Long List of Jobs in the world

Sometimes kids only know of the jobs they've personally seen. Here are various lists of jobs, many of which don't need college. (And probably everyone knows people who have great jobs and no college, or college and an unrelated job.)

As an intro to part of the list at nearer the bottom (where stories start to be told), a contributor wrote: "things I've done and friends have done for money (some are a little out of date)."
REMEMBER: Some out-of-date things come back, or exist less visibly. blacksmithing; weaving…

Contributors to this list and page: Alex Polikowsky, Jo Isaac, Sandra Dodd, Jennifer Smith, Joyce Fetteroll, braff16, Michelle Bailey, M. Horvath, Anna-Marie, Katie Oxford, Katerina Koleva, Deanne Rosselli, Lucy Web, Marina Moses, Dena Morrison, Rachel/Rachk2000, Meredith Novak, Steph Selby, Rippy Dusseldorp, Robyn Coburn, hebh@sonic, Karen James
(I hope I didn't leave someone out)

Fixing computers
Building special computers
developing games
developing software
Coding
Wine maker
organic grower
Fiber Farmer
Flip Houses
Realtor
Disaster restoration specialist ( trained to mitigate fire, water and other disasters )
Dairy Farmer
Crop Farmer
Chicken Farmer
Pig Farmer
Turkey Farmer
Beef Farmer
EMT
Solar Panel Installer
First Responder
Cook - Chef - Sous Chef- Baker
Catering
Remodeling
Furniture making
Staging houses for selling
Landscaping
Truck Driver
Wedding planner
Website designer
Cow Classifier
Fixing Smart phones
Ebayer
Personal Organizer
Personal Assistant
Personal Shopper
Music/ instrument instructor
Private Language instructor
Jewelry Designer
Project Coordinator
Martial Arts Instructor
Surfing instructor
Swim coach/instructor
Kennel Manager
jewelry designer
jewelry assembler/finisher
packing/shipping
factory work
assembly
manufacturing supervisor
track coach
Senior Olympics director
math professor
barista
sales person at a music store
     skateboard shop
     snowboard/clothes
     smoke shop
sign shaker
telemarketer
band artist
roadie
merchandise sales
Foster parent
Delivery person
     medical supplies
     cloth diapers
     uniforms
     packages
     gas
     flowers
     groceries
Truck driver (long and short haul)
post office, package mailing store
Travel writer
Music teacher (in home, in a school, or a business)
Tutor
Clock/watch maker and/or repair
Specialty hobby shop worker or owner
Animal breeder (birds, dogs, cats, cows)
Painter
Carpet installer
Window painter
Clown
Magician
Magician's assistant
Creator/purveyor of magic equipment
Party organizer
Set decoration
Lighting engineer
Designer of fountains
plumber
heating/cooling installer/designer
construction worker
     masonry/concrete
     framing / carpentry
     electician
     plumber
     drywall
     painting
     cabinetmaking
     custom window installation
Metal recyclers
Garage Sales
(many make a good living doing that)
Professional estate sale runner
Auctioneer of abandoned property
Dog-owner to chase away the Canadian Geese that won’t migrate home (heavily used in state and county parks)
Goats-for-rent to cut lawns on large property
Children’s consignment resale event owner
Mobile dog grooming
Dog and cat day spas/babysitters
Farm delivery service (bringing fresh food from the farm to the city)
Photographer
Freelance writer
House cleaner
Food truck owner
Food truck coordinator
Hauling/Delivery/Moving Services
Computer Repair/Setup/Services
Bicycle Repair
Child Care/Day Care
Screen Printing/Sign Making
Teaching specialty classes for homeschoolers ;)
Restaurant work
     greeter
     server
     cook
     dishwasher
     manager
     owner
bank / savings & loan teller
    loan officer
    bookkeeper
    manager
Museum curator
Folk Herbalist
Film/TV extra
Ayurvedic Practitioner
reiki practioner (or other hands-on healing)
personal coach (life coach)
teach seminars or workshop on...
     organizing
    money management
    cooking
    sewing
    gardening
    parenting, etc.
buy used things fix them and sell for profit
    cars
    clothes
    computers
    antiques shamanic practioner
tarot card reader
energy healer
tour guide
taxi driver
city park plant management
activist
farmer
911 operator
Missionary
Massage Therapist
Infant Massage teacher
Midwife
Hairdresser
Volunteer Coordinator
Computer repair
Collections
Body guard
Bouncer
Bartender
Shoe salesman
Shoe store manager
Copier specialist
Business owner- (sole proprietorship, partnerships, LLC)
Painter-artist, muralist
Painter-commercial & residential
Carpenter
Furniture maker
welder
Camp counselor
Estimator
Project manager
Superintendent
Foreman
Cable & satellite installer
Long distance specialist Mortgage processor
Underwriter-hard work, dedication & skill got her there
Vice-president for jumbo loans
Costume designer
Seamstress
Theater make up artist
Usher
Credit repair specialist
Auto parts manager
Mechanic
State inspector
Used car inspector (pre-purchase)
Security guard- commissioned & non-commissioned
Ballroom dancer & instructor & competitor
Projectionist
Actor
Magician
Choreographer
Videographer
Chauffeur
Valet
Pizza delivery driver
Caterer
Cook
Stage manager
Crew manager
Trainer
Coach
Umpire & Referee
Drama teacher
Director
Editor
writer
Producer
Foundation repair specialist
Server & cocktail waitress
Tech support
Auditor
Substitute teacher
Special needs caregiver
Elderly caregiver
Daycare teacher
Field trip leader
Curriculum writer
Floral designer
Customer service expert
Receptionist
Secretary
Book keeper
Special project administrator
Ordained minister
Group home parent
Nanny
Suite attendant
Maid
Real estate agent
Realtor
Real estate Broker
Oil fields worker
Truck driver
Leasing agent
Pawn broker
Silk screener
Tutor
Journalist
Photographer
Music & Movie reviewer
Discipleship Ministries Coordinator
Insurance claim processor
Class action law suit claims processor
Switchboard operator
Financial Aid specialist
Mentor
Non-profit Fund Raiser
Micro-blogger
Special event coordinator
Free-education Collaborative Founder
Convention director
Research expert
Graphic artist- print
Graphic artist-web
Marketing Specialist
Activist
Doula
Clinic escort
Key punch operator (probably obsolete now)
Specialty Advertisers
Exotic dancer
Car salesman
Reprographics expert
Tattoo artist & designer
Street artist
Musician
Promoter
Sign painter
Curb painter
Parking lot striper
Raising goats
Horse boarding
Fireman
Printer
Sandwich maker
Gardener
Landscape designer
Sign language interpreter
Babysitter
Lifeguard
Tour guide
Birthday party hostess
Children's entertainer
Mascot
Cashier
Seamstress/Dressmaker

