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Before anyone can enjoy their first day as an accountant, a college degree must be achieved. To receive a Bachelor’s degree, a number of courses must be completed successfully. In California, this list includes:
- Accounting, both Financial and Managerial
- American Culture
- Business and IT Environments
- Business Communications
- Business Finance
- Business Operations
- Business Writing
- Calculus
- Cultural Anthropology
- Economics
- Exports-Imports Financing
- Geography
- Information Systems and Applications
- Macroeconomics
- Management
- Marketing
- Microeconomics
- Politics
- Probabilities and Statistics
- Psychology
- Securities
- Sociology
- Writing
The coursework is generally hard for the majority of students, so people should not expect to breeze through college easily. In addition, before receiving the Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, all California students must pass the EWP (Examination in Writing Proficiency) with at least a 71%. Accountants constantly use basic math procedures to record debits and credits. Those who detest math will find that a career in accounting can be very tedious.
Getting Started
Proper college schooling only lands a person a degree. Many employers will not hire those with accounting degrees that have no actual work experience. It can be extremely tough to find a high-paying job right off the bat. An apprenticeship in college can help provide on-the-job training that can help land a good job after graduation. Other men and women holding a degree in accounting should expect to start on the lower-rung of a corporate ladder and work their way up. Starting salaries for an accountant average $40,000 in California. After a number years in the job, these salaries can rise to a little over $100,000. It is, however, rather difficult to afford suitable housing in many Californian cities on $40,000 a year. Any person interested in this career must learn to scrimp while starting out!
Specializing
Many accountants hold specialties in certain industries. For example, a construction accountant will have a general knowledge of construction terminology, the method in which construction projects go together, and general prices for equipment and supplies. General Ledger Accountants maintain the ledgers for a company. Tax accountants deal strictly with personal or business taxes. The same is true for the travel industry, entertainment, banking, and major corporations.
Accountants are responsible for keeping that specific company’s financial records current. Usually, companies hire an accountant and at least one helper. The accountant’s duties include:
- Recording and maintaining all general ledger (records) of debits and credits (expenses and revenue.)
- Budgeting money for supplies, salaries, and other necessary expenses, including emergencies, that are necessary to a business’s operations.
- Handling all month end and year end financial reports.
- Review and approve all financial transactions to ensure they are legal.
- Hire and manage accounting staff.
- Selecting and operating accounting software.
- Keep financial information securely stored away and keep financial information private and out of conversations.
In addition, many companies require their accountants to help with weekly or bi-weekly payrolls, year end taxes, and often researching finance regulations and other financial issues is involved.
For those who are lucky enough, a travel agency accountant is very enjoyable and beneficial because of the job perks. Many accountants in a travel setting work the average 9 to 5 hours Monday through Friday and are eligible for travel discounts, including hotels, airfare, package vacations, and cruises, which makes it a highly sought after specialty. Take a look at the day in the life of an accountant for a travel agency:
Every Monday, an accountant in this type of business must gather up the previous week’s ticket sales and perform the ARC (Airline Recording Corporation) reports. This report tallies up all of the airline ticket sales and then the travel agency’s commissions, if any are involved, are reduced from the amount the travel agency then sends out to the ARC. While a travel agency is paid for the full ticket price for any airline ticket, only a portion of that money is legally theirs. If an airline offers a 5% commission on a ticket that cost $500, the travel agency only gets to keep $25 of that money. The rest is sent to the ARC to be distributed to the airlines.
During the rest of the week, accountants pay the bills, budget for upcoming expenses like rent, business supplies, and employee salaries. Many accountants in travel agencies also handle weekly payroll, business taxes, insurance plans, and customer refunds if necessary.
Accounting is an extremely rewarding career, though it does require a solid, four-year education. Those seeking the highest pay scale will need to finish their college degree and then study for the CPA (Certified Public Accountant) exam. This difficult and lengthy exam covers all aspects of accounting including legal issues, the basics, and more. The four exam sections take a total of fourteen hours and include Auditing & Attestation, Business Environment & Concepts, Financial Accounting and Reporting, and Regulations. Many states are starting to look into making the CPA exam a mandatory step in becoming an accountant, so current uncertified accountants may want to look into the CPA soon.
