Careers for Kids
Thinking about what you might do when you grow up is exciting. These lessons describe the work of doctors, teachers, engineers, scientists, artists and many other people who help our communities, with what they do each day, the skills they need and the kind of person who might enjoy the job.
All 111 Careers topics
Doctor
Doctors diagnose illnesses, treat patients and teach people how to stay healthy.
Nurse
Nurses care for patients in hospitals and clinics.
Teacher
Teachers help students learn and grow, plan lessons, mark work and guide students.
Firefighter
Firefighters put out fires, rescue people and teach fire safety.
Police Officer
Police officers keep communities safe, enforce laws, help in emergencies and investigate crimes.
Farmer
Farmers grow crops and raise animals for food.
Engineer
Engineers design and build things like bridges, machines, roads and software.
Architect
Architects design buildings.
Pilot
Pilots fly aircraft, using instruments, maps and weather reports.
Scientist
Scientists ask questions and run experiments to learn how the world works.
Chef
Chefs plan menus, cook and lead kitchen teams.
Journalist
Journalists research, interview people and report news in newspapers, on TV, radio or online.
Software Developer
Software developers write code to create apps, websites and games.
Veterinarian
Vets are doctors for animals.
Dentist
Dentists care for teeth and gums.
Electrician
Electricians install and fix electrical wiring, lights and appliances.
Plumber
Plumbers install and fix pipes, taps, toilets and water heaters.
Librarian
Librarians help people find books and information, organise collections and run reading programmes.
Postal Worker
Postal workers collect, sort and deliver letters and parcels.
Lawyer
Lawyers advise people about the law and represent them in court.
Marine Biologist
Marine biologists study ocean life from tiny plankton to giant whales.
Paramedic
Paramedics give emergency medical care at accidents and in ambulances.
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur starts a business to solve a problem or sell something people want.
Mechanic
Mechanics fix and maintain cars, trucks and machines.
Pharmacist
A pharmacist prepares and gives out medicines and advises people on how to take them safely.
Surgeon
A surgeon is a doctor who performs operations to treat injuries and illnesses.
Actor
An actor performs roles in plays, films and television, bringing characters to life through speech, movement and emotion.
Musician
A musician plays, composes or performs music.
Artist
An artist creates paintings, sculptures, drawings or other works that express ideas and feelings.
Photographer
A photographer takes pictures for magazines, websites, families or art.
Fashion Designer
A fashion designer creates clothing and accessories.
Hairdresser
A hairdresser cuts, styles and colours hair for their clients.
Baker
A baker makes bread, cakes and pastries.
Waiter
A waiter takes orders, serves food and drinks and makes sure guests have a pleasant meal.
Sports Coach
A sports coach trains athletes to improve their skills, fitness and teamwork.
Zookeeper
A zookeeper looks after animals in a zoo, providing food, cleaning enclosures and keeping animals healthy and active.
Park Ranger
A park ranger protects natural areas, helps visitors stay safe and teaches people about nature.
Astronomer
An astronomer studies stars, planets, galaxies and other objects in space.
Geologist
A geologist studies rocks, minerals and the history of the Earth.
Biologist
A biologist studies living things, from tiny cells to huge ecosystems.
Meteorologist
A meteorologist studies the weather and forecasts what it will do next.
Accountant
An accountant keeps track of money for people and businesses.
Air Traffic Controller
An air traffic controller guides aircraft safely through the sky and on the ground at airports.
Sailor
A sailor works on ships and boats, looking after the vessel, handling ropes and sails and navigating across water.
Bus Driver
A bus driver drives passengers safely along a route, follows timetables and helps people get where they need to go.
Social Worker
A social worker supports people and families who need help, such as those facing hardship or difficulties at home.
Psychologist
A psychologist studies how people think, feel and behave.
Translator
A translator changes written text from one language into another while keeping its meaning.
Game Developer
A game developer designs and builds video games.
Data Analyst
A data analyst collects, cleans and studies data to find patterns and answers.
Chemist
A chemist studies substances and how they change, using experiments to learn about materials, medicines and reactions.
Carpenter
A carpenter cuts, shapes and joins wood to build furniture, frames and structures.
Tailor
A tailor makes and alters clothes to fit people perfectly.
Lifeguard
A lifeguard watches swimmers at pools and beaches to keep people safe.
Potter
A potter makes objects like bowls and mugs from clay.
Cartographer
A cartographer is a person who makes maps.
Optician
An optician checks people's eyes and helps them choose glasses or contact lenses.
Animator
An animator creates moving pictures by drawing or building characters frame by frame.
Sound Engineer
A sound engineer records, mixes and balances the sound for films, music and shows.
Beekeeper
A beekeeper looks after honeybee colonies in hives.
Film Director
A film director guides the actors, crew and team to bring a story to the screen.
