{"id":1402,"date":"2018-01-27T15:08:32","date_gmt":"2018-01-27T15:08:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phlebotomyexaminer.com\/?p=1402"},"modified":"2018-09-14T16:21:15","modified_gmt":"2018-09-14T16:21:15","slug":"best-non-office-careers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phlebotomyexaminer.com\/best-non-office-careers\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Non-Office Careers \u2013 Alternatives to a (Regular) 9-5 Desk Job!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Some people aren’t cut out for working in a boring office all day. Non-desk-based jobs are becoming more mainstream due to changing attitudes and technological advancements. If you find yourself frequently saying, ‘office work is not for me,’ you don’t have to remain stuck in a 9 to 5 corporate setting for the rest of your life. Many ‘alternative’ non-office careers may be perfect for you.<\/p>\n

The best thing to do is determine what would make you happy in a career. If you know sitting behind a desk all day isn’t for you, then what is the right option? Do you want to deal with people? Do you want to avoid working on a cash register<\/a><\/strong>? Maybe you’d prefer something that allows you to move around all day or makes a difference to the lives of others?<\/p>\n

The good news is that there are many alternative jobs to office work. Many people think that if they don’t work in a more ‘traditional’ position, they won’t make as much money or have limited career prospects. This isn’t true.<\/p>\n

Many medical careers are lucrative<\/a><\/strong>. Depending on the industry you’re looking into, some of these jobs will not only come with a hefty salary, but they can come with peace of mind. That’s because the industry itself is continuously growing. If you’re able to get into a career that may see a lot of potential growth in the next 5-10 years, you could be successful.<\/p>\n

What Are the Best Alternatives to an Office Job?<\/h2>\n

This guide will focus on seven of the best alternatives to desk jobs. Non-office jobs for graduates are often easy to find. But, some of these non-traditional careers don’t even require a college degree. And there are also jobs that don’t require experience<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

We’ll cover a variety of different industries, so you can decide what interests you most. We’ll also go over how much training or schooling you can expect with the career you desire, as well as the general job description, and what you might expect to be paid.<\/p>\n

If you’re ready to get a non-desk job that gives you greater freedom each day different, you should keep reading!<\/p>\n

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  1. \n

    Air Traffic Controller<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    If you want a job that doesn’t fit the corporate ‘9 to 5’ mold, consider becoming an air traffic controller<\/strong><\/a>. This position is needed 24 hours a day. An air traffic controller helps with coordinating air traffic. They also make sure planes take off and land safely at specific airports. Along with monitoring air traffic, they inform pilots of weather conditions and relevant information about other air traffic in the area.<\/p>\n

    You don’t need to be outside directing planes. Instead, you’ll do most of your work from a control tower. These towers use the latest technology to track air traffic and keep updates with changing conditions. Because someone is always needed in one of these towers, air traffic controllers work in rotating shifts. If you’re a night owl<\/strong><\/a>, you could ask for an overnight shift. Or, you could work during the day for a more ‘normal’ schedule.<\/p>\n

    What Education and Experienced is Needed?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    The training to become an air traffic controller is unique, because there are three ways to do it. You can either gain military experience, get an aviation degree at a college, or complete at least three years with aggressive experience in the industry. Sometimes, a combination of these requirements is also acceptable.<\/p>\n

    Air traffic controllers are employed under the Federal Aviation Administration<\/strong><\/a> (FAA). To be employed by this organization, you must be a U.S. citizen.<\/p>\n

    Is It a Well-Paid Career Choice?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    On average, a controller makes about $123,000 each year.<\/p>\n

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    1. \n

      Construction Manager<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Working in construction is a great way to use your hands on a daily basis, and actually, have a visual reward for your accomplishments when a project is done. A construction manager takes that one step further.<\/p>\n

      Construction managers are responsible for overseeing all kinds of construction projects, big and small. These can range from home improvements to commercial builds. It can even include governmental construction, like roadways and bridges. Overseeing these projects means more than just making sure everyone is doing their job correctly. It’s the responsibility of a construction manager to plan out the initial job (how long it will take to complete, materials needed, etc.) and to\u00a0create a budget.<\/p>\n

      \"working<\/p>\n

      While you can choose to have a desk somewhere to do the ‘business’ side of your job, it isn’t always necessary. Construction managers spend most of their time at construction sites, making sure everything is going smoothly. It’s also a job that can come with quite a bit of travel, either locally or nationally.<\/p>\n

      Do I Need to Get Certified?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

      To become a certified construction manager, a Bachelor’s degree in construction management is required. You can take a certification exam, usually after several years of experience. If you’d like to continue to grow your career, Master’s degrees are also available for this particular position.<\/p>\n

      How Much Will I Make Annually?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

      A construction manager can expect to make about $85,650 per year.<\/p>\n

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      1. \n

        Phlebotomist<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        The healthcare industry is growing quickly and shows no signs of slowing down. There are many jobs within this industry that hardly ever see desk work. There is also a common misconception that you need to go to school for many years to have a medical career. That’s not true. In fact, many medical jobs need only a little training. Here are some jobs that need under a year’s training<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

        One of the most popular jobs for someone entering the medical field is phlebotomy. Phlebotomists are responsible for drawing blood from patients on a daily basis. More phlebotomists are needed now because of the aging population. Technology has also allowed us to discover more illnesses and ailments through blood tests. So, more people need their blood drawn than ever before.<\/p>\n

