What Career Path is Right for You?

Are you ready for a new career but are unsure of what you want to do? Do you want to make a living doing something you love and are genuinely good at?

Then look into associate degree (occupational) careers or professional certificate careers.

• These career paths will take you less time than getting your degree through a community college or traditional university.
• Most programs will also prepare you to sit for professional certification exams; having certifications generally make you more employable.

Associate Degree and Professional Certificate Careers are Rewarding and In-demand

You can complete training for Associate Degree (Occupational) or Professional Certificate careers in only 12-18 months. Explore this sample of six career paths that have positive employment growth:

1. Beauty & Personal Appearance Careers
2. Business Office Administration and Accounting Careers
3. Computer Careers
4. Exercise Careers
5. Healthcare & Dental Careers
6. Technical Trades Careers

1 – Beauty & Personal Appearance Careers

If you enjoy making people look and feel their best while being personable, then maybe a career in the Personal Appearance field is the right choice for you.

• Cosmetologists enhance the appearance of their clients by doing hair, but they are also trained in skincare, makeup and nails. Work in a salon, barber shop, high end spa, hotel or resort. Make your own schedule and even be your own boss.  Many work part time, and nearly half were self-employed in 2012.*
  • Licensure Requirements:
    • High school diploma or GED
    • Be at least 16 years old
    • Graduate from a State-licensed barber or cosmetology school like IntelliTec College
    • Pass written and practical licensure exams by the Colorado State Board of Cosmetology
  • Employment Growth Projections* – As fast as the average: 13% increase from 2012 to 2022.
  • Job Prospects* – Demand for hair coloring, hair straightening, and other advanced hair treatments has risen in recent years, a trend that is expected to continue over the coming decade.

2 – Business Office Administration and Accounting Careers

Are you a problem solver who pays close attention to detail and can remain calm in a chaotic environment? Do you have excellent customer service skills that you want to put to good use? You can have a career in the business field in under two years.

• AdministrativProfessionals and Office Managers perform a variety of administrative, computer, human resource, accounting, and finance duties necessary to run an office efficiently.
  • Professional Certification – Be prepared to sit for Microsoft Office Professional and Quickbooks Pro certification exams at IntelliTec College. Remember: certifications generally make you more more employable.
  • Employment Growth Projections* – Average: 12% increase from 2012 to 2022.
  • Job Prospects* – Those with a combination of related work experience and computer skills should have the best job prospects.*

3 – Computer Careers

If you are someone who loves technology, enjoys tinkering with computers and helping others understand how everything works, consider a career working with computers in one of these two career paths:

• Computer Network Systems Technicians provide technical assistance, support, and advice to individuals and organizations that depend on information technology for daily operations.
  • Professional Certification –  Be prepared to sit for the CompTIA Network+, Security+ and A+ certification exams; the Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician (CCENT) exam; and Microsoft MCTS; MCITP; and MCSA certification exams at IntelliTec. Remember: certifications generally make you more more employable.
  • Employment Growth Projections* – Average: 12% increase from 2012 to 2022.
  • Job Prospects* – Demand for information technology workers is high and should continue to grow as firms invest in newer, faster technology and mobile networks.

4 – Exercise Careers

Are you interested in alternative medicine and wellness, or physical fitness? Do you want to help people work through debilitating physical issues or achieve personal fitness goals? Consider a career in Health and Wellness.

• Personal Trainers work with clients or members of a fitness facility to help them become healthy and maintain or increase levels of fitness.
  • Professional Certification – Prepare to sit for the National Academy for Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer (CPT-4) exam, plus exams for up to 3 additional NASM credentials at IntelliTec. Remember: certifications generally make you more more employable.
  • Employment Growth Projections* – Employment of fitness trainers and instructors is expected to increase as fast as average, or 13 percent over the 2012–22 decade.
  • Job Prospects* – Job prospects should be best for workers with professional certification or increased levels of formal education in health or fitness.

5 – Healthcare & Dental Careers

If you excel at multi-tasking, communication and organization, you might want to use your talents to help provide care and comfort to people in need.

You can work in a medical or dental environment in one of these four professional career paths:

• Medical Assistants use basic medical techniques to work with patients in a clinical environment under the supervision of a doctor. Enjoy a rewarding career helping people in your community!
  • Professional Certifications – Be prepared to sit for up to five professional certification exams through the AMT or the NCCT at IntelliTec College. Remember: certifications generally make you more more employable.
  • Employment Growth Projections* – Much faster than average: 29% increase from 2012 to 2022.
  • Job Prospects* – Medical assistants who earn certification may have better job prospects.
• Dental Assistants use basic dental techniques to work with patients in a clinical environment under the supervision of a dentist. Make a difference every day when you help provide a winning smile for your dental patients.
  • Professional Certifications – Prepare to sit for two industry-recognized Dental Assistant certification exams at IntelliTec, including the RDA (Registered Dental Assistant) exam through the AMT and two or three components of the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) exam. Remember: certifications generally make you more more employable.
  • Employment Growth Projections* – Much faster than average: 25% increase from 2012 to 2022.
  • Job Prospects* – Most dental assistants work full time. However, about 1 in 3 assistants worked part time in 2012. Some work evenings or weekends, depending on the hours of operation at the office where they work.
• Pharmacy Technicians assist licensed pharmacists dispense prescription medication to customers or health professionals. Their ability to provide clear drug info and education to patients is a real way to help people in their time of need. Most work full time, but many work part time.
  • Professional Certifications – Most states regulate pharmacy technicians, which is a process that may require completing a formal education or training program and passing an exam. Prepare to sit for the PTCB Pharmacy Technician certification exam at IntelliTec College. Remember: certifications generally make you more more employable.
  • Employment Growth Projections* – Faster than average: 20% increase from 2012 to 2022. Several factors will lead to increased demand for prescription medications, including an aging population and more people with insurance due to federal health insurance reform.
  • Job Prospects* – Job prospects should be good for pharmacy technicians, particularly those with formal training, certification, and those with experience in retail settings.

6 – Technical Trades Careers

Do you have patience, good interpersonal skills and love working with your hands and thinking through interesting problems? This could be your job! Technical trades career paths allow all of this to be possible.

• Automotive Technicians inspect, maintain and repair a variety of vehicle types. They provide basic care maintenance such as oil changes and tire rotations. They also diagnose and repair more complex problems.
  • Professional Certification – Be prepared to sit for the ASE (Automotive Services Excellence) and Snap-on certification exams at IntelliTec. Remember: certifications generally make you more more employable.
  • Employment Growth Projections* – Employment of automotive service technicians and mechanics is expected to grow about 9 percent from 2012 to 2022, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
  • Job Prospects* –  Those without formal automotive training are likely to face strong competition for entry-level jobs.
• Refrigeration & HVAC Technicians install, maintain and repair heating and air-conditioning systems in residential, commercial and industrial buildings.
  • Professional Certification: IntelliTec can help you prepare for the test to get your mechanical contractor’s “Mech IV” HVAC License for El Paso county, as well as up to five professional HVAC-R certification exams. Remember: certifications generally make you more more employable.
  • Employment Growth Projections* – Faster than average: 21% increase from 2012 to 2022.
  • Job Prospects* – Job opportunities for HVACR technicians are expected to be excellent, particularly for those who have completed training at an accredited technical school.

Sources

* According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: 2012-2022 Employment Projections