By gaining an Associates or Bachelor’s degree in business administration, a number of careers are available. For most, the biggest problem is narrowing the field while in college. It is best to specialize in one area (Accounting, Communications, Finance, Information Systems, Health Services, Hospitality, Human Resources, Management, Sales/Marketing, and Small Business) because many careers look for those with specialized skills. Job duties and salaries vary greatly.
Specializing in Accounting
One who has a degree in Business Administration with accounting as a specialty can then go on to gain jobs working alongside an accountant, work as a bookkeeper for a small company, or work as a tax consultant. Those interested in this specialty should enjoy working with calculators, financial software such as Quickbooks, and have an eye for detail. One mistaken figure can throw financial records off.
Specializing in Communications
A Business Administration degree with a specialty in Communications is great for those interested in becoming a technical writer. This is a growing field as more companies are in need of men and women who can write thorough, easy to follow computer manuals, training materials, instruction guides, and more. Often these people must have high typing speeds, an excellent grasp of grammar, and enjoy writing detailed material. Work days include plenty of time spent typing up and editing these guides, but working from home is an intriguing option.
Specializing in Finance
Today’s world seems to revolve fully around money. A Business Administration degree concentrating on finance allows a man or woman to work in banking, financial firms, and other related businesses. Again, a person interested in this field must enjoy working with numbers and must have an eye for detail. Pay in this field is often higher than in other fields due to the natures of the businesses.
Specializing in Information Systems
Information Systems are necessary in any business because they are the programs that keep customer records, sales records, and more. Those with this specialty will work with computers regularly maintaining computer records and software. Due to the wide range of businesses out there, those with this degree can work for virtually any computer helping with data entry, reports, and the programs themselves.
Specializing in Insurance
Health insurance companies are growing in leaps and bounds and there is a strong need for conscientious workers who can process medical and dental claims, handle patient records while following the strict privacy laws, and also help run a medical or dental office. Those whose degree focuses on Health Services often find high paying jobs quickly and easily because of the high demand. Job duties may include checking in patients, coding medical forms following a patient’s visit, or handling insurance claims to ensure the doctor is paid.
Specializing in Hospitality
Working in a hotel or resort is a dream job to many. By gaining a Business Administration degree with a focus in hospitality, a student is prepared to run the front desk in a hotel, restaurant, or other travel or entertainment venues. Often a job of this nature comes with a discount that makes the job highly desirable. Pay scales are not as high in this field, but the perks make up for it!
Specializing in Human Resources
Those interested in handling payroll, employee benefits, hiring/firing, and labor relations should go for a degree that focuses on Human Resources. Job duties often include running a front office, handling payroll, handing out paychecks, scheduling vacations, interviewing potential employees, managing and researching job benefits, and handling exit interviews for exiting employees.
Specializing in Management
A degree with management as a specialty is necessary for anyone interested in managing a business or department. This can be a rather stressful job as many loathe their boss because it is that person who assigns work. Pay scales are higher though and with good management skills, it is easy to gain friends with your employees.
Specializing in Marketing
Sales and Marketing is a perfect career for the outgoing men and women who want to spend long hours talking to potential customers. Sales can be high pressure and often salaries are based on commissions, so to make a lot of money, one must succeed at selling. Public relations is another option for those with degrees in marketing. Public Speaking skills are important, but one spends plenty of time meeting with other men and women, going out on business lunches, or dinners that the company pays for making it an intriguing career.
Specializing in Business
Finally, if you have every dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur, a Business Administration degree with a focus in Small Business is the best way to go. This degree shapes people to eventually own and run their own business. Hours can be very long while starting out, and often there are money struggles while building the business, but once a business is successful, the owner can set his or her own hours, work from home when desired, and have the freedom of being his or her own boss.
Find a program in business administration in California.
Within the field of Aviation, there are a number of careers available. Different jobs entail different education paths, so it is important to decide which career appeals most before entering technical training or college. The list of jobs is wide:
- Aerospace Engineers
- Aircraft Assembly
- Aircraft Engine Inspectors
- Aircraft Mechanic
- Airline Customer Service
- Airplane Designers
- Air Traffic Control
- Aviation Administration
- Baggage Handlers
- Emergency Crew
- Flight Attendants
- Helicopter Mechanics
- Pilots
- Runway Crew
- Security Officers
Getting the Education You Need for a Career in the Aviation Field
Schooling is required for some aviation careers, but others require little more than on-the-job training and a high school diploma. Each job requires different tasks. For example, a flight attendant goes through a flight attendant training program and then must be willing to fly from area to area regularly. Flight attendants spend more time on a plane than in their own home or apartment. They handle waiter/waitressing tasks, in-flight safety instructions, customer complaints, passenger control, check-in, and more. An airline customer service representative, on the other hand, usually receives on the job training and is required to make reservations, handle telephone or live complaints or questions, check-in baggage, and other duties related to getting a passenger onto a plane.
