What Career Can I Get in 6 Months?

Sometimes, time is of the essence. Depending on your situation, you may be looking to change up your career but don’t have years and years available to spend on training and formal education. Luckily, there are careers you can enter in six months or fewer. Rather than a bachelor’s degree, these careers only require a high school diploma and a particular certificate. 

Certificate programs range in length but can be as short as six or even three months. Here are some of your options of careers that you can get in six months through one of these short certificate programs that pay well.

Commercial Truck Driver

If you are looking for short certificate programs that pay well, look no further than commercial truck driving. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2020, the median annual wage for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers was $47,130 which works out to about $22.66 per hour. That’s nothing to sneeze at!

And the only training you need to make commercial truck driving your career is a short, six to seven-month training program during which you prepare to take the Commercial Driver License (CDL) exam. After you pass the test and finish the program, you’ll be all set to begin driving!

For more information, take a look over all the details about CET’s Truck Driver Program.  

Real Estate Agent

The requirements to get a real estate license (the license you need to start earning as a real estate agent) vary depending on what state you live in. Generally, you can complete the training within six months. 

There’s no limit to how much you can make as a real estate agent but to get an idea, the median annual salary as of 2020 is $51,220 or $24.63 per hour. 

Certified Medical Assistant 

Certified medical assistants are one of the most in-demand professionals right now and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, that will be true for the foreseeable future. As the title suggests, they assist doctors and nurses in medical settings by completing both administrative and clinical duties.  

The professionals in this career are well compensated for their work. The median pay for certified medical assistants in 2020 was $35,850 or $17.23 per hour. 

To enter this field, you will need to complete a training program that can take anywhere from two months to a year. CET’s Medical Assistant Program is slightly longer at eight to nine months, but after that period, you will be ready for a job in the field and already have some hands-on experience.  

Computer Support Specialist

Computer support specialists are crucial employees who handle any technical problems that arise for computer users and businesses. Though the job may sound complicated, you can actually complete the training for this career in as little as four or five months. After completing your training program, you’ll be prepared for the industry-standard CompTIA A+ Certification.   

The median annual pay for computer support specialists in 2020 was $55,510 which equals $26.69 per hour. And not only does this job pay well, but the job outlook is also strong, with demand growing much faster than average at 8%.  

If this sounds like a career you might be interested in, check out CET’s Computer Support Specialist Program. Within five months, you could be working at your new, lucrative jobs in IT support! 

HVAC Technician

HVAC technicians work on a variety of heating and cooling systems to make sure they are properly maintained and fully operational. This career requires applicants to complete some kind of apprenticeship or training program, which can take between six months and two years. 

Once you enter the field, you can expect to make a decent salary. Median annual wages for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in 2020 was $50,590 or $24.32 per hour.  

The HVAC Specialist program at CET will take slightly longer than six months, generally seven or eight, but will prepare you for certification exams and an entry-level position in the HVAC technician career.  

Get Started on Your New Career Today!

Are you ready to take the first step toward your new, high-paying career? One of these 6-month career training programs could be the answer. At the Center for Employment Training, we specialize in helping hardworking people like yourself prepare for fulfilling careers in a very short time span.

Check out our list of programs to find the right fit for you.