Are you struggling with how to pick a career path and not sure which career to choose? The good news is that there are many growing careers in search of qualified employees. It may be helpful to look for growth in careers when you’re considering your options. Five of those careers could include:
Changing careers can start with going back to school, and Delta Technical College (Delta Tech) offers programs in each of these growing fields. Delta Tech also offers student support services, financial aid, and scholarship opportunities for qualified students, who may be beginning training towards a new career.
What is Welding?
A welder [2] joins together metal parts, which are usually a component of building, construction, manufacturing, or automotive. Welding [1] is a growing profession because of the aging infrastructure nationwide, so it may be a good choice if it fits your interests and you have no idea what career path to take.
Welders must have the ability to read blueprints and accept the risks of welding, which can include extremely hot equipment, confined spaces, and heights. There are over 100 different kinds of welding processes, but the most often used is arc welding [2]. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics [3,] welding is projected to grow by 6% between 2016 and 2026, which is average for all occupations.
Delta Tech offers two welding programs: the Journeyman Welder Program, which is 30 weeks, and the Journeyman Welder II Program, which is 40 weeks and expands on pipe fitting training.
What is Truck Driving?
Truck drivers [4] transport goods from one place to another, and could work locally or over longer distances. Long distance truck drivers are called “long-haul drivers” or “over-the-road” (OTR) drivers. They must be prepared for the lifestyle that comes with this work, which can involve being away from home for long periods of time. If the lifestyle and skills needed for truck driving are appealing to you, truck driving could be a fit for you when choosing a career path. To learn more, read "4 Reasons to Consider Truck Driving."
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics [3], truck driving is expected to grow by 6% between 2016 and 2026, which is average for all occupations. The continued demand [4] for goods nationwide, could keep the need for truck drivers steady.
A truck driver must have a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). A CDL is also necessary when driving a bus or working as a heavy equipment operator.
Delta Tech offers two programs related to truck driving. They are:
- Professional Truck Driving Program
- This is a 20-week course, including classroom training, range, and over-the-road. [Link to DTC-0718-02 How Much Training Does It Take to Become a Truck Driver?]
- CDL Training Course
- This is 20-day program, strictly designed to help students train for taking the CDL exam.
To learn more, read "How long does it take to get a CDL?"
What is a Medical Assistant?
A medical assistant [4] may be responsible for administrative duties in a doctor’s office and basic clinical duties. Administrative skills could include answering the phones, scheduling appointments, and acting as a liaison between the patient and doctor, while clinical tasks may include taking medical histories, assisting the doctor during exams, drawing blood, and arranging lab tests and hospital arrangements.
The job outlook for medical assistants is strong, which can be a helpful consideration when choosing a career. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics [5], medical assisting is expected to grow 29% from 2016 to 2026. This is much faster than average.
If the combination of skill sets that may be required to be a medical assistant sounds like a good fit for you, then medical assisting could be a great choice if you are wondering how to pick a career path. The 9-month (35-week) Medical Assisting Program at Delta Tech could be the first step.
To learn more, read "How to become a Medical Assistant."
What is a Dental Assistant?
A dental assistant [6] may find themselves doing administrative tasks, in addition to their clinical responsibilities. Their day could include patient care, taking x-rays, assisting the dentist during exams, helping out at the front desk, and acting as a patient coordinator.
As the population ages, and research continues to show the link between good oral hygiene and general good health, dental assistants may continue to be in demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dental assisting is expected to grow 19% from 2016 to 2026.
This is faster than average growth, which may be a good indicator that becoming a dental assistant is a smart career path if it fits your interests. If this career sounds right for you, Delta Tech offers a 9-month (35-week) Dental Assisting Program.
To learn more, read "How to become a Dental Assistant."
What is Medical Coding?
Medical coding [6] is the translation of medical documents into codes. This is important for keeping accurate patient records, insurance claims, billing, and tracking the spread of illness and disease nationwide.
A medical coder must learn three different code sets, and can work in an office or may work remotely after they have gained experience in their field. This may be relevant when choosing a career path in medical coding. To learn more, read "How Do Medical Coders Work from Home?"
To learn more, read "What is Medical Coding and is it for You?"
As the population ages and the need for special disease registries grow, medical coders are expected be even more in demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics [7] predicts growth of 13% from 2016-2026 for Medical Records and Health Information Technicians. This is faster than the average growth [7] of 7% across all occupations nationwide.
If you are wondering how to pick a career path, medical coding could be a great option to consider. Delta Tech offers a 9-month (35-week) Medical Coding Specialist Program, which may be a good place to get started when choosing a career path as a medical coder.
If You Are Choosing a Career Path, There Are Many Growing Careers that Need More Employees
It is important to understand many of the demands, lifestyle changes, and skill-sets necessary when picking a career path. Once equipped with this knowledge, the next step to choosing a new career in a growing area of employment is likely to complete a training program at a trade school like Delta Tech. Contact the Admissions Team at Delta Technical College to learn more about how to enroll.
Sources
[1] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/welders-cutters-solderers-and-brazers.htm[2] https://www.yourfreecareertest.com/welder/
[3] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/welders-cutters-solderers-and-brazers.htm#tab-6
[4] http://www.aama-ntl.org/medical-assisting/what-is-a-medical-assistant#
[5] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm#tab-1
[6] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-assistants.htm [7] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm#tab-6