    making baby carriers

    cloth diapers

    diaper covers

    clothes

    alterations
bread making
figure model (artists' model)
photo technician (black and white or color)
xray technician
handyman
bicycle repair
furniture refinishing
alterations
drapery making
furniture re-upholstery
automotive re-upholstery
teaching yoga
tutoring
translating (oral or print - lots of technical fields, too)
nanny
housecleaning
in home childcare
home health aide
instrument building
instrument repair
taxidermy
food buying club manager
ornamental casting (plaster, concrete, cultured marble)
mold making
distributer
small engine repair
sewing machine cleaning and repair
quiltmaking
doll making
pottery
jewelry making
ornamental blacksmithing
ornamental glass work
chair caning
general carpentry/ light construction
cabinet making
firewood sales
sawyer
logger
Blacksmith
Water/ compost barrel maker
Science consultant/ liaison with physicians
Car speaker sales/ installation
Computer technician
Book layout and design
Ski/ surfing instructor
Survivalist
Naturalist
Outdoor sports instructor
Yogi
Own & run a camp
Carpenter
3D printing shop
Silk screening shop
Theater instructor
Snow plower
Snow cone stand owner
Face painter
Massage, acupuncturist, physical therapist
Healer
Doula
Seasonal jobs/ catering to the needs of tourists

