meaning “beautiful writing,” is an art form known for its distinctive style of lettering. For many centuries, calligraphers in Islamic countries, Japan, India, and China have worked with a brush. Calligraphy as we know it in the Western world began with early cave paintings that were abstract images. The Egyptians by about 3500 BC had created pictures that…

less than 1 minute read

CHAUFFEUR - Requirements, Salary, Outlook, Profile, For More Information

OK, you don't like large crowds, but you still like driving people around. Consider working as a chauffeur. When most of us think of chauffeurs, we imagine a mysterious gentleman dressed in a black suit and cap, driving a millionaire to his country club. Actually, most chauffeurs today aren't employed by private citizens, and they don't need to dress quite as formally. You s…

2 minute read

CHEMICAL TECHNICIAN - Education And Training, Salary, Help Wanted: Chemistry Technician, Outlook, For More Information

Chemistry is no longer the glamour field it once was, but good jobs are still available. If you enjoy concocting, brewing, cooking, and experimenting, chemistry is a field to investigate. There are two basic types of chemistry: organic and inorganic. Organic chemistry is based on compounds containing carbon. They make up most of commercial chemistry. Inorganic chemistry is concerned with the elem…

2 minute read

CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN - For More Information - Education and Training, Salary, Outlook

Engineers are practical scientists. They solve matter-of-fact problems. They design, build, and repair things, from bridges to paperclips, DVDs to anti-lock brakes. Engineering technicians assist engineers and scientists, especially in research and development. Engineering teams are employed by most large manufacturers to build prototypes of new products and test them for safety and reliability. …

3 minute read

COST ESTIMATOR - Education And Training, Salary, A Is For Arithmetic, For More Information - Outlook

Number crunchers—people who like to work with numbers and mathematics—can aim for a variety of jobs under the general heading of mathematics technician or mathematics support personnel. For such jobs, technicians use math formulas, principles, and methods, as well as simple arithmetic. All jobs in mathematics require the technician to gather data, analyze it, and apply it to a spec…

2 minute read

COURIER/MESSENGER - Requirements, Salary, Outlook, Profile, For Further Information

For people who like driving but don't necessarily want to be surrounded by passengers all day, an alternative might be working as a messenger, also known as a courier. Couriers drive around an area, usually a city or collection of towns, picking up and delivering packages. In cities, messengers are as likely to ride a bicycle as drive a car, and they have their own culture. In most cases,…

2 minute read

CRUISE SHIP ENTERTAINER - Education And Training, People Who Can Help You Get A Job With A Cruise Line, Salary - Outlook

Have you ever dreamed of living the glamorous life of a dancer or singer? What if you got to see the world while pursuing your dream of being an entertainer? That is exactly what cruise ship entertainers do. They get paid to do what they love while they live and eat for free on a cruise ship. If you have a talent for singing, music, dancing, comedy, or even juggling, and you love to travel, a jo…

1 minute read

DECKHAND - Description, Education And Training, For More Information - Salary, Outlook

Do you love being on the water? Would you like to spend your days fishing on the open sea, drifting down the Mississippi on a riverboat, or crossing the Pacific Ocean on a cruise ship? Deckhands work on many types of boats, including cruise ships, cargo ships, fishing boats, barges, riverboats, and ferries. Some deckhands even work on luxury yachts on round-the-world trips. Salaries for deckhand…

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DELIVERY DRIVER - Requirements, Help Wanted, Salary - Outlook, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Deliveries are made every day in your town. You probably don't realize just how many vehicles pass you by on their way to provide someone with a good or service. A delivery vehicle drops off the morning newspaper at your home; another brings oil or natural gas to keep you warm; at night your take-out dinner is brought by a delivery driver. In between, dozens of other delivery drivers criss…

1 minute read

DOLL MAKER - Job Duties, Education And Training, Pros And Cons, For More Information - Salary

Do you love dolls? Are you a person who collects dolls or has a dollhouse? Have you ever considered making a doll of your own? Many people are fascinated by the different types of dolls that exist. They seek out new and interesting dolls for their collections. The dolls you see in every major toy store are probably made in a factory, but that doesn't mean they're the only ones out t…

