Occupations

Hogwarts students receive career advice from their Heads of House in their OWL year, some weeks prior to the examinations, to help establish what subjects the students need to concentrate on to achieve the required OWL and NEWT scores for their chosen occupations.

Oddly enough, the students of Hogwarts do not appear to receive similar counselling at the end of their second year, when they choose the elective subjects that may determine their future careers.
Ministry jobs

• Auror
  Applying for Auror training requires a minimum of five NEWTs, none under 'Exceeds Expectations' grade, after which the candidate must pass a series of "stringent series of character and aptitude tests at the Auror office". These tests include demonstrating the ability to react well to pressure, perseverance, dedication, and great skill in practical defence. Once accepted into the program, Auror training takes a further three years (OP29), and includes Concealment and Disguise as well as Stealth and Tracking (OP3).

  The NEWTs recommended by McGonagall for this career path are Defence Against the Dark Arts (naturally), Transfiguration (because Aurors use it frequently in their work), Charms, and Potions ("poisons and antidotes are essential study for Aurors") (OP29).

• Obliviator

• Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes (OP29)

• executioner of dangerous animals

• Hit Wizard, Magical Law Enforcement Squad
  Qualifications are not much less stringent than for being an Auror (DP)

• Unspeakable (Dept. of Mysteries)

• Magical Maintenance, whose workers wear navy blue robes (DH12)

other occupations

• broom maker (QA)

• conductor of the Knight Bus

• Curse-Breaker for Gringotts (GF5)
  Arithmancy is a required subject for those interested in a career in wizard banking at Gringotts (OP29).

• dishwasher at the Leaky Cauldron (GF9)

• dragon feeder at Gringotts (DP)

• dragon keeper

• driver of the Knight Bus

• food service, Hogwarts Express tea trolley

• Healer
  Pursuing this as a career requires at least an E at NEWT level in Potions, Herbology, Transfiguration, Charms, and Defence Against the Dark Arts (OP29)

• mediwizard (GF8)
  Not known if this is distinct from healing, analogous to the difference between a physician and a paramedic; if it is distinct, mediwizard might be analogous to a paramedic, judging from the World Cup

• metal-charmer (QA4)

• Muggle relations
  Requires an OWL in Muggle Studies (OP29), involves acting as a liason with Muggles. It is not known how this job operates within the bounds of the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy.

• training security trolls (OP29)