Best trade careers in Mississippi?

Thinking about going into a trade after high school in Mississippi. What are the best trade careers in this state in terms of stability and salary? What steps should I take to start in one of these fields?

When it comes to picking a trade career in Mississippi, the healthcare field is promising. According to a report from the Mississippi Office of Workforce Development, one of the highest-growing job sectors in the state is healthcare, particularly registered nursing, surgical technologists, and respiratory therapists. These careers can offer stability and a stable income.

To get started in these fields, you typically would need to complete an educational program that can vary in length from one to four years, depending on the career path. For example, becoming a registered nurse generally requires at least an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), which can be obtained from a community college and typically takes about two years to complete.

General contracting work, for example, offers good job fields in the construction sector. These apprenticed roles include electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians. Their employment rates are solid due to the constant need for construction and maintenance work. Some of these fields like electricians and HVAC technicians also earn quite competitive salaries.

To start a career in these fields, you would need to complete an apprenticeship, which involves several years of on-the-job training under an experienced professional and classroom instruction. After finishing your apprenticeship, you typically would need to pass a licensing exam to start working independently.

Lastly, in the realm of technology, there's an increasing demand for skilled technicians to install, maintain, and repair the technology infrastructure that businesses and organizations rely on. This includes roles like network system administrators and computer support specialists.

If technology interests you, consider acquiring technical certifications like CompTIA A+, Network+, or Security+. While a degree isn't always necessary in IT, these certifications show employers that you have the knowledge and skills to perform job duties effectively.

In conclusion, the first step to starting in any of these fields is doing some in-depth research to understand what exactly these roles entail and which one might interest you the most. After that, consider taking some relevant courses or an apprenticeship, depending on the field you have chosen. Remember that while these fields have strong prospects in Mississippi, in the end, the best career for you is the one you're passionate about and willing to invest your time and energy into. Good luck!