1 minute read

DRIVING SCHOOL INSTRUCTOR - Requirements, For Further Information - Salary, Outlook

Most everyone needs to learn how to drive, and most learn from an experienced instructor. Driving instructor is one of the more specialized careers for those who like to drive, given the specific skills it requires. Chief among those skills is patience, since driving instructors spend every day dealing with people who are just beginning to operate vehicles. To do this job well, you need to like …

3 minute read

EARTH SCIENCE TECHNICIAN - Salary, Gemologists, For More Information, Web Sites - Education and Training, Outlook

if you ever collected rocks or stopped to admire the rock strata shown in a highway cut, you have an interest in geology or earth science. The earth sciences are concerned with the planet's physical resources—its rocks, minerals, and soil. The technology associated with earth science is mining, or, in the case of oil and natural gas, drilling. Earth scientists and technicians frequ…

2 minute read

ECOTOURISM PLANNER - Description, Education/training, Profile, For More Information

Ecotourism is fairly new. The term refers to trips to exotic or remote locales that are not often frequented by tourists, such as the Arctic Circle or Brazilian rain forests. The real key to ecotours, though, is that while the adventure should enrich the traveler, it must not damage the ecosystem of the place being visited, and it should be economically beneficial to the local people. This is th…

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ELECTRICIAN - Job Duties, Education And Training, Pros And Cons, Did You Know?, For More Information - Salary

Try to imagine a day without electricity. How would you wake up in the morning without your trusted alarm clock? How would you get through twenty-four hours without the electricity used to power your microwave, refrigerator, and computer? Without electricity, your life would be drastically different. That is why electricians are an important part of our society. They install and repair all of the…

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ELECTRONICS TECHNICIAN - Education And Training, For More Information - Salary, Outlook

Electronics make the world go ‘round. We are now so dependent on this industry that we can't imagine life without it. Electronics uses power that comes from electrons, tiny (subatomic) particles that carry a negative electrical charge. Circuits are routes for these electrons to run, beginning and ending at the same point. When many circuits are put together on the same chip or wafer…

3 minute read

THE EXTRA - FOR MORE INFORMATION

An extra is someone who works in film and television as part of the crowd. Believe it or not, many people make full careers for themselves doing extra work. Extras are a very important part of the film and television industry because they make the film or television show appear more real, or more lifelike. Turn on your television and you will see extras in almost every scene of every television s…

3 minute read

FIBER-OPTIC TECHNICIAN - Education And Training, Salary, A Trillion Bits A Second?, For More Information - Outlook

Fiber optics is said to be revolutionizing communications much as the telephone did 100 years ago. If you want to be on the cutting edge of technology, this is a good place to be. The “optics” come from a concentrated beam of light, a laser, which can be used to transmit voice, data, and video at the same time—a billion or more bits of information per second. The “fibe…

2 minute read

FOLEY ARTIST - Training, For More Information, Books - The Future

A Foley artist is the person who creates sound effects for film and television shows. The name “Foley” comes from sound artist and screen-writer Jack Foley, one of the first people to guide the transition from silent films to “talkies” and the person who originated this style of sound input. Often, the sounds that you hear when you are watching a movie were put in late…

2 minute read

FOOD COOPERATIVE MANAGER - Job Description, Outlook, For More Information - Education and Training, Salary, PERIODICALS

Food cooperatives (or co-ops) are essentially grocery stores that have a membership-driven, team-oriented approach to selling food. Most co-ops consider themselves “buying agents,” which means they exist as an alternate source of products for consumers. They are run by the members of the community, for the community. Some of the people who shop at food co-ops are even partial owners…

1 minute read

FOOD CRITIC - Job Description, Education And Training, For More Information - Salary, Outlook

Have you ever read a restaurant review? Did you then go to the restaurant and disagree with what the critic had written? Have you ever thought that you could write a better review? If so, becoming a food critic may be an avenue for you to explore. What are the perks? You usually don't have to pay for the meals you review, and each new restaurant is a brand-new dining experience, even if yo…

