Vocational Careers – Jobs, Salaries & Education

With significant and increasing demand for educated workers in fields such as health care support, vocational—or career and technical education (CTE)-is a vital form of academic, technical, and job preparation training that helps prepare qualified individuals ready to meet that demand. The following guide provides an overview of vocational careers, discusses the varied nature of vocational training and occupations, and provides insight into the earning potential of vocational jobs.

The term vocational uniquely describes both a type of education and a type of career. Vocational education, commonly known as career and technical education (CTE) is offered at community colleges, career centers, technical schools and some four-year universities. These programs prepare students to be career ready by focusing on three areas: academic skills, employability skills, and technical, career-specific skills. In turn, vocational careers share the following traits:

CTE training give novices who can’t afford the price tag of a $200,000 education an equal opportunity at a career from a different entry pointMonique Anair, Assistant Professor, Santa Fe Community College

Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level.

Unlike academic-focused career paths that require a two-year or a four-year degree, vocational employment traditionally relies on shorter, job-specific training. Career and technical education programs can generally be completed in two or fewer years—with many lasting less than a year. Although some CTE programs result in an associate degree, most award a certificate, diploma or career-specific credential.

There are sixteen core vocational career clusters, anchored by the health care industry. Each career cluster offers a variety of potential employment paths that can be tailored to meet the academic and professional needs of the prospective student. We spotlight career pathways in healthcare, law, and technical fields.

Healthcare support is one of the largest branches of the medical industry, employing nearly 4 million individuals. A diverse occupational field, these support positions are vital to the coordination and delivery of services to patients across the health care spectrum, from psychiatry to nursing, home health to dental care.

Dental assisting is a critical factor in providing quality care to patients in dental offices. Dental assistants perform a diverse range of duties, including preparing patients for teeth cleanings, sterilizing dental instruments, taking and processing oral X-rays, and scheduling appointments. It is a rapidly growing field that allows for quick entry after completing an accredited training program and passing a state examination.

Working under the direction of a licensed pharmacist, pharmacy technicians fill prescription orders and dispense medications to customers at pharmacies in drugstores, retail chains, nursing homes, hospitals, and other medical facilities. In this role, they may label and package medications, provide customer support, and manage pharmaceutical inventory. Pharmacy techs typically complete a one-year vocational certificate program and must pass a certification examination.

An expansive field of practice, the legal services industry offers multiple career avenues both within and outside of the courtroom. While lawyers and judges receive the majority of attention, it is the individuals in support positions that move the wheels of the legal system. Many of these positions are vocational and cover an array of professional areas, such as administrative (bookkeeper, record clerk), courtroom- or law-focused (e.g. legal assistant, bailiff), or operational (e.g. network analyst, operations manager)

Paralegals, also known as legal assistants, work under the supervision of a lawyer. They are responsible for a diversity of legal tasks, but may not handle any responsibilities that fall under the practice of law, such as representing clients in court, providing legal advice, setting legal fees, or accepting new clients. IN their role, paralegals assist lawyers in multiple ways, such as preparing for trial, conducting legal research, drafting legal correspondence, taking affidavits from clients.

Court Reporters are specially trained at creating word-for-word transcriptions in legal proceedings from trials to administrative hearings, depositions to conflict resolution sessions. Using specialized equipment, such as stenography machines, court reporters are able to capture and record every spoken word during a proceeding and then prepare verbatim transcripts. A unique field, only 30 percent of the nation’s 50,000 court reporters work inside the courtroom, according to the National Court Reporters Association.

The medical diagnostic field is central to the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses, injuries and diseases. The conventional X-ray has been joined by new imaging innovations, including computed tomography, mammography, molecular imaging, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging.

Radiologic Technologists are medical personnel who perform diagnostic imaging examinations and manage radiation therapy treatments in patients. They have a multidimensional skill set, educated in human anatomy, imaging equipment, patient care, and examination techniques. They may specialize in an array of areas, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), sonography, radiography or computed tomography.

Also known as diagnostic medical sonographer, ultrasound technicians use imaging equipment that sends sound waves into a patient’s body, which bounces back in an echo to produce an image. They may specialize in different parts of the body, working in abdominal sonography, musculoskeletal sonography, obstetric sonography and cardiovascular sonography.

The explosive growth occurring in the medical industry, driven largely by an aging population requiring additional health services and health care reform, has directly led to an increasing demand for administrative, non-medical, and business support positions. Many of these occupations are vocational in nature, requiring a two-year degree or less for employment.

