Career Paths
HVAC Technician
Job Description:
HVAC is an acronym that stands for “heating, ventilating and air conditioning.”
Also refered to as climate control, HVAC technicians are skilled at installing,
maintaining and repairing HVAC systems such as those in industrial and office buildings
as well as private homes. The three functions of HVAC are interrelated as all seek
to provide thermal comfort and acceptable indoor air quality.
According to the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Engineers, the HVAC industry is a worldwide enterprise, with a number of career
opportunities including operation and maintenance, system design and construction,
equipment manufacturing and sales as well as education and research.
Companies that hire HVAC technicians include HVAC contractors, service companies,
manufacturers, wholesale suppliers and manufacturers’ representatives as well as
building owners, property management companies and mechanical engineering firms.
Education and Training
No matter where you choose to work as an HVAC technician, you will first need to
be trained and certified. There are a variety of options for HVAC training, including
online certification programs. According to North American Technician Excellence,
a typical online certification protocol includes eight courses of training at about
120 days per course. You can also find shorter courses with more hands-on experience
at vocational schools and career colleges. In order to obtain certification, exams
on various aspects HVAC have to be passed
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Salary and Job Outlook
When you start your HVAC career, you can expect to earn about $13.00 per hour with
that rate going up exponentially as you gain experience, according to PayScale.com.
The HVAC industry is one of the only industries not experiencing any ill effects
of the economy and is unlikely to sustain any in the future. In addition, every
city has its share of office buildings that utilize HVAC systems which, by law,
must be maintained and regulated for health and safety, thus a career in HVAC is
a good choice for job security.
Automotive Service Technician
Job Description:
Increasingly automotive service technicians must be as adept in sophisticated computer
systems as they are in mechanical problem solving. The professional profile of the
automotive service technician has evolved in response to the introduction of evermore
complicated technology into automotive systems This trend is likely to progress
even faster as automobiles adapt to the more strict environmental and fuel economic
demands of the government and the public.
Automotive technicians repair, maintain and in some locations perform state environmental
inspections on automobiles and trucks. Computerized diagnostic tools, computer performance
enhancers and basic mechanical engine parts place a great deal of discretion in
the hands of the automotive service technician. The technician must have an encyclopedic
knowledge of multiple car models in order to perform the right tests and interpret
the results correctly.
The majority of technicians work a 40-hour work week at an auto service station
or car dealership; however, those hours may be in the evening or on the weekend.
Much of the work is performed in a light industrial working garage. The nature of
the work is a blend of interacting with high technological diagnostic systems and
frequently working with dirty, greasy parts or heavy tools. Workplace safety is
a primary focus, however, minor bruises, cuts or burns are fairly common.
Education and Training:
Education preparation for automotive service technicians normally begins at a career
college or vocational training institution. The length of study varies but generally
takes eight to twelve months. Associate’s degrees, for instance, usually take two
years to complete and are preferred by employers. Frequently during a technician’s
career, additional training and certification is offered by primary automobile manufacturers.
The National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) offers certification
training and testing that is highly-regarded in the industry and beneficial to career
advancement.
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Salary:
The U.S. Department of Labor reported, in 2006, that the average wage for an automotive
service technician was $16.24 an hour while the top 10 percent of the industry earned
more than $27.22 an hour. Much of this is determined by experience, certification
and ongoing training as well as work location.
Job Outlook
The Labor Department reported that between 2006 and 2016 job growth for service
technicians is expected to expand by 14 percent, higher than the average for other
occupations. This is largely due to the expected need to replace current technicians
as they retire. The work flow is steady and largely unaffected by economic conditions.
During recession periods consumers generally put off purchasing new automobiles,
opting instead to retain, repair and maintain their current vehicles.
Interior Designer
Job Description:
An interior designer is in charge of designing and decorating the interior of spaces
including offices, homes, airports and malls. Paint color, furniture, texture, plants,
placement, light switches and carpet, are all the decision of an interior designer.
They are in charge of making a space into an area that will increase productivity,
comfort or create a certain mood. Interior designers must collaborate with a buildings’
architecture, layout and be comfortable working with any renovations. They must
know building and fire codes as well as handicap accessibility requirements and
work with electricians and contractors to make sure everything meets regulation.
They must ensure to complete a job based on a client’s wishes for the space, a budget
and a timeline.
Education and Salary:
A bachelor’s degree is required for most entry-level positions; there are also professional
design schools that take two to four years to complete. After graduation, many students
acquire assistant positions or an apprenticeship. Then, after one to three years
of an apprenticeship, a student will take the licensing exam to become an official
interior designer. To take the exam, an individual needs to complete six years of
combined schooling and design experience.
Interior designers earn an average of $30,000 to $58,000 a year; the highest paid
designers can earn up to $80,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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Training Qualifications:
Interior designers must be creative and able to communicate their ideas visually
and verbally. Since every clients tastes are different, they must have knowledge
of a wide arrange of styles and be open to many ideas. They need to be self-disciplined
and good with imagining spaces and budgeting time and money.
Related Careers:
- Architect
- Commercial Industrial Designers
- Landscape Architects
- Fashion Designer
- Graphic Designer