#PHSfit Career of the Day: Legal Assistant

Paralegals and legal assistants help lawyers prepare for hearings, trials, and corporate meetings. However, their specific duties may vary depending on the size of the firm or organization. In smaller firms, paralegals duties tend to vary more. In addition to reviewing and organizing information, paralegals may prepare written reports that help lawyers determine how to handle their cases. If lawyers decide to file lawsuits on behalf of clients, paralegals may help prepare the legal arguments and draft documents to be filed with the court. In larger organizations, paralegals work mostly on a particular phase of a case, rather than handling a case from beginning to end. For example, a litigation paralegal might only review legal material for internal use, maintain reference files, conduct research for lawyers, and collect and organize evidence for hearings. Litigation paralegals often do not attend trials, but might prepare trial documents or draft settlement agreements. There are several paths to become a paralegal. Candidates can enroll in a community college paralegal program to earn an associate’s degree. A small number of schools also offer bachelor’s and master's degrees in paralegal studies. Those who already have a bachelor’s degree in another subject can earn a certificate in paralegal studies. Finally, some employers hire entry-level paralegals without any experience or education in paralegal studies and train them on the job, though these jobs typically require a bachelor’s degree.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Legal/Paralegals-and-legal-assistants.htm

#PHSfit Career of the Day: Meteorologist

Meterologists use highly developed instruments and computer programs to do their jobs. For example, they use weather balloons, radar systems, satellites, and sensors to monitor the weather and collect data. The data they collect and analyze are critical to understanding air pollution, drought, loss of the ozone layer, and other problems. Some atmospheric scientists work on teams with other scientists and engineers to find the best locations for new wind farms, which are groups of wind turbines used to generate electricity. Others work closely with hydrologists to monitor the impact climate change has on water supplies and to manage water resources. Atmospheric scientists need a bachelor’s degree in meteorology or a closely related field for most positions.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/atmospheric-scientists-including-meteorologists.htm

#PHSfit Career of the Day: Park Ranger

Park rangers protect natural resources and historical and cultural monuments. They work in places across the country, from Alcatraz and the Grand Canyon to the Everglades and the Statue of Liberty. Most do everything from supervising park staff to teaching the public to value the site’s resources. After getting experience in the field, a ranger might specialize. With a focus on conserving natural resources, for example, a ranger might replant native grasses on a prairie or test water samples to find the source of pollution. Whatever their duties, rangers need to be able to communicate well with the public. You'll need a bachelor's degree in an environmental field to get this job.
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/careers/environment-park-rangers

#PHSfit Career of the Day: Advertising Agent or Manager

When organizations such as businesses have goods or services to provide and they are looking for customers or clients, they need to find creative ways to reach their intended audience. Even when they can reach their audience, they need to find a way to make their product memorable compared to the competition. This is why they hire advertising agents to come up with creative ways to brand the organization and manage the marketing campaign. Advertisers are usually both enterprising and artistic, and require both social skills and a commitment to results.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/advertising-sales-agents.htm
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/advertising-promotions-and-marketing-managers.htm

#PHSfit Career of the Day: Loan Officer

Loan officers use a process called underwriting to assess whether applicants qualify for loans. After collecting and verifying all the required financial documents, the loan officer evaluates this information to determine the applicant’s loan needs and ability to pay back the loan. Some firms underwrite loans manually, calculating the applicant’s financial status by following a certain formula or set of guidelines. Other firms use underwriting software, which analyze applications almost instantly. More often, firms use underwriting software to produce a recommendation, while relying on loan officers to consider any additional information to make a final decision. The work of loan officers has sizeable customer service and sales components. Loan officers often answer questions and guide customers through the application process. In addition, many loan officers must market the products and services of their lending institution and actively solicit new business. Commercial loan officers generally need a bachelor’s degree in finance, business, economics, or a related field. Mortgage loan officers must be licensed.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/loan-officers.htm