1 minute read

FUND-RAISER FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS - Education And Training, Salary, Fund-raising Techniques, For More Information

If you are interested in a good cause, or if you belong to a social change organization, you know that you are constantly being asked for money to help support the cause. Why not turn your desire to help the greater good into a career? Fund-raisers, or development officers, raise money for nonprofit organizations, the tax-exempt groups that strive to make lives better. Fund-raisers talk to poten…

2 minute read

GAFFER - Training, For More Information

As head electrician or chief lighting technician, the gaffer is the head of the electrical department, responsible for overseeing all things electric on the set. He or she designs and executes the lighting plan for a film or television production. He or she and the crew of electricians provide, set up, and strike (take down) all the lights. He or she also coordinates with the director of photogra…

1 minute read

GLOSSARY

AFTRA American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, one of two unions that protect actors' rights. age range The ages that an actor can convincingly portray. audition Tryout process used by directors to find the best person to play a role. best boy Key grip's assistant, officially known as the assistant key grip or the assistant chief lighting technician. dolly grip Person w…

1 minute read

GRIP - Associations - FOR MORE INFORMATION

A grip is a person who moves this and that from here to there and helps to set up things on the set. There are several types of grips: the key grip, the dolly grip, and the best boy grip. None have anything to do with keys or dolls, and the best boy can be female. Grips are strong people in good physical condition. They know all of the equipment on the set and understand how it is used. If you go…

2 minute read

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TECHNICIAN - Education And Training, Case Study: Dioxin, For More Information - Salary, Outlook

A rapidly growing field for technicians with an interest in environmental protection is the removal and disposal of hazardous materials. “Hazmats” are anything judged a danger to public health and safety and include lead, asbestos, radioactive material, and a host of deadly chemicals, such as corrosive acids and PCBs. Frequently, hazardous materials technicians are the ones called t…

2 minute read

INDEX - A, C, E, F, G, L, M, P, S - B, D, H, K, N, U, About the Author, Acknowledgments

best boy grip, 89, 90 Billboard, 15 dolly grip, 89, 90–91 head shot, 14–15, 18–19, 31, 34, 48 Henson Productions, 130 key costumer, 102 key grip, 89, 90 networking, 21, 56 unions/associations, 19–21, 22, 33, 49, 54 Melanie Ann Apel holds a bachelor's degree in theater arts from Bradley University. Her credits include both stage and industrial film acting …

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INDEX - A, B, C, D, E, F, H, M, N - G, I, K, L, O, R, V, W, Y, About the Author, Acknowledgments, Design and Layout

global positioning systems (GPS), 65, 95 Globalshipservices.com, 103 government agencies, 95–96 International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL), 42 internships and apprenticeships, 12, 22, 85, 94 kayaking, 11–12 labor unions, 60, 120 languages, 7, 41, 59, 112 leadership development, 41 lighting technicians, 101–102 O'Day, Hank, 33 organizational skills, 13, 110, 112 outdo…

1 minute read

INSPECTOR AND TESTER - Standards, Education And Training, For More Information - Salary, Outlook

Everything sold in malls, supermarkets, discount centers, and specialty shops is checked over before it leaves the manufacturing plant. All products must meet government standards for safety and durability. Food shouldn't make you sick, gadgets should work in the way they're advertised, and clothes should be well put together. It's up to an inspector to make the decision: &#x…

2 minute read

INSURANCE AGENT - Education And Training, Salary, Outlook, For More Information

If you like to help people and don't mind working on your own, you might want to look into a career as an insurance agent. Insurance agents sell policies that give people protection for their lives, health, and property. When a client has a loss, the agent helps the policyholder settle the claims. Agents get to know their clients and suggest changes in the policies as changes occur in the …

2 minute read

INTRODUCTION

If you've ever won the prize for selling the most raffle tickets at school, if you've persuaded others to sponsor you in a charity race, if you've managed to sell your old toys at a garage sale successfully, or if you get along well with others, you might consider a career in sales. In sales, the proven ability to sell things is more important than a college degree. The field…

