Guest post by Jenna Fuller
Job satisfaction does not always come from the career you thought you wanted when you were fresh out of high school or in college. In fact, Gallup reports that only 13 percent of surveyed workers actually felt engaged by their jobs. Many people don’t want to take a multi-year plunge to try to change career paths, particularly if they have to juggle full-time work alongside school to accomplish this goal. Some career changes require only six months of your time, making them feasible options to switch to without dragging the education process on for a significant portion of your life.
Computer Technician
Have a knack for technology and want to translate that into a career? Computer technicians fix computer hardware, put together systems and deploy them in business environments, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. They also assist end users with software issues from the help desk perspective. Many community colleges offer a computer technician program, with accelerated programs making certification attainable within six months. The hands-on training gets you ready for the day-to-day environment at the office. You can further increase the amount you learn by taking a look at YouTube repair videos and other online resources for computer technicians. The median salary for computer technicians is approximately $36,000.
Medical Coding
Medical coders are an essential part of the medical billing process for hospitals, doctors’ offices and clinics. The AAPC reports that medical coders review patient documentation concerning the types of procedures patients received at a facility and assigns codes to each procedure to make sure they are processed correctly for the next step in the medical billing process. Medical coding certification programs are available as online training at some campuses, letting you go through the courses at your own pace. Medical coders earn approximately $46,847 per year.
Veterinary Assistant
Love working with animals, but spending years becoming a veterinarian is not in the cards for you? A career as a veterinary assistant puts you right alongside the veterinarian, working as a nurse. Veterinary assistants talk with the patients’ owners, run routine tests, assist in more complicated procedures, administer medicine and help beloved pets get healthy. Colleges such as Penn Foster offer four-month certification courses, with the course work primarily managed through online classes. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports $23,130 in annual earnings for veterinary assistants.
Radiology Technician
Radiology technicians, also known as X-ray technicians, work with X-ray and imaging machines for medical procedures. They help a doctor get an internal view of what’s going on with a patient, check the patient’s medical history and handle paperwork, explain the X-ray or imaging process to a patient and keep the machines in good repair. A radiology technician career is a great leaping point if you want to move into a radiologist position to advance your career. Indeed.com reports radiology technician salaries average $39,000 per year.
Pharmacy Technicians
Pharmacy technicians form an integral part of pharmacy operations, compounding and formulating the medication used by patients. They work with other technicians and pharmacists to get patient prescriptions filled, ensure that the proper dosages are provided for each patient, manage inventory, and request a pharmacist for consultation if a patient has any questions on usage or potential interactions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a pharmacy technician’s annual salary at $29,320.
Shannon says
This is a great list of careers that are easy to transition into. Each of these careers are very promising as well. Thank you!
Shannon recently posted..Top 10 Pharmacy Technician Duties
Hazel Owens says
I didn’t know that medical coding was such a large field. The idea of taking an online course at your own pace sounds pretty nice. I’m not at all computer savvy, but for those who are, being a medical coder sounds like a pretty nice job. Thanks for the information!
sunpower says
I think the things you covered through the post are quiet impressive, good job and great efforts. I found it very interesting and enjoyed reading all of it…keep it up, lovely job..
Crossroads Vet Clinic says
Vet assistant is a great occupation due to not only short period of training, but also the lovely conditions and lots of jobs in small business enterprises