A Guide to Career Training Programs
Posted on 08.12.2024
College degrees aren’t the only way to build your resume and reach your career goals. Enrolling in a career training program can be just as effective for many fields, such as healthcare. A career training program can also be more affordable than a college degree. This overview will give you all the need-to-know information about career training programs!
How career training programs benefit adults
There are many benefits to enrolling in a career training program, including:
- Flexibility: Many online career training programs are self-paced, making it easier to fit into your schedule.
- Potential short training time: Training programs often have a shorter timeframe than degree programs.
- Cost effective: The price tag may be less than a college degree, and there are often payment plans available.
- Certification prep: Many programs prepare you for certification exams.
- Accessibility: Online career training programs can be a great option for those who aren’t able to attend school in person.
Having a career training program on your resume can open doors to more jobs or career advancement, and some programs even cover the cost of certification exams, allowing you to obtain credentials in a way that works for you.
Read more: Top 11 Medical Certifications You Can Earn in a Year (or Less)
Challenges of career training programs
While there are many benefits to online career training programs, they aren’t always a walk in the park. Some challenges students face include:
- Motivation: You’re responsible for keeping yourself on track.
- Training is less hands-on: Since the programs are online, it’s more hands-off than in-person training.
- Potential difficulty obtaining work experience: The school usually does not place you for any externships or work experience, so it is often up to you.
Latoya Hill, Pharmacy Technician Instructor at CareerStep, explains, “Because of the demanding curriculum, delivered in an online format, students must be self-motivated and disciplined to master it. However, my aim is to close the gap students may face during the process, and part of that is meeting one-on-one with students to review content and skills that they might find difficult to master.”
Are career training programs legit?
Online career training programs may give you pause, but many are trusted institutions. You should always research a program before enrolling. Many programs include student stories on their website that speak to the success of the programs. Some programs prepare you to take certification exams, which show employers you are qualified for the job.
Jaime Nguyen, MD, MPH, and Director of Healthcare Programs at Penn Foster Group, dives deeper. “Online training programs are important options for many students who are looking to enter or to upskill into a healthcare profession. Previously, people who wanted to enroll in healthcare training programs were often limited by location and had few, if any, opportunities to training programs, instructors, and other educational resources. This was especially true in remote or rural areas and for those with limited or no transportation. With almost all households with Internet access, online training programs are now much more accessible to anyone interested in a healthcare career, regardless of location.”
Choosing the career training program that helps you meet your goals
The opportunity to enter a new career field or earn a promotion in your current one is important to workers in today’s society. Having a career training program under your belt can help you achieve your career goals, and there are so many to choose from!
Read more: Legitimate Medical Training Programs (A Guide)
Online career training programs
It may surprise you to learn that the healthcare field has a plethora of career programs to help get your foot in the door or move up. Some popular programs include:
Read more: 7 Medical Careers in Demand (That Don’t Require a Degree)
Online career trainings that offer certifications
Many training programs prepare you for certification. All of the careers mentioned above have certification exams, and the training programs at institutions like CareerStep can help you get ready to pass these exams. In addition to medical programs, CareerStep also offers programs related to information technology that can prepare you for the CompTIA+ certification.
- Computer Technician
- Healthcare IT
- Average salary: $48,465
- Job outlook: 5% growth
Read more: Top 11 Medical Certifications You Can Earn in a Year (or Less)
Enroll in an online career training program
If career advancement or jumping into a new career are on your to-do list, consider enrolling in an online career training program. Career training programs can help set you apart when applying for jobs and can even help earn you a promotion. Get started today!
