Job search or job hunt is both exciting and daunting. You’re excited about what will be your life ahead, what will be your daily routine and who will be your colleagues. It’s daunting since you’ll be uncertain how long your job hunt will last. Are my emergency funds enough to cover those months without full-time work? Did my applications succeed?  When will I call?  You’ll ask these questions whether you’re a new graduate, a career shifter or changing jobs. JOIN A JOB AGGREGATOR/LISTING SITE Job aggregators, boards and listing sites compile and list job vacancies. They provide search and sorting tools to narrow down jobs tailored to your qualifications. Joining job search sites is free and it’s fast as you’ll need a free email account, photo and a few details of your resume. Building resumes depends on the website format - some allow uploading a softcopy (doc.x, pdf) some only provide online forms where you populate fields with name, and resume details and others provide both formats. Here’s a minimalist, and free to use sign up job portal - Ohjobs.ph.  The major advantage of a job aggregator site is that the company human resources department also uses a job aggregator to save time and reach more candidates.  Pros Cons For applicants, it saves you time over other methods listed here and makes your applications follow a laser approach rather than the shotgun technique.  Cons vary from site to site and it may include spam or redundant job posts For HR, it saves time and money to reach out more candidates.   SEND UNSOLICITED APPLICATIONS Another method is to research company names via a search engine (Google, Yandex, Yahoo, Duck Duck Go, Bing). You can find business directories such as Yellowpages. Look for each company’s careers contact page, telephone and email address. Unsolicited applications let you tap companies that you don’t know are hiring. The drawbacks of this method are - it can be time-consuming, your resume will stay unread in someone’s HR personnel email and they have no vacancies or job profiles matched to your qualifications. VISIT JOB FAIRS Job fairs are events similar to trade expos where recruiters, employers, and schools advertise their vacancies. Each company and recruiters have their booth where HR personnel receive resumes from walk-in applicants. Organizers held job fairs at shopping malls or public squares such as near barangay or municipal hall.  Pros Cons As an applicant, it lets you find hiring companies in one place and time. As an employer, it lets you reach out candidates in person in one place and time. Competition is high - many applicants will be applying for the same position at the same place and time. For applicants, it lets you ask questions in an informal manner - company history, culture and vacancies. Stress due to traffic commute, crowd and long queues. If such a job fair ad is popular, crowds and possible chaos could overwhelm both the applicants and interviewers.   For applicants and employers, job fairs might not be the best place for interviews because of noise and crowd. To succeed in a job fair,  you must: Prepare enough copies of resumes Wake up early  Dress smart and comfortable clothing Follow up your applications  Job fairs are an easy way to zero in job opportunities in one event without wasting time or trying trials and errors to companies with no vacancies. And added bonus - job fairs are great for socializing and meeting other job seekers who are potential networks. The disadvantages of a job fair are - the distance to the place of the event and some vacancies may or might not be applicable to your qualifications.  COLD CALLING Cold calling is an unsolicited calling to the company’s telephone number found in internet directories or websites. Then, you’ll ask for job vacancies or pitch your skills and experiences. You may send resumes/CVs to their email before calling their landline number.  The pros of this method - it can add a boost to your job search efforts,  give you more chances of striking luck, and hone your telephone conversational skills. Cold calling to companies can be tough if you haven't used a telephone conversation. Calling needs mobile load and that can eat a slice of your daily budget as most or all companies use landlines for their contact. JOIN INTERNSHIPS Internships are either paid or unpaid on the job training when the company lets a student experience working in a production or office site. Numerous applicants get their full-time job after serving for a number of hours, weeks and months. Getting absorbed in the workforce depends on the number of vacancies and job performance.  TRY WALK-IN APPLICATIONS When you walk-in, you are physically visiting a company office and handing-out your resumes to the HR department and the receptionist. Before visiting each company, do have: Prepare resumes (10 to 20 pieces) Carry a water bottle, portable food  Wear business or smart casual clothing Walkins are good for boosting your chances of being spotted by a recruiter/HR especially if their company has vacancies matching your qualifications and it’s a good way to increase your resume from being noticed over other applicants.  While this serves as another method of job search, walk-ins can be time-consuming and tiring especially if you are visiting random offices and handing resumes in high rise towers in Ortigas, Makati, BGC Taguig, and Cebu CBD. You may also stumble upon offices that are not currently hiring. On top of that, you’ll spend on transport, snacks and lunches and endure heat especially if you job hunt during the summer season. Such offices may or might have vacancies or if there’s any it couldn’t be the match of your job profile. FIND JOBS THROUGH A NETWORK You might have already landed a job through leads from your fiance, ex-office mates, customers, friends, friends of your parents or friends of your siblings, relatives and any random stranger you may meet. They may say “magpasa ka raw ng resume sa friend ni tito mo, may bakante doon”. You may send a resume to your uncle’s friend, there’s a vacancy there. If your social network is large, you can easily contact your friends and their colleagues for opportunities. If not, you may Start making friends or asking their business cards, phone numbers or email and then maintaining contact to avoid having you being forgotten.  