Hey Janice/Naughtoj

[Rockstar4614]

I think I read in a post from earlier this year that you were looking to move into a medical career, possibly as an ultrasound tech. Have you made any moves in that direction? I have recently been transplanted to Tucson and have had no luck in finding a job as of yet. I previously worked in an office environment doing data analysis and reporting, the jobs I have been applying for are admin type or at the resorts around here, but no one has even responded to my resumes. I have toyed with the idea of becoming an ultrasound/sonography tech, but have NO idea what the training would involve, or what school I would need to attend. I have my bachelors degree, but not in a medical/science field of course : )

Any info you, or anyone else could offer would be very appreciated, I am crawling the walls here with no job or direction! Thanks!

RS

 

[naughtoj]

Hey Rockstar!

Well, thanks for thinking of me, but I feel about as confused as you lately, LOL!

Well, my quest for my "real" occupation started over a year ago and it has been an exhausting journey in and of itself. I have taken career test after career test, personality tests......anything that could give me a better idea of what I am good at, what I really want, and how in the hell to get there. I suggest that with your spare time now you do a few of those tests. I took them all and pretty much they all told me the same stuff, that is why I know I am supposed to be in a medical career somewhere! Right now, I am still pursuing nursing, however, I am fighting a true interest in the laboratory sciences. To get the Medical Laboratory Bachelor of Science however, you have to have taken all your science and math classes within the last seven years. I have not. I am working with some classes that I took 9 years ago!! And I don't really want to retake them at this point in my life. So, now I am trying to figure out how I can incorporate an interest in laboratory science into nursing. Some specialization possibly?


What I do know about ultrasound is that they make lots of $$$. However, it is my understanding that in order to even begin that two year program you have to already have an associates degree in a health science, a current RN, a current registered radiology tech (this is where you would start), and some others, can't remember. But it is not an entry level program.

I am not a great person to network with because I have not started to enter my chosen field yet. Still just taking classes and trying to finally decide before applying in the next few weeks to the two year ADN program at my local CC. Currently I work in healthcare, at a managed care company (PPO network) as a claims auditor, full time, with NO vacation. So....trying to get to the CC for advisement is tough. They all want you there during the hours I must work. That is why I am currently contemplating finding a part time position as a CNA in a local hospital. My current work does not even offer part time positions. It is all going pretty slowly though as I am trying to take Anatomy online as well. I don't have alot of time to devote to the job search process. I also need to get a resume together and all that garbage.LOL!

If you don't already have it, a great book to get is "what color is your parachute?" by Richard Bolles. It helps describe how to find your true calling professionally, how to make that total career change, how to design a resume, how to interview..etc. It really is well worth the money. It will be my reference when I go out for the job hunt.

I will go navigate for some links for you and post them in a bit. K?

Janice

 

[Rockstar4614]

Thanks!! It is so frustrating to not know what you want to be doing, isn't it!?! I checked a book out of the library that was supposed to be full of tests to help me figure it out, and it was basically all personality tests, but no information on how the results translated into different career choices. My husband is an HR manager and he loves the parachute book, I will have to pick up a copy and see what it reveals. I really enjoyed my last job, at a captive insurance company, but it was very specific to the company I worked for, as opposed to something that I could find here in Tucson. I have met with people at an insurance company here, but since the work I was doing wasn't really related to the insurance side of the business, I am not that interested in pursuing a job that is completely devoted to that.

I have an interview today for an admin asst position at a PT office, but I am a little wary because I am supposed to meet the dr. at a Coco's restaurant this evening. I looked him up online and he appears to be legit, but I am having my husband drive me there, just in case.

There are a couple of schools here that have rad tech programs, but I want to make sure that it is something I could handle before I get signed up. I think I will take your advice and call the CC to see if I can get in for a meeting with an advisor and they can tell me what I can expect. That is my one advantage to being completely unemplyed, I have plenty of time to devote to this, I can't imagine trying to do it on top of a full time job!

Thanks again for the info, and if anyone else who has been in this situation is reading this message, please feel free to drop in your .02!

RS