Robyn Coburn's list of film production jobs (in purple):

Screenwriter

Development person
Reader

Executive Producer
Producer
Line Producer

Director
First Assistant Director (often called "the" AD)
2nd AD
2nd 2nd AD
Set PA

Script Supervisor

Unit Production Manager
Production Coordinator
Assistant Production Coordinator
Production Secretary
Production assistant
production runner

Production Accountant
Payroll (usually contracted to a company)

Locations Manager
Assistant Locations Manager
Locations Scout

Production Designer
Art Director
Set Designer (called Draughtsman in UK)
Construction Foreman
Carpenter
Rigger
Scenic Painter
Paper Hanger
Greens person
Foam Sculptor

Set Decorator
Lead Man
Set Dresser
Draper
Buyer

On set (or Stand by) Set Dresser
On set (or Stand by) Carpenter
On Set (or Stand by) Scenic painter

Property master
Weapons master
Assistant Prop master

Product placement coordinator

Prop Makers

Mechanical FX
Pyrotechnics Supervisor

Make Up Designer
Make Up Artist
Hair Designer
Hair Dresser
Wig maker

Costume Designer
Illustrator
Wardrobe Supervisor
On Set costumer
Wardrobe Assistants
Pattern maker
Cutter
Stitcher
Dyer
Milliner
Cobbler

Cinematographer or Director of Photography
Camera Operator
Focus Puller or First AC
Loader or 2nd AC
Steadicam operator
There are now specialists who fly remote controlled mini aircraft with cameras mounted on them
The Matrix camera fx is set up by specialists
Imax are specialist cameras too
Video Assist

Gaffer
Best Boy
Electrician

Key Grip
Dolly Grip Grip

Production Sound Mixer
Boom Operator
Utility Sound

Craft Service
Set Medic
Studio Teacher

Caterer and assistants (so chefs)

Stunt coordinator
Stunt performer
Stunt driver

Stand in
Body double

Transportation coordinator
Transpo captain
Driver

Casting Agent
Assistant Casting Agent

Actor

Lighting — That would be the Gaffer, Best Boy and Electricians who work under the direction of the DP/Cinematographer, with some assistance from Grips when the needed item is not electrical (eg flags, scrims and reflectors).

*****************
That is just Production. I'll send the post production list separately. Definitions on request. ;)
BTW the entry level positions are Production Assistant and Production Runner.
*****************

Pre-production and development
Concept artists and illustrators
Storyboard artists

In Production -
Miniaturist/ Model builder
Matte Painter

Post Production Jobs - I may miss some since I don't work in post myself.

Post Production Supervisor
Post Production Coordinator
Post Production Assistant (post PA)
Post Production Runner

Editor
Assistant Editor

Printer
Negative cutter (a job fast disappearing in a digital world)
Projectionist (in the studio)

Sound Designer
Sound Effects Editor
Sound/Dialogue Editor

Foley Artist
Foley Mixer

ADR Mixer
Sound effects recordist (someone who goes out and finds interesting sounds to use or alter)
Music Coordinator
Composer (for the original score)
Arranger
Orchestra or musicians

Mixer/music producer
Legal - music clearances and licensing
Visual FX Coordinator
Visual Fx Editor
Color Timer (again a relic of shooting on film I believe)

The immense and ongoing list of people who work in CGI doing everything from creating entire sets and worlds to replace the green screen, to as tiny as removing distant tv antennas off roofs in the skyline of a period film. They have all kinds of technical titles that you can see in the end credits of any movie. Usually what happens it that certain jobs are delegated to different Post Production/FX companies with specialties and then everyone who touches a part of it is on the list.

Main Title Designer
End Credits Designer (often the same person or company)
Graphic artist

Telecine and the people that make digital prints to send to all the theaters.

Then there is the marketing department - everyone from the brain trust who come up with the campaigns, to the graphic artists who design posters etc to the merchandisers creating action figures, drinking cups and other licensed product tie ins. George Lucas started the modern wave of this stuff you know.

