Plans For The Future
I have a good career goal in mind, in a field that can't be replaced by AI, and is always in demand. Specifically, sterile processing. It's a very hands on field and requires cleaning and sterilizing surgical tools and equipment. I doubt I'd be able to work solo, unless it's for a small company, but it would get me out of retail hell! And it pays pretty damn well. Like, $20 at the bare minimum, but upwards $35-40. Plus the work sounds fun; lot of detail work, which I love.
And I don't mind a little blood and gore, haha.
I was taking classes at the local community college, as they do offer courses in the field. But I was doing that for two years, due to a setback...and now that I am eligible for my main courses, I haven't heard back from the instructor. That, and I'd have to go downtown for 4 hour evening classes...which gets expensive. It's ultimately cheaper and easier to self study, an option I didn't realize I had. Shout out to Reddit for all the useful info!
So wanting to save money, I decided to buy the latest textbook and a workbook, and will work through those over the next few weeks. But my good fortune doesn't stop there! My girlfriend's family (mom, grandma, and aunt), all have ties to the medical community. My girlfriend's mom, for example, was a dental hygienist for over thirty years. She's since retired from the field, though I believe she is studying to be a dentist. And she has connections that may be willing to give me a starter job in the field. There are places that will hire and train you, but you have to get certified to keep your job.
That's the kind of boost I need to get my foot in the door. And as I've had some schooling and am determined to study on my own, I think it shows a dedication employers like to see. Worse case scenario, I get certified on my own and continue to apply for jobs. That's the slower method, but it'll be so worth it!
We're meeting up with my girlfriend's mom for a birthday celebration, and my girlfriend plans to broach the topic. I'm keeping my expectations low, but I can at least get some advice. Regardless, I'll start studying either this weekend or next week. I want to write up a little lesson plan for myself, just to be realistic. A chapter a week at the minimum would be a good start, but I can't say for sure without going over the material.
Really stoked either way, and report any cool finds I come across!
Update: So...I really misjudged how long I'd need to study to complete the book. 24 chapters, one a week, will take me through the end of the year (or the first week of January). Either way, ouch! I'll go more in-depth when figuring out the rest of my lesson plan. Just got a list of chapters and a very rough timeline at the moment.