Join trade expos, workshops, seminars and organisations of your interest and profession. GO TO HEADHUNTERS AND RECRUITERS Head hunters or recruiters are companies or organizations that specialize in recruiting and finding talents or people for their client companies. They are also called Human Resources companies. Their HR personnel use psychological, abstract and technical tests to gauge your mental and skill’s ability. Finally, you’ll be asked to appear for interviews from first to the last interviewer.  You might easily find jobs through staffers as they have good contacts but take note that it can be time-consuming to undergo with their recruitment process compared to applying directly to companies.   FIND JOBS THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA Social media is a powerful job search tool for finding companies - it’s a ubiquitous source of jobs - in any place where there is an internet.  More often, employers post their vacancies through social media and they post it with details of qualifications, and office address. You can also find through social media apps and websites. Social Media What is it about and how can I find a job? Facebook Job posts on Facebook pages or each company page. Twitter Some companies tweet their job openings Linkedin Social media for professionals and businesses.  Mix Social bookmarking site that aggregates links from various websites. You can also find some opportunities here. The cons of using social media are that there are numerous fake job ads or bogus company pages that post fake job offers. If you’re not careful and investigative, you could lose time and money to scammers. For anti job scam tips, visit 7 signs of job scams (and how to outwit them). POST THROUGH CLASSIFIEDS Classified sites refer to websites that show localized general and broad categorized ads. It’s a form of advertising that makes up contents such as various services offered, jobs wanted, electronics for sale, used items for sale, and even marriage wanted. People and local businesses advertise their goods and services.    Pros Cons You can find many legit job offers and you can post your services. Since anyone can post freely, classifieds are prone to fake jobs and services. Here you must exercise with caution. If a site is widely known, your ad can reach a wide geographical area and audiences. If a site is not optimized for search engines, your ad will be just a digital billboard that no one can find. Most classified sites offer some sort of limited free advertisements or totally free ad posting. Some sites limit your job ad or may offer other restrictions such as inability to send messages or know the online status.

Construction is one of the top and emerging industries in the Philippines. A file from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) cites construction having a 4.7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR).  Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported the industry as one of the top contributors to the economic growth of some Philippine regions. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte also initiated the “build, build, build” program which aims to complete projects in farm to market roads, road-widening, airports, healthcare centres and schools.  CAD OPERATOR OR DRAFTSMAN Image by Jean-Paul Jandrain from Pixabay An AutoCAD operator is a computer professional trained in using computer-aided design software such as Autodesk’s CAD, Catia, TurboCAD, FreeCAD and Solidworks. Your role here is vital to the construction business as your designs and custom blueprints will guide architects, civil and electrical engineers. You may or not need an engineering and architectural degree but a solid experience in CAD software will get you far in your job. An engineering background will help in this job. Some companies will require you a short course certificate or vocational diploma; while others will prefer you to complete a 2-years associate degree from a college or technical institute.   ARCHITECT Photo by asawin form PxHere Aesthetically pleasing structures such as shopping malls and towers have their intricate interior and exterior designs - thanks to architects. Famous masterpieces include Musee du Louvre in Paris, France, the Roman colosseum in Italy,  the Cocoon Tower in Tokyo, Japan and the National Museum in Manila, Philippines. Like draftsmen, you’ll use software to prepare scaled drawings and designs for indoor and outdoor spaces. You may tackle architectural software such as 3Ds Max, Revit, Sketchup, Civil 3D, AutoCAD, and Rhino 6. Another is you may visit construction sites to make sure contractors are following your design; collaborate with civil engineers and other types of architects (landscape architects).  Your final design will show up once you and other construction workers finish the building. To be an architect you need to finish a degree in BS Architecture and pass a Architectural Licensure Examination conducted by Board of Architecture and supervised by the Professional Regulations Commission.   CIVIL ENGINEER Photo by Pxfuel and licensed under Creative Commons A civil engineer is a construction professional that oversees the construction phase. They are usually portrayed wearing a yellow hard and reading an unrolled blueprint paper. If you like the science of measurements and designing buildings, dams, bridges, roads, and airports then this career is for you.   