Personal Finance: Ask the Experts: What type of training leads to a decent job for college grad?

Personal Finance: Ask the Experts

Get advice on money matters from The Bee's Claudia Buck and a panel of local experts

September 4, 2012

What type of training leads to a decent job for college grad?

Q: My son is 36, a UCSC grad in philosophy, with no substantial work history (recent stints as a merchandiser, landscaper, fundraiser for a non-profit) now trying to pursue a decent job. I am encouraging him to enroll in a certificate program such as legal aide, pharmacy tech, EKG tech, etc. Do these programs have good results as far as employment when completed? He really does not know where to turn. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. He currently lives in San Francisco, but may return to Sacramento to live with us while pursuing something. Thank you. Diane - Citrus Heights, CA

A: The healthcare industry in general offers the most promising job growth and high-wage opportunities so any occupational training programs for this sector will lead to a positive result. One thing to remember, however, is that even with training, most employers want experience as well. I would advise your son to look into a program that offers paid work experience or internship opportunities along with strong employment placement outcomes for graduates at the completion of the training program.

Of the three occupations that you referenced, the EKG tech offers the most employment opportunities - 44,785 new jobs annually for the greater Sacramento region (El Dorado, Sacramento, Sutter, Placer, Yuba and Yolo counties). The median wage for an EKG Tech is $22.89 per hour.
CareerGPS.com is a great resource for detailed information about which jobs are in high demand in the Sacramento region, how much they pay, what type of education or training is recommended, and where to get that additional training.

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Claudia Buck is The Sacramento Bee's personal finance columnist. Read all her columns here. Contact her at cbuck@sacbee.com

Terri Carpenter

Terri Carpenter offers advice on job hunting, retraining and career counseling. Carpenter works at Sacramento Works Inc., the career and job training arm of the Sacramento Employment and Training Agency (SETA). With 15 years in the field, she has hands-on experience with everyone from first-time job seekers to career professionals seeking advice after a layoff or looking for a mid-career change. Ask her a question.

Carlena Tapella

Carlena Tapella is a partner in the law firm of Webb & Tapella Law Corp. in Sacramento. The firm specializes in estate planning and probate, such as estates, trusts, conservatorships and litigation. She is a past president of the Sacramento County Bar Association's Estate Planning & Probate Section. Ask her a question.

Kimberly Foss, certified financial planner, is the founder of Empyrion Wealth Management in Roseville. With nearly 30 years in the financial industry, her clients include women in transition, small business owners, retirees and "pre-retirees." Ask her a question.

Gregory Burke, a CPA and tax expert with John Waddell & Co. in Sacramento since 1984, worked as an IRS tax auditor for six years. He’s a past chairman of the California Society of CPAs. Ask him a question.

Daniel Tahara takes your questions about California taxes. Tahara, a spokesman for the state Franchise Tax Board, has 10 years of experience as a tax auditor. Ask him a question.