That pink slip may have a silver lining. Layoffs offer the opportunity to reevaluate your career path and train for a job that suits you better. In a matter of months, you could be back on the job market with a stronger resume and a new vision of your career destiny.

Career, take two (or three)

If you're like most Americans, your career path will have some false starts and U-turns. Amanda L. Esperance found the right career fit only after several detours. A period of introspection between jobs led the Wall Street professional to reinvent herself as a nonprofit fundraiser. Her new career path reflects "something I knew all along, but somewhere I had gotten off course."

The average U.S. worker changes careers three times. A nationwide study published by Reuters in August 2009 found that about one in five Americans made a career change in the past year. U.S. Department of Labor data finds rising volatility in employment: "the average person born in the later years of the baby boom held 10.5 jobs from age 18 to 40." "When it comes to careers, change is the only constant," concludes The New York Times.

Back on track with career training

If you've lost the thread of your career story, a certificate or associate degree can help you get back on course. Qualify for the following high-demand careers in under two years.

1. Paralegal

Paralegals function as assistants to a law firm's attorneys, researching cases, writing briefs, filing documents with the court and taking care of administrative tasks. As law firms shift more and more responsibilities to paralegals, the career is gaining in prestige and earning power.

If you already have a college degree in any field, you can qualify for a paralegal career in a couple months. A certificate in paralegal studies, which takes about six or seven weeks to complete, trains you in legal documentation, terminology and research. If you don't have a degree yet, opt for the associate degree in associate degree in paralegal studies. The two-year program offers all of the above plus applied training critical job skills such as writing, research and analytical reasoning. Paralegals earned $48,790 in 2008. Take on higher-level responsibilities, and you can earn over $70,000 a year.

2. Dental hygienist

Dental hygienists rank among the fastest growing occupations in the U.S., according to the U.S. Department of Labor. In 2006, labor forecasters estimated 30 percent job growth through 2016. Even taking into account the 2008 economic downturn, dental hygienists are enjoying healthy demand for their services. Hygienists work alongside dentists as preventative oral care specialists, removing deposits from teeth, examining teeth and gums, and teaching patients good oral hygiene practices.

A certificate or degree in dental hygiene qualifies you for a career as a dental hygienist. The Commission on Dental Accreditation lists nearly 300 dental hygiene programs nationwide. Certificates may be completed in under a year. Or advance your career prospects further by completing an associate or bachelor's degree program. Dental hygienists earned $66,950 in 2008.

3. Graphic designer

You may be a couple computer design classes away from turning your creative talent into a high-paying career. Graphic designers use digital design technology to create visual presentations for magazines, packaging for products, Web storefronts for businesses, multimedia advertising campaigns and more.

For college degree holders, a certificate in graphic design or Web design offers the technical design training you need to get started in a graphic design career. The two-year associate degree allows you to hone your technical skills, learn about the media and advertising applications of digital design, and develop a professional portfolio of your work.

Graphic designers earned $46,750 in 2008.

4. Nurse

The job market for nurses is thriving despite the economic downturn. The 2006 Department of Labor report forecast 587,000 new nursing jobs in the coming decade, more than any other occupation in the U.S. Nurses work in hospitals and clinics, delivering medical care alongside doctors, physician assistants, medical technicians and specialists. Becoming a registered nurse is easier than you might think: A two-year associate degree in nursing (ADN) is the basic qualification for the field. Other options include the nursing diploma and the bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). The degree is available online for working professionals, with hands-on training arranged through a local clinic.

Nurses earned an average 2008 salary of $65,060.

5. Lab scientist

A career in science offers opportunity and excitement. Biotech, clean energy, forensics, and environmental science are some of the high-growth research areas driving demand for trained lab scientists. Scientists collect and test field samples, run experiments, and develop solutions to scientific problems.

A certificate or associate degree in applied science offers the career training to get you into the lab. You'll learn both the academic fundamentals -- biology, chemistry and mathematics -- and the applied skills to perform lab work.

Lab scientist salaries differ depending on the research area. Environmental scientists earned $43,180 in 2008, biological technicians earned $40,900 and chemical scientists earned $43,710. Lab scientists involved in nuclear energy research commanded much more, bringing in $66,910 in the same period.

Completing your career transformation online

Changing careers is more a matter of taking initiative than time. Vocational certificates offer a means of reinventing yourself in months. In most cases, upgrading to a college degree widens your career opportunities. For best results combine both strategies: Start with applied training and then pursue a degree online while you work in your new field.

Whether you're bouncing back from a layoff or simply putting your professional life back on track, college training programs put you a step closer to realizing your career destiny.