1 minute read

INTRODUCTION - FOR MORE INFORMATION

If you enjoy dabbling in crafts but have only considered crafts as a hobby, take heart—you may be able to earn a living making things that you love. Many people create and sell their crafts. The types of crafts they make, their artistry and skill, and where they sell their products helps dictate what they earn. Dollar for dollar, what you earn will depend on the cost of your materials and …

2 minute read

INTRODUCTION

If you're reading this book, you probably already know you like to travel. Maybe you enjoy the excitement of visiting exotic places or meeting new people. Maybe you like to wake up in a different place every day. Or maybe you're drawn to the idea of trying new things: new food, new music, new languages. Did you ever think that your love of travel could pay the bills? Did you ever co…

1 minute read

INTRODUCTION

When you hear the word “career,” do you think of large, monolithic corporations, featureless glass office buildings, and sterile, claustrophobic office cubicles? Do you imagine hours of photocopying, shuffling papers, and staring bleary-eyed at a computer monitor under bleak florescent lights? What if you were offered the opportunity to work on a ship that sailed the sea in search o…

1 minute read

INTRODUCTION

Finding a career that's right for you can be tough, especially if you have decided not to go on to college. It's important to consider your interests and hobbies when choosing a profession. Some people prefer to work in a field that utilizes their special skills, and for people who love to build things, there are many options available. If you're like most people, you spend …

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INTRODUCTION

Food is the international language. No matter where we were born or how we were raised, we all like and need to eat. Food gives us energy and helps us perform well on tests and on the sports field. Food provides comfort and reminds us of home. Food is all around us. Imagine how long your day would seem without breakfast, lunch, and dinner—not to mention snacks—to break it up. And ju…

1 minute read

INTRODUCTION

When many people hear the word “career,” they think of office work. They think of working indoors, away from the fresh air and sunshine. They think of handling paper and phone calls instead of interacting with their natural environment. If you like working outdoors, or feel a special joy from watching plants and flowers grow, this book is for you. There are a variety of jobs that al…

1 minute read

INTRODUCTION

One of the greatest days of your school career has nothing to do with classes. It has everything to do with getting your driver's license. With it comes the freedom to get around on your own. No longer do you have to wait for someone else to be available to drive you. Your days of being embarrassed to ride with Mom or Dad are over. Freedom isn't the only thing you'll gain. Le…

2 minute read

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations! You have just picked up a book that may help you to decide what to do with the rest of your life. You have decided to forego a college education, at least for now, and you have realized that you have to go to work. Drawing upon your skills and interests of the last few years, you have picked up this book to see what types of careers you might find in the film and television indus…

4 minute read

INTRODUCTION

Are you the scientific type? Do you like to figure things out? Are you interested in the world around you? Not all scientists have a college degree or their own private laboratory—nor do they need them. The scientific personality is curious and likes to think through problems. Does that sound like you? Is “What if?” one of your favorite questions? You may like science fiction…

3 minute read

INTRODUCTION

Do you love animals? If the answer is yes, then here's some good news: The working world—where most of us end up before too long—is full of jobs for animal lovers. Jobs in veterinary clinics, animal shelters, and pet stores, in the country or in the city, indoors or outdoors, are there for the taking, and, best of all, many of these jobs don't require a college degree.…

1 minute read

LOBBYIST - Education And Training, Outlook, For More Information - Salary

If you think you would like to change the way things work and you like the high-energy world of politics, you might consider a job as a lobbyist. Lobbying is the right of any person or group to provide information to legislators in order to influence the passage or defeat of legislation. Anyone can lobby. It is a right protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution. Professional lobbyists m…

2 minute read

LOCATION SCOUT - For More Information, Web Sites

Before considering a career as a location scout, you must first understand what is meant by “location.” Location, in this business, basically means outside of a studio. Most films are shot on location, whereas most weekly television shows are not. If you have a good eye and like to travel around, you may be interested in finding work as a location scout. A location scout does exact…

