Best careers in Houston (relocate to, company, travel)

[3shipguy]

Originally Posted by Augiec

The amount of schooling is one thing, and I'd say that's a fair statement to justify the salaries; but the cost of the education is something else. Why aren't there enough medical schools? Why are people taking "shortcuts" like going to caribbean med schools and doing residencies in the US?

Either way your last sentence insinuates cause where none exists. Several people have paid lots of money for a liberal arts degree that gets them squat. The price of one's education has no bearing on the income they make. My biggest issue with the ACA is the lack of drivers to increase the supply of medical care.

There are multi factors which relate to the income of the health professionals. Cost of education is only one of them. Caribbean medical schools are not "shortcuts." These students go through the same acceptance and training. Not only that, these students would have to pass the same boards and go through the same residency if they want to practice in the U.S. Most students go to these schools because they could not get accepted in a school in the U.S. Does that make them less of a doctor? Not at all. That's how competitive acceptance is.

Your liberal arts degree analogy holds no water because it is not even close to the cost or the amount of time to obtain one. Furthermore, one has to look at the return of investment in the degree that one chooses and the loss of wages when one decides to continue on with years of education instead of joining the workforce right out of undergrad.

[DanielWayne]

Originally Posted by 3shipguy

Do you know how much schooling it takes to become a doctor? Are you aware of the high cost of education to that accompanies it? Compare that to what it takes to become a high school teacher and maybe you will understand.

A PhD in biology or biomedical engineering takes a lot of schooling. Often biologists are the ones who research treatments for cancer or Alzheimers that are utilized by a physician. A biomedical engineer may play a part in design of a heart pump utilized by a surgeon that could prolong a person's life. Yet the pay for a biologist or biomedical engineer is nowhere near an MD (on average, I am not referring to the time it takes for some MD specialties that take even longer than a PhD).

The average pay for doctors in the US is far, far more than that in most other industrial nations. Yes they should get paid well for the hit in income potential. But the godlike status for some super specialists is part of the healthcare problem.

[3shipguy]

Originally Posted by DanielWayne

A PhD in biology or biomedical engineering takes a lot of schooling. Often biologists are the ones who research treatments for cancer or Alzheimers that are utilized by a physician. A biomedical engineer may play a part in design of a heart pump utilized by a surgeon that could prolong a person's life. Yet the pay for a biologist or biomedical engineer is nowhere near an MD (on average, I am not referring to the time it takes for some MD specialties that take even longer than a PhD).

The average pay for doctors in the US is far, far more than that in most other industrial nations. Yes they should get paid well for the hit in income potential. But the godlike status for some super specialists is mostly an American manifestation.

And that's why equipment and pharmaceuticals cost so much. The R&D is outrageous. Some PhDs in the health field make more than family physicians.

[loflem]

Unfortunately I have no O&G experience, mostly NASA. And with that I didn't get good experience so I have no transferable skills to O&G or other industries. I have never done management nor have PMP or any other credentials. It just seems like a waste to get a bunch of extra credentials at this point. Savings is all used up from being unemployed for a year so I cant start a business. It sucks to be a 40 year old female engineer with no good experience to boot for a new job. Thanks everyone.

[Htown2013]

Originally Posted by loflem

Unfortunately I have no O&G experience, mostly NASA. And with that I didn't get good experience so I have no transferable skills to O&G or other industries. I have never done management nor have PMP or any other credentials. It just seems like a waste to get a bunch of extra credentials at this point. Savings is all used up from being unemployed for a year so I cant start a business. It sucks to be a 40 year old female engineer with no good experience to boot for a new job. Thanks everyone.

Do you like engineering? Even entry level O&G probably pays better than most NASA jobs. O&G Engineering is what Houston is known for. We are down now but it WILL come back in ~2 years. If you actually like engineering get a Masters and then use University recruiting to get a good job. I see more companies with a concerted effort to hire more female engineers.

[JL]

Originally Posted by loflem

Unfortunately I have no O&G experience, mostly NASA. And with that I didn't get good experience so I have no transferable skills to O&G or other industries. I have never done management nor have PMP or any other credentials. It just seems like a waste to get a bunch of extra credentials at this point. Savings is all used up from being unemployed for a year so I cant start a business. It sucks to be a 40 year old female engineer with no good experience to boot for a new job. Thanks everyone.

That is unfortunate. The engineers at the big O&G companies do really well. Also, those big companies really look to hire female engineers.

Originally Posted by smuggy_mba

Back in 2004, I knew a person who I worked with and he was in his 50's and was tired of travel/layoffs and being a corporate pawn in general....he became a nurse and seemed pretty happy with it.

Another guy I know became an attorney from IT Administrator.

My recco will be anything in the medical field: get an MBA in healthcare. No recession in medical field or perhaps the safest bet.

My plan is to work at one of the big medical center hospitals if possible....in IT that is. I also want to get out of O&G.

[theone33]

What would be a medical career that has the least amount of schooling and will never leave you jobless?

[Oildog]

Maybe you need to step back grade level and get experience in a related field. Tough option but better than nothing. The options get lower when you get older and make more money.

[loflem]

I am more than willing to take a lower level even entry level engineering job in O&G but nobody will even give me a chance because I don't have 3D cad/Proe experience, or a PMP, or Green belt or know anything O&G related. I know people who have broken into the O&G market after working at NASA and have talked to them but they cant help me out either. It seems like its a secret club and you have to know someone to get in. I know some companies are hiring in O&G and I have applied but they want people with experience, even with entry level. I have thought about getting a masters but cant afford it. I feel like im in between a rock and a hard place with nowhere to go. I actually thinking of applying to Target or Kohls on Monday just to have some sort of job to get by.

[PedroMartinez]

Originally Posted by theone33

What would be a medical career that has the least amount of schooling and will never leave you jobless?

Medical test subject.