#PHSfit Career of the Day: Insurance Agent

Insurance sales agents help insurance companies generate new business by contacting potential customers and selling one or more types of insurance. An agent explains various insurance policies and helps clients choose plans that suit them. An increasing number of insurance sales agents offer their clients comprehensive financial planning services, especially for clients approaching retirement. These services include retirement planning, estate planning, and help in setting up pension plans for businesses. In addition to offering insurance, these agents may become licensed to sell mutual funds, variable annuities, and other securities. This practice is most common with life insurance agents who already sell annuities, but many property and casualty agents also sell financial products. More than one-third of insurance sales agents have a bachelor’s degree. Public speaking classes can be useful in improving sales techniques, and often agents will have taken courses in business, finance, or economics. Business knowledge is also helpful for sales agents hoping to advance to a managerial position.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/insurance-sales-agents.htm

#PHSfit Career of the Day: Fitness Trainer

Fitness trainers and instructors lead, instruct, and motivate individuals or groups in exercise activities, including cardiovascular exercise (exercises for the heart and blood system), strength training, and stretching. They work with people of all ages and skill levels. Employers prefer to hire certified fitness trainers and instructors. Personal trainers are often required to be certified to begin working with clients or with members of a gym or other type of health club. Group fitness instructors may be allowed to begin without certification, but employers often encourage or require them to become certified.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/fitness-trainers-and-instructors.htm
http://www.afaa.com/Personal-Fitness-Trainer-Certification-Program.html 

#PHSfit Career of the Day: Curator

Every time you visit a museum or library or read historical research, you can bet that a curator was responsible for organizing, compiling, and indexing the artifacts that you find. Curators usually have bachelor's degree in something broad like anthropology or history, and also masters' degrees in fields like library science. Curators are passionate about advancing knowledge and believe in the merit of preserving the integrity of artifacts and documents.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/curators-and-museum-technicians.htm

#PHSfit Career of the Day: Actor

In professional acting, an artist takes on roles that are assigned to him or her on screen or on stage. Actors get paid to portray characters that have existed in the screenwrighter's or playwright's imagination in a way that a director envisions them. Actors can work in commercials, plays, television shows, or movies, and are responsible to memorize lines anywhere form a few lines to over an hour. You should have some formal training, which prepares you for the audition for a theater arts major, and aspiring actors should be willing to work several years before getting their big break.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/entertainment-and-sports/actors.htm

#PHSfit Career of the Day: HVAC Technician

Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers—often referred to as HVACR technicians—work on heating, ventilation, cooling, and refrigeration systems that control the air quality in many types of buildings. Heating and air conditioning systems control the temperature, humidity, and overall air quality in homes, businesses, and other buildings. By providing a climate controlled environment, refrigeration systems make it possible to store and transport food, medicine, and other perishable items. When working on air conditioning and refrigeration systems, technicians must follow government regulations regarding the conservation, recovery, and recycling of refrigerants. This often entails proper handling and disposal of fluids. A growing number of HVACR technicians receive postsecondary instruction from technical and trade schools or community colleges that offer programs in heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration. These programs generally last 6 months to 2 years and lead to a certificate; or in some cases, an associate’s degree.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanics-and-installers.htm

#PHSfit Career of the Day: Florist

Floral designers, also called florists, cut and arrange live, dried, or silk flowers and greenery to make decorative displays. They also help customers select flowers, containers, ribbons, and other accessories. Floral designers may create a single arrangement for a special occasion or design floral displays for rooms and open spaces for large scale functions, such as weddings, funerals, and banquets. They use their sense of artistry and knowledge of different types of flowers to choose the appropriate flowers for each occasion. They need to know what flowers are in season and when they will be available. Many programs in floral design and floriculture are available through private floral schools, vocational schools, and community colleges. Most offer a certificate or diploma. Some community colleges and universities offer an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in floral design.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/floral-designers.htm

#PHSfit Career of the Day: Massage Therapist

Every year, more and more Americans are utilizing massage therapy for the many health benefits it offers. With increased popularity comes demand for qualified massage therapists. This field offers flexible schedules and hours, active and healthy work environments, and professional growth opportunities. Becoming a licensed massage therapist require an educational program that can last six to twelve months, and you should find one that meets state licensing requirements.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/massage-therapists.htm

#PHSfit Career of the Day: Dispatcher

Every time someone calls 9-1-1 or is in need of emergency assistance, dispatchers handle the request for appropriate emergency service personnel. They need to stay calm for the person in crisis while obtaining accurate and critical information so that the fire department, police, or medical technicians can respond appropriately. In order to be successful and happy in this career, one must be patient and care about others, while staying cool in the face of adversity. Education in safety procedures and protocol is necessary, and on-the-job training is to be expected for this career.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/police-fire-and-ambulance-dispatchers.htm

#PHSfit Career of the day: Graphic Designer

Graphic designers create visual concepts, by hand or using computer software, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, or captivate consumers. They help to make an organization recognizable by selecting color, images, or logo designs that represent a particular idea or identity to be used in advertising and promotions. Graphic designers combine art and technology to communicate ideas through images and the layout of web screens and printed pages. They may use a variety of design elements to achieve artistic or decorative effects. They develop the overall layout and production design for advertisements, brochures, magazines, and corporate reports. Graphic designers work with both text and images. They often select the type, font, size, color, and line length of headlines, headings, and text. A bachelor’s degree in graphic design or a related field is usually required. However, those with a bachelor’s degree in another field may pursue technical training in graphic design to meet most hiring qualifications.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Arts-and-Design/Graphic-designers.htm