One of the most rewarding careers within the aviation field, however, is that of an airframe and powerplant technician. Even better, jobs in this field are quite plentiful.
Working as an Airframe and Powerplant Technician
Throughout the world, airframe and powerplant technicians inspect planes before flights ensuring that the plane is in top condition and working properly. This makes the airframe and powerplant technician one of the more important jobs in the field of aviation.
To prevent airline crashes, all airlines must be thoroughly inspected before the flight. Everything from landing gear to engines to the mechanical controls are checked to ensure they are in prime condition and will not fail during a flight. While the occasional accident does occur, airframe and powerplant technicians are the best change to prevent catastrophes and quickly fix problems so that flights are not delayed for incredible amounts of time.
To become an airframe and powerplant technician, a number of courses are required.
- Aircraft or Helicopter Theory and Operations – Understanding how aircraft or helicopter works
- Airframe and Powerplant Fuel Systems – Proper techniques used when fueling aircraft and how to inspect the fueling system and fuel lines
- Airframe Assembly
- Airplane Maintenance – Step by step instruction in handling an in – depth inspection of a plane prior to a start
- Avionic Circuits – Learning how an avionic circuit board is assembled
- Avionic Regulations – Learning all the rules and regulations involved in avionics that pilots and flight crews must follow, includes laws regarding pre – flight maintenance and inspections
- Communication Systems – Inspecting and repairing, if necessary, the communication system on an airplane or helicopter
- Engine Repairs – Simple and extensive repairs to an airplane or helicopter’s engine system. Usually involves learning how to build an engine from scratch
- Environmental Controls – Learn how to prevent engine ice – ups or other environmental issues that can cause engine failure
- Gas Turbine Engines – Learn how to repair and inspect gas turbine engines
- General Maintenance – How to perform routine oil changes and routine engine maintenance
- Helicopter Maintenance – Specialized maintenance procedures that are mandatory in helicopters
- Hydraulics and Landing Gears – Learn how to inspect the airplane or helicopter’s hydraulic system and the landing gears
- Ignition Systems – Steps for inspecting an airplane or helicopter’s ignition system
- Instrument Panel – Understanding the function of all aircraft instrument panels including why they are used and how to troubleshoot problems with their functioning
- Lubricating Systems – Maintenance and inspection, including repairing, the airplane or helicopter’s lubrication system
- Materials, Processes, and Welding – How to make general repairs to the airplane’s form, includes how to weld metal, clean metal, and check all hardware for rust and corrosion
- Navigation Systems – Inspect and repair the airplane or helicopter’s navigation system
- Pneumatics – Inspect, assemble, and repair the pneumatics system
- Principles of Electricity – Understanding all circuits, including series – parallel circuits, parallel circuits, AC/DC circuits, and the Ohms laws
- Propellers – Learn how to inspect, repair, assemble, and disassemble the propellers
- Reading Blueprints – How to read for design an engine’s blueprint
- Record Keeping – How to maintain proper records for all airplane or helicopter inspections
- Structural Repairs – Use sheet metal and welding skills to repair damage to the airplane or helicopter’s exterior and interior
- Weight and Balance – Inspecting aircraft for safe loads to prevent an overweight plane or helicopter from taking off
- Working with Sheet Metal – Principles to reforming a plane or helicopter’s exterior using sheet metal for repairs
Following this intensive program, students are expected to prepare for and then successfully pass the GROL exam (FCC’s General Radiotelephone Operations License) before one can take on work as an airframe and powerplant technician. Due to the extreme importance in doing a job correctly, it is important for all aviation airframe and powerplant technicians to be licensed and well trained.
Are you interested in a career in aviation? Take a look at our list of schools in California offering avaiation programs.
August 2008
A Q&A session with Michelle, a medical assistant, who works at a local hospital in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Michelle has worked as a CNA for 3 years and has worked as a medical assistant for 5 years.
