Choosing a career path isn’t always as easy as it may seem. While you will hear it said that you should strive to get a job in a field that interests you or that you are passionate about that may not be at all practical. There may not be a demand for the kind of work you’d do in your area and there may be reasons why you can’t relocate. If you are practical, you will find work that will pay a decent wage and in a field with a future. So then, what are some career choices for practical people? Let’s look at a few.
1. Receptionist/General Office
This is a career in which you need little if any formal training. However, you should be a touch typist capable of typing at least 40 to 60 wpm and have a working knowledge of basic Office software. Depending on where you work, you can work your way up to office manager and some companies will even subsidize any courses relevant to the job that you choose to study. General office jobs are practical careers because they are entry-level positions with room to advance more times than not. If you are highly organized and an outgoing people person, this job is for you.
2. HVAC Technician
The beauty of working as an HVAC technician is that this is a job you can do no matter where you live. In warmer climates, there will always be a need for air conditioning installers and technicians while in colder climates such as what you would find in Calgary, Alberta, heating specialists are one of the most called upon technicians in the area. Perhaps computer technicians are equally busy, but the educational requirements are so much stricter.
In most cases, an HVAC technician course is completed in just 6 to 12 months at a trade school whereas most computer technicians have at least a bachelor’s degree which would take longer and cost more to complete. In fact, Action furnace is hiring at the moment so you may want to see what positions are available here.
3. Vet Tech
While you can take courses at a trade school to become a veterinary technician, many times you can train on the job. Your natural love for animals will often be all that is required and the more experience you gain, the greater your duties will become. Some vet techs assist in procedures while others simply walk, feed and groom the animals in their care. Some work nights while the office is closed so that someone is always on-site when the veterinarians are at home. This is not a job for everyone but if you are good with animals, it might be one of the most practical careers for you.
In essence, a practical career is one that doesn’t require a great deal of advanced education because of the high cost of university, which isn’t at all practical for the average family. It is true that universities are less costly than they are for our neighbours to the south, but they are still costly enough to be unaffordable to many. If you want a practical career, find an entry-level job with room for advancement as you gain knowledge and experience. That’s practicality in a nutshell.