The video gaming industry is evolving more and more with each day. Multiple fulfilling careers in video games await skilled and talented professionals. The process of computer video game development comprises of numerous elements and a number of stages. To make video games more thrilling, exciting and engaging, employers are always on the look out for professionals who have strong technical skills and artistic talents. As a result, this continuous demand has created a range of career opportunities for candidates who are passionate about playing as well as making computer video games. While taking up a video game career, you would be working as part of team that works towards making the gaming environments as realistic as possible.

Choosing a Career of Your Interest
Before you step into the field of video gaming to make a successful career, you should be aware of the various elements and aspects of computer games. It is essential that you select a gaming career option which you really love and are passionate about. Given below is a list of job positions available in the field of video gaming.

Concept Artist
Texture Artist
Physics Programmer
Sound Programmer
User Interface Programmer
Artificial Intelligence Programmer
Game Tester
Animator
Level Designer

Whether it is a casual game player or an ardent fan, video game development companies are looking to attract almost everyone. In order to achieve their business goals, the gaming industry is trying to develop computer games with a crafty mixture of graphics and audio. Right from concept and texture artists and programmers to designer, there are multiple game career options to choose from. All these professionals are different from one another in terms of their expertise, talent and job skills. But, they all work as a team towards creating gaming environments that look amazingly real and capture the minds of the target audience.

Candidates who have great artistic talents can choose to take up careers as a concept artist or a texture artist. The job of a concept artist is to provide excellent concepts for creating fantastical creatures and design spectacles. The texture artist has the responsibility of creating photo realistic textures. This needs to be done with a high level of realism.

Game programmers' career is also one of the most fulfilling as well as profitable in the video game industry. Candidates can choose to become a Physics programmer, a sound programmer, a User Interface (UI) programmer or an Artificial Intelligence (AI) programmer. A physics programmer's job is to work on the physical aspects of a video game including things like speed of vehicle, direction, vehicle engine output, front wheel angles, tire rotation etc. A sound programmer's job involves working on the game's sound engine and making it better and better. The UI programmer deals with user behavior, abiding by the usability guidelines. The AI programmer's responsibility is to create illusions of intelligence by employing a range of artificial intelligence techniques.

Animator and level designer are the other fulfilling careers in video games. As an animator, you would be working to create animation with the use of hand or various computer programs. Drawing objects, coloring them and adding motion are all part of the animator's job. Those who choose level designer's career in video games work to create realistic missions for video games.

Educational Requirements for Making a Career in Gaming Industry
No matter which video gaming career you select, you need to have a strong passion for playing and making computer games. For most of the video game jobs, you need a degree in computer science, multimedia, animation, graphics art etc. Today, hundreds of professional game design schools and colleges have come up in the United States offering a range of courses in game related majors. Depending on their career choice, students can select a training program which prepares them for their desired video game jobs.

Other Skills & Requirements
Since most of the time video game professionals would be working as part of team, they should posses other skills to thrive at work and make the most of their careers in the gaming industry.

Written & verbal communication skills
Team playing skills
Working as per the timescales and assisting the project lead
Capability of changing original ideas as the project demands
Eagerness to lean and acquire new skills
A keen eye for details, color, composition etc
Successful co-ordination with other experts involved in the game project
Keeping pace with the production process
Etc.

Equipped with the relevant degree programs and technical training, you can always prepare yourself for an exciting career in the field of video games. Once you step into the gaming industry, you should remember to communicate with other experts and expand your professional network for more gaming career opportunities and career advancement.

The job of a makeup artist to make sure that the actors, program presenters or guests appear natural on the screen. Apart from that, these artists may also create wounds on the faces and the body or signs of ageing according to the demand of the characters and the script. You must have noticed make-up artists working on the sets of theatre productions, movies and television productions during a shoot. Today, there are hundreds of make up schools across the United States providing a range of makeup courses including glamour makeup, performance makeup, film makeup and television makeup among others. Students and aspiring candidates can choose to enroll either in associate's degrees or undergraduate certificates in make-up artistry, both via campus mode and online.

