For many working Americans, going back to school for several years in order to obtain a very high-paying job might sound great, but it just isn’t possible. Many people are willing to re-train and begin a new profession, but they need to do so within a on a swift timetable. The good news is that there are many “quick-to-market” educational opportunities out there which allow students to complete their studies and get to work. Furthermore, there are many schools that can help with the right degree.
Here are several careers that are great for entry-level candidates:
1. Medical Coding and Billing – Median Annual Salary: $30,610
Medical coding and billing experts are not the best compensated professionals in the healthcare industry, but they are able to begin their careers in the shortest timeframe-many programs take as few as several months. Flexible hours and a favorable job market are other reasons why this is an attractive prospect for many people looking to start a new a career in healthcare.
2. LPN – Median Annual Salary: $39,030
Licensed practical nurses play an extremely vital role in modern healthcare, providing much of the front-line care experienced by patients on a daily basis. They are also competitively compensated, and enjoy as much advancement as almost any entry-level job in America: they can move up to RN (Registered Nurse) certification, a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing), or even eventually an MSN (Master’s of Science in Nursing) program.
3. Corrections Officer – Median Annual Salary: $38,380
As demand for personnel at the thousands of correctional facilities all across the country continues to grow, work as a corrections officer is a good bet in terms of career longevity. Furthermore, corrections careers are among the most open in criminal justice; many officers can begin with as few as two years in an Associate’s degree program. And as government employees, or as subcontractors working for the government, corrections officers enjoy both good job security and advancement potential.
4. Computer Support Specialist – Median Annual Salary: $43,450
As computers become more and more part of our daily lives, those professionals who fix and maintain them will be in more and more demand. Although many support specialists do hold specialized college degrees, there is no one set pathway to the profession, and many specialists find their way to good-paying jobs on the strength of their skills and knowledge. For those looking for a profession with a strong growth profile and competitive compensation, but which is open to those with Associate’s degrees or less, computer support is a match made in heaven.
5. Paralegal – Median Annual Salary: $46,120
The legal industry depends on paralegals to handle many of its everyday tasks. Paralegals end up wearing many hats, from administrative roles and office management to research and case preparation. There is then always demand for paralegals, and those interested in the field have many opportunities to break in, as there are many one- and two-year programs offered at colleges and universities nationwide and online.
6. Restaurant/ Food Service Manager – Median Annual Salary: $46,320
Restaurants, along with other dynamically-run local businesses will be at the forefront of the economy, driving us into recovery and in to better economic times. Why not be a part of that? Food service experience, the most important prerequisite for a career as a restaurant manager, is relatively easy to come by. For those looking for a leg up on the job market, many private universities and community colleges offer certificates and Associate’s degrees in food service management.
Source: BLS.gov
