There are many careers to choose from in South Africa. Browse a list of types of careers and their requirements by categories. This list of career choices helps high school students, tertiary students, graduates and working professionals

Agriculture and Natural Resources Career types in South Africa

If you’d like to harness the power of nature to ensure the safety and stability of the environment and people’s food supply, you might be in interested in working in agriculture or natural resources. These jobs run the gamut from learning how to manage the earth’s resources to producing the food people eat.

  • Agricultural Food Scientist
  • Conservation Scientist
  • Environmental Engineer and Technician
  • Environmental Scientist
  • Farmer or Rancher
  • Fish Hatchery Manager
  • Fisher
  • Food Scientist and Technologist
  • Forester
  • Landscaping and Groundskeeper
  • Nursery and Greenhouse Manager
  • Pest Control Worker
  • Zoologist

Architecture and Construction Career types in South Africa

In the field of architecture and construction, you’ll find careers that are dedicated to developing, building, and designing residences and commercial structures. The field also includes careers that involve maintenance and upkeep of buildings.

Arts and Communication Career types in South Africa

Creatively inclined people may be well-suited for careers in the arts and communication. If you’re an artistic person with a technological bent, consider career options that combine the two inclinations.

  • Actor
  • Art Director
  • Audio or Video Equipment Technician
  • Broadcast News Anchor
  • Camera Operator
  • Copywriter
  • Curator
  • Dancer
  • Desktop Publisher
  • Director of Stage, Motion Pictures or Television
  • Editor
  • Fashion Designer
  • Film and Video Editor
  • Graphic Designer
  • Journalist
  • Librarian
  • Library Technician
  • Makeup Artist
  • Multimedia Artist
  • Music Director
  • Musician or Singer
  • Photographer
  • Producer of Motion Pictures or Television
  • Public Relations Specialist
  • Radio and Television Announcer
  • Technical Writer
  • Telecommunications Line Installer and Repairer
  • Usher
  • Writer

Business Management and Administration Career types in South Africa

If you have a mind for business, you will want to explore careers in administration and management. In some jobs you’ll manage budgets and finances, and in others you’ll manage employees. You can also use your business acumen to assist people in executive positions.

  • Accountant or Auditor
  • Administrative Assistant or Secretary
  • Budget Analyst
  • Customer Service Representative
  • Employment and Placement Specialist
  • File Clerk
  • Human Resources Manager or Assistant
  • Legal Secretary
  • Management Analyst
  • Manager
  • Medical Secretary
  • Operations Research Analyst
  • Proofreader
  • Receptionist
  • Statistician
  • Title Examiner

Education and Training Career types in South Africa

If you’re drawn toward education, you might be interested in working in a school or training people to help fulfill their potential. A number of rewarding career options are available.

Finance Career types in South Africa

If you’re skilled in money matters, you’ll want to find out what careers are available in the field of finance. Some careers focus on helping individual people manage their money while others help organizations run in a cost-effective manner.

  • Actuary
  • Bill and Account Collector
  • Bookkeeper
  • Brokerage Clerk
  • Claims Adjusters and Examiners
  • Chief Financial Officer
  • Credit Analyst
  • Economist
  • Financial Advisor
  • Financial Analysts and Examiners
  • Financial Manager
  • Financial Services Sales Agent
  • Insurance Appraiser
  • Insurance Claims Clerk
  • Insurance Underwriter
  • Loan Officer
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Payroll Clerk
  • Procurement Clerk
  • Tax Examiners and Collectors
  • Teller

Government and Public Administration Career types in South Africa

If you’re drawn toward helping people, you might enjoy a career in public administration or in government. Careers such as these can make a positive difference in the lives of others.

  • Chief Executive
  • Emergency Management Specialist
  • Environmental Inspector
  • Equal Opportunity Officer
  • Legislator
  • License Clerk
  • Municipal Clerk
  • Social and Community Service Manager
  • Urban Planner

Health Science Career types in South Africa

There are numerous career options for people drawn toward the healing professions. Careers in health care can be tremendously rewarding since they improve people’s well-being and quality of life.

  • Anesthesiologist
  • Athletic Trainer
  • Chiropractor
  • Dental Assistants and Hygienists
  • Dentist
  • Dietitians and Nutritionists
  • Doctor
  • Emergency Medical Technician
  • Licensed Practical Nurse
  • Massage Therapist
  • Medical and Health Services Manager
  • Medical Assistant
  • Medical Records Technician
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Optometrist
  • Orthodontist
  • Pharmacist
  • Pharmacy Technician
  • Physical Therapist
  • Physician Assistant
  • Podiatrist
  • Psychiatrist
  • Radiology Technician
  • Recreational Therapist
  • Registered Nurse
  • Respiratory Therapist
  • Surgeon
  • Speech-Language Pathologist
  • Veterinarian
  • Veterinary Assistant

Hospitality and Tourism Career types in South Africa

People love to relax, be comfortable, and have fun. Whether you’re interested in providing people with good food, quality lodging, or engaging entertainment, you’ll likely discover a career in the hospitality field that’s just right for you.