Information on Makeup Artist Degree Programs
Many make-up artists are also equipped with bachelor degrees in subjects like cosmetology, theatre, stagecraft etc. While you choose to get enrolled in an associate's degree in makeup artistry, you also need to have general education. These degree programs train students in areas or subjects like studio make up, artistry, special effects and master makeup artistry among others. Courses and degrees in make-up artistry train students to get employed in fields like film, television, fashion and media industry. There are some specialties as well. Candidates can choose to go for specialized courses such stage makeup, television makeup etc.

Many makeup schools provide make-up kit to be used by students while taking classes. Otherwise, students need to buy a makeup kit on their own. A typical makeup kit carries essentials as follows.

Brush set (usually 30 in number, may be more)
Airbrush
Lip products, blushes & foundations
Color wheels
Bald caps
Human hair
Sculpting wax
Steel pallet and spatula
Eye shadow, concealer and mascara
Etc.

Different Makeup Artistry Courses
Depending on their interests, students can pursue any of the following make courses. These courses can be taken both online and through campus mode. However, the specialties should be selected carefully. While getting enrolled in a make up school, candidates should check out the course accreditations. Some specialties in make up artistry are as follows.

Glamour Makeup
One of the most important specialties, the glamour makeup course trains students about various face shapes, corrective techniques and the difference which exists between day make up applications and night make up applications. Conditioning is also included in the glamour makeup artistry course.

Performance Makeup
This make up artistry course is also one of the most significant, as it performance makeup application deals with the actor's health, age, hair, personality etc. While undertaking the course from an accredited make up schools, candidates need to understand the multiple variations of make up in accordance with the surroundings, distance from the audience and the environment. Make up classes train students on how make up varies with the change in distance from the audience.

Prosthetics
Aspiring students can also take a make artist course in prosthetics. The coursework deals with a wide range of face attachments including false teeth, false hair, bald cap construction, foam creation, latex creation etc. Prosthetics make-up classes train students in creating attachments that look amazingly real to the audience.

Film Makeup
These courses deal more with non-material makeup. Film make up classes teach students the art of character development, etiquettes of film sets and budgets. You must have noticed complex injuries in horror films. These are also taught in make up classes.

Television Makeup
Courses in television make up teach students a variety of components including disease makeup, injuries creation, body makeup etc. Students are also taught in schools about the difference that lies between analog and digital formats, aside from scrip analysis.

Depending on their interest, students can go for different make up artist degree programs, make up artist certificates, make up artists diplomas etc. Before getting enrolled in a make up artist school, it is always advisable to talk to the school faculty and ex students to get essential information. Students can also visit the websites on these schools and check out the accreditations that the latter have acquired. Equipped with all these essential information, you can always select the right school and the right degree or course and make a successful career in makeup artistry.

Also referred to as user experience specialists or usability manager, the job of a usability experience specialist is to make the more and more consumer friendly by focusing on consumer preferences. To ensure pleasurable and easy use of products for consumers, usability managers interview users, analyze their needs and preferences and develop and implement ideas that make a product highly user friendly. These professionals can work on a wide range of products the next generation gadgets, medical imaging machines, cell phones and websites among others. Considering the work profile, least difficult training and education requirement, and the high pay, career as usability experience specialist happens to be one of the most satisfying for candidates.

After getting listed in the list of America's Best Careers on US News, the usability specialist's career has gained considerable attention. Companies now understand the actual worth of user specialists' professionals. User experience specialists are mostly hired by companies that deal in technical products. However, web usability specialists are also getting much popularity these days. As a usability manager, professionals need to observe and analyze the user behavior and then come up with ideas on the basis of those usability guidelines.

