Career guides

These career guides are our own writing. Each describes a job in plain words: what the work is, what a typical day holds, the common ways in, the training most people come through and whether it is usually licensed, with the official pages it was checked against. They hold no pay or job-market figures, because those change by place and year: the official pages have them.

SW Agent has every guide's full text. Ask it, for example what a sound engineer does or how people become a graphic designer, and it answers from the guide with a link here.

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Working with land, animals, conservation, and environmental systems.

• Farm manager
• Crop farm worker
• Livestock and ranch worker
• Dairy farm technician
• Poultry production worker
• Agricultural equipment technician
• Agronomist
• Horticulturist
• Greenhouse grower
• Viticulturist and winemaker
• Beekeeper
• Aquaculture technician
• Commercial fisher
• Forestry technician
• Logging equipment operator
• Arborist
• Landscaper and groundskeeper
• Park ranger
• Conservation and wildlife officer
• Environmental technician
• Soil and water conservation technician
• Sustainability coordinator
• Veterinarian
• Veterinary technician
• Veterinary assistant
• Animal care attendant
• Zookeeper

Designing, building, and maintaining the built environment.

• Architect
• Architectural technologist
• Architectural drafter
• Landscape architect
• Urban and regional planner
• Building information modelling (BIM) coordinator
• Construction project manager
• Construction site superintendent
• Construction foreperson
• Construction estimator
• Quantity surveyor
• Construction planner and scheduler
• Construction health and safety coordinator
• Building inspector
• Building code enforcement officer
• Home inspector
• Land surveyor
• Surveying technician
• Civil engineering technologist
• Construction labourer
• Concrete finisher
• Formwork carpenter
• Reinforcing ironworker
• Scaffolder
• Crane operator
• Demolition worker
• Road and highway construction worker
• Drywall installer and finisher

Creating, communicating, and producing visual and written work.

• Graphic designer
• Art director
• Illustrator
• Industrial designer
• Interior designer
• Fashion designer
• UX designer
• UX researcher
• Web designer
• Motion graphics designer
• Animator
• Video editor
• Camera operator
• Photographer
• Audio engineer
• Musician
• Music producer
• Actor
• Broadcast journalist
• Journalist
• Copywriter
• Technical writer
• Copy editor
• Content strategist
• Social media manager
• Public relations specialist
• Communications officer
• Translator
• Interpreter
• Museum curator

Organizing work, advising organizations, and building ventures.

• Management consultant
• Business analyst
• Strategy analyst
• Operations manager
• Operations analyst
• Business operations coordinator
• Project manager
• Program manager
• Project coordinator
• Product manager
• Product owner
• General manager
• Human resources generalist
• Human resources manager
• Recruiter
• Compensation and benefits analyst
• Learning and development specialist
• Change management specialist
• Market research analyst
• Marketing manager
• Digital marketing specialist
• Brand manager
• Business development manager
• Account manager
• Sales manager
• Customer success manager
• Partnerships manager
• Small business owner

Supporting people and communities through public and social programs.

• Social worker
• Child protection worker
• Youth worker
• Social services case manager
• Community support worker
• Addictions counsellor
• Mental health support worker
• Mental health counsellor
• Marriage and family therapist
• Employment counsellor
• Vocational rehabilitation specialist
• Housing support worker
• Settlement worker
• Benefits and income support caseworker
• Nonprofit program coordinator
• Fundraising and development officer
• Volunteer coordinator
• Community outreach worker
• Recreation programmer
• Home support worker
• Developmental service worker
• Chaplain
• Funeral director
• Librarian
• Library technician
• Community health worker

Teaching, coaching, and enabling others to learn.

• Early childhood educator
• Preschool teacher
• Elementary school teacher
• Secondary school teacher
• Special education teacher
• Educational assistant
• Substitute teacher
• School principal
• School administrator
• Guidance counsellor
• School psychologist
• Tutor
• Music teacher
• English as a second language teacher
• Adult education instructor
• College instructor
• University lecturer
• Academic advisor
• Curriculum developer
• Instructional designer
• Corporate trainer
• E-learning developer
• Literacy instructor
• Trades instructor
• Driving instructor
• Sports coach

Applying science and design to technical systems and products.