#PHSfit Career of the Day: Restauranteur

Owning a restaurant is a labor of love, and most restaurateurs work long hours. The owner keeps tabs on things like items to be ordered, customer complaints, and staff scheduling conflicts, all of which are recorded in the book. She studies the accounting records daily and stays on top of the restaurant’s financial situation. She may also take on duties like confirming reservations. Restaurateurs come from many walks of life, but mostly they have experience within the industry. A restaurant owner can be either a “backer” or an active owner. Backers provide funding to the active owners and entrust them to run the place.
http://www.princetonreview.com/careers.aspx?cid=137

#PHSfit Career of the Day: Licensed Practical Nurse

Licensed practical nurses (known as LPNs) provide basic medical care. They work under the direction of registered nurses and doctors. Duties of LPNs vary, depending on their work setting, For example, they may teach family members how to care for a relative; help to deliver, care for, and feed infants; collect samples for testing and do routine laboratory tests; or feed patients who need help eating. Because medical care is regulated, LPNs may be limited to doing certain tasks, depending on their state. In some states, for example, LPNs with proper training can give medication or start intravenous (IV) drips, while in other states they cannot. State regulations govern the extent to which LPNs must be directly supervised; for example, an LPN may provide certain forms of care only with instructions from a registered nurse. LPNs must complete an accredited program, which takes about 1 year. These programs are commonly in technical schools and community colleges. They may occasionally be in high schools and hospitals as well. Practical nursing programs combine classroom learning in subjects such as nursing, biology, and pharmacology, with supervised clinical experience.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/licensed-practical-and-licensed-vocational-nurses.htm

#PHSfit Career of the Day: Medical Assistant

Medical assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks in the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners. Their duties may include taking patient history and measure vital signs, helping the physician with patient examinations, giving patient injections as directed by the physician, schedule patient appointments, and preparing blood for laboratory tests. Programs are available from community colleges, vocational schools, technical schools, or universities and take about 1 year to complete. These programs usually lead to a certificate or diploma. Some community and junior colleges offer 2-year programs that lead to an associate’s degree. All programs have classroom and laboratory portions that include lessons in anatomy and medical terminology.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm

#PHSfit Career of the Day: Coast Guard

The United States has over 12,000 miles of coastline, and it largely up to our Coast Guard to protect our shores. Serving on the Coast Guard requires a solid ethical foundation and a commitment to physical health, as well as a respect for our country's laws and founding principles. In addition to protecting our national defense, the coast guard also has a major impact on the war on drugs. If you would like to make a difference in our country through enlisting in the coast guard, request more information from www.gocoastguard.com. If you are looking for more advanced training and a college degree that leads to leadership with the Coast Guard, investigate applying for the Coast Guard Academy, which requires a process that your school counselor can assist you with.

http://www.gocoastguard.com/

#PHSfit Career of the Day: Counseling Therapist

Individuals of all ages, families, and couples all go through times when they need someone to talk to. Friends offer limited support, because they often take sides or have a limited understanding of the problems at hand. This is why counseling therapists are available to help their clients work through these times. Therapists can specialize in substance abuse, mental health, career counseling, or focus on any segment of the life span. Counselors all have at least a master's degree, which requires at least one year of graduate training in counseling, psychology, or social work beyond a four-year college degree. They are excellent listeners, take accurate notes, and are frequently organized because they manage billing and insurance reimbursements.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/mental-health-counselors-and-marriage-and-family-therapists.htm
http://counseling.org/careers/aca-career-center/choosing-a-career-in-counseling
http://www.cacrep.org/template/index.cfm

#PHSfit Career of the Day: United States Marine

The Marines must be ready at a moment's notice to defend their country. As a Marine, you could be sent to any part of the world on assignments that you may find incredibly exciting, depending on where you're sent and what you enjoy doing. Marines command respect from their peers, and maintain an aura of discipline as their commanders lead them in a regimented structure all day, every day. Those of you unwilling to conform to standard military procedure or take orders will probably not be happy any branch of the armed forces, and much less so in the Marines. The training is indeed physically tough, reputably tougher than any other branch of the armed forces barring special elite units.
http://www.princetonreview.com/careers.aspx?cid=231
http://www.marines.com/home

