Career "retraining"

[Landshark44]

I recently became unemployed when Revel casino shut down. I am aggressively looking for a new job, but am able to collect unemployment while I look.

I am also eligible to be "retrained", and have classes paid for by state/federal agencies....

These classes seem to fall under mostly two categories, IT and Medical

I'd probably like IT better, but am reaching out to see how hard it is to get a job in this field... After 500 hrs of training in CompTIA and Network+

What kind of entry-level job would I be lucky to get?

Should I try and be an LPN or Medical Assistant, instead?

What kind of training gives me the best chance to be employed with a decent salary after 6-8 months of classes? Is there another "retraining" option I'm not thinking of? Thanks in advance...

[flere-imsaho]

If you go the IT route, try to get trained in something that will have you developing things with value. There's been a lot of discussion recently on why it's good to learn front-end developing, because that's where the perceived value is, so if you're seen to be someone who produces something tangible which is also good, then you'll be in good shape.

If you go the IT route, though, however, you may need to move to a geography that has those jobs in bulk, especially if you are entry level. Not necessarily Silicon Valley, but places like NY, Boston, Research Triangle (NC), Austin, Seattle, etc....


If you go the healthcare route, do something where you'll get an actual certification when you're doing (or be ready to test for that certification). Healthcare & IT are the two job areas set to grow significantly in the future. It's not necessarily going to be as exciting as the IT route, and the earning ceiling won't necessarily be as high, but it should be even easier to find a job, even easier to find a job wherever (since hospitals and whatnot are everywhere) and easier to stay employed.


Of course, the best choice might be to try and find a job in Healthcare IT. Maybe get classes on Electronic Health Records, or whatnot. It's a very hot part of the field. I think there's even a cert for Healthcare Information Management that you might want to aim for that I've seen increasingly as a desired attribute of hires.

Good luck!

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

If you go the IT route, try to get trained in something that will have you developing things with value. There's been a lot of discussion recently on why it's good to learn front-end developing, because that's where the perceived value is, so if you're seen to be someone who produces something tangible which is also good, then you'll be in good shape.

If you go the IT route, though, however, you may need to move to a geography that has those jobs in bulk, especially if you are entry level. Not necessarily Silicon Valley, but places like NY, Boston, Research Triangle (NC), Austin, Seattle, etc....

If you go the healthcare route, do something where you'll get an actual certification when you're doing (or be ready to test for that certification). Healthcare & IT are the two job areas set to grow significantly in the future. It's not necessarily going to be as exciting as the IT route, and the earning ceiling won't necessarily be as high, but it should be even easier to find a job, even easier to find a job wherever (since hospitals and whatnot are everywhere) and easier to stay employed.

Of course, the best choice might be to try and find a job in Healthcare IT. Maybe get classes on Electronic Health Records, or whatnot. It's a very hot part of the field. I think there's even a cert for Healthcare Information Management that you might want to aim for that I've seen increasingly as a desired attribute of hires.

Good luck!

In regards to IT, it's not always best to go to places where the most jobs are just because everyone else has that same idea. Also, avoiding big college towns is also a good idea. Way too many job-seekers right now in those areas.

I'd agree with the Health Care IT option. We have a huge market for those jobs here in KC right now with Cerner being based here and I'm sure some of their competitors are doing the same. They are literally hiring people by the hundreds right now with no end in sight.

[Landshark44]

How about "health record specialist" CEHRS? I don't see any "health IT" stuff.. I'll keep looking

[flere-imsaho]

Health record is more likely to be a clerk/administrative role.

[Radii]

How about "health record specialist" CEHRS? I don't see any "health IT" stuff.. I'll keep looking

I think flere is right with his answer. That certification seems more on the front end user side of working with electronic records in a doctors office or lab as opposed to working with the technology itself.

[flere-imsaho]

This is the credentialing body for Health Information Management whose certifications I've seen recently in job postings: AHIMA Home - American Health Information Management Association (http://www.ahima.org/)

[Breeze]

IT Security jobs are arguably the best...typically they aren't off shored and given all the high profile hackings that have occurred recently, they are in high demand.

[timmae]

I'd lean towards what you would enjoy doing more. Are you analytical or more of a real world application type? If you enjoy what you do and are good at it you'll be able to land something.

[Marc Vaughan]

If you're 'good' at IT - that is you have an aptitude and interest in it then go for it ... having a interest for the work is very useful in computers as its a mix of interesting/challenging and grinding boredom in my experience.

With work generally you're going to spend a LOT of time doing it, so try and bias it towards which ever option you'll enjoy more - don't just look at the dollar signs.

PS - If I haven't mentioned it here before, it might amuse people to know that I was originally a chef and retrained by going late to university when I was 19-20 years old.

[Landshark44]

My whole work experience has been frontline customer service... I wouldn't mind doing something else... I just went to the meeting and have $4000 to spend on tuition and $1000 to spend on books...

So, how would you guys spend it.....?

I'd like to stay in my house in South Jersey....

I'd like to train in something that will lead to a decent paying job. My salary at Revel was $55,000 and things were tight, then.. Doesn't do any good to go train and be a "Medical Assistant" and then get hired at $14 an hour..

I'm not sure the medical field is for me, but maybe there is something I'm not thinking of..

[flere-imsaho]

I agree with the others that you should do something you like and/or have an interest in anyway. I can't really speak as to entry-level positions & their salaries, but I'm sure many around here can.