Work Profile
While working for a company, usability managers play a vital role through all the stages of product development. The company you work for may plan to develop a next generation tool or gadget. So, user experience specialists would require to attend a meeting with the company's CEO, marketing managers and representatives from the finance department. In the meeting, you will be listening to the rough parameters of the upcoming product given by the representatives and the CEO. You will come across a number of questions, ifs and buts, hows and whys etc.

For most part of the meeting, you would act as an avid listener. At the same time, you would make suggestions and put your questions as well regarding the development of the new product. Now begins the actual task. As a usability expert, you would now require to visit professionals or consumers who are using a previous version of the similar product. You will be conducting interviews with users, ask them what they like and what they do not and most importantly what changes they would like to see in the product to make it more user-friendly.

Next, you would need to summarize the whole interview, likes and dislikes and prepare a report keeping in with the usability guidelines. Again, you would have a meeting with the senior managers and the other representatives from the company. You will get in touch with engineers and ask them to develop a prototype of the product as suggested. Finally, when the prototype is ready, the usability manager would have users to use the product and note their experience and comments. More user friendly changes may be required depending on the user's need.

Education Requirement & Degree in Usability
Though a master's degree in usability maximizes the chances of landing user experience specialist jobs, candidates can also start their career in this field with a number of backgrounds. A bachelor's degree in computer science, human computer interaction, technical communication cognitive psychology and business can prepare you for a career in usability experience. A master's degree in these fields would be more beneficial. Some additional experience in customer service, marketing and product development would help candidates a lot in establishing a successful usability specialist's career. Strict attention, logical thinking and relentless curiosity are the other skills that will help you in the advancement of your career.

User Experience Specialist's Salary
Usability experts who have an experience of eight years or more earn an annual salary ranging between $82,900 and $120,000. The average median salary of an experience usability specialist is $96,200. As you gain more and more experience in usability, marketing and product development, you can look forward to earning a higher salary. Numerous industry conferences are organized on usability and user behavior research. Do remember to attend these seminars and conferences.

Businesses continue to become progressively complex. To gain a competitive edge over their counterparts, companies are relying more and more on management consultants. In fact a career in management consulting gives candidates an opportunity of getting to be a big shot in a short span of time. Job market for management consultants is quite strong. What's more the starting salary is also strong for consulting professionals. Also referred to as management analysts, the job of a management analyst or consultant is to assess and suggest a variety of ways to improve the efficiency and the profits of an organization.

A career in management consulting also brings variety. For two months, you can provide management consulting services to a restaurant business. The very next month, you cam consult with an e-business firm. Not only these, but management consultants provide their services across a wide range of industries and business firms. These consulting professionals work for supply chain management, human resources, information technology, financial and management controls and marketing among others.

Primarily, a management consultant provides services concerning the strategy, structure, management and operations of an organization. In addition, consultants identify the options available to improve the company's structure, performance and profits making use of additional resources as well, depending upon the requirement. Consultancy job is an enterprising task and challenges vary from project to project. Management consulting careers are about taking up a range of projects that vary in terms of the time taken and the demands of the client. Career in management consultancy has brought new opportunities for professionals with the advancement in information technology and electronic commerce.

Typical Work Profile/ Activities
Work activities or profile of management consultants vary from project to project. Consultants need to complete a project keeping in mind the demand and needs of the client. Consulting professionals can either work independently or as part of a team. Job responsibilities also may vary for new graduate recruits and experienced and senior consultants.

Conducting research, analyzing and collecting data
Interviewing company's management team and employees
Preparing business proposals and presentations
Identifying issues and implementing effective solutions
Leading and managing the team
Managing projects and ensuring completion within set deadline
Playing lead role in management of client relationships

As consultants grow in experience and skills and become familiar with their work, they may be required to look after a specific project. Senior consulting professionals manage the team and lower level workers. In addition, these professionals try to identify and seek out new business opportunities.
Educational Requirements to Become Management Consultants/ Analysts
Education and training requirements vary depending on whether you join government or private industries. A mater's degree in business administration brings good career opportunities for candidates who wish to work in private industries. Entry level job positions in government agencies can be landed with a bachelor's degree. There are not many academic institutions and colleges that provide a formal degree program in management consulting. However, there are multiple areas of study which provide candidates the background necessary to make a career in management consulting or consultancy.

