SDSU's Health Care Programs a Boon to Job Hunters

When you transition from your military career back into civilian life, a career in health care may be just what the doctor ordered for you.
 
Even while the economy struggles, Monster.com reports that health care “continues to be the career success story of the past few years.” From the start of the downturn in December 2007 until September 2010, the health care sector grew by 720,000 jobs while all other industries lost nearly 8.5 million jobs, according to an analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

How can you train to cash in on this? San Diego State University’s College of Extended Studies offers both in-class and online professional health care certificate and certification programs for individuals to prepare for these lucrative careers.
 
“I was a graduate of the EKG certificate class and with the knowledge gained, I was able to land a job working as an assistant for the director of cardiology at Scripps Mercy Hospital,” said former student Lindsay Collins. “The experience I gained has certainly paid off in my new career. The first day on the job, I successfully completed five EKGs.”
 
U.S. News and World Report projected at the beginning of the year that 13 of the 50 best careers for 2011 would be in the health care industry.
 
"The growth trend in health care is almost unstoppable: Millions and millions of aging baby boomers will continue to place a heightened demand on health care providers, as well as provide plenty of opportunity for medical innovation," the magazine reported.
 
The most recent Department of Labor report stated that health care will generate 3.2 million new wage and salary jobs between 2008 and 2018, more than any other industry, largely in response to rapid growth in the elderly population.
 
In responding to this vital need for health care workers, SDSU’s College of Extended Studies has programs that will qualify students to enter the health care field in as little as six months. These courses are hands-on and teach practical and needed skills, and are scheduled for working adults and taught by industry experts.
 
The college is an approved provider for education-to-career funding through both military spouse as well as veterans benefits. For more information on eligibility, call 619-594-3946 or visit neverstoplearning.net/military.
 
SDSU’s College of Extended Studies has nearly 30 certificate programs approved for veterans’ education and military spouse benefits during the spring semester whereby active duty service members, veterans, and eligible family members may use their educational benefits to enhance their career portfolio. For more information on these health care programs, visit neverstoplearning.net/healthcare.

The SDSU College of Extended Studies Veterans Affairs Office was created to serve the men and women of the United States Armed Forces and their families. Programs are available to those still in the service as well as those who have completed their duty, and include certificate programs, career training programs, degree programs and professional skills courses.

Classes are available either online 24/7 or on-site at SDSU. Most SDSU College of Extended Studies on-site classes are held in the evenings to better accommodate work and family schedules.

For more information concerning the SDSU College of Extended Studies Veterans Affairs Office, contact rturner@mail.sdsu.edu or call 619-594-3047.

SDSU's College of Extended Studies offers more than 50 certificate programs, online courses and many other learning opportunities. For more information or to register, call 619-265-7378 (SDSU) or log on to neverstoplearning.net.