Medical assistants are critical to providing quality patient care in a variety of health care settings. Armed with an interdisciplinary set of skills in clinical care and administration, the duties of a medical assistant can shift from taking a patient’s vital signs one moment to scheduling an appointment the next. They typically work in health practitioner offices under the direct supervision of a physician.

Medical billing and coding professionals are experts in the behind-the-scenes system of managing and processing patient data, including patient records and medical insurance information. The primary responsibility of a medical biller or coder is to code a patient’s diagnosis after a medical visit and then request payment from that patient’s insurance company. They are extremely knowledgeable about insurance companies, Medicare, Medicaid, and the ICD coding classification used in the industry.

The skilled and technical trades cover an array of professional areas, ranging from automotive repair to manufacturing, information technology to construction. It is an area facing a pressing shortage of qualified workers. The National Association of Manufacturers reports at least 600,000 skilled occupations (e.g. carpenters, electricians) are going unfulfilled and that by 2020, there could be a need for 10 million skilled and technical workers.

Computer user specialists are experts in computer software and equipment. They provide a range of assistance within an organization, from helping resolve computer issues to installing computer hardware. They assist IT staff with troubleshooting networking and systems problems, set-up computing equipment and devices, and may serve as the front-line support person for customer issues.

Auto service technicians and mechanics are trained to inspect, identify, and repair mechanical and electrical issues in cars and trucks. They have an understanding of a vehicle’s mechanical components, including transmissions and engines. With today’s sophisticated cars and trucks, they also are experts in computing and electronics systems that control everything from braking to steering systems. Most service technicians and mechanics work either in repair shops or at car dealerships.

Perhaps surprisingly, vocational careers are some of the fastest growing occupational fields in the country. With increasing demand for skilled, educated workers, the outlook remains bright for individuals that choose the vocational route.

The sheer multitude of vocational career paths makes choosing an occupation somewhat challenging. Before settling on a profession, it is important to consider the type of training required, the type of training provided, and the potential of the field—from job opportunities to salaries. Here are five things to think about before making a decision on a vocation.

A major benefit of CTE is the sheer number of academic and career avenues available. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects significant demand for skilled individuals with a vocational background across every major industry. Below is a brief look at some of those potential career areas.

Individuals interested in a potential vocational career do not have to go it alone. There are numerous professional associations, government agencies, and nonprofit agencies that provide a wide variety of support and resources to future and current CTE students. Below is a short list of vocational resources available, such as job posting and college databases, resume and career planning services, and vocational counseling.

ApprenticeshipsUSA

Sponsored by the Employment and Training Administration in the Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeships is a nationwide program that connects today’s workers to technically focused, on-the-job learning experiences. Typically focused in areas such as construction and manufacturing, apprenticeships can be found in other industries including energy and health care as well.

Association for Career and Technical Education

The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the country’s largest CTE association that supports the vocational education of both youth and adults.

CareerOneStop

Sponsored by the US Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, CareerOneStop includes a variety of career planning tools, such as comprehensive career profiles, employment and training assistance for workers recently laid off, job search help for ex-offenders, and a credentialing center to help workers start or advance in their careers.

Department of Veterans Affairs

The Department of Veterans Affairs sponsors vocational rehabilitation and employment services for veterans who have service-connected disabilities. These programs offer vocational counseling to help veterans prepare for and get connected to new career opportunities.

Job Corps

Founded and administered by the US Department of Labor, JobCorps offers free vocational training and education to individuals between the ages of 16 and 24.

National Coordinating Council for Career and Technical Student Organizations

The NCC-CTSO is a national coalition of student organizations that serve career and technical education students and educators.

National Skills Coalition

Founded in 1998, the National Skills Coalition has more than 3,200 members across 25 states and is dedicated to advancing a national skills agenda that supports the training in areas ranging from adult basic education to vocational education.

SkillsUSA

A national organization, SkillsUSA provides an array of services to high school and college students, as well as professionals who are enrolled in CTE programs or work in technical, skilled or service occupations.

Technology Student Association

The Technology Student Association (TSA) is an organization focused on and dedicated to the educational needs of students who have completed or are enrolled in technology education courses. Today, there are more than 233,000 members across 49 states.

US.Jobs

Powered by the National Labor Exchange, US.Jobs is a searchable database of employment opportunities across the country and also offers career resources (e.g. resume help, salary calculator) and a special job search for military veterans.