Are you ready to make a move from a job you don’t love to a career that provides you with stability and advancement opportunities? WVJC can set you on the path to your new career and help you leave short-term jobs behind. Continue reading to learn how to gain knowledge and skills to change your life and know the difference between a career vs. job!
What’s the difference between a job and a career?
Many qualifying factors separate a job from a career, but one of the major ones is that a job is a short-term way to earn money, while a career focuses more on long-term opportunities. In addition, a job typically requires little to no previous experience or education, while a career could require either formal education or experience to get started. For example, a retail or customer service job provides on-the-job training, but a career in a healthcare position like medical assisting usually requires hands-on skill training.
Another benefit to a career rather than a job is that a career is built upon past experiences and positions, allowing for advancement and job satisfaction. A career can also provide financial stability and routine.
How can you start your career?
Determining which path is best for you is a solid first step in starting a new career. One way to do this could be to create a list of your interests and skills and see which ones you could use in a career. Then, by forming a career path based on things you are already interested in and good at, you are more likely to be satisfied and successful in your new career.
Another way to determine your career path is by taking a career test. In a survey like this, you will answer questions about yourself, including important traits, how you picture yourself dressing for work, and even how long you imagine yourself attending college. Then, the survey will evaluate your answers and suggest a career path that fits your ideal lifestyle.
Once you have decided on a career path, the next step in the process is to research colleges with programs that align with your desired career. Many institutions have programs that vary in length, outcomes, and more, so selecting one that fits your needs is crucial. One benefit to attending college at WVJC is that students are guided through the academic process from day one, with academic support and career services to help create a personalized education plan to assist in reaching their career goals.
What career paths does WVJC offer?
Because WVJC’s priority is training students in an accelerated, hands-on manner to be able to enter the workforce quickly, students can expect to learn the exact skills they need to be successful in their chosen career path. WVJC offers training programs in a hybrid, campus-based format and fully online to best fit each student’s needs. Below are the current^ WVJC program offerings in healthcare, nursing, and professional services.
Healthcare
Those looking for a career in healthcare have many career path options available through WVJC, including Clinical Medical Assistant, Dental Assisting, Healthcare Administration, Medical Coding, Medical Office Administration, and Pharmacy Technician. Students looking to enter the workforce even faster have the option to attend 9-month training programs in Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting, and Medical Office Administration at our Charleston and Bridgeport, West Virginia campuses.
Students in these programs can expect to learn skills during classroom instruction, then apply their knowledge during hands-on labs and clinicals. At the end of their program, students will complete an externship with a local healthcare facility and be prepared to sit for their industry-specific certification* exam.
Nursing
Future nurses can trust that they are earning a quality education through the WVJC School of Nursing. Students across West Virginia have options for pursuing their nursing education. Nursing programs at WVJC are offered both residentially and in a hybrid-online modality. Program options include residential Nursing at the Morgantown, Bridgeport, and Charleston, West Virginia campuses, Practical Nursing at the Bridgeport campus, WVJC School of Nursing at Mon Health, WVJC School of Nursing at CAMC, Online Nursing for those in select rural counties, Online Nursing Parkersburg, Online Nursing Martinsburg, Online Nursing Beckley, and Online Nursing Huntington.
Nurses who complete any of these programs will learn hands-on nursing care skills, apply their knowledge during hands-on lab simulations, then create relationships with local area medical hospitals and medical facilities during clinical rotations. The nursing curriculum also will prepare future nurses to sit for the NCLEX~ licensure exam.
Professional Services
Students seeking a career in the professional service field have options at WVJC, including career training in Cybersecurity, Business, Human Resources, Accounting, and Information Technology.
Students in WVJC’s professional service training programs will learn valuable skills that make them versatile and adaptable to many work environments. They will also apply skills and knowledge in custom simulations, then complete an externship with real-world industry professionals.
Change your life by finding your dream career at WVJC!
Are you ready to stop working jobs you don’t love and start your dream career? Start the process today by Requesting Information to be contacted by the WVJC admissions team!
*Certification is contingent upon passing the corresponding industry certification exam.
^Not all programs listed are offered at each campus. See website for most current offerings.