4 minute read

MAKEUP ARTIST - Training, For More Information

The makeup artist is the first person the actor works with when he or she arrives on the set each day. Makeup is worn by all actors. The makeup artist may simply cover some blemishes and bring out an actor's features. He or she may help a young person look as if he or she has aged several years. The makeup artist may transform a man to look like a woman, as in the Eddie Murphy film The Nut…

1 minute read

MANUFACTURER'S SALES REPRESENTATIVE - Education And Training, Salary, Outlook, For More Information

Have you ever wondered how manufacturers get their products into stores? Maybe someone has come up with a great new stain remover or a wonderful new line of clothing. The product may be great, but no one will know about it unless someone convinces a retail outlet to display and sell the merchandise. Manufacturers rely on sales representatives to show their merchandise to retail outlets. A manufa…

2 minute read

MEDICAL LAB TECHNICIAN - Medical Technology And Crime Detection, Education And Training, Outlook, For More Information - Salary

The amazing medical advances made in the last fifty years have come about because scientists have been willing to work long hours in labs, learning, puzzling, and experimenting. Medical technology has played a large role in these advances. Medical technicians and technologists run tests that detect disease. The results they find help in its diagnosis. Their findings also lead doctors to decide th…

2 minute read

MODEL, DEMONSTRATOR, AND PRODUCT PROMOTER - Description, Education And Training, For More Information - Salary, Outlook

A model walks down a runway in Paris wearing the latest fashion designs. A demonstrator shows shoppers how to use a DVD player. A product promoter goes to a car show to unveil the new Porsche. What do these jobs have in common? All of the people doing these jobs are selling things, and all of them get to travel while doing so. Most demonstrators and product promoters earn between $7.71 an…

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MOVER - For More Information - Requirements, Salary, Outlook

When a family needs to move to a new house or town, they usually hire a professional moving company to handle their possessions. Moving companies employ people who drive their trucks and help with the move. After long-distance hauling, the mover is the next most common profession for a truck driver. In fact, people in this job are a mix of driver and mover. They log nowhere near as many miles as …

5 minute read

NURSERY GROWER - Description, Education And Training, For More Information - Salary, Outlook

As a nursery grower, you'll get up close and personal with trees, shrubs, plants, and flowers, raising them from tiny shoots to mature plantings. You will water, fertilize, and tend to them, as well as propagate them to produce new plantings. You'll work with the public, selling your living wares to residential customers and landscaping companies, and providing advice on how to care…

1 minute read

OTHER CAREERS

As noted previously, it is impossible in a book of this size to cover every possible career choice in the film and television industry. Movies and television shows are as diverse as life itself. An almost infinite variety of specialized skills may be called upon to make these productions more lifelike. Therefore, if you have not found exactly what you are looking for here in terms of a career, yo…

1 minute read

PERSONAL CHEF - Job Description, Education And Training, For More Information - Salary, Outlook

Personal chefs are cooks-for-hire who do not work in a traditional restaurant setting. Instead, they usually bring food to their clients. Some personal chefs have experience cooking in restaurants and have decided to put a slightly different twist on their profession. Some have cooked for their own families for years and are pursuing a new line of work. Sometimes, personal chefs cook solely for o…

1 minute read

PHOTOJOURNALIST - Description, Education And Training, Profile, For More Information - Salary, Outlook

A volcano erupts in Africa, and you are there. The winning goal is kicked through the posts at a World Cup soccer game in Brazil, and you are there. The president goes to Russia to visit the new prime minister, and you are there. As a photojournalist, you could cover any one of these stories. Your pictures could bring the world to readers of newspapers and magazines back home. The life of a phot…

1 minute read

POSTAL WORKER - Requirements, Salary, Outlook, Profile, For More Information

Everyone knows their motto: “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” But does everyone understand what it takes to actually live up to those words? Six days a week, mail is delivered to most people in America by thousands of workers. Some of the country's mail is delivered by postal carriers…

3 minute read

PRODUCT DEMONSTRATOR - Education And Training, Salary, Outlook, For More Information

