Popular Careers: How To Become a Nurse, Teacher, Psychologist & More

Choosing a career is easier when you can see the path from where you are now to your first day on the job. This guide brings together Learn.org's step-by-step career guides: what each job requires, how long training takes, which degree or certificate you need, and how to get started faster or for less. Browse by field, by state, or by the kind of path you're looking for, including careers you can start without a degree.

Popular careers at a glance

Fastest entry points: certificate and short-term training careers such as certified nursing assistant, phlebotomist, medical assistant, and sterile processing technician
Two-year degree careers: LPN, dental hygienist, ultrasound technician, and HVAC technician
Bachelor's degree careers: teacher, nurse, accountant, and software engineer
Graduate degree careers: psychologist, nurse practitioner, lawyer, and physician assistant
Why education matters: in 2024, workers with a bachelor's degree earned a median of $1,543 per week, compared with $930 for high school graduates (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

How To Choose a Career Path

Start with three questions: what kind of work you enjoy, how much time you can invest in training, and what you can afford to spend. A career you can start in a few months, like becoming a CNA or a phlebotomist, gets you earning quickly and can be a stepping stone to nursing or other healthcare roles. Careers that require a license, such as nursing, teaching, counseling, and social work, take longer but offer clear advancement and strong job security.

Every guide below walks through the same core steps: the education required, any exams or licenses, typical training time, and what the job involves day to day.

Most Popular Career Guides

Healthcare. Healthcare has the widest range of entry points, from short certificates to medical school. Start with how to become a nurse, a nurse practitioner, a patient care technician, a doctor, a dentist, a veterinarian, or a registered dietitian.

Education. Every state sets its own teacher certification rules, so start with how to become a teacher, then narrow by grade level or specialty: high school teacher, special education teacher, or preschool teacher.

Psychology and counseling. Most of these careers require a graduate degree and a state license. See how to become a psychologist, a licensed counselor, and a social worker.

Business and finance. Compare how to become an accountant, a CPA, an HR manager, a supply chain manager, or a market research analyst.

Technology and engineering. Explore how to become a software engineer, a software developer, a cybersecurity analyst, a data scientist, a data analyst, an electrical engineer, or a mechanical engineer.

Law enforcement and legal. See how to become a police officer, an FBI agent, or a lawyer.

Skilled trades. Trades offer paid apprenticeships and fast entry. Start with how to become a mechanic, an HVAC technician, or the fastest way to become an electrician.

How Long Does It Take To Start a New Career?

Training time ranges from a few weeks for some certificates to more than a decade for physicians. If speed matters, compare the fastest routes into popular fields: the fastest way to become a nurse, an accountant, a counselor, a psychologist, a radiology tech, and a software engineer.

Careers You Can Start Without a Degree

Many well-paying careers accept certificates, apprenticeships, or experience in place of a degree. These guides cover alternative routes into fields that usually expect one.

Low-Cost and Free Career Paths

Tuition-free programs, employer-paid training, and free online courses can cut the cost of a career change. These guides show where to find them.

Changing Careers Later in Life

It's rarely too late to switch fields. These guides cover realistic timelines and strategies for starting a new career in your 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond.