| According to the U.S. Census Bureau, workers with | | | | voice, video, and data wiring), make electrician an |
| four-years of college traditionally make about $1 million | | | | attractive choice. The BLS predicts the number of |
| more during their working life than their counterparts | | | | electrician jobs should jump by seven percent, or |
| with high school diplomas--but don't let that figure fool | | | | 52,000 between 2006 and 2016. |
| you. True, many top-paying professional jobs require | | | | Plumber |
| four years of college (or more)--but you needn't | | | | Although you might think of unclogging drains as |
| endure four years of study halls and pub-crawls to | | | | unglamorous work, there's far more to a plumber's job |
| land a good job. Here are four excellent careers that | | | | than you might think. Plumbers install, maintain, and |
| can combine paid on-the-job training with classroom | | | | repair entire pipe systems--including the piping that |
| work, without requiring a four-year degree. | | | | allows nuclear power stations to churn out megawatts |
| Radiological Technician | | | | of electricity, and the valves that oil refineries use to |
| Sure, without a four-year degree, med school isn't an | | | | process crude oil into gasoline. |
| option--but what if you still want to work in healthcare? | | | | If you're attracted to skilled trades, plumbers are |
| Healthcare is one of America's fastest-growing career | | | | expected to see job growth over the next several |
| sectors, expected to add millions of new jobs in the | | | | years. Because the number of open positions should |
| years ahead. If you want a healthcare career without | | | | exceed the number of qualified applicants, your job |
| a four-year degree, radiological technician might be an | | | | prospects should be excellent. Finally, let's not forget |
| ideal career for you. | | | | your wages. Median annual earnings for pipelayers, |
| Radiologists and radiologic technicians work with | | | | plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters stood at $44,090 |
| sophisticated imaging machines to help diagnose | | | | in May 2007. The highest-paid percentile of workers |
| patient illness. The job requires you to understand the | | | | made as $75,070. |
| in and outs of computed tomography (CT), magnetic | | | | Although typically you may not need a bachelor's |
| resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission | | | | degree for a career as a plumber, the training can |
| tomography (PET). While the technology is complex, | | | | take up to five years. However, the extended |
| you needn't spend four years at university to land a | | | | apprenticeship program offered by unions or non-union |
| job. In fact, two-year associate's degree programs are | | | | contractor agencies allows you to earn money while |
| typically the most common credential. If you already | | | | training on the job. At the same time, you may take as |
| have healthcare experience, enrolling in a one-year | | | | much as 144 hours of classroom study per year, |
| certificate program may be all the education you need | | | | learning drafting, blueprint reading, physics, chemistry, |
| to land an entry-level position. You can find training | | | | safety, and building codes. |
| through hospitals or colleges. You may learn human | | | | Auto Mechanic |
| anatomy and physiology, radiation physics, medical | | | | It's every motorhead's dream job. If you've ever |
| terminology, and patient care and positioning. | | | | dreamed of restoring classic muscle or working on |
| The job offers the opportunity to work with patients, | | | | economy imports, a career as a mechanic can help |
| and, like many other healthcare careers, is highly | | | | you marry your passion to a livable wage. Median |
| portable. You can also earn a competitive salary. | | | | annual earnings for automotive mechanics stood at |
| According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), | | | | $34,170, according to the BLS, while the highest-paid |
| median annual earnings for radiologists and radiologic | | | | mechanics earn as much as $57,650. |
| technicians stood at $50,260 in May 2007. The | | | | Although advancing automotive technology has |
| highest-paid workers made as much as $71,600. | | | | complicated training required for a job as a skilled |
| Electrician | | | | automotive mechanic, a four-year degree is usually not |
| Looking for a truly high-powered career? Consider | | | | necessary. You can earn an associate's degree in two |
| working as an electrician. Electricians keep the juice | | | | years through a combination of hands-on practice and |
| flowing in private homes as well as commercial | | | | classroom study. If you decide to take an accelerated |
| buildings and large industrial complexes. Although | | | | course, you can earn a certificate in six months to a |
| learning the requisite skills--everything from electrical | | | | year. If you decide to go for an associate's degree, |
| theory, blueprint reading, and mathematics to electrical | | | | most likely you'll spend between six and eight weeks |
| code requirements, safety, and first aid--takes time | | | | alternating between full-time work for the automotive |
| and effort, a four-year degree is usually not | | | | service department of a participating business |
| necessary. Most electricians learn their trade through | | | | (generally under the supervision of experienced |
| apprenticeship programs which combine paid | | | | mechanics), and attending classes. |
| on-the-job training with classroom instruction. | | | | Of course, these are just four of a thousand other |
| As a skilled trade, electrician jobs offer the opportunity | | | | rewarding careers that dispense with the four-year |
| to make a comfortable living. According to the BLS, in | | | | degree. Whether it's checking out your local community |
| May 2007, median annual earnings for electricians | | | | college, browsing certificate programs online, or |
| stood at $44,780, while those in the top 90th percentile | | | | speaking with your local union representative, there's |
| earned up to $76,000. Excellent job prospects for | | | | no limit to the places you can go. No degree? No |
| workers trained in a wide range of skills (including | | | | problem. |