The following five careers usually require short-term vocational study, but will teach you skills and on-the-job training to start a new career off on the right foot!

Legal Assistant

• As a legal assistant, you will research, analyze cases, and prepare reports to help lawyers and attorneys determine how to handle their cases. Many legal assistants earn their Certified Legal Assistant accreditation from the National Association of Legal Assistants. Employment of legal assistants is projected to grow 28 percent by 2018. The median annual earnings of legal assistants were $46,120 in 2008, where the top 10 percent earned more than $73,450.

Dental Assistant/Dental Hygienist

• As a dental assistant, you will acquire skills needed to remove sutures, make casts of the teeth and mouth from impressions, take dental X-rays, and make temporary crowns. You will also teach your patients about proper dental hygiene. Employment of dental assistants is projected to grow 36 percent by 2018. The median annual earnings of dental assistants were $32,380 in 2008, where the highest 10 percent earned more than $46,150.

Medical Assistant

• As a medical assistant you will collect lab specimens, administer medications, and record vital signs, among other things. Most medical assistants earn their Certified Medical Assistant credential through the American Association of Medical Assistants, or the Registered Medical Assistant credential through American Medical Technologists. Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 34 percent by 2018. The median annual earnings of medical assistants were $28,300 in 2008, where the highest 10 percent earned more than $39,570.

Physical Therapist Assistant

• As a physical therapist, you will prevent and treat conditions that are associated with patients’ loss of mobility. You will teach your patients exercises for strength, coordination, and mobility, and also learn basic massaging techniques. Employment of physical therapy assistants is projected to grow 33 percent by 2018. The median annual earnings of physical therapist assistants were $46,140 in 2008, where the highest 10 percent earned more than $63,830.

Occupational Therapist Assistant

• As an occupational therapy assistant you will learn skills to help people achieve physical independence in all parts of life. You will work with patients to improve their reasoning abilities, basic motor functions, and compensate for any permanent loss of function. Employment of occupational therapist assistants is projected to grow 30 percent by 2018. The median annual earnings of occupational therapist assistants were $48,230 in 2008, where the highest 10 percent earned more than $65,160.

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Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition