A forty-hour work week isn't for everyone. Whether your focus is on raising kids, taking care of parents or heading back to school, a part-time job gives you the hours you need with a stable income. In an unstable economy, it pays to be trained for a part-time job that won't vanish when times get tough.
A part-time job allows you to work more efficiently, giving you more time to live your life outside of work. Instead of working long hours and coming home exhausted, you can enjoy a shorter day at work that potentially comes with a higher salary than you're earning now. What's more, training for a part-time job doesn't have to mean years of education.
Part-time education for part-time jobs
Wondering where you'll fit an education into your life? Career training programs are built for students hoping to balance an education with existing work and family commitments. Training part time on nights and weekends allows you to work education into your schedule, not the other way around.
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Part-time careers are available in health care, information technology, business and more. Check out some of the top careers for part time workers, including training and 2008 salary information by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Part-time career #1: dental hygienist
Assist dentists and aid patients in this classic part-time job. Over half of all dental hygienists work part-time, meaning you'll be in good company. Flexible scheduling is a hallmark of this career and big job growth is expected, with the BLS estimating over 50,000 new dental hygienists expected to enter the workforce through 2016. An associate degree in dental hygiene is the typical minimum requirement for most dental offices. Dental hygienists earned mean annual wages of $66,950 in 2008.
Part-time career #2: graphic designer
Looking for a creative, technical career that lets you set your own hours? About 25 percent of all graphic designers are self-employed. Working as a freelance designer gives you a lot of freedom, though you'll need to have a strong portfolio that attracts new clients. Build that portfolio with an associate or bachelor's degree in graphic design. In a career training program, you'll learn the technology and techniques you need to succeed in this competitive field. Graphic designers earned strong mean annual wages of $46,750 in 2008.
Part-time career #3: pharmacy technician
Help pharmacists fill prescriptions and work with customers as a pharmacy technician. This career mixes business and health care and comes with a high level of potential growth. About 91,000 new jobs for pharmacy technicians are expected to enter the field through 2008, the BLS reports. If you have no previous work experience in the field, you may need a certificate from a dedicated pharmacy technician program. Technicians earned mean annual wages of $28,500 in 2008; a quick reward for a brief certificate program.
Part-time career #4: accounting clerk
Put your razor-sharp organizational skills to good use as an accounting clerk, maintaining financial records for businesses and individuals. Pick up extra work during tax time, or set your hours with freelance work. About 24 percent of bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks worked part time in 2006, the BLS reports. You'll need an associate degree in accounting, something you can later upgrade to a bachelor's degree with CPA certification if you love the work. Clerks enjoyed mean annual earnings of $33,800 in 2008.
Part-time career #5: tech support guru
Save the day for your clients in this high-tech career. As a computer support specialist, you could find yourself working in a retail center, a private office or even at home, with your own company. Practical career training goes a long way here; earn certification in a specific technology, or go for a broader associate degree with a wide range of applications. Completing an education now means you're learning the latest technology. That current knowledge is appreciated by hiring managers. Computer support specialists earned mean annual wages of $46,370 in 2008, and with 71,000 new careers expected to enter the field through 2016, there's room for you.
Part-time career #6: physical therapist assistants
Assistants and aides in the health care industry come to the career with a few distinct advantages. It's possible to enter the field as an assistant without the years of med school commitment required of full physicians. Also, big job growth is expected across many health care fields. One of the biggest calls is for physical therapist assistants, who are seeing a projected 80,000 new jobs in the field through 2016, according to the BLS. Mean annual wages of $46,300 mean a healthy salary for those with training. You'll need to earn an associate degree in physical therapy to work with patients as an assistant.
Online degrees for healthy part-time careers
While no education program can guarantee a particular career or salary, the degrees and certificates above are often preferred or required by hiring managers in the field. Whether you're looking for a permanent career change or a safe way to ride out layoffs and downsizing, a part time job offers you the solutions you're looking for. And who knows? This is one part time job that could lead to long term success.
