Have you found your career path?

Explore a new career path

career path

So you just finished high school or maybe you already have professional experience or maybe you are searching for a new path in your professional life?

But are you sure this is what you want? If you are not sure, we have found 3 unexplored career paths that may bring lots of joy, some adventure, identify new skills and along the way can give some good income.

Surgical Technologist

For those interested in medicine, but on a lower budget and not into the idea of spending 5 or more years at medical school. There is the option of becoming a surgical technologist, also known as Perioperative or Operating Room nurse.

It is a lot more than holding instruments for the doctor. Professionals in this area are required to assist during surgeries performing important tasks like holding and manipulating organs, cauterize bleeders, provide support and predict every move of the surgeon.

You have to be very detail oriented and keep calm and steady hand while passing instruments to the surgeon during emergencies and delicate operations, but it is also very rewarding, well paid and highly regarded in the labour market.

Some useful links:

Accreditation: http://www.acorn.org.au/accreditation

Associations: http://www.ncah.com.au/careers/perioperative-nursing/337/

Immigration: immigration Australia surgical nurse

 

Appliance Repair Technician

Electronic Equipment Trades Worker

There are not many new applicants for these trades, they are partially forgotten in many first world countries, as people usually find it too expensive to hire a technician to repair appliances and instead they buy new ones. However, big retails and electronic appliances brands have to provide warranty support and perform all kinds of repairs to defective and refurbished items. These companies usually outsource these repairs, rather than doing them in-house. In other words, most of the work is performed by authorized small workshops.

That is the point where appliance repair technicians appear. Since many of these small workshops have been running for a while and some of the owners are getting closer to retirement, they require new apprentices quickly! The business is there, the clients are there, you just need to acquire the skills.

A good quality small repair shop can attend up to 15 calls per day, charging a minimum of $50 per call. Taking into consideration that most of the calls take between 20 and 30 minutes, a skilled technician could be making up to $750 a day (not bad at all)!

It’s a great path that anyone interested in working with their hands and who is mechanically inclined. Also there are many sources to start learning from and the best part is that most of them are free. You can start learning from Youtube, where channels like RepairClinic and all kind of “do it yourself” channels provide tutorials, that teach how to repair most appliances and brands. However, the best way to learn is by doing… so go and get your tool box, find an old washing machine or a dryer, you probably have one at home, or you can find one on the sidewalks of your suburb, take them apart and rebuild them until you can do it in your sleep.

Genuinely study for a few months if this is really what you want to do. It’s easier than it sounds, especially if you are mechanically talented and you can also re-watch the Youtube videos for some extra help.

Now, after a few months of study you should go out and find a local appliance centre, ask them if you can follow their current repair technician or help with maintaining accounts, repairs and other duties that can give you exposure. This is where many people fall short, it requires being bold and some sacrifice, but if the owner sees that you are eager and willing to learn, it won’t be long until they will offer you a job. Make your own luck, this may seem that you have to be in the “Right place right time” but it’s really not, you’ll have to be determined, if one shop says no, try another shop, always be persistent. This is NOT a get rich quick career path; it takes the right person, the right knowledge, and time.

Links:

http://www.immi.gov.au/asri/occupations/e/electronic-equipment-trades-worker.htm

http://www.immi.gov.au/asri/occupations/l/lift-mechanic.htm

 

Speech-Language Pathologists 

Speech-Language Pathologists, also known as speech therapists, are responsible for the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of communication and swallowing disorders. These disorders can be caused from a variety of reasons: stroke, brain injury, loss of hearing, development delays, cerebral palsy, and even from emotional reasons.

Speech therapists attend patients who suffer from a range of speech issues, from being unable to speak at all, to problems related to fluency like stuttering, voice disorders, inappropriate pitch and harsh sounding voice.

As a speech therapist you will have to communicate with patients in order to evaluate their levels of speech difficulties and determine the right extent of communication problems by giving series of standardized tests to identify the disorder and the pertinent treatment options for the patient

Speech-language pathologists typically do the following:

  • Teach patients how to make breath and modulate in order to improve their voices
  • Instruct substitute communication methods like sign language, to patients with reduced to nonexistent speech capabilities
  • Develop therapies to strengthen the muscles used to speak and swallow
  • Guide patients and families on how to manage communication disorders

Speech pathology, is highly regarded profession and required in most hospitals and schools, it also comes with good income rates with reasonable working hours, most of the time working independently.

There is also a shortage speech therapists in Australia, therefore new job vacancies are frequently appearing. However, In order to improve your chances of landing a job soon after graduation, it is very important to start early and apply for vacation jobs during the last semesters of your degree.

Once employed you will be working as part of a team next to physical and occupational therapists and sometimes psychologists.

Working in a hospital you will receive patients referred from the doctors and from there you’ll be responsible for making most clinical decisions about treatment.  If you opt for an independent career path, you can open a private practice and become your own employer.

One of the most satisfying parts of the field is that you work most of your time directly helping people. It’s a great feeling to go to work and actually see the difference you’re making for your students, patients, and their families, and to be appreciated for it.

Important links:

Associations: http://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/

Immigraton: http://www.immi.gov.au/asri/occupations/s/speech-pathologist.htm

 

 

01/05/2014