        In phlebotomy, you’ll work with a lot of different people each day. Phlebotomists see a variety of patients, but they also have to work with other members of the medical team. They are responsible for labeling vials of the blood they draw and transporting them to a lab for testing.<\/p>\n

        Phlebotomists must be incredibly organized individuals. If you’re considering this career, you should also love working with people, and have a kind bedside manner. Not everyone likes getting their blood drawn, so it’s essential to have patience with everyone you’re working with.<\/p>\n

        How Quickly Can I Qualify?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

        Becoming a certified phlebotomist usually takes less than a year. You can attend a phlebotomy training program through a college<\/a><\/strong>, accredited institution, or even online. Through these programs, you’ll learn how the body works, what to expect as a phlebotomist, and how to draw blood (venipuncture). You’ll also be expected to perform a certain number of successful blood draws before completing the course.<\/p>\n

        Phlebotomy certification isn’t required in every state<\/strong><\/a>, but it’s a good idea to go for it. It can increase your chances of getting hired, and you’ll learn more along the way.<\/p>\n

        How Much Will I Earn Per Year?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

        On average, a phlebotomist makes around $28,000 each year. You can use this career as a stepping stone to other medical jobs, or you can grow within phlebotomy itself to become a supervisor.<\/p>\n

        \"Non-office<\/p>\n

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        1. \n

          Medical Engineering Technicians<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          A medical engineering technician works with different types of engineering and medical equipment. This includes X-ray machines, CAT scanners, heart monitors, etc. They make sure it’s running correctly, adjust the equipment as needed, and test out new machinery. They can find work in hospitals, private practices, nursing homes, and more.<\/p>\n

          As a medical engineering tech, you’re often on your feet, and you’ll travel from location to location as needed to make adjustments on equipment. You can either work under an established company or on your own if you’re able to build up a steady client base.<\/p>\n

          What is the Education Level Required?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

          It’s typical for a medical engineer to either have an Associate’s degree or a Bachelor’s degree in medical technology. In some cases, though, certain employers will provide on-the-job training. This is an option if you either have military experience or medical experience. Though it’s not necessary, you can become a certified engineer through the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation<\/strong><\/a> (AAMI). Certification may help you to find a job faster and will give you more experience.<\/p>\n

          What Are the Salary Expectations?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

          Medical engineering technicians can either work at an hourly rate or receive a salary depending on who they work for. On average, though, a technician can expect to make around $56,000 each year.<\/p>\n

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          1. \n

            Occupational Therapy Assistants<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            If you want to be able to help people but don’t want to go through endless years of schooling, consider an assistant position in the medical field. Occupational therapy assistants usually work in either a hospital, physical therapy center, or in private practice. They work under an occupational therapist.<\/p>\n

            It is the responsibility of an occupational therapist assistant to help their patients recover and improve from specific injuries. Or, they can help with ailments that have caused limited mobility. They help people maintain the skills needed to get through the tasks of everyday life, including their own work.<\/p>\n

            As an occupational therapist assistant, you’ll work on your feet most of the day.\u00a0 You’re usually directly helping patients or setting up equipment for support activities.<\/p>\n

            How Much Training is Necessary?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

            Occupational therapy assistants usually need an Associate’s degree. This has to come from an accredited program. You can also choose to become an aide, which requires less schooling and more on-the-job training. An occupational therapy aide makes significantly less money than an assistant. But, it’s something to consider if you don’t want to invest money into a training program or schooling.<\/p>\n

            What’s the Annual Salary?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

            An occupational therapy assistant makes around $60,000 each year. An occupational therapy aide usually makes around $28,000 per year.<\/p>\n

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            1. \n

              Dental Hygienist<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              Dentistry is another booming section of the healthcare industry. People are taking better care of their teeth than ever. And, the older population needs more dental care. Because of these factors, there is a growing need for qualified dental hygienists.<\/p>\n

              Dental hygienists do everything from clean the teeth of patients, to examine them for oral diseases. They also talk to patients about how to maintain a healthy mouth and prevent these types of diseases. A dental hygienist should be well-educated in how to talk with patients and keep them calm. A trip to the dentist can be traumatic for some, and a hygienist is usually the first person they’ll deal with before seeing an actual dentist.<\/p>\n

              \"Jobs<\/p>\n

              Because there is such a high demand for good dental hygienists, it can be a job with flexible hours<\/strong><\/a> depending on the office you work for. Many hygienists can work part-time or find a schedule that fits their individual needs. Hygienists are often on their feet, moving from patient to patient throughout the day.<\/p>\n

              Will I Require Additional Training?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

              Currently, all states demand dental hygienists be fully licensed. To become a dental hygienist, you’ll need to receive an Associate’s degree in dental hygiene. In most cases, this can be completed in just three years.<\/p>\n

              What is the Industry Pay Rate?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

              Dental hygienists can make over $72,000 each year, depending on the office they work for and the area of the country. It’s a flexible job that can offer a lot to someone who doesn’t want to be behind a desk all day.<\/p>\n

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                Criminal Investigator<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                Have you always had a passion for law enforcement and a knack for paying attention to details? Consider becoming a criminal investigator. Criminal investigators have many different tasks within their job description.<\/p>\n

                Some of these responsibilities include:<\/p>\n

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