200+ Ideas for What To Be When You Grow Up

One huge list of interesting ideas to inspire you.

We’ve written before on how to figure out what you want to be when you grow up. We’ve also written about surprising truths about picking a career you don’t learn in school. (Read them both, they are really helpful).

But sometimes, when you’re trying to make a decision, you just need a big list of ideas to spark some creativity. 

This is that list, divided into all kinds of interesting little categories, from “Jobs that will grow the most in the next 10 years” to “Really weird jobs.” Because of how many categories there are, some jobs will be repeated. 

Want to know how much any of these jobs make? It’s hard to say for some (like “actor”—it really just depends), but for most normal jobs you can easily find that information. We recommend Payscale. Just Google “[job title] payscale.”

Without further ado, here’s the list. Feel free to scroll until you see a category that catches your eye.

10 fastest-growing jobs of the next decade

Home health aides

Personal care aides

Occupational therapy assistants

Information security analysts

Physician assistants

Statisticians

Nurse practitioners

Speech-language pathologists

Jobs that make over $100,000

R&D manager

Software developer

Integrated circuit designer engineer

IT manager

Data scientist

Data architect

Almost any enterprise sales position (SaaS)

Finance manager

Actuary

Product manager

Airline pilot

Air traffic controller

Doctor

Dentist

Nurse practitioner

Pharmacist

Psychiatrist

Physicians assistant

Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA)

Drilling engineer

Geophysicist

Nuclear reactor operator

Special agent

Jobs that let you study people

Behavioral economist

Psychologist

Psychiatrist

Counselor

Life coach

Jobs that will pay for you to get an MBA

Management consultant

Sales, marketing, or finance for large CPG companies (Unilever, Procter & Gamble, etc.)

Corporate jobs at some large tech companies (Apple, Intel)

Jobs that let you travel

Enterprise sales

Project management

Pilot

Flight attendant

Cruise ship worker

Travel agent

International aid worker

International journalist

Foreign service officer

Management consultant

English teacher

Tour guide

Freelance writer

Travel blogger

Travel photographer

Ski instructor

Scuba instructor

Yoga instructor

Software engineer

Yacht/catamaran pilot

Bartender

Translator

Stock day trading

Dropshipping/private labeling

Musician/street performer

Owning real estate

Internet poker

NGO/non-profit work

Travel nursing

Festival staff

Health and wellness jobs

Personal trainer

Yoga teacher

Martial arts instructor

Nutritionist

Acupuncturist

Chiropractor

Masseuse

Energy worker

Hypnotist

Reflexologist

Reiki specialist

Midwife

Jobs in the movie business

TV writer

Scriptwriter

Cameraman

Cinematographer

Composer

Sound engineer

Talent agent

Director

Producer

Actor or actress

Visual effects designer

Casting agent

Jobs in the music industry

Musician

Producer

Singer

Songwriter

Composer

Conductor

Sound engineer

DJ

Talent agent

Talent manager

Booking agent

Lighting designer

Instrument repair person

Writing jobs

Journalist

Content writer

Copywriter

Novel writer

Science writer

Food writer

Blogger

Technical writer

Comedy writer

Scriptwriter

Business/self-help writer

Poet

Jobs in news and media

Investigative journalist

TV journalist

News anchor

Weatherperson

Cameraman

Sound engineer

Makeup artist

Podcaster

Radio DJ

Film critic

Performance jobs

Musician

Comedian

Actor

Magician

Dancer

Jobs on the water

Ship captain

Sailor

Commercial fisherman

Water sports boat driver

Lifeguard

Marine biologist

Rescue diver

Recovery diver

Coastguard

Jobs asking questions

Special investigator

Detective

Private investigator

Forensic accountant

Scientist

Researcher

Investigative journalist

Research and development specialist

Jobs in the wedding industry

Wedding planner

Wedding coordinator

Wedding photographer

Wedding cake maker

Florist

Wedding dress salesperson

Wedding dress designer

Venue owner/manager

Visual arts jobs

Graphic designer

Illustrator

Painter

Sculptor

Jobs that require real craftsmanship

Jewelry maker

Florist

Woodworker/cabinet maker

Glassblower

Blacksmith

Jobs in the food industry

Chef

Baker

Pastry baker

Line cook

Waiter

Host/hostess

Manager at a restaurant

Jobs in the beauty industry

Hairstylist

Barber

Fashion stylist

Makeup artist

Manicurist/pedicurist

Waxer

Jobs in sports

Sports coach

Trainer

Swimming teacher

Gym manager

Sports journalist

Sponsorship account manager

Sponsorship sales executive

Ticket sales account executive

Community relations manager

Scout

Marketing/promotions

Sports agent

Financial manager

Jobs in tech

Software developer

Data scientist

Product manager

IT manager

Web developer

Jobs that will let you move to another country

English teacher (and you don’t have to be an actual teacher)

Au pair

Seasonal farmworker

Hostel worker

Freelance anything (writer, graphic designer, web designer, computer programmer)

Jobs working with money

Accountant

Financial analyst

Financial planner

Investment broker

Investor relationship manager

Stock trader

Jobs that don’t require a college degree and still make good money

Electrician

Electric power-line repairman

Plumber 

Elevator repairman

AC/heating repairman

Tool-and-die maker

Landscaper

Tattoo artist

Computer programmer (yes, you don’t have to have a degree)

Web developer

Graphic designer

Radiology technician

Pharmacy technician

Subway or streetcar operator

Nuclear power reactor operator

Logistics manager

Jobs that let you work with animals

Veterinarian