Distribution Department - the Head and various assistants and office workers. Does this really count? If the film wins an award it counts like anything!

Peripheral Occupations:

Theater owner
Theater usher and concessions worker
Projectionist
Ticketing companies

Equipment Manufacturers and Vendors - a huge list in itself
Rental Vendors
Expendables manufacturers and vendors
Software designers and engineers

Societies and guilds employ people to do all kinds of administrative work

Party planners create events

There are agencies just for Extras.

There are the people that run Netflix, Hulu and other online film distribution

A list of the jobs I had prior to getting a degree.

Typist
Kennel-maid (probably now called Kennel Assistant!?)
Bar person
Waitress
Fairground worker
Hostel cleaner
Dishwasher
Receptionist/phone-answerer
Chef (well — probably 'cook' since I didn't have a chef certification!)
Nightclub glass collector

Lizard feeder
Water vole catcher
Zoology field assistant/technician
Hedgehog catcher
Freelance magazine writer (environmental/wildlife articles and hiking/walking articles)
Website design and writing
Photographer (mostly linked with magazine articles)
Newsletter design and writing

Funeral director
embalmer
make-up artist for funerals.

There are other opportunities because of that, too, taking care of aging baby boomers.

There's no video with this, but several ideas are named. Bob McGrath is the main singer.

And it's a reminder that someone who started off interested in hand puppets eventually owned a company that made movies, three (or more) television series, and contracted special effects out to other companies. Jim Henson!

My husband ended up taking this route when he went from a retail manager to a position at the corporate level within the same company. Doesn't happen all the time, but it's possible.

Just to add to the job lists: I work as a writer in schools and my husband works as a public artist (making sculptures and art works for town centres, etc.)

-Pharmacy Technician (this can be a high stress/high turnover job, and there are colleges that offer training, but many people receive their first pharmacy tech job at places like Walgreen's, CVS, etc. and they do not require a degree. This position is similar to Library Tech, in that Pharmacy Techs do almost everything a Pharmacist does, they just receive less pay, and a Pharmacist has to sign off on everything a tech does.

[Note from Sandra: Similarly, paralegal. And, with more education, nurse practitioner or physician's assistant.]

Rippy Dusseldorp:

-=- Do you want jobs and careers that do not required College or that there is no College that trains specifically for it? -=-

It's one of the uber-cool salons in the city. (Leiden, the Netherlands)

Rippy

teacher's assistant, elementary school
teacher's assistant, special needs school
crossing guard
(Sikh) Missionary (singing, playing musical instruments, helping with cooking, cleaning, building, answering children's questions, being a storyteller, helping people learn how to meditate, helping people learn how to play musical instruments and new hymns, etc.)
basketball coach
fundraiser
distress and suicide line counsellor
information line operator
orientation leader
activist
campaign canvasser
research assistant
board member, non-profit
home learning group founder/organizer
happy parenting inspirer

Something unexpected happened because of my preference of working multiple jobs at multiple organizations. After a couple of years, I didn't have time to apply for new jobs. Employers started contacting me. I had been working for a lot of different non-profits, educational institutions and government departments and my former employers started recommending me to their networks for different projects. There was more work than I could possibly do.

Some jobs I have been offered, but decided not to take because I was already committed to something else:

nanny (in California, for the cameraman of Star Trek: The Next Generation)
multicultural coordinator
life coach
children's activity coordinator (at a hotel in the Canary Islands)
director of a Tesol college
unschooling facilitator (a family asked me if I would consider unschooling their child along with my own)

Rippy
(Gianluca 8, Gisele 7)

---

Professional Occupations List and here's a ink to four categories of Skilled Occupations. "If your occupation is not on the list, then there still can be options for full Permanent Residence, via State-Sponsorship or Employer Nomination." That's in case one of your non-Australian kids wants to emigrate to Australia.

(Thanks, Jo Isaac, for the links.)

20 Great Jobs That Don't Require a College Degree

By Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor

What do Microsoft founder Bill Gates, Oracle CEO Larry Ellison and entertainment mogul David Geffen have in common? Besides being exceedingly rich, none of them has a college degree.

