If you are looking for job security but do not have a college degree, there are still many opportunities available for you in the job market.
The U.S. Department of Labor has ranked the occupations that are expected to
have the most new openings between now and 2012. Of the top ten listed, half do
not specifically require a college degree.
These fast growing occupations may require some post-high school vocational
training or on-the-job training. And although not required for entry, a college
degree will help in advancement. There are many job openings in these
occupations, so if you are interested in any of these fields, it might be a
good idea to get a job and see what you think and then you can work on getting
more education if you want to advance.
We’ll work backwards, starting with the fifth fastest growing career.
5. Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors
If you are athletic, like to help others and love to play, maybe you would
be interested in a job in the fitness world.
Description
Fitness trainers are people who help others attain their fitness goals. They
do this by demonstrating exercise techniques and helping their clients improve
their fitness level. Fitness trainers may work with groups or individually as a
personal trainer. Aerobics instructors perform similar duties, except that they
tend to focus on teaching group aerobic exercise classes.
Setting and Conditions
Fitness trainers and aerobic instructors usually work indoors in some sort
of recreation or health center or club. Some may also work for corporations or
on cruise ships or at summer camps.
Many jobs available at the entry level of these occupations may be part time
or seasonal, but many people do work up to forty hours per week. The risk of
injury due to the athletic nature of the job is fairly high for fitness
workers.
Training and Qualifications
It is not necessary to have a college degree to enter this field. However,
most fitness trainers and aerobics instructors must earn certification in
personal training, weight training or aerobics. Certification is usually good
for two years. Fitness workers are also usually required to be certified in
CPR.
Obviously, if you are interested in this field, you should be athletic,
outgoing and healthy. Employers are also looking for people who are good
communicators and are able to motivate others.
Money
According the Occupational Outlook Handbook, in 2002 the median wage
for fitness trainers and aerobic instructors was $11.51 per hour. The middle
range was between $8.06 and $18.18 per hour. At the high end of the field, the
top 10 percent earned $26.22 per hour or more.
4. Physical Therapist Aides
If you are interested in physical therapy as a career choice, being an aide
is a good place to start out.
Description
Physical therapist aides work under the supervision of a physical therapist
or physical therapist assistant. They do things like help move patients, clean
the treatment area, stock supplies, prepare for patient treatment and some
clerical duties. Since they are unlicensed, aides may not actually perform
clinical therapy treatment.
Setting and Conditions
Aides may work full or part time and generally work within a physical
therapy treatment facility. Many facilities have evening and weekend hours to
accommodate their clients, so schedules may vary.
Physical therapy aides need to have some physical strength, as they are
required to help move and/or lift patients. They also spend a lot of time
kneeling, stooping and standing on the job.
Training and Qualifications
Aides are usually trained on the job, and again, for advancement, a college
degree is required. Most employers look for high school graduates who are
personable, and want to help others.
Money
The median annual earning for this occupation in 2002 was $20,670. The
lowest annual wage was $15,290 and the highest was $29,990.
3. Home Health Aides
If you are interested in the medical field, and you like to be out and about
instead of cooped up in a medical building, being a home health aide might be
for you.
Description
Home health aides travel to private homes to administer health related
services such as checking vital signs, giving medications, cleaning, bathing,
grooming, and moving elderly, sick or disabled people. Sometimes they may also
help with changing dressings or other medical equipment such as ventilators.
Home health aides work under the supervision of medical staff and they are also
required to keep records of their patients’ progress.
Setting and Conditions
Most home health aides work regular forty hour weeks, but the hours may be
at any time of the day or night since their services may be required 24 hours a
day. They visit several different homes a day and typically only get paid for
the hours they are working in a home, not while they are traveling to each
home. Workloads are typically heavy and the duties are sometimes unpleasant as
they are working with people who may be easily agitated or uncooperative due to
their maladies.
Training and Qualifications
Generally, only a high school diploma is required to gain employment as a
home health aide. However, many facilities require employees to complete 75
hours of training and then pass a competency evaluation within four months of
employment. Once they complete this program, they are placed on a State
registry of nursing aides.
