IN West Mifflin Fall 2022 | Page 30

HIGHER EDUCATION 2023 SPECIAL SECTION
an increase in wages and jobs , encouraging students and parents to see past an old stigma of choosing vocational school over college . Plus , over the past 30 years , the cost to attend a four-year college has increased by about 200 percent , leaving some students wanting to avoid the hefty price tag of a fouryear degree .
Following are some of the highest-paying trades or vocations available , according to Indeed . com :
n Licensed Practical Nurse ( LPN ) – Working under the direction of doctors and registered nurses , LPNs are responsible for updating patient charts and keeping doctors and nurses up to date on patient health changes . LPNs work long shifts and can work in a hospital , outpatient facility , nursing home , or other caregiving facility . n HVAC Technician – Installing , repairing , replacing , and maintaining systems are all part of an HVAC tech ’ s role . Heating , ventilation , refrigeration , and air-conditioning systems are required to properly maintain workplaces , hospitals , and homes , among other buildings . n Home Inspector – Ensuring the safety of a home or building is the main job of home inspectors . They are required to be familiar with all types of systems that are in a home including heating , electrical , plumbing , and the overall structure . Being a home inspector requires you to be physically fit and capable of climbing ladders and crawling through small spaces . n Plumber – Not only responsible for installing appliances and unclogging toilets and drains , plumbers often install and repair gas supply lines as well . It ’ s critical to understand the flow of these systems and to problem-solve and troubleshoot when issues arise within them . n Electrician – Training to become an electrician takes about as long as it takes to get a bachelor ’ s degree and a license , but this job training pays for itself along the way . If reading blueprints and installing or repairing wires and other electrical components interests you , this career might be electrifying ! n Landscape Designer – If you enjoy the outdoors and gardening , look into the work of landscape designers . These professionals offer plans on designing outdoor spaces for residential and commercial settings that consider environmental challenges , features that are meant to be emphasized , and overall aesthetics . n Respiratory Therapist – Respiratory therapists work with patients who have breathing difficulties , and may aid in emergency situations such as drowning , heart attack , or shock . They assess patients ’ respiratory needs and make sure they ’ re receiving proper care and treatment . n Dental Hygienist – Smile ! Your career could be in making teeth brighter . Dental hygienists work to clean teeth , take x-rays , and educate patients on oral health . They are also ranked among the most satisfied workers . You ’ ll need an associate degree to pursue this career .
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