Still out on what major to choose? Not sure what you want to do after college?
We took the list of the fastest growing occupations in the U.S. from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov) and interviewed people in nearly every career area. Here’s what they do day to day, and their advice on how to pursue the same career.
We got all the national average salary info from the BLS; the other info is straight from the professionals themselves. We hope it helps you discover a career for yourself! For more career profiles, go to nextSTEPmag.com/Careers.
HEALTH CARE
 Pharmacist
National average salary: $84,900
Greg Long
Job: Pharmacy manager at The Pharmacy Counter in Oregon, Ohio
Education: Bachelor’s in pharmacy
Typical day: I receive prescription orders from physician offices, fill patient prescriptions, and counsel patients on how to take their medications properly.
Classes, skills: Typical courses include anatomy and physiology, organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, pharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics. These courses will enable you to understand the drug’s chemical structures, how they are metabolized inside the human body, how to properly dose medications, and even how to compound them in a laboratory.
In the know: What I like most about my job is that it is mentally stimulating, and there are different challenges every day. The worst part about my job is that sometimes we are so busy I don’t have time to take a lunch break. Knowing that I can make a difference in someone’s life is worth the hard work.
 Medical scientist
National average salary: $61,320
Manh-Dan Ngo
Job: Scientist, Allograft Materials Research, Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation in Edison, N.J.
Education: Bachelor’s in biomedical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, master’s in tissue engineering (2007) from New Jersey Institute of Technology
Typical day: I develop new products, like synthetic skin grafts, and establish procedures to make new product and transfer to manufacturing. I also work with leading surgeons and scientists to establish product and patient safety.
Classes, skills: Get a Ph.D. in biochemistry, biology or chemistry; a master’s degree in biomedical engineering or biotechnology; or a medical degree.
In the know: The best part of the job is the reward of being able to utilize the gift of donated tissue to provide grafts to improve the quality of life for those in need. Recently, a set of 4-year-old conjoined twins were separated, and the grafts that I developed from donated skin were used to cover the exposed organs and muscle from the separation.
The worst part of my job is the same as everyone else’s job. Sometimes it gets dull; research can take a long time. Do it if you love science, technology, and interacting with people.
 Counselor/therapist
National average salary: $54,950
Sarah Duffy
Job: Marriage and Family Therapist, Strong Behavioral Health Child & Adolescent Outpatient Services
Education: Master’s in marriage and family therapy at the University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry
What they do: Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) are trained in psychotherapy and family systems. They diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders within the context of marriage, couples and family systems.
Classes, skills: Get a master’s degree, doctorate degree, or enroll in a post-graduate clinical training program.
In the know: The best part of my job is getting to help families and constantly learning new things about how people live and relate.
I can honestly say that, going into this field, you are constantly on your toes and need to be ready for anything. Every day brings a new challenge, and sometimes it can be emotionally and physically draining. If you enjoy working with people, are flexible and can think outside the box, then this may be the field for you!
 Occupational therapy assistant
National average salary: $38,430
Sarah Cross
Job: Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant at Kirkhaven in Rochester, N.Y.
Education: Associate’s degree in occupational therapy
Typical day: Occupational therapy is a pretty open field, with lots of specialties. OT for me is a lot like teaching in a geriatric classroom. Except instead of teaching math or grammar, I’m teaching the jobs of life, things we take for granted: washing, dressing, cooking, etc.
Classes, skills: You can expect to take a lot of science and human relations classes in school. I wish I’d paid better attention to Spanish. It would make communicating with some patients a whole lot easier.
In the know: The worst part about my job is paperwork. The best part is making a difference in someone’s life. I love it when a patient comes back to visit after they’ve been discharged with a big smile and a plate of homemade cookies, saying, “I never would have been able to do this without you.”
 Physician assistant
National average salary: $69,410
Adrienne Dykeman
Job: Geriatric physician assistant for Strong Health
Education: Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physician assistant from Daemen College in Buffalo, N.Y.
Typical day: PAs can work in OB/GYN, pediatrics, emergency medicine, internal medicine, surgery and any of the subspecialties of medicine.
My typical day consists of seeing and treating patients at rehab and long-term care centers who are having acute medical problems, ordering and evaluating lab and imaging results, medication management and admitting and discharging patients to and from the facilities.
Classes, skills: Most of the classes are science related. Important skills to have are the ability to communicate with patients, families and other health professionals, and the ability to think and make decisions quickly. Another important skill is the desire to always keep learning, as there are new medications and treatments being developed daily.
In the know: I get to work with a number of other professionals (nurses, doctors, other PAs, social workers, dieticians, etc.) and get the chance to establish a relationship with my patients and often their families, too.
It’s very rewarding to help someone recuperate from an illness or recover from an injury or surgery. On the other end of the spectrum, it’s hard to watch someone who was once vibrant go through the stages at the end of life. However, I can help them spend the last of their days with dignity and help ease suffering.