If you like hands-on activities, and if you like the notion of selling things to people, you may want to try working as a product demonstrator. You've probably seen demonstrators at work. At home shows, they demonstrate blenders, jewelry cleaners, and vacuum cleaners. At the grocery store, they offer new kinds of food. Basically, demonstrators show new products to the public, answer their …

2 minute read

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT - For More Information, Web Sites - Earnings

Production assistants, or PAs as they are commonly called, are the people who do just about the most work in the film and television industry. This is a terrific first job for someone wishing to work behind the scenes in television and film. Production assistants are perhaps the most valuable people in the industry. Although this may be considered an entry-level position in the industry, a good p…

1 minute read

PUBLISHER SALES REPRESENTATIVE - Salary, For More Information - Education and Training, Outlook

If you love to read, you could join the world of publishing by becoming a sales representative for a publishing company. In this job, you will deal with books by persuading bookstores to buy the ones your company publishes. Publishers sell books to wholesalers, bookstores, schools, libraries, and, occasionally, to individuals. To do this, a publishing house has a sales department. The size of th…

3 minute read

PUPPETEER - Training, For More Information, Puppeteers

Although part of the general category of special effects, puppetry is such a specialized area that it deserves a separate discussion. Puppets are a very old art form, but Jim Henson's Muppets put a new face on puppets and puppetry, giving them an extraordinary life of their own. You may think of a puppet as simply a hand stuck into a sock with an immobile face. Not these days. Television s…

1 minute read

QUILT MAKER - Description, Education And Training, Outlook, Getting Started With Quilt Making, For More Information - Salary

With materials scarce in the American colonies, women recycled old clothes and sewing scraps into new and much-needed patchwork bedcovers. Early American patchwork patterns that became popular were given names such as Log Cabin, Double Wedding Ring, and Bear's Paw. In the years before the American Civil War, people active with the Underground Railroad hung patchwork quilts on outdoor lines…

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RACE CAR DRIVER - Requirements, How Many Kinds Of Race Cars Are There?, For More Information - Salary, Outlook

Some people feel the need for speed. Some like the thrill of competition. Some just like driving something unique. If any of these things interest you, auto racing may be the profession for you. Auto racing is certainly not for everyone. Just getting into this particular occupation is not at all easy. First of all, it's a crowded field despite the many categories of racing (see page 84). S…

3 minute read

REAL ESTATE AGENT - Education And Training, Outlook, For More Information - Salary

If you would like to help people make one of the most significant decisions of their lives, a career as a real estate agent might be right for you. Buying a house is a big investment and a complex transaction. Most buyers use a real estate agent to guide them through the process. The real estate agent helps homebuyers with this decision by finding and showing properties, arranging financing, and …

2 minute read

RESTAURANT MANAGER - Job Description, Education And Training, Profile, For More Information, Web Sites - Salary, Outlook

A good restaurant manager needs to be in control and aware of almost everything that occurs in his or her workplace. If you don't mind long hours and a lot of responsibility, and would like to work with people who want to serve a good meal and provide good service, you may want to consider this career. Restaurant managers are normally paid a salary rather than an hourly wage. The salary i…

less than 1 minute read

RETAIL SALES - Education And Training, Salary, Outlook, The Bad And The Good Of Retail Sales, For More Information

If you spend your free time at the mall, go out of your way to try new products, and enjoy working with others, retail sales could be a natural career for you. Careers in retail include jobs for cashiers, salespeople, department managers, store managers, dealers, retail buyers, and even business owners. Anyone wanting to succeed in the retail business must have a genuine liking for people. Retai…

1 minute read

SANITATION WORKER - Salary, Profile, For More Information - Outlook

Refuse, sanitation, or garbage—call it what you will, collecting and removing it is a job that needs to be done in every North American town and city. Depending upon the town, the work is done either by a member of the public works department or by an independent company. Like postal workers, sanitation workers perform their jobs in all kinds of weather. They must be strong and fit and wi…