Though it was once conventional wisdom that you needed to have a four-year college degree to be successful, many employment experts believe that maxim has become myth. While a college education increases a worker's chances of earning more money, it's certainly not the only reliable path to well-paid and rewarding work.

Even though good jobs increasingly require some post-high school training, many still don't require a four-year degree. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, eight of the 10 fastest-growing occupations through 2014 do not require a bachelor's degree. And these jobs, which include health technology, plumbing, firefighter and automotive repair, are less vulnerable to outsourcing. After all, if your car breaks down in Indiana, you're not going to fly someone in from India to help you!

Based on data from the U.S. Department of Labor and the Census Bureau, career planning expert Michael Farr and statistician Laurence Shatkin recently published the second edition of their book "The 300 Best Jobs That Don't Require a Four-Year Degree." Among the 25 top-paying occupations are jobs in sales, education, law enforcement, construction, administration and transportation, as well as management and supervisory jobs.

Here are 20 of the top-paying jobs that don't require a degree, according to Farr and Shatkin's book:

Job: Air Traffic Controller
Annual Income: $102,030

Job: Storage and Distribution Manager
Annual Income: $66,600

Job: Transportation Manager
Annual Income: $66,600

Job: Police and Detectives Supervisor
Annual Income: $64,430

Job: Non-Retail Sales Manager
Annual Income: $59,300

Job: Forest Firefighter and Prevention Supervisor
Annual Income: $58,920

Job: Municipal Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisor
Annual Income: $58,902

Job: Real Estate Broker
Annual Income: $58,720

Job: Elevator Installer and Repairer
Annual Income: $58,710

Job: Sales Representative
Annual Income: $58,580

Job: Dental Hygienist
Annual Income: $58,350

Job: Radiation Therapist
Annual Income: $57,700

Job: Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Annual Income: $56,450

Job: Child Support, Missing Persons and Unemployment Insurance Fraud
Investigator Annual Income: $53,900

Job: Criminal Investigator and Special Agent
Annual Income: $53,990

Job: Immigration and Customs Inspector
Annual Income: $53,990

Job: Police Detective
Annual Income: $53,990

Job: Police Identification and Records Officer
Annual Income: $53,990

Job: Commercial Pilot
Annual Income: $53,870

Job: Talent Director
Annual Income: $52,840

Though a college degree is not a requirement for these positions, all require moderate to extensive on-the-job training or apprenticeship. In addition, Dental Hygienists, Radiation Therapists, Nuclear Medicine Technologists and Commercial Pilots require an associate degree at a vocational or technical school.

Highest-Demand, Competitive-Paying Jobs
Competitive paying jobs for which there is high demand for workers include:

Vocational Education Teachers at the post secondary level, with annual earnings of $40,740 and 216,000 openings each year;

Registered Nurses, with annual earnings of $52,330 and 215,000 openings each year;

Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives, with annual earnings of $45,400 and 160,000 openings annually; and

Tractor Trailer/Truck Drivers, with annual earnings of $33,520 and 300,000 annual openings.

"The thing to keep in mind is that there are something like 50 million jobs out there that don't require a bachelor's degree and pay upwards of $40,000 a year," says Harlow Unger, author of "But What If I Don't Want to Go to College? A Guide to Success Through Alternative Education."

He goes on to say that according to the U.S. Department of Labor, by 2010, almost two-thirds of all projected job openings will require only on-the-job training.

So while a college degree was de rigueur for the Baby Boom generation, that's not necessarily the case now. In today's highly technical and service-related market, workers are judged more on their skills than their sheepskins.

Outside links:

20 Bizarre New Jobs Of The Future

[paywall, in 2024, but if you have a Business Insider subscription, there it is.]

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website is a wealth of information. Specifically, they have an Occupational Outlook Handbook (http://www.bls.gov/ooh/) that lists thousands of careers, a description of their responsibilities, the education required, how many people currently are employed in that field and the demand outlook for the future.

~Michelle B

JOBS



stories about jobs



"Jobs" / book excerpt