Q: What type of education or training did you need in order to become a medical assistant?
A: I first became a CNA through the Certified Nursing Assistant class at Lakeshore Technical in Cleveland, Wisconsin. I learned about taking care of people as well as how to perform my duties. I did this for three years before the hospital needed medical assistants. I applied for the class at Lakeshore Technical. The class was the next step up for me. I plan to continue my education and become a nurse.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I like being able to work as both a CNA and a medical assistant. It gives me more flexibility. I am scheduled for medical assistant three days a week and as a CNA two days a week. I like the freedom to work anywhere in the hospital or at other places such as nursing homes and retirement homes.
Q: What do you dislike most about your job?
A: The one thing I dislike is that we are always short-handed it seems. They need more healthcare workers. I work long hours sometimes. It does take its toll on you mentally and physically.
Q: How would you describe your typical day on the job?
A: A typical day starts at 5 AM. I pass out medications to my patients. This usually takes me two hours to do. Then I do blood pressure checks and see how the patients are doing. If they need something, I get it for them. I answer call buttons and help with moving patients to the bathroom when the CNAs are running short. By the time this is all done, it is time to go home. The day goes by fast.
Q: What is your next career step?
A: I want to start my classes in the fall to become a registered nurse. It will take me some time, but I plan to work full time and continue my education. The only time I will have to take leave from work is when I do my clinicals, unless I can do them at my hospital. The hospital pays for the continuing education, so it is well worth it for me.
Q: What previous job history prepared you for your job?
A: My CNA training helped me prepare for the medical assistant job. You do not need previous job history to become a medical assistant but it helps. It was my motivation to further my career.
Q: What kind of traits does a person need to have in order to be successful at this job?
A: You need dedication. The medical field can be demanding and leaves little time for family. You need to be able to separate yourself from your patients. Being polite and friendly is needed, but you cannot let yourself get emotionally involved. You need to be strong. Many people are demanding so having a strong personality that can take things with a grain of salt is needed.
Q: Would you recommend this job to someone else? Why or why not?
A: I would recommend this job to someone that wants to make a difference. If the person is emotional, this is not the job for them. You have to accept death almost every day. That can burn you out. You need to find a place inside of you that you can go to get away from your job sometimes.
Take a look at a list of medical assisting programs in California to take the next step towards becoming a medical assistant.
September 2008
A Q&A session with a Darcy K, the owner of DarcyK Designs, which is an interior design company located in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Q: Can you tell us who you are currently employed with?
A: DarcyK Designs. We are located in Las Vegas, and our focus is on interior design for nightclubs and ultra clubs located throughout Vegas.
Q: What is the most requested service you provide?
A: Design and implementation. Creating proposals and design drawings takes up an incredible amount of an interior designer’s time if you didn’t know it. Club owners expect to have our vision on display prior to an approval of the features. Once our design is accepted, making the vision a reality for our client is what we do best. Working in Las Vegas as an interior designer is demanding work. The expectations are high. Club owners are looking to offer tourists the best. Successful nightclubs have a combination of amenities that make them successful, and environment is one. Our job is to give the club owner the best opportunity to become, or stay, successful.
Q: How long has DarcyK designs been working in Las Vegas?
A: 4 Years. It’s been a wonderful experience after putting in the time to train and travel. To have come as far as I have comes with a great sense of satisfaction. I took everything I learned and put it together with a great place to work and live. The industry here gives me an opportunity to do what I love to do, and do it a lot.
Q: Can you tell us a little about your training and school experience?
A: I grew up in Burlington, Vermont. The opportunity to travel to many different locations around the world was available to me, and the more I traveled, the more I began to notice the differences in taste and culture. I was attracted to the different designs and features of the places I visited. I graduated from the well-known FIDER design program at Virginia Tech, and after my training at the FIDER school, I attended the American International University in London studying hospitality design, European architecture, and photography.
Q: What’s your favorite part about being an interior designer?
A: I consider myself pretty lucky. This was a dream that became reality after much hard work and being able to fulfill a dream is what most of us hope to do, isn’t it? Our clients are our friends. Through the entire process, our attention to what the client wants and needs brings us closer to our clients than other business relationships. Our knowledge of design must work with the clients’ vision. By the time the project is finished, the relationship between designer, owner, and design is complete. We are regularly invited back to do more work for our friends who love what we do for them.
