I have never really had a firm idea on what I would like to be when I grow up but recently I have gotten x-rays and found it interesting, so for my paper I am researching an x-ray technician. A radiologic technologist is another name for this occupation. I don’t know much about this occupation, just the basics. The first very obvious thing I know is that they examine bones by taking pictures using an x-ray machine. Radiologic technologists have to have a good understanding about bones, how they work and how they are positioned in the body. Another important aspect of a job is the hours; I know that this job doesn’t have the most ideal hours because they work emergency room hours. These shifts can be twelve hours long and during the night or early morning, which could be irritating. