Two-hour lines, thousands of potential employees, and just a few choice jobs; the scene at a recent Houston job fair is playing out across the country. With a college degree, that crowded fair doesn't have to be an intimidating event.
Hopeful faces at the Houston job fair suggested that things might be looking up. "I'm ready to get back to work," Ben Sotomayor told the Houston Chronicle. The former distribution center manager lost his job on June 15 and has been cutting expenses and looking for work ever since.
Whether you're on the career hunt like Ben, you're hoping to keep your job in a tough economy, or you're looking to move up the career ladder, training can offer you the skills you need. Check out the popular training programs that can prepare you for some of the best careers available.
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Business and communication degrees
Could you sell anything on the strength of your handshake? Use your people skills to your benefit in sales. A certificate or associate degree in business administration or communication could help you stand out in a crowd of hopeful sales agents. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which recommends formal training for sales representatives, notes that workers in the field earned mean annual wages of $61,470 in 2008. That's a healthy salary for an associate degree.
- Career Boosting Tip: Ever wonder how much difference a degree really makes? The BLS reports that workers with associate degrees earn over $7,500 every year than those with only high school diplomas. That's over $100,000 after 14 years!
Medical assistant degrees
The health care industry is growing faster than jobs can be filled. With the right training, you could work in a clinical and administrative role as a medical assistant. These trained health care professionals generally only require an associate degree in medical assisting, meaning that you can have a health care career without the time commitment of medical school. Healthy salaries await; medical assistants earned mean annual wages of $29,060 in 2008, the BLS reports.
- Career Boosting Tip: Hoping to move ahead in your industry? Look for brief certificate programs that relate to your field. Technical training is often a welcome sight to promotions managers.
- Career Boosting Tip: Worried about the long-term future of your career? Study in industries with the biggest growth potential. Jobs in health care and information technology are expected to see the biggest gains in the coming years.
- Career Boosting Tip: Use job fairs to your advantage before you make the decision to go back to school. Hiring managers can tell you the education they look for, and how you can make your resume stand out.
- Career Boosting Tip: A strong resume shows off your skills. When you list your educational history, add specific coursework that has a direct application to the job you're hoping for. Employers often look for specific hardware and software ability.
Vocational technician degrees
Often, the only thing keeping you from a better career is just a few years of education. If you're looking for a technical career that lets you work with your hands while earning a strong salary, think about earning your associate degree in a technical field. Electrical engineering technicians earned mean annual wages of $53,990 in 2008, the BLS notes; not bad for such a brief degree program.
Criminal justice associate degrees
Do you crave a boost of adventure in your daily career? Maybe you'd like to take the plunge and finally work for yourself. An associate degree in criminal justice can give you the base of education you need to become a private investigator. The BLS reports that private detectives and investigators earned mean annual wages of $46,480 in 2008. If you decide to change your career focus a few years down the road, the criminal justice associate degree has a range of applications; use it as part of your application to become a police or correctional officer.
Visual communication and media training
Would you consider yourself a hands-on learner? Do you wish you could make a career out of your artistic skill? If you're a visual person, and an associate degree or certificate in media and visual communication could match your skills with good careers. Talented Web and graphic designers are needed for small and large businesses alike. Graphic designers earned mean annual wages of $46,750 in 2008, the BLS notes. To succeed in the competitive design market, you'll need a strong portfolio; career training gets you the skills you need to get it.
Career training means big boosts
Associate degrees and certificates are designed to give you a focused level of career training. Unlike broader bachelor's degrees, these shorter educational programs can be completed relatively quickly, meaning you get results sooner.
While no degree program can guarantee a career or salary, the associate degree and certificate programs suggested above can give you a big boost among a pool of potential job applicants. If you're hoping for a promotion, more education can help you there, too. The next time you attend a job fair or argue for a promotion, a degree program could be a big point in your favor.
