1. BY: JAMES ELDRED Careers (mechanical engineer, professional football player)

2. Mechanical Engineer

3. Description Mechanical engineers provide solutions to the development of processes and products, ranging from small component designs to extremely large plant, machinery or vehicles. They can work on all stages of a product, from research and development to design and manufacturing.

4. Characteristics Values- I must be able to develop my own ideas and work with different items and materials. Tasks and Responsibilities- I must be able to solve a problem or refine an already existing solution to that problem using technology. I would be working with things. My work environment would very to almost any type of environment. Working Hours- The working hours are reasonably flexibly because you do not necessarily have a set task to perform. Aptitudes and Abilities- I would need an aptitude to be able to solve differing problems and understand the workings of technology. Education and Training- I require a Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and a mechanical engineering license. Salary and Benefits- According to the BLS, mechanical engineers earned a median salary of $82,100 in 2013. The best-paid earned about $123,340, while the lowest- paid earned less than $52,550. Benefits include medical, dental and vision insurance; vacations; paid sick leave and holidays; and retirement benefits. Career Outlook- The amount of jobs in this field has raised by almost 10% and is raising at a steady rate. International Career Outlook- This career is in high demand all over the world.

5. Lifestyle/ Lifestyle Goals Given the salary and working hours, I believe that I can make a comfortable living as a mechanical engineer. I would not be overly wealthy, but I would be able to afford some comforts that may be hard to aquire with another job.

6. Location I will probably be able to find a mechanical engineering job almost anywhere on Earth.

7. Career Cluster Mechanical engineering fits into the scientific research and engineering.

8. Professional Football Player

9. Description Professional football players play football professionally for large sums of money. They must be flexible with where they live while they are a professional football player.

10. Characteristics Values- I must be physically active and athletic. I must be good at speaking to the press and addressing the public. Tasks and Responsibilities- I must be able to play football well. I would be working with people and things. My work environment would be a football field and the gym. Working Hours- The working hours are not flexible at all and you would have to basically devote your life to football. Aptitudes and Abilities- I would need an aptitude to be able to learn new techniques about playing football and I would have to have a great football background. Education and Training- I require a college education and some sort of degree, it does not have to be a specific degree. Salary and Benefits- The average NFL player receives $1.9 million a year but receive no benefits. Career Outlook- The amount these jobs is miniscule and it is very difficult to be one of the few who have this job. International Career Outlook- This career is only found in the USA.

11. Lifestyle/ Lifestyle Goals I would like to retire early in life and have a very lavish lifestyle after I retire.

12. Location I would have to move to whatever city holds the team that I am drafted to and would not be able to stay in that city for very long because I would constantly moving with the team for games and other team activities.

13. Career Cluster Education and Training is the career cluster that it belongs to.