VIRTUAL CAREERS

Accountant
Suggested High School Courses: Reading, math, statistics, writing, communication and computer courses.

Advanced Recommended Education: Business, accounting, finance and economics.

Training Options: Bachelor's degree or graduate school. Students must complete at least 150 undergraduate hours before becoming eligible for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam.

Starting Salary Average: $23,500 - 33,300

Future Salary Average: $50,300 - 84,500.

Promotion Potential: Beginning accountants can advance to positions such as chief financial officer, treasurer and controller.

Responsibilities: Prepare, analyze and verify financial reports and taxes, and monitor systems that furnish this information to business organizations.

Ohio Career Outlook: The demand will remain steady.

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Architect
Suggested High School Courses: Reading, drawing (freehand and mechanical), math (geometry) and physical sciences.

Advanced Recommended Education: Communication, liberal arts, building design, computer courses and drafting.

Training Options: Bachelor's degree. Architects must also pass a four-day, nine-division exam to become registered with the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

Starting Salary Average: $19,880 - 35,000

Future Salary Average: $45,000 - 100,000.

Promotion Potential: The entry-level architectural position is a draftsman, and promotions could lead to a principal designer position. This involves more responsibility and greater complexity of architectural designs.

Responsibilities: Design, draw and create physical solutions for building needs and/or problems.

Ohio Career Outlook: Demand for architects has lessened with the increase of design/build contractors and construction managers. Large growth is not expected.

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Banker
Suggested High School Courses: Reading, math, statistics, writing, communication and computer courses.

Advanced Recommended Education: Business, accounting, finance and economics.

Training Options: Two or four-year degree and on-the-job training.

Starting Salary Average: $14,600 - 31,200

Future Salary Average: $40,000 - 85,000.

Promotion Potential: Beginning bankers can advance with experience to positions such as financial officer, treasurer and controller.

Responsibilities: Prepare, analyze and verify financial requests companies and monitor monetary systems.

Ohio Career Outlook: The demand for bankers will remain average.

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Carpenter
Suggested High School Courses: Reading, math (geometry).

Advanced Recommended Education: Blueprint reading, shop math, cabinet-making and wood shop.

Training Options: High school, vocational school, apprenticeship training, the military, two-year college or on-the-job training.

Starting Salary Average: $27,000

Future Salary Average: $29,000 - 45,000.

Promotion Potential: Usually begin as an apprentice and can become a journeyman, crew leader or superintendent.

Responsibilities: Physical labor is required, including lifting heavy loads.

Ohio Career Outlook:The demand will be strong for skilled carpenters.

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Computer Programmer
Suggested High School Courses: Reading, math (algebra) and computer courses.

Advanced Recommended Education: Computer science, engineering, and math.

Training Options: Two or four-year degree (computer science, engineering or math), specialized schools and on-the-job training.

Starting Salary Average: $34,100 - 45,000

Future Salary Average: $55,000 - 70,000.

Promotion Potential: Individuals that do advance may become a systems analyst or reach managerial positions.

Responsibilities: Program computers in various languages

Career Outlook: Faster than average growth.

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Drywall Installer
Suggested High School Courses: Reading, basic math and carpentry.

Advanced Recommended Education: Shop math, advanced carpentry, safety training and blueprint reading.

Training Options: High school, vocational school, apprenticeship training or on-the-job training.

Starting Salary Average: $16,700

Future Salary Average: $31,000 - 42,500.

Promotion Potential: Drywall installers begin as helpers and as become more experienced may become supervisors or crew leaders.

Responsibilities: Installers apply drywall, which is a thin layer of gypsum sandwiched between two layers of heavy paper, to walls and ceilings. Workers usually specialize as either installers or finishers.

Ohio Career Outlook: Strong.

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Electrician
Suggested High School Courses: Reading, physical science, physics and math (algebra).

Advanced Recommended Education: Shop math, blueprint reading, electrical shop, safety training and power mechanics.

Training Options: High school, vocational school, apprenticeship training, on-the-job training, the military or two-year colleges.

Starting Salary Average: $14,600

Future Salary Average: $33,400 - 45,000.

Promotion Potential: Experienced electricians can become supervisors and crew managers.

Responsibilities: Electricians work with wiring and other parts using their hands, often involving delicate and small objects in confined areas. They must be able to differentiate colors.

Ohio Career Outlook: Electrical service is one of the fastest growing industries in the U.S. With the increasing use of electronics at home and work, job opportunities for electricians look strong.

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Engineer
Suggested High School Courses: Reading, math (calculus), physics, chemistry, physical science and statistics.

Advanced Recommended Education: Thermodynamics, electrical circuits, blueprint reading, control systems, surveying, geology and structural systems.

Training Options: Bachelor's degree in engineering, possibly graduate school. A professional engineer's (P.E.) license is required.

Starting Salary Average: $29,800 - 34,800

Future Salary Average: $54,400 - 105,700.

Promotion Potential: With a graduate degree in engineering, engineers can advance into management positions or focus on a specialized portion of the industry, such as mechanical, civil or electrical engineering.

Responsibilites: Design machinery, products, systems and processes.

