Get employment as a nurse. Nurses help care for patients and help people learn how to remain healthy through use of diet and exercise. To become a Registered Nurse (RN), you must complete an associate degree in the field of nursing (see link in References). Student nurses must complete courses in areas such as microbiology, chemistry, anatomy and nursing procedures. They must typically then complete at least a semester of hands-on fieldwork at a hospital under the supervision of an experienced and licensed nurse. After graduation, nurses must complete state licensing exams to be employed in the health care field.
Become a radiation therapist. Radiation therapists help treat those suffering from serious illness with radiation therapy. A radiation therapist may assist a patient in proper positioning as radiation is delivered to a diseased body part, maintain extensive patient records to help keep track of treatments and work directly with medical equipment that delivers radiation doses. An associate degree in radiation therapy focuses on all aspects of radiation treatment. Once the degree has been completed, potential radiation therapists must pass licensing exams in 32 states to gain employment.
Become a court reporter. A court reporter is entrusted with the responsibility of accurately recording legal proceedings. Court reporters must accurately transcribe spoken words in a court hearing, deposition or other similar legal setting. An associate degree in this field focuses attention on learning basic legal and medical terminology used as well as learning the proper way to operate equipment used to record during the process of court reporting. Court reporters may be required to pass licensing exams in certain states before they can apply for jobs.
Become a paralegal. A paralegal is someone who assists a lawyer with legal research and professional law practice. Many community colleges offer classes in paralegal studies. Once the degree has been completed, applicants can apply for jobs with law firms. State certification is not necessary.
A sonographer operates medical equipment that enables a look inside the human body without cutting into it. Sonography is used in such circumstances as measuring the size of a fetus, checking that someone's heart is beating properly or evaluating a breast to check for cancer. A potential sonographer can earn direct entry into the field with an associate degree in sonography.