#PHSfit Career of the Day: Geoscientist

Geoscientists study the physical aspects of the Earth, such as its composition, structure, and processes, to learn about its past, present, and future. In a day in the field, they may use a hammer and chisel to collect rock samples and then use sophisticated radar equipment to search for oil underground. In laboratories, they may use x rays and electron microscopes to determine the chemical and physical composition of rock samples. They also use remote sensing equipment to collect data and advanced geographic information systems (GIS) and modeling software to analyze data. Many geoscientists are involved in the search for and development of natural resources and minerals such as petroleum. Others work in environmental protection and preservation and are involved in projects to clean up and reclaim land. Geoscientists need at least a bachelor’s degree for entry-level positions. A Ph.D. is necessary for most high-level research and college teaching positions. A degree in geosciences is preferred, although degrees in physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, engineering, or computer science are usually accepted if they include coursework in geology.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/geoscientists.htm

#PHSfit Career of the Day: Fashion Designer

Fashion Designers use hand- or computer-aided sketches to visually represent their vision for apparel. Some designers work alone, but most work for a clothing company. They stay current in recent trends in style, technique, production, and materials. Although formal training is not necessarily required for one's artistic vision, it is very helpful to demonstrate preparation for the field in order for employers to feel confident hiring an aspiring designer to join their team.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/fashion-designers.htm

#PHSfit Career of the Day: Dental Hygienist

Every time you have an appointment with your dentist, the doctor examines your teeth, but you spend most of your time getting your teeth cleaned by the dental hygienist. A dental hygienist maintains a high level of care, regarding both your privacy and your medical needs. Dental hygienists have good fine motor skills and are content following rules. The training for a dental hygienist license requires completion of a program that usually meets the requirements for an associates degree. Because people will always have teeth that need to be cleaned, you can count on employment opportunities in this field. 
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-hygienists.htm

#PHSfit Career of the Day: Business Logistician

Every single purchase you make requires an immense orchestration of services and products, and at each transaction of raw materials, overhead costs, and supplies, someone had to plan to maximize profits by minimizing risk and cost. These people are logisticians, or experts in the logistics of getting things where they need to go. The most visible business logisticians are the corporate account managers at FedEx or UPS, but many companies of their own proprietary logistics divisions. You may enjoy this career and major if you enjoy management, attention to detail, overcoming challenges, and working in the background as part of a team with a common goal.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/logisticians.htm

#PHSfit Career of the Day: Musician

For those of you who are musically talented, you may wish to consider becoming a professional performer. Professional musicians pursue careers with orchestras, local and nationally touring ensembles, and in popular, jazz, rock, and even liturgical styles. Whatever niche you pursue, you will need many hours of practice and training in order to compete at that level. Music performers often struggle for a long time before making it big; very few musicians are as fortunate as the young stars we hear on the radio or see on TV. Be prepared to make compromises along the way in order to pursue your art. 
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/entertainment-and-sports/musicians-and-singers.htm

#PHSfit Career of the Day: Forensic Science Technician

Forensic science technicians help investigate crimes by collecting and analyzing physical evidence. Most technicians specialize in either crime scene investigation or laboratory analysis. Forensic science technicians reconstruct crime scenes by carefully studying information gathered by investigators and conducting scientific tests on physical evidence. For example, lab technicians may look at photographs of blood splatter patterns and conduct ballistics tests on bullets found at the crime scene to determine the direction from which a shot was fired. All forensic science technicians prepare written reports that detail their findings and investigative methods. They must be able to explain their reports to lawyers, detectives, and other law enforcement officials. In addition, forensic science technicians may be called to testify in court about their findings and methods.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/forensic-science-technicians.htm

#PHSfit Career of the Day: Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists collect and analyze data to investigate health issues. For example, an epidemiologist might collect and analyze demographic data to determine who is at the highest risk for a particular disease. Research epidemiologists typically work for universities. Applied epidemiologists work with governments, addressing health crises directly. The most common problem both types of epidemiologists work on is infectious diseases, but they examine other public health issues, as well. Epidemiologists who work in private industry commonly work for health insurance companies or pharmaceutical companies. Those in non-profit companies often do public advocacy work. Becoming an epidemiologist often requires a master's degree in public health. If this field interests you, take as many courses in biological sciences as you can.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/epidemiologists.htm

#PHSfit Career of the Day: Emergency Medical Technician

Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics care for the sick or injured in emergency medical settings. People’s lives often depend on their quick reaction and competent care. EMTs and paramedics respond to emergency calls, performing medical services and transporting patients to medical facilities. Salary and responsibilities increase partially with experience, but mostly with the level of EMT training a paramedic has had completed. Effective EMTs are compassionate, physically fit, and have strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/emts-and-paramedics.htm

#PHSfit Career of the Day: Civil Engineer

Every road and bridge that you see is planned, designed, and maintained by civil engineers. Civil Engineers must take into consideration the natural environment and intended use of physical structures, be they for transportation, industry, or provision of natural resources. They need to find a way to balance current and intended future human use with the geospatial existence of natural structures. Several colleges have civil engineering majors, and it is recommended that you attend one accredited by the American Society of Civil Engineers if this career is appealing to you.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/civil-engineers.htm
http://www.asce.org/About-Civil-Engineering/

#PHSfit Career of the Day: Cost Estimator

Every business venture requires planning and budgeting. In order to give a client or organization and accurate estimate of the costs involved in a particular project, cost estimators use their knowledge of industrial details and economics to help with that planning. The college majors that apply to being a cost estimator are usually detail-oriented majors like engineering or accounting, but industrial understanding is critical, so it helps to establish expertise in your chosen field with a solid foundation in business, as well.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/cost-estimators.htm