Q: What is the worst part?
A: As far as what I don’t like about my job, I must say that sometimes our vendor relationships could be better. There are too many businesses that are willing to take advantage of others. It is always an upsetting feature of working with other businesses to keep your business working. When problems arise, it’s been our best policy to only accept what responsibility is ours and move on. If a vendor doesn’t perform as expected, we stay prepared to handle any situation that may arise. That’s the worst part: underperformers.
Q: Tell us about an average day at DarcyK Designs.
A: Our office hours are standard 9 to 5. Office hours are different than working hours though. We hope to begin working before and end our day after those hours, but on an average day I would say the day starts about 8:30AM. I’ll go to the studio to go over the calls and reply to customers that came in from the previous day. I will make any appointments I have scheduled. I like to schedule two sets of appointments when necessary so I’ll be at an appointment around 10:30. So, between the time I get to my desk and the time to leave at 10:00, I’ll work on any project set-ups that need attention. I’ll make notes and adjustments that need to be made to the mockup and my staff will complete the idea. Meeting with clients usually means I have my display with the proposal design. It may be just a walk-through, or it may be a status update, the point is, appointment time means business. The same thing will happen in the afternoon at 1:30, and after the appointments, I visit jobsites or return to the studio to finish new work. Add-in the time spent talking to new clients, old clients, potential clients takes up the what the vendors don’t take, and I should get home around 7:00PM.
Q: What are your future career goals?
A: I would want to create a business profile that others want to emulate. I wouldn’t mind having DarcyK Design franchises dotted around the world. Why not? Stopping here just means I’ve concluded my dreams. It may be franchises; it may be a different kind of art or architecture. Anything is possible.
Q: Did your previous work history have anything to do with your current business position?
A: If you consider my schooling to be previous work history then yes. I became an interior designer and built up my own position because of my education and life experiences. I did not work with other designers, but I learned from them when I had the chance.
Q: As an interior designer, what kind of benefits do you receive from the work place?
A: Our company offers all our employees the basic health and vacation benefits. As founder, I retain my own set of health and vacation options, as well as retain revenue profits in the form of my salary. I think the biggest benefit from my job is freedom to run my business and work the way I see fit. That’s the biggest benefit.
Q: Speaking of your salary, would you mind telling a little about the money you make?
A: Our company makes a percentage of the cost build that ranges from 8-20%. The business expenses and liabilities the company has must all be met before a salary is retained by me. On average, I will earn $60,000 after everything is said done.
Q: What makes someone good at this profession?
A: The ability to develop creative designs drawn from the knowledge of various measures of interior design. A commitment to the client and a love for design must be present at all times. What makes someone good at anything is that they enjoy what they do, so what makes someone want to be a good interior designer is a desire to develop creative design implementation.
Q: Would you recommend this career path to others?
A: Yes, interior design is something that I love. Even when I discussed some of the things I do not like about the business, it pales in comparison to the enjoyment I get from my work. My clients are friends, I love the work, I enjoy taking something that is rough and working it out until it shines. I believe that interior design offers everyone the same ability and benefits. I would suggest that those who are interested in this business become well trained in some exacting procedures prior to attempting to do this as their job. Reputation is important in this business, and many unskilled designers have had short lived careers because of being poorly trained and unable to accomplish some of the basics that come with the business.
If you want to pursue an interior design career like Darcy K., start by viewing a list of interior design programs available in California.
October 4, 2005
A Q&A session with Barbara Kavalvs, an X-Ray Technician, who works at Scripps Hospital in Encinitas, CA. Barbara provides great insight into the career of an X-Ray Technician.
Q: Describe your average daily routine. What types of tasks are you expected to complete as part of your job?
A: To take x-rays of people that come into the ER. If they break a bone, we are there to x-ray. If there is a trauma (car accident, etc.) we are there immediately to take x-rays before the patient can be moved. We also take x-rays in the operating room (OR) while surgery is being performed. Mostly for orthopedics, when screws or plates need to be inserted to hold bones together. We also x-ray internal organs by injecting contrast materials that is radiopaque. This includes stomachs, intestines, colon, kidneys, uterus, fallopian tubes, etc. We use a method called fluoroscopy, which is a live x-ray, like a movie.
