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List of job profiles and career ideas

Have a dream job in mind? See what it takes to get there with our comprehensive guides…

Whether you want to crunch numbers as an accountant or dabble with danger as a firefighter, our job profiles equip you with the insider knowledge you need to begin your journey into your chosen career.

Not sure yet? Consider it a job ideas list!

Here’s what you’ll learn from our guides to popular job roles:

  • what to expect
  • education and qualifications
  • average starting salaries
  • career progression
  • where to find job vacancies
  • plus: tips and advice from real people in those job roles

So, what do you want to be? Pick a job from our list of careers:


How to become an accountant

Can you build professional relationships with people and demonstrate integrity, business awareness and analytical skills?

Accountants benefit from above-average salaries, plenty of choice around how to specialise and professional qualifications that are recognised internationally.

Guide to becoming an accountant


How to become a counsellor

Do you want to not only make a significant positive impact on people’s lives, but also ultimately improve the health and wellbeing of our society too?

With mental health issues and general life stress becoming more widely talked about, a non-judgemental, listening ear can do more than make someone feel better – it can help turn people’s lives around.

Guide to becoming a counsellor


How to become a firefighter

Firefighters aren’t always fighting fires – do you want to use your problem-solving initiative to tackle a wide range of emergency situations, including rescuing people and animals, and administering first aid?

Firefighters frequently talk of it taking many attempts before you're successful. Luckily, we’ve gathered expert tips from a real firefighter.

Guide to becoming a firefighter


How to become a paramedic

Are you excited by the idea of dealing with life-and-death situations – helping people who may or may not appreciate your service – while navigating traffic jams when every second counts?

As any viewer of the BBC television series Ambulance will know, being a paramedic is not for the faint-hearted, but it can change lives.

Guide to becoming a paramedic

We talk to a doctor and nurse to find out what it’s really like to work in the medical profession.


How to become a pilot

Would you thrive on the excitement of flying a commercial aircraft, combined with the responsibility that comes with the job?

Pilots are paid salaries that are well above average, and they can benefit from perks such as cheap airline tickets and overnight stays in holiday destinations.

Guide to becoming a pilot

Plus, we talk to a pilot about her day job flying around the world.


How to become a police officer

Dealing with criminals on a daily basis, unsociable hours and dangerous scenarios – does a challenging but rewarding career as a police officer appeal to you?

A career in the police force offers a healthy salary, plenty of opportunity for progression and, like paramedics above, the chance to make a real difference in the community when the worst happens. But, equally, it regularly demands anti-social hours and is a potentially stressful profession.

Guide to becoming a police officer


How to become a social worker

Are you genuinely interested in understanding social or emotional disadvantage, discrimination, poverty and trauma, and making a difference?

Social workers learn to remain calm and build relationships with people in sometimes stressful situations, understand new circumstances quickly – which may involve legal and financial information – and help people to be as happy as possible in their lives.

Guide to becoming a social worker


Find more career inspiration

#Careergoals

Have a different job idea in mind? For an alternative list of careers, take an inside look at what life is really like as a lawyer, mechanical design engineer, playwright/theatre director and press officer, plus their journeys to get there.

How to find career inspiration in unexpected places

No clue about your future job or career yet? You might not be looking in all the right places…

Find a university course

Search, shortlist and compare thousands of courses to find that perfect one, including what job roles graduates went on to do.