One of the best things about this job is - you’ll see the finished product of your planning and supervision along with foremen and other construction professionals. You may also enjoy a salary higher than the minimum wage depending on the company size, location and experience.  To be a full-fledged civil engineer, you must finish a degree from a Commission on Higher Education (CHED) recognized college or university and pass a licensure exam. Other specific vacancies may not require a license but may need a working experience.    CRANE OPERATOR Photo by SMC Construction Crane Operator and Licensed under Creative Commons Maybe you have been to construction sites and saw that tower cranes move tons of steels, buckets of concrete and construction materials. Those guys manning the small control cabin are crane operators. You’ll move joysticks to control pulleys and lift, move and lower scaffolding materials, sheaves, hoist ropes, and wire ropes.  Wonder how cranes grow like a centipede? Watch this video. A job like this is both rewarding and nerve-wracking. If your crane reaches the topmost deck or antenna-like part of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, UAE then you may need a ball of steel to endure the fear of heights.    DOCUMENT CONTROLLER Photo by Bongkarn Thankyakij/Pexels and Licensed under Creative Commons Your office and organizing skills will be put to use in this job as your role is in the back-office department like in the call-centre industry. Most of your tasks will be in the site or administrative office helping engineers and architects get their blueprints and other documents efficiently. You’ll use software that stores and retrieves blueprints. Sort documents, make templates and safely keep such documents from unauthorized access. You’ll likely work in construction projects and in the oil and gas industry.  Qualifications may include a degree in business administration, civil engineering, computer science, office administration and experience in managing records.   ELECTRICAL ENGINEER Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay  Structures don’t only provide a space to live but it also houses electronics, circuits and wires that power lighting, elevator, and HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air-conditioning). In this electrical niche is where Electrical engineers come into play.  Your passion or interest in tinkering with circuits designs and electrical devices will be put to use in this profession. Your day in a job involves designing electrical circuits for LED lamps, infrared (IR) dryers, fire alarm systems, air conditioning systems for each floor and other electrical devices. You may also work in an office setting such as keeping files, presenting project plans and collaborating with other engineers and construction workers. This profession is regulated under the Republic Act no. 7920 and requires a licensure exam through the Professional Regulations Commission.    HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR Image by skeeze from Pixabay  If you like driving big toys from CAT (a manufacturer of heavy equipment), then this job is for you. You’ll operate trucks and bulldozers and other machines to carry out daily construction work. If you drive an excavator vehicle, you’ll be inside its cabin and manipulate the joysticks to control a mechanical arm. Your machine can dig trenches, move rocks and soil to excavate and make an open space for building foundation or beam. To be in this role, you need to finish a technical education from a tech school or college recognized by TESDA and pass a certification labelled as NC-II. You might need a different license category for various types of heavy equipment (bulldozer vs road roller). You’ll go far in this profession if you can operate different types of vehicle. Other heavy equipment you may drive include: Backhoe Cement mixer Dragline excavator Feller bunchers Forwarders Grader Loaders Road roller Telehandlers Trenchers Your other tasks include:  Following safety standards for use of heavy equipment Maintaining log sheets of daily activities Cleaning of machines   MANUAL LABOURER Photo by Iniabasi Udosen and licensed under Creative Commons Manual labourers are one of the front liners of the construction industry. They are also called unskilled manual labourers and have no formal or minimal training in trades such as carpentry, plumbing, welding, rigging etc. Educational and training requirements for this job aren’t stringent compared to skilled construction workers. In this role, having physical strength and endurance in an outdoor environment will help you in these tasks: Carrying of bricks and hollow blocks Cutting and bending iron rods  Digging trenches Fitting windows Following safety standards Manual cement mixing Manual shallow digging Site sweeping   RIGGER Photo by Jes and licensed under Creative Commons A Rigger is a skilled tradesperson who is responsible for aligning, hoisting, anchoring construction materials. The term “rigger” originated from the same job title for people who work in ships where they tie ropes to hoist sails. Today riggers work in the construction, shipping and petroleum industry.  For this job, you’re going to use rigging tools to structures and cranes. Such tools include radio devices, chain hoists, capstans, wire rope slings, chain slings, spreader bars, clevis, jacks for cranes, pulleys, cables, and shackles. You may also work in ships and the navy. Your daily tasks will be: Attach ropes to the load. Follow with safety regulations. Figure out the load’s centre of gravity to stabilize it. Use different rigging tools such as chokers, shackles, slings and winches. Tilt, turn or dip suspended loads to prevent collision to obstacles such as power lines and other rigged loads. Use radios or walkie talkies to coordinate rigging to other construction workers.

