I'm torn on which course to take.... can you all help?

[hiltonqueen]

I'm going to go to Virginia College & I wanted to take the "Medical Sonography" course, but I didn't score high enough on my PSAT. I did score high enough to take any other course & I'm having trouble picking a second choice.

My husband & I struggle & I we need to be a 2 income family to feel comfortable... but I've been a waitress & bartender for many years & I'm tired of that field.
I want to make at least $50,000 a year & I have no idea which program would be the most versitile & worth spending time for my future.
My husband says web design but I think that it's too saturated of a field & I need to work when I'm done with School.

Go over there & check out the courses:
http://www.vc.edu/birmingham/bham.asp

Thanks for your help :)

[MsPiggy44]

Are you looking to go into the Health field? If so then why not try for Medical Assistant or Medical Billing & Coding?

The health field is a growing one.

[hotllama]

I agree with you on the web design. Way too saturated. I think that one of the other medical ones would be good. Or maybe paralegal? I don't know how much they make, but it's pretty easy to get a job in it.

[janelle]

The medical field will always be a good one. Don't go into billing or coding unless you want to go crazy. My hubby works for four docs. He is the administrator. The billing with medicade and medicare is crazy. It's all a stupid game.

You could get a business degree. Then you could pick which field you want to use it in. You will understand how to run businesses, medical or otherwise. Of course, medical and others are specialized so my hubby couldn't just go into the medical field without learning more which he is in the process of doing but business is business. He understands the fundamentals and all businesses need that.

[gemini26]

For a decent salary I would go with medical administration or the like or an accounting degree. Accounting majors generally make decent money. It really depends on what interests you. Are you at all interested in nursing and have that option avaialable. Usually you are better off with getting a bachelors degree for making more money than just an associates degree. Also check out your local want ads and see what seems to be needed or if you plan on moving then check out that area. You may also want to meet with your advisor as they usually know the scoop on decent jobs and their future. But first and foremost you want to make sure you pick something you know you will like. I was in nursing but I can't finish the program with my kids at their present age. I decided to obtain a bachelors in Public Administration. Should be able to make decent money and I can work for the goverment, or school district, or any medical place like a hospital. A recent graduate here is heading the local welfare office and making good money. I want to do a hospital or medical facility. I do plan on going back and getting a masters degree for nurse practioner or public health nursing which my degree will help with once my kids are older because helping in the medical field is my lifelong goal. So just think of what you want to do and what the market is like in your area.

[justme23]

Why not be a nurse or a PA? I don't know about where you live, but my cousin got her bachelors in nursing (I think, she went 4 years and I think she said bachelors) and started making 60k a year a month later as an ER nurse in the 3rd largest hospital in the country. This is a big city and it is a big hospital... BUT, even in my tiny home town the ER nurses start out making 40k a year... hospitals ALWAYS need nurses!

[BigLyd1]

Just a thought but if you're interested in the medical field, could you learn medical transcribing in the meantime and do transcripts at home to supplement your income?

[dlwt]

I agree WEb Design is not where its at. Medical will always,always be where the money is and the work is because it aint going to go away. Good luck hun

[mrs.john]

Personally, I really think any type of healthcare is the way to go. Around here you can get your LPN in 14 months.

[schsa]

Health care or paralegal. A good paralegal can make $50,000 without blinking. If you go into health care then you need to specialize so that you have an in demand skill in your area. Medical coding is very specialized but it also takes experience to get where you want to go.

[ezmoney163]

Right now I am taking med transcription. It cost $40 and is 1day a week 2 hours a day for 6 weeks. I do not know what I will do witrh it after I am done, but it isnt a bad price. I know the LPN is stressful but it is worth it. My sil did it last year a had 3 offers before she graduated. The RN program is wonderful and you can go at your own pace, they also hook you up with jobs. Sometimes the hospital will help you pay for your education if you get a job before or while in school. Good luck to you.

P.S. Biglady, what kind of at home job can I get with this study I am doing now?? PLMK by PM or email

[cch]

If Medical Sonography was your first choice and what you truely want to do, why not take your PSAT's over to get the score you need?

[cinnamonch]

Anything medical is a good choice. Especially nursing or anestesiologist (sp). A friend of mine told me a guy quit at his job because his wife decided to be a traveling nurse and she is making $1,000 than their combined salary.

My suggestion would be to go with what makes you happy, not the money. I've seen to many people get over worked and stressed and end up quitting jobs. Besides if you are good at what you do, the money will come.

[jinydale]

Originally posted by janelle
The medical field will always be a good one. Don't go into billing or coding unless you want to go crazy. My hubby works for four docs. He is the administrator. The billing with medicade and medicare is crazy. It's all a stupid game.

You could get a business degree. Then you could pick which field you want to use it in. You will understand how to run businesses, medical or otherwise. Of course, medical and others are specialized so my hubby couldn't just go into the medical field without learning more which he is in the process of doing but business is business. He understands the fundamentals and all businesses need that.
Janelle is right, there is job security and availablity in the medical field. Avoid the Medical Asst. my mother was one for years and the pay isn't as good as the others for the responsibility that you have. I suggest surgical tech, that is what I have been considering for next fall when youngest DD starts kindergarten. The start out pay around her is about $16-$18 per hour(remember that is start off)the hours is what concerns me. You will be on call some for emergencies. I have spoken to several surgical techs about this. Good luck, in whatever you decide to do.

[hiltonqueen]

Originally posted by cch
If Medical Sonography was your first choice and what you truely want to do, why not take your PSAT's over to get the score you need?

They won't allow me to take retake the test for that course for 1 year :rolleyes: or you bet your butt, I'd do it in a heartbeat :)

[janelle]

Hon, you really need to pursue a field that your heart is in. Otherwise you will burn out fast in something you hate. Take some time to find out just what that is. If you already know all the better. If you need to wait a year than do that but get into something you really want to do.

[hiltonqueen]

Originally posted by cinnamonch
Anything medical is a good choice. Especially nursing or anestesiologist (sp). A friend of mine told me a guy quit at his job because his wife decided to be a traveling nurse and she is making $1,000 than their combined salary.

My suggestion would be to go with what makes you happy, not the money. I've seen to many people get over worked and stressed and end up quitting jobs. Besides if you are good at what you do, the money will come.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not money hungry, just poor. My husband & I have struggled since we married 8 years ago... even before kids, now we have three kids, no way to save money because we go paycheck to paycheck each week. I've worked extremely hard at being a good waitress & bartender for a good part of my last 20 years & it's exhausting, demanding work. I've missed hollidays with my family & you can just forget about vacations.
I have a 6 month old now and 6 & 7 years old boys. I stay at home because childcare would cost us more than any job that I'd work at, so my husband is the "breadwinner", & dang, it's just wayyyy too
tight.
I want to go into a field that has a middle class income potential, that way we can at least think about our kids future & to be able to afford the necessities like "School supplies & clothes", that break our bank right now.

I'm leaning towards the medical field, but I think that if I want to be a nurse, I', going to go to a Cmmunity College.

Thanks everyone for your advise :)