When you create a new character you will be asked what you want to be.
You have 3 choices.
Tactical Officer, Science Officer and Tech Officer
These character have different abilities. It really depends on the way you want to play...
each class has different advantages... eg. tech chars can create drones which assist you in ground combat
same applies for ship classes
there are cruisers which have more guns but turn slow, there are escort ships which turn damn fast but have less guns and there are science/research ships which have very strong shields