Q: What do you like the most about being an X-Ray Technician?
A: I enjoy helping people. I also enjoy how interesting the human body is.
Q: What do you dislike, if anything, about being an X-Ray Technician?
A: You are exhausted at the end of your shift. At times it is very stressful, especially if you work at a trauma center. The pace is extremely fast at hospitals.
Q: What is your work environment like?
A: My work environment is very busy and very stressful. You just learn how to work under these conditions. I work with great people and that makes all the difference.
Q: What is your work schedule like?
A: I work 8 hour shifts, but at places you can work 12 or 16 hour shifts. Grave yard shift if tough to stay awake, but some people love it. You can also take “call” overnight which means if they get busy they will call you to come in.
Q: Where did you get the training necessary for your job?
A: I took a 2 year college program and earned an AS degree in radiology. You must also complete so many clinical hours. You then must take a registry exam earning you an “RT” degree. This will allow you to be licensed in the state. The program is difficult and involves a lot of math, physics and anatomy. It is a very interesting field, but right now there is a waiting list at some colleges.
Q: Would you recommend your job as an X-Ray Technician to another person?
A: I love my job and yes, I would recommend it to anyone who wants to make a difference. My daughter just joined the program as well.
Q: What is the next step in your career?
A: I will be staying as an x-ray technician for the foreseeable time being.
View a list of schools in California offering x-ray programs.
October 6, 2005
A Q&A session with Dennis Tapia, a paralegal, who owns and operates Legal & Tax Services in Vista, CA. Dennis has been in this field for the last 20 years.
Q: Describe your average daily routine. What types of tasks are you expected to complete as part of your job?
A: Each day is different, I assist many people who wish to either file for a divorce, name change, prepare a will or a living trust. I must contact clients, ask questions and gather data in order to prepare the legal documents. Once the documents are complete the documents must be signed and filed with the proper court. The court requires the documents/forms be submitted in the proper format. I must keep current with laws and procedures in the field of family law and trust and probate law. Time is very important in all cases and if the forms and/or documents are rejected this could cost my clients valuable time and money.
Q: What do you like the most about being a paralegal?
A: I would have to say I like helping people solve their problems and saving them money. It’s a very rewarding field and you meet very interesting people.
Q: What do you dislike, if anything, about being a paralegal?
A: The high cost of court filing fees, each year they go up and my clients must pay this before a case can get started.
Q: What is your work environment like?
A: It can be busy but it’s very rewarding and sometime it’s a bit stressful when you have deadlines to meet.
Q: What is your work schedule like?
A: My normal work day starts around 7:00 am up to 6 pm, five to six days a week. Most people think if you work for yourself it’s easy but if you’re not completing cases, answering phones, you’re not getting paid. But you have the option of taking long weekends, once in awhile.
Q: Where did you get the training necessary for your job?
A: I attended Santa Ana College in Orange County where I received a certificate in Paralegal Studies. The program took 3 years to complete, full time. I learned the basic skills on how to prepare legal documents/forms, procedures, and laws. I would recommend this program because it prepares you to work for attorneys or work for yourself.
Q: Would you recommend your job as a paralegal to another person?
A: Yes, you have the option to work at your own pace, take the case you want and set your own fee schedule.
Q: What is the next step in your career?
A: Right now, continue to grow my business and promote it. I plan to stay in this field, I found out everybody needs some type of legal and/or tax help sometime in their life. We all must follow the law and pay taxes.
View a list of schools in California offering paralegal programs.
October 6, 2005
A Q&A session with Dennis Tapia, an accountant, who owns and operates Legal & Tax Services in Vista, CA. Dennis has been in this field for the last 20 years.
Q: Describe your average daily routine. What types of tasks are you expected to complete as part of your job?
A: As a tax preparer I gather data from my clients and input this data into the proper IRS form. I also teach my clients what they can and cannot use as a deduction, make sure they pay the proper tax to the IRS and FTB. As a bookkeeper, I input my clients’ data to show them where they are spending their money, and make sure that their business is producing a positive cash flow. I also balance their checkbooks and provide my clients with financial reports.
Q: What do you like the most about being an accountant?
A: I enjoy helping my clients with their taxes and books. I teach them what to look for and keep in contact with them throughout the year. Most tax preparers only see or talk with clients once a year, I encourage my clients to contact me anytime with there questions or concerns.
