Working World

April 2017

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12 April, 2017 l Working World l WorkingWorld.com H ere are some certificates that take less than a year to complete. If you are want to jump start your career take a look at these certificates that get you on your way to a new career. PROJECT MANAGEMENT: With a project management certificate, workers can expect to be in charge of large-scale projects in construction, engi- neering, and IT. In these industries, salaries for a project manager can reach as high as $152,922, and often well into the six-figure range. IT managers and directors tend to do the best with this certificate, but proj- ect engineers do well, too, with a wealth of positions available through major contrac- tors including The Boeing Company, and even the U.S. Air Force. HP and Microsoft are the most popular employers for IT proj- ect managers. Often, project management certificates are received online, with the University of Phoenix and DeVry University Keller Graduate School of Management among the most popular schools for this certificate. GENERAL CONTRACTOR CERTIFICATION: With a flagging housing market, one might think that construction and contracting has slowed down, but in actuality a general contractor certificate is still quite valuable these days, and it's practically a must for becoming a construction manager. With coursework that typically focuses on es- timating, drawing, building materials, and construction methods, general contractors are groomed to be ready for the construc- tion zone. Construction contractors enjoy a 17% job growth rate and have a wide salary range: from $30,606 all the way up to $124,686. Construction managers and project engineers with a general contrac- tor certification also do very well. Workers with this type of certificate often operate as self-employed contractors, or work for companies like Lennar Corp., Balfour Beat- ty, and even Habitat for Humanity. ARRT REGISTERED TECHNOLOGIST IN RADIOGRAPHY: Radiologic science is a growing field, as new technologies are developed to make radio- graphic diagnostics even more powerful. Jobs for this certification are plentiful, with the BLS.gov reporting that job growth for radiologic technologists is growing faster than average. Salaries aren't too shabby, either: a radiologic technologist typically earns an annual wage of $54,340. Stick with it, and you can do even better. Radiolo- gy managers make $65,928 and diagnostic imaging directors nearly reach six figures with a $96,690 salary. People with this cer- tificate tend to work in hospitals, but there are positions available in doctors' offices and imaging clinics as well. LICENSED PRACTICAL AND VOCATIONAL NURSING CERTIFICATE: Registered nurses make up a huge part of the nursing population, but licensed prac- tical and vocational nurses are growing in a big way. BLS.gov reports that jobs for licensed nurses are growing faster than average, and most can expect to earn about $40,000 per year with a full-time position. Providing basic nursing care, LPNs and LVNs work under the direction of registered nurses and doctors. Typi- cally, certificate programs for this type of nursing take just one year. COURT REPORTING: Employed by both the justice system and closed captioning industry, court report- ers are in high demand these days, with a solid salary of about $47,700 each year. And it's easy to find programs for studying court reporting: just about every com- munity college has one, or you can find a technical institute that offers the certifi- cate. Plus, if you study techniques for the deaf and hard-of-hearing, you'll have even more opportunities available to you. HVACR CERTIFICATION: Is it getting hot these days, or is it just us? Thankfully, we have certified heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers to save the day, whether it's sweltering hot or freezing cold. Profes- sionals with this certification are clearly in demand, with a 34% growth rate that's much faster than average. Over the next 10 years, there should be more than 90,000 new jobs for HVACR-certified professionals, with typical pay around $42,000 per year. The work environment is typically very hot or very cold, but most HVACR professionals find that this is a small price to pay for great job security and a stable salary. MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION: Turning voice recordings into written re- ports, medical transcriptionists make up an important part of the medical field. Often, transcriptionists work in hospitals, doctors' offices, or transcription service offices, but many others are able to work at home, making this a flexible career to pursue. Certificates in medical transcription can be completed through community colleges, vocational schools, and distance learning programs. Once complete, medical tran- scriptionists will understand medical ter- minology, grammar, and the skills needed to perform this job. Medical transcription- ists typically earn about $32,900 per year, and although the job outlook is slow over- all, certified transcriptionists will enjoy the best employment opportunities. EMBALMING: Death doesn't stop for a poor economy, so those that work in the death business, including funeral directors and embalm- ers, will continue to find plenty of oppor- tunities for work. With this certificate, professionals will learn how to work for funeral parlors, preparing the dead to be buried. Most embalmers will earn about $38,000 per year. ADVANCED EMT: Usually first on the scene at an accident or trauma, EMTs are the front line when it comes to medical care. With about 1,000 hours of specialized training, EMTs can reach the advanced level, typically finding work on ambulances or in hospitals. The work is stressful and emotionally draining but rewarding. Median pay for EMTs and paramedics is $30,360 per year, but those with an advanced certificate will earn more and have more opportunities to find a good position in this industry that is growing much faster than average. Certificates that take less than a year to complete FEATURE ARTICLE

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