#PHSfit Career of the Day: Lobbyist

If there is a cause that you feel passionate about, and you are compelled to have elected representatives better understand your cause, becoming a lobbyist is a way to achieve your goals. Lobbyists are experts in both political science and their areas of specialization, in order to better inform their audience about why they should sponsor, support, or oppose certain bills. Lobbyists are excellent at making arguments in both spoken and written form, and conduct themselves professionally, understanding that relationships and compromise are how things happen in government.
http://www.princetonreview.com/careers.aspx?cid=88

#PHSfit Career of the Day: Statistician

Statisticians design surveys, experiments, and opinion polls to collect data. Some surveys, such as the U.S. census, include data from nearly everyone. For most surveys and opinion polls, however, statisticians use sampling to collect data from some people in a particular group. Statisticians determine the type and size of the sample to be surveyed or polled. Most statisticians enter the occupation with a master's degree in statistics, mathematics, or survey methodology, although a bachelor's degree is sufficient for some entry-level jobs.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/statisticians.htm

#PHSfit Career of the Day: Songwriter

Songwriter is one of the most desired jobs in the music industry. Song writing includes penning lyrics, coming up with the melody, or both. When a songwriter finishes a song, they have to find a way to get it picked up by an artist. The main goal of the songwriter is not only getting the song recorded, but having it recorded by someone who can turn the record into a hit. Songwriters don't need to be formally educated, but they might study music theory, orchestration, harmony, or music business, and learn instruments as well. There are courses they can take in lyric writing, but again, this is not a requirement.
http://www.careersinmusic.com/songwriter.aspx

#PHSfit Career of the Day: Music Educator

If you love music and would love to share that excitement with generations to come, you may find happiness is being a music teacher. Music educators are in every level of education, teaching young children about rhythm and different instruments, middle schoolers how to read notes on the staff, and high schoolers how to get the most from their instruments of choice. They may even give private lessons to people who are looking to improve or perfect their skills outside of conventional schooling. Becoming a music educator, however, requires quite a challenging education, as both music classes and education classes take a lot of time and dedication. However, if you have a passion for the field, it will be well worthwhile!
http://musiced.nafme.org/careers/

#PHSfit Career of the Day: Optician

With an increasing portion of our population headed toward middle age, there will be an increased demand for opticians to help consumers with their eyewear. In addition, awareness of the importance of regular eye exams is increasing across all age groups, especially children and those over the age of 65. Employment opportunities for opticians are expected to increase, and training is required for an opticianry license. For more information, visit www.nfos.org.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/opticians-dispensing.htm

#PHSfit Career of the Day: Historian

Historians conduct research and analysis for governments, businesses, nonprofits, historical associations, and other organizations. They use a variety of sources in their work, including government and institutional records, newspapers, photographs, interviews, films, and unpublished manuscripts such as personal diaries and letters. They also may process, catalog, and archive these documents and artifacts. Most historians present and interpret history for the public. They often trace and build a historical profile of a particular person, area, idea, organization, or event. Once their research is complete, they present their findings through articles, books, reports, exhibits, websites, and educational programs. Historians need a master’s degree or Ph.D. for most positions. Many historians have a master’s degree in history or public history, which takes 2 years beyond a four-year bachelor's degree to complete. Others complete degrees in related fields, such as museum studies, historical preservation, or archival management. Many programs require an internship or other onsite work experience as a part of the degree program.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/historians.htm

#PHSfit Career of the Day: Athletic Trainer

Whether assisting in professional or amateur, or high school, college, professional, or Olympic sports, competitive athletes need trainers. People get injured and need immediate assistance, or they need accurate and appropriate stretching and taping, and athletic trainers are there to keep the athletes performing at their best. In order to be an athletic trainer, you will need to have a commitment to service and not get squeamish when you see injuries. It helps to have volunteered in the medical field, but most have a college degree in either athletic training or kinesiology.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/athletic-trainers.htm