Q: What do you dislike, if anything, about being an accountant?
A: So far nothing, I enjoy my job and my clients.
Q: What is your work environment like?
A: Well during tax season from January to April 15 it is very busy and at time stressful. After tax season it dies down a lot and everything is back to normal.
Q: What is your work schedule like?
A: During tax season I have worked 10 up to 15 hours a day. But once tax season is over I normally take a week or two off to relax.
Q: Where did you get the training necessary for your job?
A: I went to Jackson Hewitt where I was trained as a tax preparer. The program took 3 months on a part-time schedule. I learned basic tax preparation for both personal and business taxes and was awarded a certificate at the end of the program. Once you earn your certificate, you must maintain a $5,000.00 bond and take a renewal test each year.
Q: Would you recommend your job as an accountant to another person?
A: I would recommend this to indivuals who like working with numbers, have good math skills and don’t mind filling out lots of forms.
Q: What is the next step in your career?
A: To further my education and become an EA (Enrolled Agent).
View a list of schools in California offering accounting programs.
October 11, 2005
A Q&A session with Cynthia Arroyo, a pharmacy technician, who works at Scripps Hospital in Encinitas, CA. Cynthia has been in the field for a year and a half.
Q: Describe your average daily routine. What types of tasks are you expected to complete as part of your job?
A: When I arrive in the morning I help the pharmacist catch up with the orders that were scanned between 12 AM- 7 AM. Then if there are any IV’s to be made before the IV tech arrives, I’ll mix them or fill any labels that were printed out. While I’m delivering the medications, my coworker starts with the Pyxis refill. In the morning we refill the main floors like ICU, 2N, NICU, ED, etc.
As we are doing all of this, we are also responsible for answering the phone. The pharmacist also answers phones and enters the orders that are being scanned or that need to be verified.
After we fill the buckets with the medications that are low in amounts, the pharmacist checks them off and one of us leaves to fill the Pyxis. The other tech will stay to answer phones, enter orders, or if it’s slow, fill trays and help the IV tech.
At 12:00 PM, one of us goes to lunch while the other one stays to help the pharmacist. Then we switch again. At around this time, an afternoon pharmacist will arrive and help with narcotics that are low in amounts around the whole hospital. As we are waiting to take out the narcotics, we are doing different things, like helping people at the window, refilling labels, checking for outdates, and many other tasks. After the pharmacist is done refilling the narcotics, we deliver them about 2:30. By this time, one of the afternoon pharmacy techs has arrived and will deliver some of the narcs. Then when we return it’s about to go home.
Q: What do you like the most about being a pharmacy technician?
A: The thing that I like the most about my job is the fact that as I am filling the medications, I learn about different medications and what they do and what they are good for. I gain knowledge on what to take for this and for that. Another thing that I like about my job is that I have chance to meet different people from visitors to doctors, to the CEO.
Q: What do you dislike, if anything, about being a pharmacy technician?
A: I really enjoy my job, the job itself, I like everything about it, but the people I work with, well that is something else.
Q: What is your work environment like?
A: In the mornings, it can be pretty stressful and busy, especially when pharmacists get a uncommon order that they need to investigate the dose, the route, the strength, etc. And when the pharmacist falls behind, we start getting a lot of phone calls that they need this and that, and we can’t really do anything because it needs to be verified or checked by the pharmacist. Usually the other pharmacist will jump in and help.
Q: What is your work schedule like?
A: I’m supposed to be part time but since we are short one tech, I work full time, 40 hours per week. I usually work from 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM, or I even work in the afternoon, from 2:30 PM – 11:00 PM or 3:00 PM – midnight. I gain 5-8 hours (I’m not sure) of vacation time every 2 weeks.
Q: Where did you get the training necessary for your job?
A: I attended the pharmacy technician program at the American Institute of Health Sciences. The program was part-time and lasted 10 months, plus an internship of 330 hours. I learned about compounding, order entering, presentations, where look for information (all the resources that pharmacists use), mechanism of drugs, and much more. I would recommend the program because it’s challenging but very interesting because you don’t only learn about medicine but about communications skills, writing skills and even math skills.
Q: Would you recommend your job as a pharmacy technician to another person?