Most of the top management consulting firms are not worried about what you have done a major in. But, they are definitely on the look out for good grades, logical skills and excellent communication. Many consultancy firms also provide in-house training to candidates. Depending on your skills, dedication and commitment, consulting firms may also finance your MBA program. Though employment growth rate is faster than average in this field of management consultancy, candidates may face tough competition. Additional years of experience are also required, apart from a master's degree in business administration or related field to land jobs in the private industry.

How much salary does a management consulting career fetch?
The median annual salary of management consultants (with an experience of 8 years or more) is $125,000. Consultants earn an annual salary between the range of $106,000 and $185,000. The salary of management consulting professionals varies hugely depending on their experience, sector of expertise, work location and the firm they work for. Salary range increases with experience in consulting work. Experienced management consultants can earn an annual salary as high as $250,000.

Job prospects in the field of urban planning are very good. Right from the year 1996 (4.3) through to the year 2008 (10.3), the employment growth rate has been increasing for urban regional planning jobs. The job of an urban planner is to develop and implement plans for effective use of land. While they develop land use plans, they consider multiple factors including economic, environmental and social. Urban planning professionals work towards the growth and revitalization of the community through efficient land use.

Job Responsibilities
Urban regional planners or city planners figure out the best possible ways for proper and advantageous use of land in cities and neighborhoods. In order to develop the best working plans to use land, urban regional planning professionals need to take into account a number of purposes which may include commercial, residential, institutional, recreational and industrial purposes. When a large number or people moves into a community urban planners devise plans as to what the best location for houses, stores and parks can be. They work in close contact with community leaders to advice the best locations for schools, libraries, museums, parks, streets, water, sewers etc.

For appropriate regional or city planning, urban planners need to compile and analyze data on economic, political, legal, sociological, cultural and environmental factors that affect land use. While doing their regional planning job, these professionals also remain in touch with the concerning government authorities, social scientists and other planning and development professionals. While doing their planning and development work, urban regional planners also consider the legal issues involved. They need to abide by the state rules and regulations by keeping in touch with the legal authorities. City planners also need to keep themselves updated with any changes in the building and zoning codes so as to avoid any discrepancies in future.

Most of the urban regional planning professionals work for the standard 40 hours a week. The spend long hours in front of the computer devising regional development plans and the implementation strategy. Though urban planners or city planners do most of their planning and development work in the office, they also spend time outside to attend meetings, hold public hearings and keep abreast of the changes in areas.

Education or Degrees Required for Urban Planning Jobs
Though a bachelor's degree in regional planning is the basic requirement, a master's degree in planning makes it easy for candidates to land urban regional planner jobs. For career advancement and gain an extra edge over others, candidates can further structural engineering, civil engineering, architecture or geographic information systems. Undergraduate degrees in earth sciences, sociology, demography and health administration provide candidates with a strong foundation in the field of urban regional planning.

Candidates can land most of the entry level planning jobs with a master's degree in architecture, landscape architecture or civil engineering. Students should choose an accredited program that trains them in urban and regional planning or a related field. Besides being equipped with urban planning degree or a related field degree, candidates also need to have excellent problem solving skills, good communication skills and logical thinking capabilities. In addition these professional should also have the capability of working independently.

Specialization Areas in Urban & Regional Planning
Planning institutions offer candidates multiple specialty areas as well. Candidates who aspire to become urban and regional planners can also choose from many planning specialization areas including land use planning, environmental planning, housing, economic development, community development, transportation and historic preservation among others. Transportation planners and private sector planners are also quite much in demand.

