Considering a Career Change? Try One of These Careers With Fast Training Programs
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Perhaps you do not feel a sense of accomplishment or get career satisfaction from your current job. Maybe you feel that the amount you’re taking home every month isn’t meeting your financial needs. Perhaps there isn’t much flexibility, and you’re struggling to attain a work-life balance. There are so many reasons why one would want to change careers.
But if you’re like most people, you will likely encounter one major hurdle – you might need to go back to the classroom and receive training to equip yourself with the knowledge and skills necessary for the job you’re considering next. And depending on the career you’ve considered switching to, the learning and training period may take anything between a few months and several years. This is not to mention the finances involved.
If you’d rather not spend years studying just to change careers, read on to discover some fast training programs you can choose from.
Common Reasons Why People Change Careers
There are many reasons why people choose to change careers. Some may be unhappy with their current line of work, while others may be seeking new challenges.
Here are some of the most common reasons why people opt for a career change:
Dissatisfaction with current job
If you’re unhappy with your current job, it may be time for a change. Perhaps you’re simply not fulfilled by your work, or maybe the salary range just doesn’t work for you. If this is the case, a new career may be just what you need.
Seeking new challenges
Maybe you’re bored with your current line of work and are ready for something more exciting. If you’re looking for a new challenge, a career change may be the answer.
The desire for a better work/life balance
If you’ve been feeling as if your work life is starting to take over your personal life, it may be time for a change. This could be the case if you’re working too many hours and are ready for a job with fewer hours. Or, perhaps you’re just looking for more flexibility and control of your working hours so you can have a healthy work-life balance.
Change in personal circumstances
Personal circumstances such as a divorce, long-distance travel, or a horrifying accident could be enough reason to get a new job or even enter a different career path.
Major Challenges to Expect When Changing Careers
One of the biggest challenges you may face when changing careers is finding a new job that is a good fit for your skills and experience. It can be difficult to identify potential employers and positions that will utilize your talents in the way that you’d want. You may also need to spend time researching different career fields, companies, and job descriptions to find the right match.
In addition, changing careers often means updating your resume and cover letter to reflect your new career goals. This can be a challenge if you don’t have a lot of experience in the new field you’re interested in. As if that’s all, hunting for a new job may also require you to get creative and find ways to highlight your transferable skills. This is not to mention the need to brush up on your interview skills.
Most importantly, a career change may necessitate going back to school or getting training that will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to secure a job in your new field of interest.
Fast Training Programs You Can Try For a Career Change
If you’re looking to change careers, there are several training programs you can take, some of which actually lead to high-paying jobs. Some are indeed short courses that you can even take before leaving your current job.
They include:
1. Medical Assistant
Medical assisting is inarguably among the most fulfilling careers. Besides the satisfaction that comes from helping patients, a medical assistant in the US earns lucratively, with an estimated national average salary of between USD 35,430 and USD 41,500 annually.
Most importantly, it’s one of the shortest programs you can take for a quick yet rewarding career change. A medical assistant program in New Jersey may only take 720 hours to complete, which would roughly translate to anything between 3 and 6 months depending on how your classes are designed. If you love working in a medical setting, a medical assistant program could be worth a shot. Furthermore, for those aspiring to advance their careers in the medical field, pursuing a Doctor of Medicine degree opens up a pathway to more specialized and in-depth knowledge, enabling individuals to take on roles with greater responsibilities and contribute significantly to the healthcare sector.
2. Personal Trainer
With more and more people realizing the importance of keeping fit, the demand for personal trainers has been on an upward trajectory in recent years. Working as a personal trainer involves designing customized programs for clients to help them improve their fitness and overall health.
And depending on how you promote your services, you can earn anything from $20,000 to $75,000 annually. Most personal trainer programs last between 6 and 12 months depending on whether you take it online or attend classes in person.
Smart devices and apps make connecting with clients simple. My PT Hub is one personal training solution that effortlessly helps trainers manage their clients from anywhere in the world, at any time of day.
3. Commercial Driver
If staying for long hours behind the wheel as you explore the outdoors and travel to different places sounds exciting, a career as a commercial driver could be for you. As a commercial driver, your job will typically entail transporting goods and different kinds of items in a truck or heavy commercial vehicle.
You could earn anything between $17,000 and $65,000 as a commercial driver depending on factors like the company you work for, your experience, location, and the kind of vehicle you operate. The best part is that you can complete commercial driver training and get your license in as little as 2 weeks.
4. Technical Writer
This is another fast training program that you can complete in as little as 15 weeks and see a rewarding career change. If reports by the Bureau of Labor Statistics are anything to go by, technical writer employment is forecasted to grow by 6% by 2032. A 2021 occupational outlook handbook from the same report indicated a median annual salary of USD 78,060 for technical writers.
5. Cosmetologist
If you dream of being a beauty stylist, a cosmetologist could be a befitting career path. Most cosmetology programs require students to study hairstyling, color styling, nail technology, esthetics, and makeup application, and the resulting work is presented to the cosmetology board. With sources indicating an average hourly rate of $23.79, being a cosmetologist gives you the chance to not only earn a good salary but also experience working in an exciting field.
6. Acupuncturist
Considering a quick yet transformative career change? Explore an acupuncture program. Acupuncturists play a crucial role in holistic wellness, blending traditional wisdom with modern healthcare. Completing an acupuncture program, often in just 2-3 years, equips you with the skills for a fulfilling journey in this growing field. As the demand for alternative medicine rises, becoming an acupuncturist not only aligns with holistic healthcare trends but also offers personal and professional satisfaction. Dive into the art of acupuncture and embark on a rewarding career focused on holistic healing.
These are just a few examples of short training programs you can consider when thinking about a career change. Many of them won’t require much time before you gain enough skills and knowledge to put yourself out there in the job market.
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