4 minute read

SCRIPT SUPERVISOR - Training, For More Information

A script supervisor has a lot more work to do than simply supervising the script. Another name for a script supervisor is continuity expert or continuity supervisor. This makes a little more sense when you see what the job responsibilities really entail. As a script supervisor, you will be responsible for keeping a very detailed, written account of all the scenes filmed or taped during a producti…

5 minute read

SHOE INDUSTRY WORKER - Job Duties, Education And Training, Pros And Cons, For More Information - Salary

Before factories and machines made shoes, people would go to cobblers to have shoes made for them. Handmade shoes were commonplace. It wasn't until 1874, when Charles Goodyear Jr. invented the welt stitcher, that shoes began to be massproduced. The welt stitcher made possible the production of shoes by a machine. Although there are still people who make shoes by hand, it is much more commo…

less than 1 minute read

SPECIAL EFFECTS ARTIST - For More Information - Training

There are quite a few sub-specialties that can be listed under the general heading of special effects artist. Basically, however, a special effects artist is someone who makes things happen in the movies or on television that normally would not occur in real life. Special effects have been showing up in the movies for 100 years. But it wasn't until 1975, when the movie Jaws ushered in the …

2 minute read

STUNT DRIVER - Requirements, Outlook, For More Information - Salary

More and more you see tiny type during car advertisements on television that reads “Professional driver.” What does that mean? In most instances, it means the driver has been specially trained to handle a vehicle in all conditions for the purpose of entertaining. These drivers do the high-speed chases seen in movies and on television. They also entertain the crowds at amusement park…

2 minute read

STUNTPERSON - Training, For More Information, Web Sites

They jump out of airplanes. They drive like maniacs through city streets. They scale large buildings. They fight to the death with the archenemies of humankind. They are the specialists called stuntpeople. They perform these acts of bravery so that actors can remain safe and do their jobs as actors. If you have been taking gymnastics for years or are great at dance or a certain sport, are in exce…

2 minute read

SURVEYING TECHNICIAN - Two Surveyors, Education And Training, For More Information - Salary, Outlook

If you like to read maps and can visualize them in three dimensions, you might have the aptitude to be a surveyor. Surveyors measure distances, directions, and angles on the earth's surface. They calculate elevations (mountains) and depressions (valleys). They mark boundaries for landowners, and they record the results of their surveys for cartographers. Before a new housing development, s…

2 minute read

SURVEYING TECHNICIAN - Description, Who Works On A Surveying Party?, Education And Training, For More Information - Salary, Outlook

Have you ever seen a worker standing in a field looking through a small instrument perched on a tripod? Did you wonder what that worker was doing? He or she was probably a surveying technician collecting on-site information that will later be used by a surveyor. Surveyors set official boundaries for land, air, and water. They describe land for legal purposes, measure construction sites, and even …

1 minute read

TAILOR AND DRESSMAKER - Job Duties, Education And Training, Pros And Cons, Did You Know?, Fun Fact - Salary, VIDEOS

Clothing is an important part of our society. People practice self-expression by the clothes they wear. People make careers out of studying clothing and fashion. And tailors and dressmakers are the people who make these articles of clothing for others to wear. The practice of wearing clothing began as a way to keep warm and survive extreme weather. Through the years the practice has changed dras…

1 minute read

TALENT AGENT - Training, For More Information

Talent agents are the people who get work for actors. Actors may say that agents often can be abrupt or seem uninterested in them. This is simply because they are very busy people doing a lot of things at once. Talent agents work with casting directors, actors, and, in the case of commercials, advertising agencies and sponsors. It is up to the talent agent to go through the massive files in his o…

3 minute read

TAXI DRIVER - Requirements, Salary, Outlook, Profile, For More Information - FOR FUN

The yellow cab is a part of American culture, and almost anyone can drive one for a living. Driving a cab is seen as either a lonely, miserable job or one that is exciting, since each fare is an opportunity to meet someone new. Cabs come in all sizes, shapes, and colors around America. For people who would like to make their living behind the wheel of a truck or car, driving a cab is perhaps the …