Museum Curator
A museum curator looks after collections of objects and decides how they are displayed.
Fisherman
A fisherman catches fish and other seafood from rivers, lakes or the sea.
Shoemaker
A shoemaker designs, cuts, stitches and repairs shoes.
Video Game Tester
A video game tester plays new games to look for bugs, errors and anything that does not work well.
Blacksmith
A blacksmith heats metal in a hot forge and shapes it with a hammer and anvil.
Forester
A forester looks after forests by planting trees, checking their health and helping plan how the land is used.
Stuntperson
A stuntperson performs dangerous actions in films and shows, such as jumps, falls and fights.
Locksmith
A locksmith makes, repairs and opens locks and keys.
Cinema Projectionist
A cinema projectionist sets up and runs the machines that show films in a cinema.
Umpire
An umpire is an official who makes decisions during a sporting match.
Dancer
A dancer performs movements to music in shows, films and events.
Dog Trainer
A dog trainer teaches dogs to follow commands and behave well.
Wildlife Photographer
A wildlife photographer takes pictures of animals and plants in their natural habitats.
Jeweller
A jeweller designs, makes and repairs jewellery.
Stage Manager
A stage manager is in charge of everything that happens behind the stage during a show.
Mountain Guide
A mountain guide leads walkers and climbers safely through mountains.
Civil Engineer
A civil engineer designs and builds roads, bridges, tunnels and water systems.
Glassblower
A glassblower shapes hot molten glass by blowing into a long metal pipe.
Typographer
A typographer designs letters and the way text is arranged on a page or screen.
Sign Language Interpreter
A sign language interpreter translates between spoken language and sign language.
Crossing Guard
A crossing guard helps children and adults cross the road safely, often near schools.
Recycling Worker
A recycling worker sorts materials like paper, plastic and metal so they can be processed and reused.
Auctioneer
An auctioneer runs auctions, calling out bids and selling items to the highest bidder.
Chocolatier
A chocolatier makes and designs chocolates and sweets.
Upholsterer
An upholsterer covers and repairs furniture, such as sofas and chairs, with fabric and padding.
Lighthouse Keeper
A lighthouse keeper looks after a lighthouse, making sure its light shines to guide ships safely past rocks and coasts.
Tour Guide
A tour guide leads groups around places of interest, sharing information about history, art and local culture.
Animal Rescuer
An animal rescuer helps animals that are hurt, lost or in danger.
Radio DJ
A radio DJ hosts shows on the radio, playing music, introducing guests and sharing news.
Puppeteer
A puppeteer makes and moves puppets to tell stories on stage, on screen or on television.
Set Designer
A set designer creates the scenery and backdrops for plays, films and television shows.
Veterinary Nurse
A veterinary nurse helps vets care for animals by preparing treatments, taking temperatures and comforting pets.
Surveyor
A surveyor measures land and buildings to create accurate maps and plans.
Interior Designer
An interior designer plans how the inside of a building looks and works.
Judge
A judge hears cases in a court of law and makes decisions based on the law and the evidence presented.
Diplomat
A diplomat represents their country abroad, building good relationships and negotiating agreements.
Robot Technician
A robot technician builds, maintains and repairs robots used in factories, hospitals and labs.
Solar Installer
A solar installer fits solar panels on roofs and connects them to electrical systems.
Wind Turbine Technician
A wind turbine technician inspects, maintains and repairs wind turbines.
Sign Painter
A sign painter creates hand-painted signs for shops, buildings and vehicles.
Ski Instructor
A ski instructor teaches people how to ski safely, from beginners to experts.
Scuba Instructor
A scuba instructor teaches people how to dive safely using breathing equipment.
Art Teacher
An art teacher helps students learn drawing, painting, sculpture and design skills.
Music Teacher
A music teacher helps students learn to play instruments, read music and sing.
Speech Therapist
A speech therapist helps people who have difficulty speaking, understanding language or swallowing.
Dental Hygienist
A dental hygienist cleans teeth, checks gums and teaches patients how to care for their mouths.
Shipbuilder
A shipbuilder designs and builds ships, from small boats to huge cargo vessels.
Ambulance Driver
An ambulance driver drives patients to hospital safely and quickly.
Hotel Manager
A hotel manager runs a hotel, making sure guests are happy and staff are working well.
Childminder
A childminder looks after children in their own home, helping them play, learn and stay safe while their parents are at work.
Frequently asked questions about Careers
How can children explore careers?
Ask family members about their jobs, visit a workplace if possible, read about different professions and try hands-on activities that match your interests.
Do I need to decide my career now?
No. Most people change direction several times. Enjoying learning and building many skills keeps lots of options open.
What skills are useful in almost every job?
Communication, teamwork, problem solving, reading, maths, creativity and being reliable are valued in nearly every career.