Maybe if you’re asked - “what are the reasons why did you quit your job? You’ll answer - Low pay and stress.  In fact, stress is one of the main causes why Filipinos leave their job alongside other factors such as a bossy supervisor or manager, insecurity, non-stability and lousy pay. Stress pertains to the body’s response to threat or demand. Some jobs have low-stress levels compared to jobs known for high churn rate (attrition level). No job is absolutely stress-free as everything faces challenges and demands for accuracy and efficient communication. And the stress level depends on the person’s training and skills. What factors that affect work stress Career growth ​Change in residence Competition Exposure to chemical hazards ​Exposure to environmental hazards Physical demands Responsibility for someone’s life Risks of physical injury Tight deadlines Travel Working under public scrutiny Though the perception of stress may be subjective and depend on every person These jobs are known for their low-stress levels compared to in high stress-category.    ACTUARIAL An actuary is a profession that deals with money and insurance. Here, you’ll use statistics and probability to help insurance companies predict business trends and stability. You’ll deal with mathematical concepts to calculate how much should be set aside to ensure that it will cover unforeseen events. For instance, if a client buys car insurance, he/she expects that the insurance company will pay for that accident or event. You may explore opportunities in finance, genetics, personal money planning, forex, healthcare and risk management.  Where do they work? Insurance companies Banks Hospitals Social security systems of governments What makes it less stressful You don’t face physical risks and physically demanding tasks. What are the cons Some actuaries may face a level of stress than others such as their entry-level colleagues. You have to face mind-numbing math in finance, economics, mathematics and statistics.    ARCHAEOLOGIST You may have seen the movie “Indiana Jones” where “Indiana” a fictional professor who went to missions in recovering the lost ark and the holy grail. Well, that’s an example of an archaeologist - although you won’t exactly have the same lifestyle as Indiana. For this adventurous role, you’ll spend time analysing artefacts - human remains, potteries, weapons, coins, statues, and historical sites. Your analysis is important as it serves as evidence that humanity has a past ancestor who lived, thought, cried, loved and emoted. Where will you work? Museum Universities Historical excavation sites Government agencies Law enforcement  What makes it less stressful Unless you’re trotting over remote and dangerous areas to find the lost ark Indiana Jones style, if you’re in a lab or inside the museum, you’ll face less danger and physical demand. What are the cons Being deployed far away from your family.   AUDIOLOGIST An audiologist is a healthcare profession that is an expert in the study of hearing, related disorders and balance. So, you’re going to diagnose, evaluate and treat patients about their hearing loss,  hearing balance disorders and tinnitus. You may prescribe hearing aids, provide hearing-related rehabilitations such as speech reading, listening improvement and hearing improvement. You’ll recommend implants for the middle, bone-anchored, cochlear and auditory brainstem. What makes it less stressful Audiologists led the least stressful jobs in healthcare. The job involves less physical demands, less exposure to danger such as biohazards (bloodborne pathogens from body fluids) and hospital chemicals. What are the cons Dealing with patient complaints and if you’re in a less-funded government hospital, you may pay hearing-aids.   LIBRARIAN Librarians are among the listed jobs as less stressful. It’s evident since you’re dealing with books, records, digital libraries, internet kiosks and electronic sources. You may be called as an information professional who helps people find info for personal, professional and business use. As a teacher, you’ll show users how to find a specific book through cataloguing systems such as Science, Filipiniana, and History. You may guide people on how to use an almanac, atlas, encyclopedia and dictionary. What makes it less stressful You’re in control of your day and you’re not worrying about others' lives.  Daily, you’re arranging bookshelves and working from an environment will less demand for physical work. What are the cons Long-exposure to video displays can cause eyestrain. Poor pay in some schools.   ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & PROTECTION TECHNICIAN If you’re an environmental advocate or like to see less pollution, then this job is for you. You’ll help the government and NGOs monitor the surroundings by performing field and lab tests. You may join a team of engineers, specialised scientists and other science disciplines investigate and solve environmental problems that affect wildlife and human health. A day in your life involves - performing data entry onto the computer, collecting water samples from waste-water, river, stream and sea; and setting up devices to monitor pollutants from factories and transports. What makes it less stressful This offers an opportunity for fieldwork if you don’t like being confined inside 4 corners of an office or you get a chance of working both in-office and fields. You don’t deal with other people’s lives at stake or meeting tight deadlines. What are the cons You might encounter toxic materials. You might work in extreme weather and outdoor conditions.   JEWELER At this point, you’re in a business of making and selling jewelries - things made from precious stones and metal. Such precious stones include jade, diamond, garnet, aquamarine, sapphire, ruby,  amber, agate, alexandrite, diaspore, cavansite etc. Metals include gold, platinum, silver, iridium, rhodium, osmium and ruthenium. You source precious stones and metals and use your creativity to turn them into necklace, ring, bracelet and earrings. You’re an artisan who cuts and polish these gemstones or uses solder and torches to melt or shape metals.  What makes it less stressful? If you’re a self-employed jeweller, you decide when and where you work. Even for full-time employers, they don’t face tight deadlines or extremely hazardous working conditions. What are the cons Working with heating tools and toxic jewelry cleaning fluid but this can be replaced by ultrasonic cleaning machines.   MEDICAL RECORDS OFFICER Medical Records Officer or Electronic Health Records Officer is a custodian of patients and health personnel’s files. In other words, you’re the master of keeping data safe from unauthorised access and supplying such records if a doctor or pharmacist requests for a patient's history.  You’ll likely work in the hospital’s or clinic’s back office and use a computer to encode or retrieve medical records, manage patients list and present health protocols. What makes it less stressful You deal with papers and their softcopies on the computer. In other words, you’re not involved in direct patient care, thus, you have less risk of exposure to biohazards and emotional or mental stress. What are the cons You may deal with a demanding doctor or other medical staff. You’re responsible for the confidentiality of the records and if anything goes wrong beyond your control - that could be a mental and emotional burden.   MUSEUM CURATOR Maybe you have already been inside a museum or a specialized museum of all sorts - whether it’s a museum of beer bottles or coins during the Spanish period. There’s a guy inside that serves as a tour guide for visitors or someone who secures artifacts. Now, if you’re in such a position, you’re in charge of exhibits and all the treasures worthy to your country’s heritage. A day in the life of this occupation makes up: Raise funds and grants Maintain records and catalogues of artifacts Collaborate with other organisations. Research and compile descriptions of artifacts Secure the museum and its artifacts Guide visitors Enforce museum rules What makes it less stressful Basically, you’re dealing with things hundreds to thousands of years old - so there’s less exposure to mental and emotional stress brought by hazardous or radioactive chemicals unless your museum keeps samples from a nuclear disaster. What are the cons Sudden stress because of stolen artifacts If the museum is haunted, then that will be a frightening experience.   STATISTICIAN If you love crunching numbers and graphs, then statistics can be your calling. This job requires a knowledge of statistical science and math. Your role is to help people know - what is the city’s population, how many are men and women? How many people live in a household, are there more in favour of unemployment insurance? Such textual and numerical facts are useful for making decisions - whether it's for raising funds or providing social care. Regardless of your working environment - private or public, you’ll be collecting and analyzing data through surveys; identifying trends and advising organisations to come up with better decisions. What makes it less stressful? A day in your life will be analyzing facts, data and graphs instead of worrying about tight deadlines and hazardous chemicals which frees you from emotional and nerve-wracking stress. What are the cons Deployment to far places and surveying residential areas where you may encounter rude people.

