Careers 101: Training for a new career
Careers 101: Training for a new career
After an exhaustive career exploration that involves researching jobs and conducting informational interviews with people in target career fields, many job seekers I work with determine they need additional training to develop skills for a new career. However, typically when I inquire where they have chosen to receive training and why, it becomes apparent they have not researched the training providers as intensely as they have researched their career interests.
Whether you are interested in a community college, a four-year institution, a short-term training program, a professional certification program or a private training provider, here are some questions you should ask.
How much is this going to cost me?
School can be pricey. While it may give you new skills for a completely different career or add to the skill set you already have to make you a more marketable job candidate, it does not guarantee employment. Consider the typical salary for your new career interest and ask yourself how much debt you are willing to take on to earn that particular salary. Using these figures, calculate approximately how long it will take you to pay back the debt and consider the sacrifices — such as holding off on buying a new house or car — that you may have to make as a result.
Also, be sure to take advantage of resources available to help you with financing your education or training. One way to secure financial assistance is through the Workforce Investment Act. This federal program was designed to assist qualified unemployed, underemployed or dislocated workers by providing job-training scholarships. To find out if you qualify, contact your local JobLink Career Center.
Call 373-5922 in Greensboro, 885-8826 in High Point or visit www.guilfordjoblink.com.
Another means of support can be found through the Department of Education, which provides federal student aid for eligible individuals. Federal student aid is accepted at all community colleges and most public and private universities. Typically, most for-profit schools as well as non-degree-bearing programs such as continuing education or certification classes do not accept federal student aid, but you should check with the financial aid office at your school or training provider of choice to be sure.
Information about and a free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) are available at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
How many students who complete this training program end up working in a related career?
If you are going to make the commitment to train for a new career, you want to ensure the training and skills you receive will actually allow you to find work in that field. Credible training programs and schools should have this information and be willing to share it with you. Moreover, they should be able to direct you to graduates of the program who are successfully working in that field. You can set up a time to speak with them about any specific obstacles they faced in making the transition from school to work and ask them if they would do anything differently if they had the chance.
Does this program prepare me to obtain certification in my chosen field?
Many occupations have professional certifications that are recognized as industry standards. For example, those working in medical billing and coding usually obtain the Certified Professional Coder certification from the American Academy of Professional Coders. Find out what the standard certification is for your career of interest and ask the training provider whether you will be able to successfully obtain that certification after passing through its program. Also ask the training provider for data on its graduates’ certification exam pass rates. That information will give you an idea of how well the program does in preparing students to attain necessary professional certification in their career field.
What tutoring and additional help are available outside of class?
Many of you may be going to school for the first time or returning to school after a long hiatus, so you may be a little rusty. Ensure that there are sufficient resources available for any additional support you may need. Ask about tutoring programs, mentors and instructors’ office-hour schedules.
Does the program provide internships?
Internships offer you an opportunity to put your newly acquired skills into practice in a real-world work setting. Experienced professionals in your field will groom you as you learn the ins and outs of the industry and discover which areas you need to improve upon. Internships also provide an excellent opportunity to network with individuals and organizations in your new career of interest.
What percentage of the faculty teach full time?
This is an important question for two reasons. First, if a program has more full-time faculty, then it’s likely these instructors will be around during the entire length of your training. Consequently, you may be able to use these instructors as references when you begin your job search.
Second, a greater number of full-time instructors may increase the likelihood that the core classes you need to complete the program will be offered more frequently. Recently one of my clients informed me that his training program has only two full-time instructors. This has resulted in fewer available classes, especially during the slower summer months.
Vivek Kshetrapal is a career developer with the City of Greensboro Training and Employment Services department, which operates under the JobLink umbrella.He can be reached at 885-8826 or vivek.kshetrapal@greensboro-nc.gov.
Interested in contributing to Careers 101? Contact Patrick Collins at 412-5934 or patrick.collins@news-record.com.
Vivek Kshetrapal 062809
Vivek Kshetrapal is a career developer with the City of Greensboro Training and Employment Services department, which operates under the JobLink umbrella. Here he holds an initial interview about the Workforce Investment Act program with job seekers Gina Marie Smithey of Greensboro and Shannon Camp of High Point. Kshetrapal often discusses education and training options with job seekers, encouraging them to research training providers.
Find out more
Here are some additional resources that can help you research schools and other training programs:
■ College Foundation of North Carolina: Through its online “Campus Tour” section, CFNC offers information about what programs a school has, the composition of the faculty and whether the programs offer internships. Visit www.cfnc.org.
■ The North Carolina State Training and Accountability Reporting System (NC STARS): Get information about training programs, the costs and contacts for each training provider. Visit www.ncstars.org.
