subject: Hedge Your Bets with the Health Care Industry [print this page] Hedge Your Bets with the Health Care Industry
When she signed up for an eight month course to prepare for a career as a pharmacy technician, this lady says her plan was to make a change in her life. She yearned to find a new career. She didn't know that the entire health care industry is a big growth area. In fact, this thirtysomething, former cashier said she was not aware of the extent of the industry until she started school at a local institution, in Garden City, New York. In these challenging economic times, more and more people find themselves in similar occupations and related training programs. They appeal to a wide variety of people, including those looking to upgrade their professions and those returning to the workforce. Their irresistible offer of security and opportunity particularly interests people exploring retirement careers and the unemployed.
Nevertheless, experts strongly encourage people to conduct a full inquiry into each occupation, looking at both job openings and fresh graduates competing for them. Clearly, the need for health care workers will continue to rise, largely because of two factors. Frankly, the number of old people is multiplying, and the number of professionals is declining from those going into retirement.
A labor analyst from the labor department of New York State says that people prefer stable looking jobs during times of economic uncertainty. Despite the fact that health care jobs are among the most secure, nothing is ever certain. Therefore, he recommends looking further into a desired occupation for longer term trends and fit to personal needs, in addition to looking at department figures.
In Hoffman Estates, Illinois, one institution of higher education applied with the state and accreditation board for permission to become a branch of an existing college that offers allied health courses. Their offerings in areas such as business, criminal justice, design and health care administration would continue, but more health care related courses would be added. A company representative put it this way.
The health care market continues to grow in this country, and this local institution is in part a large market where our health care schools have been successful. The reality is that direct patient care cannot be outsourced, and this gives people a sense of security about health care jobs, so says the president of the college. With roots all the way back to 1866, this school is among 19 campuses of the Garden City, New York school. With few exceptions, all 17 of the first pharmacy technician takers were hired within two months of graduation.
