Thinking...

I've tentatively decided on a new career path. Medical transcription is an extremely lucrative business, as I've discovered through some research and reliable firsthand accounts, and I honestly think I'd be an idiot not to at least try my hand at it and see what happens. Maybe I should be scared of making this commitment off the cuff, but isn't that how I always do things?

I can have the start-up costs for CMT training by next month. Optimistically, I'll be done with training by the time I turn 21 in February. Even more optimistically, I'll have a job by March. I think I can do it, and I'm very grateful to have a good friend who pointed me in this direction. Thank you, good friend! :D

This might even help me land a job overseas like I hoped. Originally, I had thought about finding a job as an English teacher after some extensive German courses and TEFL training, but working as a CMT might be a little more marketable. Might. I have no disillusions about this, I know I still have to work my ass off to secure a job in this or any other country, but I'm actually feeling pretty good about this. Very good, in fact, now that I did a little research on the job market in German-speaking countries.

Germany, Austria, Switzerland... Who knows? Anywhere that's not here.

Maybe I'll even try my hand at medical administrative assisting. Maybe billing and coding. I don't know yet. All I know is that I've done the research, I've listed the pros and cons, and I think I can definitely make myself a marketable candidate for overseas employment within the next year or two. Some things might need to be put on hold, making this whole venture a little risky, but it's a calculated risk that I'm willing to take. And really, what better time than now?

I'm still hellbent on visiting Europe next year. Some things have cropped up that will make saving for it a little difficult, but it's happening either way. If I have to trim the trip down a little, then so be it. German-speaking countries are still very much a go.

I'm excited.