A quote says “It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver”. No matter how you stash your money, if your health is in peril, you’ll never awake one day and enjoy the fruits of your labour. As time progresses and baby boomers age, the demand for health care rises. The Philippines has one of the best health professionals owing to its colleges and universities that produce graduates. The Department of Labor and Employment of the Philippines (DOLE) listed healthcare as one of the priority industries in the country for the next 5 years.  Here are some of the health-related jobs in the Philippines.   DIETICIAN Photo by Petr Kratovchvil from Needpix For this role, you’re an expert in human nutrition, tasked to prevent diseases through the right choice of food. Your role is important to the healthcare team and the community as you guide people to make health-conscious decisions.  Where do they work You may work in barangay health care centers, hospitals, supermarket chains, fitness websites, pharmacy, food and beverage, sports organizations, or as a consultant or self-employed position. How to be one To be a professional Dietician, you’ll need a bachelor's degree (Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics - BS ND) in a school recognized by the CHED (Commission on Higher Education) and pass a licensure exam by the Professional Regulations Commission. What dieticians do Identify and treat health problems through the knowledge of nutrients and metabolism. Plan meals and nutritional programs. Assist in treating malnutrition. Plan, conduct and evaluate nutritional educational programs. Skills profile Soft skills Hard skills Non-judgemental attitude Patience in persuading people to alter eating habits. Verbal and writing skills Time-management Negotiation  Team-work Understanding of human nutrition, biochemistry and physiology. Computer skills for accessing and recording patient records Meal planning Diagnosis of eating disorders Understanding of food science   MASSAGE THERAPIST Photo by Massagemerds from Needpix.com If you like people skills and healing others through the use of your hands and feet, then a massage therapy career is for you. Here you relieve pain and increase blood circulation to promote the wellbeing of your clients. Where do they work Massage therapists are either regular employees or self-employed in: Spa franchises Fitness centers Hospitals Hotels As a self-employed, you may carry your own tools such as Shiatsu massager, chair, and oil. Do I need a license While there are freelance or independent massage therapists in the country, the Department of Health’s Committee of Examiners for Massage Therapy (CEMT) regulates the practice of the said profession pursuant to the provisions of the sanitation codes Presidential Decree 856 and Executive Order 102. So, if you want to advance your career in this field, you can go ahead with licensing and training. Here is a resource. Skills profile Soft skills Hard skills Cultural understanding Customer-service Empathy Focus and avoiding distractions Hygiene habits Time management Massage techniques (kneading, Swedish massage, transverse friction, longitudinal gliding) Proper use of tools (massage chairs, rollers, stones, creams, oil and lotions) Safety protocols to avoid self-inflicted injury and safety to customers. Certifications and licensing for career advancement and compliance to government and industry-standard regulations   MEDICAL RECORDS OFFICER Photo by David Snider, USAID from Pixnio.com Perhaps, this is one of the least stressful jobs. Being in this role, you’ll wade through medical papers of past and present patients. A typical medical record you’ll deal with has these sections: personal info, medical history, treatment history, family medical history and medical directives (your wishes if you can't speak for yourself).  Your role is essential to the health-care system in hospitals and clinics, as medical history and info can affect the doctors and other healthcare professionals' decisions on patient’s therapy. Records organize treatment flow and prevent misdiagnosis.  What do medical records officers do Keep and secure the confidentiality of files against unauthorized access. Encode paper records into a computer. Retrieve medical records for doctors, medical technologists and other health personnel. Operate a computer program that handles health records. Prepare the patient’s admission and discharge documents. Release info to government agencies that need such a record. Resolve discrepancies in records. Follow the management’s rules on keeping medical records. Process medical bills. Skills profile Soft skills Hard skills Anger management Attention-to-detail Customer service Oral and written communication. Time management Use of computer and software (Electronic Health Records) Ex: AdvanceMD and Kareo Use of scanners Typing Understanding of medical terms Understanding of health insurance   MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST Photo by Hawsar from Pexels.com The world of a microbiologist or the study of microbes in the field of this profession. Medical technologists or med techs are tasked to analyze body fluids. You have an understanding of protozoans, bacteria, and viruses. If you like to work in a few team settings and less contact with patients, then this job is for you. What med techs do Analyze blood, urine and fecal samples that can be used by doctors, health professionals and companies needing medical checks for their employees. Sterilize tools used for testing. Analyze the test results and record data. Use high-tech and sophisticated equipment such as analyzers. Advise doctors on the proper use of scrubs, gloves and gowns. Skills profile Soft skills Hard skills Analysis Customer-service Eye-detail Negotiation Oral and written communication Problem-solving Team-work Time-management Understanding of microbiology Use of sophisticated types of equipment (analysers and microscope) Safe use of testing and sampling kits Safe protocols for handling biohazardous samples Recognizing microbe samples Competence in analyzing patient’s samples   MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTIONIST Photo by Piqsels and licensed under Creative Commons The Philippines is among the top countries for hosting BPO companies. And one of the jobs is medical transcriptionist.  