Dental hygienist
National average salary: $58,344
Margie Six
Job: Program director of the dental hygiene program at West Liberty State College in West Liberty, W. Va.
Education: Master’s in dental hygiene
What you do: Dental hygienists work in a variety of settings providing dental cleanings, dental sealants, fluoride treatments, periodontal therapy, exposing dental radiographs and oral hygiene education.
Practice settings include dental hygiene education, public health dental clinics, hospital dentistry clinics, military service, dental product sales and marketing, research, health promotion and more.
Classes and skills: Classes in biology, anatomy, microbiology, chemistry, nutrition and the dental sciences are required.
In the know: Working in the educational environment is exciting and challenging. Every year presents new opportunities to work with students from many states and cultural backgrounds. Dental hygiene is a wonderful career for those who enjoy working closely with people in the health care environment. Teaching the public about proper oral hygiene practices and preserving smiles is so rewarding!
 Optometrist
National average salary: $88,410
Elise Harb, O.D., M.Sc., F.A.A.O.
Job: Assistant professor, New England College of Optometry; Attending pediatric optometrist, New England Eye Institute
Education: Optometry doctorate, residency in pediatric optometry, master’s in vision science
Typical day: I see patients 50 percent of my week in teaching hospitals with fourth-year optometry students. I do research in the field of myopia (nearsightedness) development, and teach lectures and small discussion groups in the area of pediatric optometry.
In the know: I love my profession and working with children for the challenge and rewards it offers. In addition, good vision is an important aspect of a child’s life due to the impact it has on their learning.
For a woman, optometry is an especially optimal career. The number of women optometrists is ever increasing due to the flexibility it allows for family life.
Forensic scientist
Medicolegal death investigator
National average salary: $110,307 (Source: dhrm.virginia.gov)
Julie Howe
Job: Executive director for the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators in St. Louis, Mo. I am also an investigator for Franklin and St. Charles counties and an adjunct professor.
Education: Because until very recently there has never been a national standard for death investigation, there is no baccalaureate degree specifically for this. Other forensic programs incorporate a couple of classes into their curriculum that emphasize death investigation techniques. It used to be that most people received on-the-job training for this position. Today, most offices want some kind of criminal justice or medical background (nurse, paramedic, etc).
Classes, skills: Medicine, law, local statutes, photography, computer skills
Typical day: Investigate any death that falls under the jurisdiction of the m.e./coroner. The medicolegal death investigator is responsible for the decedent, whereas the local law enforcement is responsible for processing the scene (CSIs). The medicolegal death investigator performs scene investigations emphasizing information developed from the decedent and determines the extent to which further investigation is necessary.
 Chiropractor
National average salary: $104,363
Ryan Uribe, D.C.
Job: Chiropractic physician at KC Metro in Kansas City, Mo.
Education: Bachelor’s in biology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, doctor of chiropractic degree from Cleveland Chiropractic College
Typical day: Examine patients, determine underlying reason for complaints and develop comprehensive treatment plans including spinal/extremity adjusting, physical therapy, diet and exercise. I can take and interpret X-rays, request special imaging, perform lab work and refer to other health care professionals.
Classes, skills: Four-year doctorate program including in-depth studies in anatomy, physiology, clinical exam/diagnosis, special emphasis on manual spinal and extremity adjusting, and at least two years of experience working as an intern in various clinical settings.
In the know: What I like most about my job is getting results where no one else has; promoting health and wellness, not just treating symptoms; and professional freedom.
What I like least is the normal necessary paperwork involved in any medical profession.
I would recommend that students considering the chiropractic field have a solid understanding and background in the sciences.
Physician
National average salary, general physician: $166,420
Dr. William Walters, Army National Guard
Job: Emergency medicine physician at Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Mass.
Education: Basic training in Fort Knox, Ky. I’ve also been a combat medical specialist, paramedic and registered nurse. I have a bachelor’s degree in biology from SUNY College at Oswego and a medical doctorate from MCP Hahnemann University School of Medicine in Philadelphia.
Typical day: Heal the sick and raise the dead. Seriously, I use everything that I’ve learned and done to assess patients from infants to the elderly, identify life-threatening illnesses or injuries, and intervene to save their lives. Pretty cool stuff.
Classes, skills: Endotracheal intubation (placement of intravenous lines directly into the neck, chest or heart), administration of every medication available, and opening the chest cavity directly to seal a bullet wound to the heart.
In the know: Medicine is not for everyone. The hours are long, the commitment is intense. It takes heart, intelligence and courage. The hardest part in becoming a physician is wanting it badly enough to sacrifice the time to learn the material. It takes focus and determination that I never would have developed without the training I received all the way back at Fort Knox.
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