Employment Opportunities for Urban Planners
Urban regional planners or city planners can find jobs both in the government and private sector. State, federal and local government agencies offer good career opportunities for urban planners. Besides working with government agencies and private organizations as planner, these professionals can also choose to teach at colleges and universities, depending on their interests and skills. In addition, urban planning and development professionals can also work independently as consultants.

Salary
Median annual salary of urban regional planners is around $62,500. Experienced urban and regional planners can earn a salary ranging between $54,300 and $85,600. As professionals grow in their urban planning and regional planning experience, they can look forward to earning a higher salary.

As the health industry continues to expand and cost containment is being emphasized, the employment growth rate of physician assistants (PAs) is growing much faster. Usually people confuse physician assistants with medical assistants. There is a huge difference between the job responsibilities of the two. The physician assistant has the responsibility of doing 80% of the doctor's job. The medical assistant, on the other hand, are quite less qualified and perform work like measuring a patient's blood pressure. One of the best careers in America, the physician assistant's work includes diagnosis of patient conditions, conducting exams, assisting in surgery and prescribing medications among others. Assistants perform all these work under the supervision of the physician. Training period is shorter to kick start a career as physician assistants.

Job Description
Job responsibility of a physician assistant is to provide healthcare services. Though these professionals work under the guidance of physicians, they also have considerable autonomy while working. Formal training is required to become a physician assistant. Healthcare services that these professionals provide include diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive. Not only do physician assistants treat patients and perform laboratory tests, but they also diagnose condition and prescribe medication to patients. In the absence of the physician, the assistants look after all the healthcare services, particularly in rural clinics and inner city clinics.

The physician assistant's job description may vary a little from one state to another. Depending on where they take up the job, some assistants may also need to handle managerial work responsibilities and laboratory supply control. Besides assisting physicians, these professionals may also supervise other assistants and technicians in the medical department. The physician assistant (PA) performs duties as delegated by the physician and following the guidelines and rules set forth by the state where they practice.

Education, Training & Qualifications
To become a physician assistant (PA), candidates need to obtain formal training. A premed bachelor's degree is the basic education requirement for the position. Associates degrees are also offered to begin career in this field of healthcare. Master's degrees are obtained for career advancement. Before getting enrolled in the degree program, candidates need to make sure that the education programs have the necessary accreditations. In addition to formal education, a few years of clinical experience as a nurse, paramedic or emergency medical technician can provide candidates with a competitive edge over others.

While being trained, physician assistants (PAs) receive education in subjects including human anatomy, pathology, biochemistry, microbiology, physiology, clinical medicine, geriatric, clinical pharmacology, disease prevention, home healthcare etc. In addition, supervised clinical training is provided to students in areas like surgery, primary care medicine, obstetrics, gynecology, emergency medicine and pediatrics among others. Besides having formal training, physician assistants also need to have skills like leadership capabilities, emotional stability and self confidence among others.

Surgical Physician Assistant
There is a growing demand for these professionals. While working, candidates can also choose to specialize for a career as surgical physician assistant. These assistants assist surgeons during surgical operations and also provide the pre- and post-op care to patients. Around 25% of PAs choose this specialty career.

Work Environment
Most of the PAs do their work in well-lit and comfortable environment. However, they may need to stand for longer duration during surgical operations. Some of the professionals may also need to do considerable walking, depending on their work profile. Work Schedules may vary according to the supervising physician's timings. Those who join in physician's clinic work standard 40 hours a week. Other physician assistants may need to work at weekends, during night hours and in the early morning.

Salary
The median annual salary of physician assistants ranges between $76,600 and $103,000. Those who have more than eight years of experience earn a salary of around $86,200.

If you thought today's librarians were quiet bookworms, you need to think again. As a matter of fact, librarians have today become more of hi-tech sleuths who assist patrons in reframing their questions and examining the information available in books and digital records at the library. Usually, people underrate the occupation of librarianship. In fact, the career of a librarian brings ample opportunities of learning new things while doing the library job. Not only do librarians help patrons solve their problems, but they may also go shopping to buy the required books and online resources to be kept at the library. The responsibilities of a librarian may also involve organizing programs, book discussion groups and children's puppet shows etc.

Traditionally, librarians used to work only with printed resources. Nowadays, librarians work less with print materials and more with non-print or online resources including CDs, computerized databases, internet etc. Considering their work profile, librarians are also referred to as information professionals. Many librarians may need to do their jobs with the public. There are others who work with the technical support or in the administration.

Education/ Training Requirement to Become a Librarian
Candidates who aspire to become librarian need to obtain a master's degree in library science (MLS). Before students get enrolled in the library science degree program, they should ensure that the program is accredited by the American Library Association. For candidates in the United States, an American Library Association accredited program is useful in landing librarian jobs at public, academic and special libraries. With a master's degree in library science, students can also look forward to getting jobs with the federal government.

Computer related coursework has become an essential part of a MLS program. Further, a Ph.D. can be acquired for the advancement of career. With a doctoral degree in library science, candidates can get teaching positions job at universities and college libraries.

Work Environment & Job Outlook
A librarian's job is usually not very hectic. These professionals work in pleasant surroundings. Working hours are reasonable. However, librarians may also be required to perform their job responsibilities during nights and at weekends. Special librarians have a strong job market for them. However, job market for public librarians and school librarians are a little sluggish. Employment and career opportunities are always there for good candidates.

While you decide to become a librarian, you should also make sure that the profession suits you well. If you really love the idea of assisting people gather information, a librarian's job can be a good career option for you. It is also quite inspiring to know that librarians play a vital role in the empowerment of a society and its people.

Special Librarian
It is not just public libraries that need librarians. Today, librarians are in continuous demand by variety of organizations including law firms, corporations, prisons, military, legislatures and hospital among others. In fact, the job market for special librarians is quite strong and is one of the fastest growing in the job industry. Working hours for special librarians, as compared to public librarians, are more reasonable and comfortable.

How much salary does a librarian's career fetch?
The average annual salary of librarians varies depending on where they join. The median annual salary of a librarian is around $50,970. Junior college librarians can earn an average annual salary of $55,900 while colleges and university librarians earn an annual salary of $56,160. Librarians who take up jobs at public libraries earn a salary of around $48,220 annually. Those who join at elementary and secondary schools earn around $54,660 per year. Librarians can look forward to earn even more as they grow in experience and move up to administrative positions like department head, chief information officer, library director etc.

According to the US Department of Labor, the system analysts' career is among the fastest growing. Also sometimes referred to as the systems architect or systems designer, computer system analysts' work to plan and develop different useful methods for the computerizing of a business as well as scientific tasks. These professionals work to improve the usability of a computer system which is already in use, depending on the specific requirement of the organization or establishment. A system analyst's career brings a number of job and employment opportunities. On the one hand, computer system analysts can work for an organization that wants to install computer systems. On the other, they can also join a consulting firm that handles contractual computer system development work.

Various companies from time to time keep on upgrading their installed computer systems to increase employee accessibility. System architects or analysts, therefore, are hired to upgrade and develop the systems already in use. During the whole upgrade procedure, system analysts interview the users or the employees to find out their exact computer system work requirements. They also make sure that the employees do not only want it but need it to. Next, the analysts prepare a list for shopping. After a step-by-step planning is done, the system implementation is done along with testing and troubleshooting processes.

While developing or upgrading a system, computer architects have a number of plans in place. They experiment with each of these plans and try to come up with a plan which does not only work fastest but also proves to be cost-effective to the company. According to the requirement, analysts may work in close contact with computer programmers telling them about the required software programs in a specific project. Not only, computer analysts explain to programmers on how to develop the new software program, but they can help them develop the software as well.

Education/ Training Required to Become a System Analyst
Candidates who aspire to become computer system analysts need to obtain a bachelor's degree in computer science, information science, management information systems or computer engineering. Candidates who have acquired computer expertise through real world experience can also land analysts jobs. Computer analysts are required to have a strong knowledge of computers and mathematics to be able to analyze and solve problems.

