What am I going to do?
 There
are many professional fields available to apply your education
to. If you went to college without a career goal in mind,
the trick is finding out which professional field resonates
with your personal interests. There's nothing like an earned
certificate or degree from two-and four-year colleges or universities
to give you a good head start into the job market. Some professions
that you're interested in can require graduate degrees beyond
the traditional four-year degree. That's especially true if
you want to become a dentist or a lawyer. You'll have to go
through those schools before you're eligible to take the state
exam to become licensed.
What are degrees really good for?
Some degrees cover broad fields of study, others are very specific. For example:
- Technical courses in bookkeeping at a community college usually prepare students for bookkeeping-related professions.
- Four-year degrees in electrical engineering may prepare students to work in defense and manufacturing industries or the building trades. Some technical degrees have very broad applications.
- On the other side of the spectrum, liberal arts degrees such as English degrees in creative writing or literature can make you eligible for work in the field of journalism, teaching and the more technical writing professions.
To help you better understand what types of degrees and certifications lead to professional fields, we've designed a short list of required study - to show you what you might be eligible for right after you graduate.
Examples of jobs that require two years of college and/or an Associate's Degree:
- Automotive Mechanic
- Administrative Assistant
- Cardiovascular Technician
- Computer Technician
- Commercial Artist
- Dental Hygienist
- Drafter
- Engineering Technician
- Funeral Director
- Heating/Cooling Technician
- Hotel/Restaurant Manager
- Medical Laboratory
- Medical Record Technician
- Surgical Technologist
- Surveyor
- Water and Wastewater Plant Operator
Examples of professions that require four years of college and/or a Bachelor's Degree:
- Accountant
- Analyst
- Computer Systems
- Dietitian
- Diplomat
- Editor
- Engineer
- FBI Agent
- Graphic Designer
- Insurance Agent
- Investment Banker
- Journalist
- Medical Illustrator
- Pharmacist
- Public Relations
- Radio Station Manager
- Recreational Therapist
- Research Assistant
- Social Worker
- Specialist
- Teacher
- Therapist
- Visual Artist
- Writer
Examples of professions that require more than four years of college and graduate degrees:
- Architect
- Biologist
- Chiropractor
- Dentist
- Economist
- Geologist
- Lawyer
- Management Consultant
- Public Policy Analyst
- Paleontologist
- Psychologist
- Rabbi
- Sociologist
- University Professor
- Veterinarian
- Zoologist
For more information on the educational requirements of specific jobs, contact a guidance counselor or
buy 
Occupational Outlook Handbook by US Department of Labor
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