Ohio Career Outlook: The employment demand will equal the number of engineering graduates. Job opportunities look goo.

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Interior Designer
Suggested High School Courses: Reading, drawing (freehand and mechanical) and math (geometry).

Advanced Recommended Education: Communication, liberal arts, building design, and computer courses.

Training Options: Two or four-year degree, vocational school, specialized art institute or on-the-job training.

Starting Salary Average: $14,600 - 20,800

Future Salary Average: $25,000 - 80,000.

Promotion Potential: Could lead to a principal designer position.

Responsibilities: Interior designers design and draw physical solutions for building interiors. They choose fabrics, paints, stone and other interior surfaces, and work with space and placement of objects.

Ohio Career Outlook: Demand for interior designers has lessened so large growth in the field is not expected.

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Landscaper
Suggested High School Courses: Reading, basic math, natural and earth sciences.

Advanced Recommended Education: Agronomy, horticulture, and botany.

Training Options: High school, vocational school, on-the-job training or a bachelor's degree.

Starting Salary Average: $12,480

Future Salary Average: $19,700 - 35,000.

Promotion Potential: Can advance to grounds manager or other supervisory positions.

Responsibilities: Landscapers plant trees, hedges, flowers, etc. on properties to beautify the grounds. They usually follow plans.

Ohio Career Outlook: Excellent job opportunities are available The work is usually seasonal.

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Lawyer
Suggested High School Courses: Reading, math, government, writing, debate, English, foreign language, history and computer courses. Responsibilities: Logistics, communication and philosophy.

Training Options: Bachelor's and law degree, and passage of the state bar exam.

Starting Salary Average: $33,500 - 80,000

Future Salary Average: $60,000 - 250,000.

Promotion Potential: Lawyers begin as a research assistant and can become a partner of the firm, or begin a law practice of their own.

Responsibilites: Lawyers act as advocates and advisors. They counsel clients about their legal rights.

Ohio Career Outlook: Large competition for lawyers since the number of law graduates currently exceeds the demand for legal action.

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Painter
Suggested High School Courses: Reading, math and shop class.

Advanced Recommended Education: Shop math, paper hanging, painting and safety training.

Training Options: High school, vocational school, apprenticeship training or on-the-job training.

Starting Salary Average: $17,100 - 19,900

Future Salary Average: $26,800 - 37,500.

Promotion Potential: Perform simple painting tasks, and with experience advance to paperhanging and paint mixing. Skilled painters may move into supervisory positions

Responsibilities: Apply paint, stain or other finishes to buildings and other structures. They choose the correct paint or finish for the surface to be covered, and sometimes remove the old finish before applying a new one.

Ohio Career Outlook: Expected to remain steady with the rate of new construction in the area, which should be strong.

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Plumber
Suggested High School Courses: Reading, math (geometry), drafting, applied physics and chemistry.

Advanced Recommended Education: Blueprint reading, welding, plumbing, hydraulics, heating, ventilation, safety training and air conditioning shop.

Training Options: High school, apprenticeship training, vocational school, the military, two-year technical degree or on-the-job training.

Starting Salary Average: $19,400

Future Salary Average: $35,500 - 38,600.

Promotion Potential: May advance into supervisory positions.

Responsibilities: Plumbers install, maintain and repair many different types of pipe systems for various uses.

Ohio Career Outlook: The need for plumbers is expected to be good.

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Roofer
Suggested High School Courses: Reading, basic math and mechanical drawing.

Advanced Recommended Education: Blueprint reading, shop math, and safety training.

Training Options: High school, vocational school, apprenticeship training or on-the-job training.

Starting Salary Average: $14,600 - 29,100

Future Salary Average: $32,700 - 49,900.

Promotion Potential: May advance to supervisor or they could become an estimator.

Responsibilities: Roofers repair and install roofs of tar or asphalt, slate, fiberglass, tile, wood or other materials.

Ohio Career Outlook: Jobs should be plentiful.

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Sales Representative
Suggested High School Courses: Reading, math, writing, speech class and computer courses.

Advanced Recommended Education: Technical knowledge of the product sold, management, statistics and computer courses.

Training Options: High school, two or four-year degree or on-the-job training.

Starting Salary Average: $27,000

Future Salary Average: $40,000 - 100,000 plus commission.

Promotion Potential: Could become sales managers or company owners.

Responsibilities: Sales representatives sell items and/or services.

Ohio Career Outlook: Expected above average growth

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Secretary
Suggested High School Courses: Reading, English, math, government, civics, spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Advanced Recommended Education: Typing, shorthand, computer courses, and bookkeeping.

Training Options: High school, two-year technical or business degree or on-the-job training.

Starting Salary Average: $14,600

Future Salary Average: $18,800 - 45,000.

Promotion Potential: Could lead to supervisory, executive or personal secretarial positions.

Responsibilities: A secretary's duties vary greatly, but can include writing, typing, organizing, filing, copying, and excellent telephone and communication skills.

Ohio Career Outlook: High demand should continue.

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The Columbus City School District does not discriminate because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, or handicap with regards to admission, access, treatment, or employment. This policy is applicable in all district programs and activities.