There are many students who have a bachelor's degree in some other subjects and then they go for some special computer training or course to become analysts. Employers also hire these candidates who have excellent computer expertise and years of real world experience. Many system architects or analysts also obtain a master's degree in business for the advancement of their career. Other skills that computer analysts require include expert analytical skills, logical thinking skills, communication skills and instruction capabilities.

Employment/ Job Opportunities
There are plenty of career opportunities for system analysts. They can choose to work either with organizations or consulting firms. Job stability is higher in government agencies, colleges and universities, where computer analysts are in regular demand. A lot of employment opportunities are available for candidates in the private sector as well. While joining a private organization, analysts may need to work on a specific project. Considering the excellent employment growth rate in this field, the job prospect for computer system analysts is really good.

While candidates land a job, they may either work in offices or computer labs. There are many analysts who perform the task from home as well. Depending on the set deadlines, analysts may be required to work for long and extra hours. Usually, computer analysts work on a project in a team.

Annual Salary
Experienced (8 years or more) computer system analysts earn a median annual salary of around $83,900. Professionals can earn an annual salary ranging between $76,300 and $117,000. The salary increases as computer analysts grow in their skills and expertise.

Career opportunities for nurses await not only in hospitals, doctor's offices and patients' homes, but outside patient care as well. Nurses work directly with and look after patients. But the nurses' career is not limited to patient care alone. Nurse informatics and legal nurse consulting are the other job options available for registered nurses who wish to work outside patient care. In nurse informatics, nurses need to assist other nurses to get accessibility and utilize the computerized information. Legal nurse consulting careers require nurses to work with lawyers. There is a continuous demand for vast number of nurses in patient care. While working with patients, nurses can also choose to do specialization right from neonatology to hospice care.

There are some smart specialties for candidates aspiring to become nurses. The job positions of nurse practitioners and nurse anesthetist are also some of the preferred career options for nurses in the healthcare industry. Working as a nurse practitioner, the nurse would be functioning more like a physician's assistants, providing direct patient care. On the other hand, nurse anesthetists have become a much preferred option for healthcare providers in order to save money spent on hiring anesthesiologists (who earn as high as $300,000 annually).

Nurses' Roles & Responsibilities
Generalist nurses who work at community hospitals need to look after a wide range of patients. They are required to report at the general medical or surgical ward. Responsibilities of registered nurses include promote the patient's health, prevent diseases and help patients in the treatment of their illnesses. Many times when the nurse is not sure what to do, they can consult the physicians and the specialist nurses at the hospital. While working at hospitals, nurses keep patients under keen observation and record the illness symptoms as well as the improvements in a patient's health and report it to the physicians. Not only that, nurses also function as assistants to physicians during surgeries and other treatments. Registered nurses are also required to work out nursing care plans and provide patients with necessary instructions.

The largest group of nurses is comprised of hospital nurses. Licensed practical nurses work under the supervision of these hospital nurses. Usually, hospital nurses are assigned specific hospital departments which may include maternity, pediatrics, surgery, intensive care, emergency room etc. There are other nurses who have the responsibility of functioning in multiple departments. Office nurses perform their patient care work at the physician's office. The everyday job responsibilities of nurses may vary depending on where they work. Nurses' job responsibilities may also include routine laboratory work, office work, assistance in minor surgery and keeping records.

Education & Training
Though a bachelor's degree in nursing is required for career advancement and multiple job opportunities, a 2-year hospital or community college program is the basic requirement to acquire entry level job positions in nursing. Candidates who aspire to become nurse practitioners or nurse anesthetist should obtain a master's degree in nursing. There are a number of community colleges that offer two year associate of science degree programs, which help candidate kick start their career in the field of nursing. T acquire nursing license, students need to graduate from an approved nursing program and then sit for the national licensing examination in their state.

