If you're having problems looking for a job that you can make into a career, or if you're in a career and want a change of direction to something better, then perhaps one of these five occupations might be the perfect fit for you.
- Phlebotomist
- Home Health Aide
- Real Estate Agent
- Forklift Driver
- Respiratory Therapist
Let's look at each of these options individually.
Phlebotomist
You're probably wondering what this even is. A Phlebotomist is a medical laboratory technician whose job is to collect blood from patients and take it to the lab. Often they also assist in transporting other lab specimens, and are often involved with a patient or donor's medical data. Anyone who's interested in this kind of career needs excellent communicating skills and can take pressure, as they will have to deal with patients that need help getting through this procedure that may have a fear of blood. They also have to be sure to get blood drawn correctly, and make sure that the instruments are sterile.
Phlebotomy Training is available at most Universities and Community Colleges, and vary in length. Upon passage, you will receive your phlebotomy certification as well as a diploma. Most states do not have licensing requirements, but even so you should check with your state to see if it does. This job is in high demand, and the pay depends on experience and where you are working, but in general is between $12-13 an hour.
Home Health Aide
Home Health Aides are what they sound like. They are licensed healthcare professionals who offer health and living assistance to the infirmed and elderly from their own homes, as opposed to being placed in a nursing home. Like the other jobs, and indeed like most forms of nursing this is in very high demand, and once trained, you can choose between working for an agency or self-employment. You will need to be able to have great social skills, as well as an ability to stay cool under pressure if something should happen to your patients.
Home Health Aide Training is fairly simple. You will be required to pass an assessment exam before being supervised while taking care of patients in their homes. You will have to present ID and pass health exams as well as a criminal background check. Once your training is complete, your state will have you take a certification exam. Once you pass this, you will be a certified Home Health Care Aide. The pay is generally $10 an hour.
Real Estate Agent
People are starting to buy homes again, and that means there is a need for more licensed real estate agents. You can join this growing field and help people and companies find the property that they're looking for. This is another job where social skills are a must as you will be dealing with clients constantly. You will also need to be something of an expert in social media, as this is becoming an increasingly important avenue to find new buyers and sellers.
Training for this field varies from state to state, and qualifications vary between states, but training usually includes going through Transactions Courses at licensed real estate training Schools, or through most local Colleges. Be sure to do your job well, as most of your salary will come from commissions from successful sales. If you do well, you can make as much as $40-60,000 a year.
Forklift Driver
This easy and enjoyable job involves driving forklifts to transport goods around warehouses, construction sites, factories and even large home improvement stores. This is considered to be a hazardous occupation, however once you know the proper safety procedures, there is little danger. You need to be able to be aware of your surroundings constantly and keep in mind the different safety procedures.
Forklift Training is relatively easy. Many Community Colleges and even many construction companies offer Training classes, which will tell you how to run the machine, the maintenance for a forklift, and the standard safety regulations that your State requires before driving. Once you've taken this course and a couple of written tests, you will take a driving test. If you pass this, you will be a certified driver. This job pays well, starting at $15 an hour and going up as high as $20 for more experienced drivers.
Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory Therapists are licensed and certified healthcare professionals who help to treat and assist those who need assistance breathing. This is an intense job, requiring critical-thinking skills to assess many different situations to help people to breath better. This job is entirely supervised by a medical professional, even so a lot of responsibility is on the Therapist. You must be good with people, be able to handle intense situations and work well with others to take on this highly rewarding occupation.
Respiratory Therapy requires at least two years of training as a nurse, and then specialized training as a Respiratory Therapist, which can take at least a year in school. Then you must pass the Certified Respiratory Therapist Examination, which will give you your certification, and will allow you to pass the minimum requirements in this field in most states. Some require additional training or certification. The pay is worth it though, since you will make between $40-75,000 annually.
All these jobs are perfect for many people, and all are in high demand. So if you're stuck in a job you don't like, or are looking for a great career as your starting out in life, choose one of these jobs and enjoy the great future you'll have!