Employers are looking for people who are very reliable, sensitive and have a
strong desire to help others. Furthermore, they should have great
communications skills and be emotionally stable. And, obviously, applicants for
this sort of position must be healthy and a physical exam is often required
before hire.
Money
In 2002, the median earnings for a home health aide were $8.70 per hour. The
range of hourly wages was between $7.54 per hour at the lowest and $12.34 per
hour at the highest. On average aides who worked for employment services made
the most money per hour.
2. Social and Human Service Assistants
If you enjoy working with community service projects and helping others, you
might want to check into being a social and human service assistant.
Description
Social and human service assistant is an umbrella term for many job titles.
Some of those jobs might be working as a case management aide, social work
assistant, community outreach worker, or life skill counselor. They work under
the supervision of people in a variety of fields, including social work,
psychiatry, nursing and rehabilitative or physical therapy. Because this
occupation falls under so many varied fields, job descriptions are also quite
diverse. Basically, social and human service assistants provide some form of
aide to clients relative to the given field.
Setting and Conditions
Again, since the jobs are so varied under this occupation, so are the
settings. Some people may work indoors in traditional offices or clinics, while
others may work in shelters, halfway houses or may travel to private homes. A
forty-hour week is normal, but there may be some variance in evening or weekend
schedules.
Working in these fields can be quite emotionally draining due to the nature
of the work. Heavy workloads and fairly low pay can cause additional stress
also.
Training and Qualifications
While there are many opportunities within this field for those who do not
have a college degree at this point, employers are increasingly looking for
college graduates. However, those with a high school diploma, will often
receive comprehensive on-the-job training. Some jobs in the field may also
require additional items, such as a valid driver’s license or a background
check.
Employers in this area are looking for people who are effective communicators,
are extremely responsible and reliable, and effective at time management. Also,
due to the nature of this occupation, applicants must exhibit a strong desire
to help others and show compassion for those in need.
Money
Again, as of 2002, the median annual income for people in this occupation
was $23,370. Annual earnings ranged from $18,670 to $37,550 at the top.
Generally, those people employed by state government agencies earned the most
per year on average.
1. Medical Assistants
Do you enjoy doing clerical work and have an interest in the medical field?
If so, you may be interested in becoming a medical assistant, which is the
fastest growing career for those who do not have a college degree.
Description
Medical assistants take care of general clerical duties in all types of
medical offices. In some cases, medical assistants may also perform simple
clinical duties such as taking vitals and preparing lab tests under the
supervision of an expert in the office. They also work with patients by teaching
them about their medications, and specialized diets. In general, medical
assistants may be called on to do any task needed within a medical practice.
Setting and Conditions
Medical assistants work indoors in a medical building. They generally work a
traditional Monday through Friday forty-hour week, although some practices are
open evenings or weekends. They work with many people at a time and the job can
be stressful, as they must manage many responsibilities at a time.
Training and Qualifications
Employers of medical assistants tend to prefer applicants who have completed
a vocational education program in medical assisting. These certificate programs
usually last one or two years and are offered at many community colleges or
vocational-technical schools. Training in certain tasks, like taking x-rays,
may also be required.
Applicants in this field must be neatly groomed, friendly and courteous.
They must also be able to handle confidential information and be able to work
well with patients. If they are going to perform clinical duties, they must
also have some manual coordination.
Money
The median annual earnings for medical assistants in 2002 were $23,940. The
lowest pay was $17,640 and the highest was $34,130 per year. Medical assistants
who worked in hospitals, on average, made slightly more money per year than
those who worked in other medical facilities.
So, if you choose to seek a job in any of these occupations, chances are
that if you are qualified, you will be able to secure a position.
Unfortunately, in all of these fields, advancement is still dependent upon
continuing education. So if you find you enjoy working in any of the fields
discussed here, you might consider getting more training so that you can earn
more money and advance in your chosen profession.
For more information on any of careers discussed, see the links below.