A: Yes I would, because, yes it can be very busy, but I see it more like time passes by faster and when you think about it it’s time to go home. Also because all the experiences and knowledge you gain by working at a pharmacy can be applied to your personal life, like you know what the best thing you can give to a family member when they have a cough. Another reason is that you have all the resources to look up when you are in doubt in something related to health. And then you have the pharmacist that you can ask too.
Q: What is the next step in your career?
A: Right now I’m working on my BS in Biology and then I’m going to apply to Pharmacy School. I am planning to work as a pharmacy tech while I’m attending my school.
View a list of schools in California offering pharmacy technician programs.
November 2, 2005
A Q&A session with John Bailey, a respiratory therapist, who works at Scripps Hospital in Encinitas, CA. John has been in the field for 2 1/2 years.
Q: Describe your average daily routine. What types of tasks are you expected to complete as part of your job?
A: My job mostly consists of aiding patients who are in any form of respiratory distress or who have any degree of respiratory difficulty. This includes patients with asthma, bronchitis or any other respiratory disease. My typical day consists of administering medication to patients to help dilate airways so they can breathe easier. When I’m in the intensive care unit I am working with patients who are critically ill and sometimes need to be on ventilators. When these patients are on a ventilator the Respiratory Therapist (RT) is continuously monitoring lung volumes and pressure. RT’s also aid doctors with bronchoscopies. Bronchoscopies are procedures that involve the use of a fiber optic scope. The scope is introduced into the airway of the patient usually through the nose and passed down the trachea into the lungs. While down there, the doctor can diagnose and sometimes treat pulmonary disorders.
Q: What do you like the most about being a respiratory therapist?
A: I enjoy the technical aspects of my job. I like being in the intensive care unit where I work with ventilators that are used to monitor and manipulate lung volumes and pressures. I also like to aid doctors with the bronchoscopies where I use specialized instruments such as forceps and brushes to help diagnose the patient’s condition.
Q: What do you dislike, if anything, about being a respiratory therapist?
A: I don’t like it when patients I’m working with come close to dying. It can also be very stressful dealing with difficult family members. Difficult family members can sometimes prevent me from doing my job effectively.
Q: What is your work environment like?
A: The work environment can be quite unpredictable. There are times when it’s slow. There are also times when it is very busy and stressful. For the most part it is usually steady and there is always work to do. Things at a hospital can change in a matter of seconds so it is always important to be prepared for chaos.
Q: What is your work schedule like?
A: Most respiratory therapists in the area where I am work 12 hour shifts three days a week. That is considered full time. My days start at 6 am and end at 6:30 pm. There is a half hour overlap between shifts for giving report on the patients. Vacation time is on an accrued basis. I usually accrue seven hours a pay period. Those hours go into a bank called PTO (personal time off) and then I can use them when I decide to take a vacation.
Q: Where did you get the training necessary for your job?
A: People can obtain a Respiratory Therapist license by first completing a program that is usually two years. There are also 18 month programs as well. Those programs tend to cost a little more but it is six months less time and t hey don’t normally require prerequisites. In my area (San Diego, CA) there is Grossmont college. It is a junior college. It requires about one to two years of prerequisites which include human anatomy, physiology, and microbiology. Once the prerequisites are completed the RT program itself is two years. The school I attended was California College. It is a private school. It requires only a high school diploma or GED. It is an 18 month program. There is an entry level exam that must be passed which should be obtainable for the average person. The program itself is full time, five days a week, about five hours a day. When clinical rotations start you are required to work the 12 hour shifts three days a week. It is important to study and not let the program get ahead of you. For those 18 months all you will think about is respiratory care.
Q: Would you recommend your job as a respiratory therapist to another person?
A: I would recommend this job to other people as long as you don’t get grossed out easily. There are things about our job that does require dealing with bodily secretions. It is interesting, challenging, and sometimes fun. Being an RT is a technical job which I find exciting and mentally stimulating. There is always something new to learn about. It is a stable profession as well and a lot of security comes with working in health care.
Q: What is the next step in your career?
A: I think respiratory care is a great field to work in. I have learned quite a bit. It is a great stepping stone to use as you move on to other jobs. You can make a decent living from it but you’re not going to become rich. I myself plan on going back to school eventually to advance my education. But I will use respiratory therapy as a tool to further my knowledge.
View a list of schools in California offering respiratory therapist programs.
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