  • Amusement and Recreation Attendant
  • Bellhop
  • Bartender
  • Chef
  • Coaches and Scouts
  • Cook
  • Dishwasher
  • Food Preparation Worker
  • Food Service Manager
  • Gaming and Sports Book Writer
  • Gaming Cage Worker
  • Gaming Dealer
  • Gaming Manager
  • Hotel Desk Clerk
  • Maids and Housekeepers
  • Recreation Worker
  • Tour Guide
  • Travel Agent
  • Umpires and Referees
  • Waiters and Waitresses

Human Services Career types in South Africa

Human services careers let you provide compassionate guidance, whether spiritual, therapeutic, or rehabilitative. The field encompasses jobs in the social sciences as well as jobs in homes, child care centers, and churches.

  • Child Care Worker
  • Clergy
  • Clinical Psychologist
  • Counselor
  • Educational Psychologist
  • Marriage and Family Therapist
  • Probation Officer
  • Social Worker
  • Sociologist
  • Substance Abuse Counselor

Information Technology Career types in South Africa

 If you want to be a part of a rapidly growing field, you’ll want to check out the available careers in the field of information technology. As people perform more and more of their daily activities through the use of computing technology, there is tremendous potential for growth in this field.
  • Computer and Information Science Manager
  • Computer Programmer
  • Computer Security Specialist
  • Computer Software Engineer
  • Computer Support Specialist
  • Computer Systems Analyst
  • Database Administrator
  • Network Administrator
  • Website Developer

Law, Public Safety, and Security Career types in South Africa

Do you like the idea of protecting and serving the public? If so, you’ll want to check into possibilities in the field of law enforcement and related areas.

  • Air Crew Officer
  • Animal Control Worker
  • Court Clerk
  • Court Reporter
  • Detective
  • Fire Inspector
  • Firefighter
  • Immigration and Customs Inspector
  • Judge
  • Lawyer
  • Paralegal
  • Police Officer
  • Private Detective
  • Security Guard

Manufacturing Career types in South Africa

Careers in manufacturing range from creating pastries to making power tools. People who enjoy working with their hands will want to explore the wide range of careers available in this field.

  • Avionics Technician
  • Baker
  • Boilermaker
  • Carpenter
  • Civil Engineering Technician
  • Commercial Driver
  • Electrical Engineers and Technicians
  • Gem and Diamond Workers
  • Glass Blower
  • Home Appliance Repairer
  • Locksmith
  • Machinist
  • Medical Equipment Repairer
  • Model Maker
  • Molding and Casting Worker
  • Purchasing Agent
  • Sewing Machine Operator
  • Tool and Die Maker
  • Upholster
  • Welder

Marketing, Sales, and Services Career types in South Africa

You’ll find plenty of careers that involve working with the public. If you have a flair for salesmanship, you’ll be glad to know that a wide range of possibilities exist for you to put your talents to use.

  • Advertising Manager
  • Appraiser
  • Barber
  • Butcher
  • Cashier
  • Funeral Director
  • Hairdresser
  • Interior Designer
  • Jeweler
  • Marketing Manager
  • Model
  • Real Estate Agents and Brokers
  • Retail Salesperson
  • Sales Manager
  • Sales Representative
  • Telemarketer

Science, Technology, and Engineering Career types in South Africa

Some of the most lucrative careers are found in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields. In these careers, people strive to understand the workings of the natural world and discover how that knowledge can be used to benefit humanity.

  • Aerospace Engineer
  • Archeologist
  • Astronomer
  • Atmospheric Scientist
  • Biologist
  • Cartographer
  • Chemical Engineer
  • ChemistCivil Engineer
  • Engineering Manager
  • Environmental Scientist
  • Forensic Technician
  • Geographer
  • Industrial Engineer
  • Marine Engineer
  • Materials Engineer
  • Mechanical Engineer
  • Nuclear Engineer
  • Oceanographer
  • Physicist

Transportation and Distribution Career types in South Africa

Effective and reliable means of transportation are essential to modern people’s standard of living. Careers related to transporting people and goods offer plenty of job security since there will always be a need for them.

  • Air Traffic Controller
  • Aircraft Mechanic
  • Airline Pilot
  • Flight Attendant
  • Locomotive Engineer
  • Motorboat Mechanic
  • Motorcycle Mechanic
  • Postal Service Mail Carrier
  • Taxi Driver
  • Transportation Manager
  • Truck Driver