Have you ever worked with someone who takes a seat at your desk and settles in for a while? This co-worker starts talking nonstop as soon as his bottom hits the chair and doesn't stop ... not even to take a breath it seems. I refer to this person as the chatterbox. He's an amiable fellow whose company isn't unpleasant, but you have work to do. You may be wishing you had this problem co-worker. There are those who are much worse.

Take, for example, the delegator. You may be familiar with this one. She has a lot of work to do and thinks "why keep this all to myself." So she tries to hand some of it off to her colleagues. It wouldn't be a problem if your co-worker had the authority to do this, but she doesn't. I worked with a delegator once and let me tell you, it was not pleasant. She also had other charming qualities like taking food that didn't belong to her and talking in baby talk, but I digress. Learning how to deal with difficult people at work can make your life so much easier. Here are some tips: The Five (Difficult) People You Meet at Work ... and How to Get Along With Them

Medical scientists are researchers who endeavor to find ways to improve human health. They plan and conduct studies; evaluate the effects of drugs, toxins and parasites; and consult with health departments, doctors and industry personnel about the development of public health improvement programs and health safety standards.

Preparing to be a medical scientist won't be easy. You will have to earn a PhD in biological science or a medical degree. This occupation will experience faster than average job growth through 2020 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition).

Read Medical Scientist: Career Information to learn more about job duties, earnings, educational requirements, job outlook and advancement opportunities. For additional information, try to interview someone who works in this field. If you don't know anyone, perhaps someone in your network does.

More: Science Careers

My father really wanted me to be a teacher. I think he liked the stability, hours and pay associated with that career. It certainly had nothing to do with my abilities. I am not patient and I'm not particularly good at working with children. While he didn't have a daughter who wanted to become a teacher, he ended up with a granddaughter who did. My niece earned her bachelor's and master's degree in education. Unfortunately she can't find a job in her field thanks to schools closing and others slimming down their staffs in her city. Instead she got a job as a supervisor in a hospital. If you can't use your skills to manage children in a classroom, I told her, at least you're using them to manage adults.

Often, either by choice or circumstance, we don't take the most obvious path for which our college majors prepare us. Sometimes we don't stay on that path. The trick is to look at the skills we acquired while earning that degree or working and use them in some other capacity. That's how an education major can become a manager, an instructional designer, a writer or a textbook and educational materials sales representative. Find out what other careers are good for education majors. Read What to Do With a Degree in Education.

It seems like one minute you're reveling in the thrill of walking across the stage on graduation day and the next you're trying to control your nerves as you begin your very first "real" job. Sure you are thrilled to finally get started on your life but, hey, when did you suddenly became a grownup?

The transition from college to work is a really big huge one. You will start your day in the wee hours of the morning, rather than end it then. You won't be able to make your schedule fit your social life like you may have done in college. If you liked to stay up late, you didn't sign up for an 8 o'clock class. Trying telling your boss you'll be in at noon because you went to a party the night before. Nope. From now on someone else will be in charge of your schedule. You will also have deadlines to meet and your work will be judged regularly. Along with these new responsibilities will come a regular income, benefits and paid vacation time and sick days.

These resources can help you survive your first days at your first "real" job:

• From College Campus to Corporate Climate
• Your First Job: Making a Good Impression
• Starting a New Job
• Readers Respond: Job Advice to New Grads