There are times when it is time to change what you do for a living. It’s never easy leaving the familiar behind, but life’s too short to not love what you do. If the need for training is holding you back, getting a degree isn’t your only option. Let a vocational program help you turn the page on an unhappy job.
Why Do People Choose to Change Careers?
People want new careers for a wide variety of reasons. Some are personal, and others are practical, but they’re always worth pursuing if they’re meaningful to you.
The most common include:
Outgrowing Your Job
The job you had in high school was good for making pocket money. But few of these entry-level positions can be parlayed into long-term careers. In some industries, there’s no room for meaningful advancement, so the only choice is to move on.
Needing a Challenge
We’re all at our best when our talents are being utilized. When a career is no longer challenging, it’s tough to stay motivated. If you’re not making the most of your aptitudes at work, you’ll soon be bored and stagnate. A new career could help you look forward to working again.
New Priorities
Major life changes may require a career move. Even if you enjoy your work, a job that requires long hours and time away from home may not be compatible with growing your family or pursuing new interests.
Hitting a Dead End
Many once-rewarding careers are now obsolete as workers replaced with automation. Pursuing a career that supports technology instead of fighting it may help you avoid the unemployment line.
Do You Need a College Degree to Have a Career?
College degrees are required for many occupations. You can’t be a registered nurse or an electrical engineer without one. But for roles that don’t require mandatory education or a professional license, earning a vocational school diploma may be a better choice.
Vocational programs are affordable and accessible. Rolling admissions at many schools allows you to enroll when the timing is right for you. And lifestyle-friendly schedules make it easier to get training, a plus for prospective students with more goals than time. Programs prepare graduates for essential certifications and licenses.
What Vocational Programs Can Help You Start a New Career?
Vocational schools offer relevant programs in industries that are hiring. Part of their mission is to support a vibrant workforce by training people for in-demand careers. Program offerings, therefore, may vary from area to area, but these are among the most popular nationwide:
Medical Assistant
Medical assistants support licensed healthcare professionals by managing clinical and administrative tasks in office settings.
Their duties may include:
- Appointment scheduling
- Patient registration
- Obtaining health histories
- Taking vital signs
- Phlebotomy
- Collecting urine and other specimens for testing
- Performing diagnostic tests
- Assisting physicians with treatments and procedures
- Infection control
- Billing and coding
- Professional communication
- Patient education
Medical assistants are employed in hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices, and long-term care facilities. As the healthcare system expands, so are their roles and responsibilities. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that demand for medical assistants at 16 percent throughout the next decade.
Not all positions require a formal education, but most employers prefer applicants with a diploma. Graduating from a vocational school program prepares medical assistants for immediate certification, making them a better investment as employees. A diploma gives medical assistants an edge when competing against experienced candidates for the best positions, and it sets the stage for brisk professional development.
HVAC
HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) technicians install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair heating, cooling, ventilation, and refrigeration systems.
The job entails:
- Installing furnaces, boilers, air conditioning units, and heat pumps
- Inspecting climate control and ventilation systems
- Cleaning ductwork and HVAC components
- Troubleshooting performance issues and making repairs
- Making air quality and energy efficiency recommendations
HVAC technicians work in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Some positions require traveling to job sites. A diploma and EPA certification is usually required to work with refrigerants. Vocational school students graduate work-ready and prepared to earn their certificates.
Vocational Nursing
Vocational nurses provide basic, hands-on patient care.
Their responsibilities include:
- Patient observation and safety monitoring
- Assisting with hygiene and activities of daily living
- Administering medications
- Performing treatments
- Providing emotional support
- Wound care
- Emergency response
Practical nurses work primarily in hospitals, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers and private homes. Their skills are a perfect fit for stable patients who need close monitoring but not acute care.
Network Engineer
Network engineers design and install computer networks. It’s a vital role in a tech-heavy, communication-driven world.
The work includes:
- Hardware selection
- Network setup and configuration
- Software and firmware updates
- Data backup, recovery, and security
- Network performance assessment and upgrades
- Staff support and training
Network engineers work for independent contractors, schools, businesses, and government agencies. Roles are diverse, flexible and offer advancement potential.
Most network engineers launch their careers with a diploma, gaining hands-on experience and pursuing industry certifications before continuing their education. There are many career paths to choose from, so it’s a good way to earn a paycheck while exploring your interests in an expansive industry.
Final Thoughts
It’s important to look before you leap when changing careers. Making the right moves now lays the foundation for your future. But whether you’re just graduating from high school or need a career change after twenty years in the same job, vocational school programs are among the best values in higher education today.
CyberTex offers short-term technical training programs in the Information Technology, Medical, Healthcare, and Construction Trades fields. We are a student-centric institute that equips students with workplace skills for initial employment, paving the way for desired and financially stable careers.
Is Career Training Right for You? Take the Career Training Readiness Quiz.