Do you want a good paying job that doesn’t require a college degree? Yes, it is a fact that many of the highest paying jobs do require a college degree (doctors, lawyers, accountants, etc), but there are still some well-paying careers that require less than even a two-year college degree.
The reasons why someone may not want to go to college are varied, but one thing that most of these people probably have in common is that they still want to be able to earn decent money in a career that they can excel in and be proud of. Living in Orlando without a decent paying job can be really tough at times. The average cost of a nice one bedroom apartment in a decent neighborhood is going to run about $700. That $9 an hour job just isn’t going to cut it in this market — it can be more of a nightmare if you have kids or a family to support. Then there’s the fact that no one wants to work simply to pay bills with nothing left over for saving and leisure time. There’s so much to do and see in Orlando, but most of it requires a fair amount of extra money.
If you’re tired of living from paycheck to paycheck, and you’re ready to make a positive change…..read on. I’ll take you on a tour of three different career programs in Orlando that all require less than 18 month commitments and not a whole lot of money – in fact, in MOST cases, the less money you have the more FREE money and support you’ll get from the federal government to attend these programs.
One more very important thing I want to mention before we go on our tour: On this list I have been careful to only include regionally accredited programs, and I’ve made certain that graduates of these programs are eligible to sit for the necessary board exams. Rest assured that none of these programs are going to offer you pie in the sky promises and take all of your money as many schools in Orlando will. The programs on this list are all low cost, Title IV programs that offer Pell Grants. If you’re eligible there is a very good possibility that your entire tuition will be covered – you may even get paid for attending! So, having said all of that…let’s get started on our tour:
What kind of person is this career right for?
If you aren’t squeamish (you don’t want to pass out when they show surgical close-ups on ER), and you have an interest in medicine this career may be a fit for you.
What do they do?
Surgical Technologists are sometimes simply called surg techs, scrub techs, or operating room techs. They are professional members of a surgical team and they work alongside surgeons, operating room nurses, and anesthesiologists. Some of their many tasks may include sterilizing surgical instruments to passing instruments to Surgeons during surgery. With additional experience and training they may advance into Surgical First Assistants and move on to much more advanced tasks and earn even more money.
How much money can I make & can I find a job in Orlando?
According to the US Department of Labor in the Orlando area there are approximately 550 surgical technologists and their average hourly salary is $15.80. Making around $630 a week won’t get you a limo anytime soon, but it’ll definitely get you off of Lynx!
Where and how long does it take to get trained in this career?
There is a 1,330 hour surgical tech program offered at Orlando Tech. Orlando Tech is a state supported vocational training school that is both regionally and CAAHEP accredited so that graduates of this program can sit for the surgical tech licensing exam. Contact Info:
Orlando Tech
Betty Arnett, Program Director 407-246-7060
301 W. Amelia St., Orlando, FL 32801
http://www.orlandotech.ocps.net/surgical_technology.html
What kindo of person is this career right for?
If you have good hand-eye coordination, you are good at making people feel comfortable, and you’re interested in the dental field this career may be right up your alley.
What do they do?
Dental Assistants have a wide variety of tasks and are charged with doing everything from prepping instruments to the removal of sutures. They also take x-rays, coat patients teeth with cavity prevention protection, and advise patients about oral care after dental surgery.
How much money can I make & can I find a job in Orlando?
According to the US Department of Labor in the Orlando area there are approximately 1,390 Dental Assistants making an average hourly salary is $16.07. Pulling in around $640 a week won’t get you a mansion next to Tiger Woods in Isleworth, but it can get you off of that shack on Paramore.
Where and how long does it take to get trained in this career?
There is a 1,230 hour dental assistant program offered at Orlando Tech. Orlando Tech is a state supported vocational training school that is both regionally and ADA accredited so that students are eligible to sit for the dental assisting board licensing exam. Contact Info:
Orlando Tech
Cindy Bradley, Program Director 407-246-7060
301 W. Amelia St., Orlando, FL 32801
http://www.orlandotech.ocps.net/dental_assisting.html
Web Programming Services
What kind of person is this career right for?
If you like the being on the programming side of computers and you’re blessed with technical aptitude and strong attention to detail this career may be just the ticket for you.
What do they do?
Web Programming Services Specialists have very varied work tasks according to their specific job titles. On average they work on the programming side of the World Wide Web and they manipulate such software as XHTML, JavaScript, XML, & MS Access.
How much money can I make & can I find a job in Orlando?
This program prepares students for such titles as Database Specialists, Web Application Developer, Web Developer Assistant, and Junior Application Developer. The program is intense, comprehensive and it prepares students for the Microsoft Certified Database Administrator Certification (MCDBA). According to the US Department of Labor, there are approximately 2,300 of these professionals working in the Orlando area. Their average hourly earnings range anywhere from $15 – $21 per hour – not quite enough money to start shopping at Neiman Marcus @ the Florida Mall, but certainly enough to make a step up from shopping for clothes at the Family Dollar on the Trail.
Where and how long does it take to get trained in this career?
There is a program at Winter Park Tech which is a state supported, regionally accredited and a certified Microsoft testing center. It takes approximately 1100 hours to complete this program. The program is fully equipped with up to date technology, and it allows for students to attend full time, part time, or evenings. Contact Info:
Winter Park Tech
Robin Carver, Program Director 407 – 622-2900 ext. 2290
901 Webster Avenue, Winter Park, FL. 32789
http://www.wpt.ocps.net/web_programming.html
These are just a tiny sampling of the good paying career programs in Orlando – there are many others; let me know if you’d like me to cover more. Please contact the program directors of any of the careers you’re interested in. Look for more articles to come about how to get the maximum amount of financial aid and how to find a school in Orlando with the right kind of accreditations and credentials.