If you like computer work and transcribing data while using your health-related course, this job is a good start. What medical transcriptionists do Enter medical records data into a computer. Make reports on outpatient and in-patient info, medical research, letters and statistics. Transcribe dictated sentences into written format. Edit and review the transcribed report for grammar, fact, spelling, clarity and correct use of medical terms. Identify correct terms, inconsistencies, medical term mistakes, homonyms, and jargon. Skills profile Soft skills Hard skills Anger management Attention-to-detail Customer-service Oral and written communication Self-motivation Team-work Time-management Fast -typing Knowledge of medical terms English grammar, spelling and mechanics. Use of computer   PHARMACIST Photo by Rural health Professions and licensed under Creative Commons For this role, you have the expertise to identify the type of drugs and all names and their generic terms. So if the ailment is sinus, throat, and ear you’ll dispense Azithromycin (generic for Z-Pak and Zithromax), Vicodin (acetaminophen/hydrocodone) for pain. Your profession provides hospitals and clinics with drugs appropriate for a specific illness. A day in your life will be mostly in clinics, pharmaceutical companies, franchise drugstores, and hospitals. What pharmacist do Interpret doctor’s orders. Identify and dispense the correct drug. Secure records of files, poison registries and patient profiles. Work with doctors, nurses, rad techs and med techs to monitor, review and evaluate the efficacy of drugs Advise clients on the best medical brands and supplies. Make inventories of stocks. Observe prescribing trends to prevent harmful drug interactions and excessive use. Skills profile Soft skills Hard skills Analytical Customer-service Empathy Multi-tasking Oral and written communication Problem-solving Time-management Knowledge of drugs, its composition, names, dosage, effects and interactions. Human physiology  Human anatomy Basic math Biochemistry Biology   RADIATION TECHNOLOGIST (RAD TECH) Photo by Piqsels and licensed under Creative Commons You may have already been to X-Ray rooms where someone asked you to face the wall while waiting for a photography-like machine to operate. Then, if you have been to well-funded hospitals, you already experienced entering your feet first into a doughnut-shaped device that can show your insides.  If you like to analyze and operate these sophisticated and pricey gizmos, then a rad tech career should be your calling. What Rad techs do Follow a doctor’s order on the specific body part that needs imaging. Follow a process to prevent excessive exposure of radiation to patients or themselves. Assist patients into using the equipment. Organize and track patient’s images and records. Explain the process to patients. Skills profile Soft skills Hard skills Compassion Customer-service Empathy Oral and written communication Team-work Time-management Correct use of sophisticated types of equipment such as CAT, Mammograms, X-Rays, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Safety use of equipment to prevent unnecessary radiation overdose. Knowledge of physiology and anatomy Basic life support Practice of sterile techniques Analysis of patient’s clinical info

The ongoing COVID-19 lockdown enforces rules such as social distancing and home quarantine to stave off the virus outbreak. Some employees who have flexible work arrangements in the information technology industry, statistics, accounting, etc were able to secure work from home. If you’re one of such, it will help to eat foods that can nourish your body and health to finish your task with quality and punctuality. Without healthy food, you’ll end up overweight, constipated and possibly develop complications from junk foods.  These foods can nourish your brain and improve your immune system. Further, these foods are high in fiber and less in sugar.   Avocado Photo by Ryan Quintal on Unsplash It’s often listed among health blogs as brain food. Avocados burst with nutrition - minerals and vitamins. Its buttery and creamy texture makes it a good condiment, ingredient and supplement. Avocados contain the folate, potassium and vitamins B6, C, E. Here are some of its benefits: Brain booster - Avocados, which include the Hass cultivar, are rich in oleic acid (a type of omega-9 fatty acid) and polyunsaturated fatty acids or PUFA. Once oleic acid reaches the small intestine it becomes Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) which is linked to improved memory. A 2009 study from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA found out that OEA improves memory. Fiber loaded - Avocados are laden with fibre that can lower your weight, risks of heart disease and blood sugar. (1, 2, 3) Absorb antioxidants - The Journal of Nutrition discovered in 2005 study that eating avocado increases the body’s absorption of antioxidants such as beta-carotene and lycopene. May promote weight loss - A study published in NCBI study reports about this benefit.   Peanuts Peanuts are abundant and cheap. For 10 to 20 pesos, you can eat a handful of fried or boiled peanuts. According to botanists, peanuts aren’t nuts but are a type of legumes similar to string beans. Peanuts contain B-vitamins, Magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus. Although it’s high in calories, peanuts are low in carbohydrates. These quasi-nuts are also loaded with healthy fats such as the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that can help lower blood cholesterol, and risks of stroke and heart disease. A word of caution: For those who have nut allergies, you may try alternatives such as beans and seeds.   