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6 • Computers, Communications & the Arts Y oung people who choose a career path in health care often do so for altru- istic reasons: Quite simply, they want to help others. Whether it’s an emer- gency worker rushing to help an accident victim, or a dental assistant calming a nervous patient, health care workers take great satisfaction in knowing they make a difference in people’s lives. As the largest industry in the United States, the health care sector provides more than 19 million jobs. Health care jobs are especially plentiful in large states, such as California, New York, Florida, Texas, and Pennsylvania. For high school graduates, the health field can be a land of opportunity. In many cases, you can learn the required skills on the job. For more complex jobs, you may need to enroll in a specialized training program at a community college, trade school, or technical school. But unlike a degree program, the training for these positions can often be completed in just a few months. Plus, once you start working in health care, many employers will pay for additional training, allowing you to continue advancing in your career. More important, the job outlook for health care workers looks promising in the coming years. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics’ projections, employment in the health care sector is expected to increase by an astounding 19 percent be- tween now and 2024—far faster than average. In fact, 12 of the 20 fastest-growing occupations will be in health-related fields. Specifically, employment opportuni- ties are projected to increase by about I n t r o d u c t i o n • 43 percent for occupational therapy assistants • 41 percent for physical therapist assistants • 39 percent for physical therapist aides • 38 percent for home health aides • 35 percent for nurse practitioners • 34 percent for physical therapists • 33 percent for ambulance drivers • 31 percent for occupational therapy aides • 30 percent for physician’s assistants