It’s been a long year for all of us. Much has changed, and these changes may continue into 2021 and beyond. 

As our society reels from societal upheaval, political disruption, as well as COVID-19—like me, you may have been laid off from your job because of the pandemic. Also, you may have experienced a toll on your mental health. I began a slow decline into depression, unsure of where to go or what to do from here.

It felt like COVID would pass, and that lay-offs were just a safety measure to make sure companies could still stay in business. 

Then, doors began to close—including my employer’s doors—and here we are now one year later. People are still losing jobs, and economic security is still on the rise.

During these trying times, I made one of the best decisions in my life. I leaped, and instead of looking to replace my recently-lost job, I enrolled in healthcare classes instead. It made sense to me at the time; we were in the middle of a pandemic, healthcare workers were needed, and I needed a change of scenery. So, I took a chance on a new career. 

The Need For Change 

Change is a necessary part of life, but we’re not always ready for it, are we? Arguably, we’re never truly prepared for life’s changes, but they come regardless. When I lost my job, I wasn’t expecting it. No one thinks they’ll be among those who lost their jobs. 

After all, we all feel essential to our employer until we’re not. I needed a change anyway. I wasn’t exactly what you’d call happy working a 9-5 office job at a large tech firm. Although it paid well, and the company culture was okay, my former role wasn’t exciting or rewarding.

When the business shut its doors forever, I realized I couldn’t return to my former role, even if they wanted to bring me back.

I decided it was time for a change. I’d always been curious about healthcare. I enjoy helping people, and during a pandemic, nothing helps people more than being on the front-lines, caring for loved ones, friends, and family. 

Online Classes Helped Me Complete My Training At Home

With COVID in full-swing, enrolling in traditional classes would have meant studying from home anyway, with so many campuses moving things to online or hybrid programs. I thought to myself, why not try one of these “fast-track” programs I’d heard about in the past? 

Some programs can get you certified as a medical assistant, pharmacy technician, or even a surgical technician in a matter of months. One program even boasted about taking as few as ten months to get you certified. And, you know what? I had ten months to spare. I wasn’t working, the world had all but stopped turning, and I was ready to shake things up.

I enrolled in a medical administrative assistant program with UMA. It took me about eleven months to get things done. I’ve just finished, and I’m already hired at a nearby hospital, making good money, and serving the public. 

I didn’t opt for nursing because I didn’t exactly want to be on the frontlines, but that’s certainly an option from here. What matters is that I’m working again—and happy with what I’m doing.

But Aren’t Those Programs Scams?

Anytime someone says they can help you do something significant in a shorter amount of time, your first instinct is to be skeptical, and rightfully so. There are plenty of scammers out there, but these fast-track medical programs are the real deal. The thing to look for is accreditation. An accredited program has been reviewed and certified by a board of experts and meets the industry’s standards.

If you’ve found yourself a fast-track program, but you’re not sure if you’re actually getting a good deal or just getting scammed, make sure the school is accredited. This observation is an excellent way to separate the bad from the good and save yourself the money to attend if the program isn’t up to par.

An unaccredited program isn’t necessarily a scam, but what can happen is that your certification or degree won’t mean anything once you graduate. The best way to go about it is to check and be certain before signing up.

How Do I Start?

You can change your career, too, in just a matter of months with one of these healthcare programs. Sick of the 9-5? Don’t know what to do after losing your job? Try a fast-track medical program, and start helping other people and yourself with a rewarding healthcare career. I love what I do now, and I’m doing my part to serve the public during the pandemic.

Have you changed careers? If so, how is the change working for you?