Canned sardines Sardines are also called the poor man’s food due to its low price. Some don’t know that sardines are nutrient-dense. The lowest-priced sardines is priced at 14.40 Php and the highest-priced is the Spanish style sardines in bottles priced at above 50.00 Php. Numerous sites and videos discuss the benefits of eating sardines as a condiment and main course. While it may not be the best tasting dish, it’s certainly an affordable and healthy meal for Filipinos. Contains minerals - niacin, iron, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc. Protein-rich - proteins provide essential and non-essential amino acids. Omega-3 fatty acids - Fatty acids are anti-inflammatory that can reduce the risk of high blood pressure and blood clotting. Lower risk of mercury exposure - Sardines are in the low part of the food chain so they are unlikely to eat mercury-contaminated food. Source: FDC During the time of this crisis, you can count on sardines as cheap and versatile food for your recipes such as stews with vegetables and other ingredients (Pechay or Chinese cabbage, moringa, cabbage, egg).   Canned tuna  Canned tuna is also inexpensive. Prices range from 18 to 40 php depending on the brand and serving size. Canned tuna is a versatile food that you can cook with other ingredients or add in some recipes such as salads and spreads.  Good source of protein  Contains omega-3  Contains nutrients such as selenium, potassium and B-vitamins. A word of caution: Not all canned tunas are made equal. Some are made with extenders and artificial ingredients. Another concern is that consuming too much tuna might expose you to high levels of mercury as this fish preys on smaller fishes. Here is a tip, canned light tuna appears to contain less mercury than white tuna. Look for high-quality brands.   Water spinach  Water spinach or Kangkong in Filipino is unrelated to the common spinach but it’s related to sweet potato (camote). Water spinach grows fast and costs less (about 10 php per bundle). You can cook it as a side vegetable in stews or as a separate recipe (adobong kangkong). This humble plant is loaded with the following: Fiber Minerals (Calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, selenium, zinc) Vitamins (Vitamin A , Vitamin B2, Vitamin C, Niacin, Folates, Pantothenic acid, Thiamin, Pyridoxine) A word of caution: Only buy water spinach from trusted and clean sources as it can be contaminated by intestinal flukes and microbes that parasitize humans and pigs. If you’re unsure of the source, clean and cook it thoroughly.    Tofu (Tokwa) Photo by Yoav Aziz on Unsplash Tofu (Tokwa) or soybean curd is a cheap source of protein during this time of rising prices of fish, chicken, pork and beef. In the absence of animal meat, you can use Tokwa as a substitute or add protein in your vegetable dishes. An inexpensive recipe is to cook it with water spinach or Pechay, onions, garlic and oyster sauce - stew style. When buying tofu, always make sure you get the fresh ones as they spoil easily. Spoiled tofu tastes sour and won’t be good for your stomach. If you’re a vegan or vegetarian, tofu is your veggie meat. Benefits: Full of nutrients: Contains isoflavone, calcium, copper, fat, magnesium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, protein, selenium and zinc. (1)   Cassava leaves and root Most people don’t know that cassava leaves can be eaten as a vegetable like pechay and water spinach. The plants’ roots are also a staple crop. You can also stew the leaves and mix it with coconut milk or add it with smoked fish (tinapa). Benefits: High in vitamins and minerals: Vitamin C and folate. Low in calories Provide other health benefits.    Long shelf-life foods Mung beans Mung beans belong to the legume family and are easy to grow and nutrient-dense.  Its small green beans can be stored 2 to 3 years without spoiling. You can store them in jars for later use. You can sprout with water for use as a vegetable. An easy recipe of this legume is to mix them with smoked fish or meat, onions, chicharron, sauteed onion and ampalaya leaves. Benefits: Loaded with antioxidants, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 Vitamins, calcium, copper, essential amino acids, folate, fiber, selenium, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. For more info about the benefits of mung beans and the said nutrients, visit these links - (1) (2) (3). Note: There’s a belief that mung beans cause arthritis but this was disputed by health professionals and an article.    Oatmeal  Photo by Margarita Zueva on Unsplash When dried, oatmeal doesn’t spoil easily and can be stored in a cool dry place. You can eat it as a breakfast meal or as a mix with nuts, seeds (sunflower, squash). Oatmeal is gluten-free which means it’s Ok for people with celiac disease or difficulty in digesting gluten-rich food such as glutinous rice and wheat. You can also use oatmeal as an extender for meat recipes.   Seeds Sunflower, watermelon, squash and bitter gourd (ampalaya) seeds can be stored for a long time without spoiling or getting mouldy.  You can use them as a snack on their own (salted or sweetened with honey) or as an ingredient to stir-fries, veggie burgers, fish coating and salads. Watermelon (butong pakwan) and ampalaya seeds are also excellent snacks or as garnish to baked goods. Benefits: Squash seeds - Contains copper, vitamin K, iron, fat, carbs, fiber, protein, manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, riboflavin, polyunsaturated fatty acids. (1) Sunflower seeds  - Omega 3 fatty acids, Vitamins E, Minerals. (1) Watermelon seeds - Contains magnesium, amino acids, zinc, iron, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. (1) (2)