Changing careers could be something you're interested in doing, but depending on the industry, the amount of time and money required to make the switch might make you feel overwhelmed. It is not possible for everyone to go back to school full-time for four years to acquire a degree while also not working to support themselves financially. The good news is that you do not need to earn a bachelor's degree to succeed in your chosen field. There are certain certificate programs that last for six months that end up paying handsomely in the long term.
Short-term professional training programs or certificate programs may help you break into a new industry with as little as six months of training or less on average. Note that certifications seem quite impressive on a CV to potential employers. Some of them may get you high-paying employment right immediately, while others can get you a foot in the door at a company so that you can start working and earning money as you continue to study on the job and advance in your new profession.
Using information from the Monster Salary Guide, the following is a list of some alternatives for certificate programs that may be done in-person or online and can be finished in six months or less.
Real Estate Agent
You may get started right now, and the potential earnings from selling real estate are almost infinite. Training for obtaining a real estate license typically lasts between four and six months, however this time frame might vary depending on state regulations (or 60-90 hours of classroom or online instruction). After successfully passing the real estate license test, you will be able to begin working in the industry under the direction of a broker and immediately begin earning money. Once you have gained some experience in the field, you will be eligible to work as a full-fledged real estate broker. You may get further information by looking at an example resume for a real estate agent.
Potential earnings: Real estate agents make a median yearly income of $75,000 in the United States.
Chauffeur de camion commercial
You won't need as much time or effort as you would assume to become a truck driver. Training may be obtained at a truck-driving school or via programs offered at community colleges by those who are interested in pursuing a career behind the wheel. In general, research takes anything from three to six months to complete. From there, you have the option of becoming an independent truck driver or beginning employment with any one of a large number of trucking and delivery firms. For further information, have a look at an example resume for a truck driver.
Potential earnings: Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers get a median annual pay of $46,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Phlebotomy Tech
When you go to a laboratory, medical institution, or hospital, the phlebotomy techs are the ones who will draw blood from you and collect specimens from you. If you're asking what a phlebotomy tech does, the answer is that they collect specimens and draw blood. It's a great way to get your foot in the door of the health care industry, and the training programs that you may complete at a community college or vocational school often take less than a year to finish. The standards for licensure might differ from state to state. On this list of certificate programs that last for six months and pay well, phlebotomists are expected to be the most in-demand professionals over the next ten years, with career possibilities expected to increase by 17 percent.
Phlebotomists have the ability to make a living wage of around $17 per hour on average.
HVAC Tech
As a result of the requirement for technicians to conduct maintenance and repair on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, this industry is an excellent option for experienced workers who take pleasure in working with their hands. To become a technician for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), you will first need to attend school, and then you may choose to continue your training on the job or as an apprentice. Some programs might last for as long as two years, but others can be completed in as little as six months. For further information, have a look at a resume example for HVAC.
Potential earnings: The hourly compensation for HVAC technicians and installers is around $23 on average. Although it's possible that you won't make that much right away, you will make money as you learn.
Assistant Nurse Practitioner Certified (CNA)
Becoming a certified nursing assistant is another another path into the health care industry that may be completed in a very short amount of time (CNA). Because nursing assistant programs and criteria might differ from state to state, you need to be sure that the certificate program you choose has been authorized by the state. After you have finished your education, you will be qualified to begin working for medical organizations or in private medical practices. Jobs for nursing assistants and orderlies are predicted to expand at a rate that is much higher than the national average over the next ten years. Check out this resume for a nursing assistant for additional information.
Potential earnings: Nursing assistants earn a median hourly wage of $15.50 per hour in the United States. Many people work in this capacity as a stepping stone on their way to achieving higher-level nursing or healthcare careers.
A Private Fitness Instructor
If you like exercising, becoming a personal trainer so that you may work at a gym or fitness center can be a wonderful career path for you to consider. In order to teach group exercise courses, personal trainers at the majority of gyms are required to have a valid certification. The majority of the time, these kinds of programs may be finished as online certifications in less than six months. The employment market for personal trainers is projected to expand by 15% over the next ten years, meaning that job prospects should be favorable. For further information, please refer to the following example resume for a personal trainer.
Potential earnings: The hourly wage for fitness trainers and instructors is around $19, which is the median for the industry.
Technician in Emergency Medical Care (EMT)
Training to become an emergency medical technician (EMT) typically lasts for a few months and may be finished in that time. You will be ready to take the license test required by your state, which will include both a written and a practical component, if you have completed a good curriculum. After obtaining the necessary credentials, you will be able to begin working as an emergency medical technician aboard an ambulance. In the next ten years, employment for EMTs is projected to increase by 6 percent, which is much quicker than the typical job.
Potential earnings: Emergency medical technicians and paramedics make around $19 per hour on average.