• Mechanical engineer
• Electrical engineer
• Civil engineer
• Structural engineer
• Chemical engineer
• Industrial engineer
• Manufacturing engineer
• Aerospace engineer
• Automotive engineer
• Biomedical engineer
• Environmental engineer
• Mining engineer
• Petroleum engineer
• Materials engineer
• Systems engineer
• Telecommunications engineer
• Controls engineer
• Robotics engineer
• Design engineer
• Project engineer
• Quality engineer
• Reliability engineer
• Fire protection engineer
• Marine engineer
• Engineering technologist
• Mechatronics technologist
• Electronics technician
• Instrumentation and control technician
• Mechanical drafter

Managing money, risk, records, and financial decisions.

• Accountant
• Management accountant
• Bookkeeper
• Accounts payable clerk
• Accounts receivable clerk
• Payroll administrator
• Internal auditor
• External auditor
• Tax preparer
• Tax accountant
• Financial analyst
• Investment analyst
• Portfolio manager
• Financial advisor
• Financial planner
• Bank teller
• Personal banker
• Loan officer
• Mortgage broker
• Credit analyst
• Insurance underwriter
• Insurance claims adjuster
• Insurance broker
• Actuary
• Risk analyst
• Anti-money-laundering analyst
• Treasury analyst
• Financial controller

Public administration, policy, and civic operations.

• Policy analyst
• Program analyst
• Policy advisor
• Legislative assistant
• Government relations specialist
• Municipal clerk
• City manager
• Economic development officer
• Records management officer
• Archivist
• Access to information and privacy analyst
• Administrative assistant
• Executive assistant
• Office manager
• Receptionist
• Data entry clerk
• Document control specialist
• Scheduling coordinator
• Grants administrator
• Contract administrator
• Public procurement officer
• Revenue officer
• Immigration case officer
• Foreign service officer
• Elections officer
• Census and survey officer

Clinical care, health support, and related services.

• Registered nurse
• Licensed practical nurse
• Nurse practitioner
• Health care aide
• Family physician
• Specialist physician
• Surgeon
• Physician assistant
• Pharmacist
• Pharmacy technician
• Dentist
• Dental hygienist
• Dental assistant
• Optometrist
• Optician
• Physiotherapist
• Physiotherapy assistant
• Occupational therapist
• Speech-language pathologist
• Audiologist
• Respiratory therapist
• Medical laboratory technologist
• Medical laboratory assistant
• Medical radiation technologist
• Diagnostic medical sonographer
• Midwife
• Dietitian
• Chiropractor
• Massage therapist
• Clinical psychologist
• Psychiatrist
• Medical office administrator
• Health information technician
• Sterile processing technician
• Podiatrist

Hosting, travel operations, and visitor experiences.

• Hotel front desk agent
• Hotel manager
• Room attendant
• Concierge
• Restaurant server
• Restaurant manager
• Chef
• Sous chef
• Line cook
• Pastry chef
• Baker
• Bartender
• Barista
• Restaurant host
• Event coordinator
• Wedding planner
• Catering manager
• Travel consultant
• Tour guide
• Tour operations coordinator
• Flight attendant
• Airline customer service agent
• Cruise ship crew member
• Casino dealer
• Spa attendant
• Recreation attendant
• Food service supervisor
• Kitchen helper

Software, data, networks, and digital security.

• Software developer
• Front-end developer
• Back-end developer
• Full-stack developer
• Mobile application developer
• Web developer
• Game developer
• Software quality assurance analyst
• Test automation engineer
• DevOps engineer
• Site reliability engineer
• Cloud engineer
• Solutions architect
• Systems administrator
• Network administrator
• Network technician
• IT support technician
• Database administrator
• Data analyst
• Data scientist
• Data engineer
• Business intelligence analyst
• Machine learning engineer
• Cybersecurity analyst
• Security operations centre analyst
• Penetration tester
• Information security manager
• Systems analyst
• Embedded software developer
• IT manager

Legal practice, compliance, and justice-system support.

• Lawyer
• Crown prosecutor
• Corporate counsel
• Judge
• Justice of the peace
• Paralegal
• Legal assistant
• Law clerk
• Court clerk
• Court reporter
• Court interpreter
• Notary public
• Legal researcher
• Compliance officer
• Regulatory affairs specialist
• Privacy officer
• Contract analyst
• Mediator
• Arbitrator
• Probation officer
• Parole officer
• Bailiff
• Immigration consultant
• Patent agent
• Victim services coordinator
• Legal secretary

Making products and assuring quality at scale.