1 minute read

THEATRICAL PRESS AGENT - Education And Training, Outlook, Tips For Writing A Press Release, For More Information, Theater - Salary

If you would love to be involved in theater but would rather leave the acting and producing to others, you might consider becoming a theatrical press agent. As good as a show may be on its own merits, it won't sell tickets unless the public knows it exists. That's where the press agent comes in. Theatrical press agents handle all of the publicity for a show, getting the word out to …

2 minute read

TOOL AND DIE MAKER - Job Duties, Did You Know?, Education And Training, Pros And Cons, Other Options - Salary, VIDEOS

Tools are instruments that are made to perform a specific function. Dies are metal forms that are also made to perform a specific task. The manufacturing of most products requires tools and dies. Tools and dies contribute to the manufacturing process by enabling machines to properly produce a product. Tool and die makers are responsible for making these tools and dies from start to finish. Tools …

1 minute read

TRAVEL AGENT - Education And Training, Outlook, Your First Customers, For More Information

If the idea of traveling to exotic places appeals to you, consider becoming a travel agent. Travel agents encourage people to see the world and help them make all the arrangements necessary for a successful trip. Businesses often use travel agents, counting on the agents to find the best deals. Most travel agents work for a travel agency. Some work for tour companies or hotel chains. A travel ag…

2 minute read

TRAVEL AGENT - Description, Education And Training, John Riel, Corporate Travel Agent, For More Information - Salary, Outlook

Do you like learning about far-away places as much as you like visiting them? If you also like helping people and planning trips, being a travel agent might be a good career choice. Travel agents give people advice on where to go, where to stay, and how to get there. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that most travel agents earn between $19,890 and $31,820 per year. Travel agents…

less than 1 minute read

TRUCK DRIVER - Requirements, Salary, For More Information - Outlook

You see them everywhere. Eighteen-wheelers crowd the highways at all hours, they come rumbling through your neighborhood, and they have a mystique about them that has given rise to legends. The long-haul trucker has a solitary life, spending more time on the road than at home. It is isolated work with few interactions with others, except for the fraternity of other long-haul drivers at truck stop…

5 minute read

VOICE TALENT - Agents, Training, For More Information - Voice Tapes

You love to speak in different voices. You are great at accents and dialects. You do a terrific George W. Bush impression. Perhaps your career is in voice work. Voice talents are the people whose off-screen voices lend that special something to television shows, films, and commercials to make them truly entertaining. The work you can do as voice talent is broad. Full-length animated films use voi…

1 minute read

WAITER OR WAITRESS - Salary, Outlook, For More Information - Education and Training

Many people think that waiting tables is just something to do until the job of their dreams comes along. If you are interested in food, look forward to meeting new people, and like to make them comfortable, you might consider a career in food service. You can work in a diner, swanky restaurant, hotel, or resort. You can become the host or hostess, the dining room manager, or a chef, or you can op…

3 minute read

WARDROBE PERSON - Training, Pay, For More Information

One of the most creative, behind-the-scenes film careers is the one in which you get to make the actors look like the characters they are playing. The costumes used in a television show or a film may simply be everyday clothes, which perhaps only need a bit of tailoring. But they could be elaborate futuristic garments, such as you would see in the Star Wars movies or on a television show like Bat…

3 minute read

WASTEWATER TECHNICIAN - Education And Training, Volunteering For The Planet, Outlook, For More Information - Salary

Cleaning up the environment and keeping it clean will take a whole army of scientists and techies in the years ahead. Environmental science covers much more than cleaning up the rivers so fish can live in them or picking up roadside trash on a Saturday morning. Pollution threatens our water, air, and land. Having a part in this massive operation could be very satisfying. Environmental technician…

2 minute read

WRITER - Training, For More Information, Books

Have you ever sat in front of your television set and thought to yourself, “I could write a better sitcom than that!” If you love to write or you have really creative, cool ideas, why not put them down on paper? Although plenty of people think they have next year's Oscar-winning script ready to jot down on the printed page, it only takes one good script to win. As a scriptwr…

3 minute read

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