Page 89 - Marky Stein - Fearless Career Change_ The Fast Track to Success in a New Field (2004)

Eight Fast-Track Strategies for Successful Career Changers

and made sure that the school she had chosen was recognized in
the industry, and in her geographic area in particular.
It would be a shame to waste hundreds of dollars, not to men-
tion your time, on a school that did not have a good reputation
among employers. The goal of your training is to prepare you to
succeed in your new vocation financially as well as professionally.

Labor market readiness research will give you an
idea of how willing employers in your area are
to hire graduates of your chosen
short-term program.

Steps for Finding Appropriate Short-Term Training
Programs

1. Search your local phone company business directory under
schools, training, vocational schools, colleges, and universities,
and call the ones that sound appropriate.
Most community colleges (sometimes called junior col-
leges) have very good short-term certificate programs.
Similarly, you will find excellent (and a bit more expensive)
certificate programs at university extension and adult edu-
cation centers.
If you’re unsure about colleges and universities in your
area, go to your local library and ask the research librarian
to guide you to a resource that will list institutions of higher
learning near your home.
Be sure not to ignore the possibility of studying from
your own home computer via distance learning, online
learning, and virtual universities.
2. Telephone or set up an appointment with the training
center to ask about the following:
• The length and cost of its program.
• The content, depth, and breadth of its program.
• How many years it has been in business, if applicable.
• Its accreditation, if applicable.

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