• Production assembler
• Machine operator
• CNC machinist
• CNC programmer
• Tool and die maker
• Production supervisor
• Plant manager
• Manufacturing technician
• Quality control inspector
• Quality assurance technician
• Calibration technician
• Process technician
• Packaging operator
• Materials handler
• Production planner
• Industrial maintenance technician
• Maintenance planner
• Continuous improvement specialist
• Occupational health and safety officer
• Food production worker
• Food safety technician
• Garment manufacturing worker
• Printing press operator
• Woodworking machine operator
• Injection moulding operator
• Non-destructive testing technician

Investigating natural and physical systems.

• Biologist
• Microbiologist
• Biochemist
• Chemist
• Laboratory technician
• Research assistant
• Physicist
• Astronomer
• Geologist
• Geophysicist
• Hydrologist
• Meteorologist
• Oceanographer
• Ecologist
• Environmental scientist
• Marine biologist
• Botanist
• Zoologist
• Toxicologist
• Epidemiologist
• Food scientist
• Materials scientist
• Statistician
• Clinical research coordinator
• Forensic scientist
• Field research technician
• Pharmacologist

Protecting people and responding to emergencies.

• Police officer
• Police detective
• Transit police officer
• Corrections officer
• Border services officer
• Security guard
• Loss prevention officer
• Private investigator
• Firefighter
• Fire inspector
• Paramedic
• Emergency medical technician
• Emergency dispatcher
• Emergency management coordinator
• Search and rescue technician
• Lifeguard
• Military officer
• Infantry soldier
• Military intelligence analyst
• Combat engineer
• Coast guard officer
• By-law enforcement officer
• Crime analyst
• Forensic identification technician
• Court security officer
• Campus security officer
• Industrial first aid attendant
• Special constable

Selling, serving, and improving customer journeys.

• Retail sales associate
• Cashier
• Retail store manager
• Assistant store manager
• Retail supervisor
• Visual merchandiser
• Merchandiser
• Stock clerk
• Customer service representative
• Call centre agent
• Contact centre team leader
• Technical customer support representative
• Complaint resolution specialist
• Inside sales representative
• Outside sales representative
• Automotive sales consultant
• Real estate agent
• Real estate broker
• Property manager
• Leasing consultant
• Telemarketer
• Grocery clerk
• Butcher
• Florist
• Hairstylist
• Barber
• Esthetician
• Nail technician

Hands-on skilled work building, fixing, and maintaining systems.

• Electrician
• Industrial electrician
• Plumber
• Steamfitter and pipefitter
• Gasfitter
• HVAC technician
• Refrigeration mechanic
• Carpenter
• Cabinetmaker
• Bricklayer and stonemason
• Tile setter
• Welder
• Sheet metal worker
• Millwright
• Boilermaker
• Structural ironworker
• Glazier
• Insulator
• Roofer
• Painter and decorator
• Floor covering installer
• Automotive service technician
• Auto body repair technician
• Heavy-duty equipment technician
• Small engine mechanic
• Aircraft maintenance engineer
• Marine service technician
• Appliance repair technician
• Elevator mechanic
• Powerline technician
• Locksmith
• Facilities maintenance technician
• Custodian

Moving goods, coordinating supply, and transport operations.

• Long-haul truck driver
• Delivery driver
• Courier
• Bus driver
• Transit operator
• Taxi and rideshare driver
• Forklift operator
• Warehouse associate
• Warehouse supervisor
• Shipping and receiving clerk
• Inventory control analyst
• Logistics coordinator
• Supply chain analyst
• Supply chain planner
• Procurement specialist
• Buyer
• Customs broker
• Freight forwarder
• Fleet dispatcher
• Transportation scheduler
• Train conductor
• Locomotive engineer
• Rail traffic controller
• Air traffic controller
• Airline pilot
• Flight dispatcher
• Airport ramp agent
• Marine deck officer
• Port and terminal operator
• Distribution centre manager

Energy systems, utilities, and resource industries.

• Power plant operator
• Nuclear power reactor operator
• Substation technician
• Power system operator
• Water treatment operator
• Wastewater treatment operator
• Gas utility technician
• Meter technician
• Wind turbine technician
• Solar photovoltaic installer
• Energy auditor
• Renewable energy technician
• Oil and gas production operator
• Drilling rig operator
• Well service operator
• Pipeline controller
• Pipeline maintenance technician
• Refinery process operator
• Underground miner
• Open-pit mine operator
• Mining technician
• Mineral processing operator
• Drill and blast technician
• Geological technician
• Health, safety and environment advisor
• Stationary engineer