Work Environment & Job/Employment Opportunities
Mostly, nurses work in the well-lit and comfortable environment of healthcare facilities. While working as home health nurses or public health nurses, they would need to travel to patients' homes and community centers among others. Hospital nurses would be working even at weekends, on holidays and during nights, as hospitals and nursing facilities provide patient care round the clock. Occupational health nurses usually work for the standard business hours.

Depending on where they take up the job, registered nurses can be classified into multiple categories. Besides becoming hospital nurses, these professionals can work as office nurses (at physician's office), home health nurses, nursing care facility nurses, public health nurses, occupational health nurses, head nurses and nurse practitioners among others. Employment growth rate for the job of registered nurses is quite good and expected to grow even more through to the year 2012. Requirement for registered nurses in nursing healthcare facilities and home healthcare is continuously increasing. Nurses with advance education can avail of greater job and career opportunities.

Annual Salary
Registered nurses can earn an annual salary ranging between $54,500 and $76,100. As nurses grow in experience and skill, they can also choose to specialize in a specific field and earn a higher salary. Nurses carrying experience of eight years or more earn a median annual salary of around $60,200.

Rated among the best careers by Wall Street Journal's Career Journal, the physical therapist's job brings higher job satisfaction. There is a high percentage of physical therapists that say they are completely satisfied with their job. And those who aspire to make a career in physical therapy can easily check out the reasons that make physical therapy job one of the most satisfying for people. The very first reason behind this job satisfaction is that you function like a one-on-one coach while working as a physical therapist. While doing your job, you can easily track and see progress in patients. While physicians may have a 12-minute appointment with a patient, a physical therapist can see a patient for the span of an hour, resembling a one-on-one fitness coach.

The job outlook for physical therapy professionals is quite strong and professionals can also choose from a wide range of work setting including hospitals, physician's office, patient's home and physical therapy clinics among others. It is one of those occupations where professionals can earn a higher income and get a handsome paycheck than when they are self employed. Since most of the physical therapists function as generalists, they treat a variety of patients. Patients can range from a brain injured child and a football player to an Iraq veteran amputee.

Working hours for physical therapists do not usually include nights and weekends like in the case of other professionals in healthcare industry. Physical therapy professionals are usually required to work normal hours. Though lower-cost physical therapy assistants have been in use, the job market for physical therapists is expected to remain strong for a longer period.

Besides giving professionals a number of benefits, the physical therapy career also happens to be quite demanding. If you are not looking for a desk job, you will not have in difficulty in moving patients around and demonstrating different exercises for the treatment of injury. While working, you may also face some burnout situations. You will come across patients that can be in pain and show slow progress. At times, patients can also get quite frustrated with the painful exercises you prescribe them. So, a physical therapist's job requires you to handle all this.

Education & Training in Physical Therapy
There are a number of physical therapy schools and colleges in the US offering different physical therapy education programs and degrees. To become a physical therapist, you need to obtain a master's degree in physical therapy or a doctorate degree for greater career opportunities. If you have obtained a bachelor's degree in some other field and now want to pursue physical therapists career, you can get enrolled in a master's degree program.

Doctorate in physical therapy degree is of one year longer duration. The degree helps professionals earn higher income as well as obtain the doctor title. Today, students can come across a number of physical therapy degree and training programs. It is important for candidates to check out whether the degree program they have enrolled in is accredited. There are numerous physical therapy schools in the United States providing American Physical Therapy Association accredited degree programs. Though bachelor's and master's degree are available, a 3-year doctor of physical degree is becoming the new standard to become a physical therapist.

Job Outlook & Salary
People suffer from chronic pain injuries and other injuries in different field of activities. There is a constant demand of physical therapists and the job market is expected to remain very strong in the coming years as well. Physical therapy professionals cater to five most common specialty areas including orthopedic, geriatric, neurological, cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation and pediatric. A physical therapist can earn an annual salary ranging between $66,000 and $84,800. The median annual salary for professionals having eight years of experience is $70,200.