# What avenues should I try to get a better job? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 29, 2014, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-avenues-should-i-try-to-get-a-better-job/689583 "2014-05-29T18:42:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Skypist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skypist/32/169_2.png) [@Skypist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skypist)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-avenues-should-i-try-to-get-a-better-job/689583/1 "2014-05-29T18:42:02Z")
I am very frustrated with my job situation. I have actually been trying to get out of my current job for the last ~10 years but am still stuck in medical transcription. This is a field that is really going downhill in terms of earnings potential and even available positions. I couldn’t be more demotivated. No matter how hard I try, I’ll never be able to make enough lines to be in a decent financial position. At the age of 44, this is just unacceptable. I have a bachelor degree in English and know a lot of medical terminology from being a transcriptionist for so gosh darn long. That’s about it - nothing. I feel that the only thing I qualify for is some entry-level job somewhere making about what I’m making now but without the few perks of this job - working in pajamas at home, not needing an extensive work wardrobe, no commute. I would probably be losing money if I were to, say, take a job as a greeter at Wal-Mart or as a secretary because then I’d use more gas and have more wear and tear on the car and some more clothing expenses. What do I do? A few years ago I actually went to nursing school, completed it and passed the NCLEX but was unable to find a job. I also think maybe I’m not suited to it because it scares me. That was a big mistake that I rue to this day but nothing I can do about it now. I allowed my worthless license to lapse so that’s not an option anyway. I’ve looked at jobs on [usajobs.gov](http://usajobs.gov) but I think I don’t even qualify to be an administrative assistant! ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-avenues-should-i-try-to-get-a-better-job/689583/2 "2014-05-29T20:45:05Z")
Do you have an active license? If not, can you renew it? Nursing positions are in pretty decent demand where I live (Chicago). ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-avenues-should-i-try-to-get-a-better-job/689583/3 "2014-05-29T21:42:10Z")
Sometimes you get a glut of skilled people in an industry. Supply and demand means that pay remains static or falls. People decide to leave for a more lucrative industry. Suddenly there’s a skill shortage, and ‘in demand’ skills are suddenly more lucrative. Maybe wait it out? ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-avenues-should-i-try-to-get-a-better-job/689583/4 "2014-05-29T22:25:29Z")
I don’t know, but I wonder the same thing. It seems like every career change is going to require 2+ years of training (a masters or an associates) full time, and 3-4 years if done part time. Not to mention tens of thousands in debt which I do not want to take on. They need to bring back apprentice programs so people can learn new trades on the job. Higher education as it stands is not sustainable. ---
**Author:** ![Pixel\_Dent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bc8723/32.png) [@Pixel\_Dent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixel_Dent)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2014, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-avenues-should-i-try-to-get-a-better-job/689583/5 "2014-05-30T15:31:04Z")
Have you looked into Clinical Research Data Monitor jobs? ---
**Author:** ![Skypist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skypist/32/169_2.png) [@Skypist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skypist)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2014, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-avenues-should-i-try-to-get-a-better-job/689583/6 "2014-05-31T05:05:41Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > Do you have an active license? If not, can you renew it? Nursing positions are in pretty decent demand where I live (Chicago). I let it lapse. I think I would have to go to a summer course to be eligible to renew, plus I would have to explain to nursing managers why I never got a job since 2011 when I originally graduated and got my license. > [@mascaroni](#): > > Sometimes you get a glut of skilled people in an industry. Supply and demand means that pay remains static or falls. People decide to leave for a more lucrative industry. Suddenly there’s a skill shortage, and ‘in demand’ skills are suddenly more lucrative. > > Maybe wait it out? Maybe… Transcription is one of those industries that is vulnerable to being outsourced overseas, which really keeps pay low these days. The pay used to be decent but I’m not sure those days are ever coming back. > [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > I don’t know, but I wonder the same thing. It seems like every career change is going to require 2+ years of training (a masters or an associates) full time, and 3-4 years if done part time. Not to mention tens of thousands in debt which I do not want to take on. > > They need to bring back apprentice programs so people can learn new trades on the job. Higher education as it stands is not sustainable. Alas. You make a good point. > [@Pixel\_Dent](#): > > Have you looked into Clinical Research Data Monitor jobs? I haven’t heard of this. I’ll check it out.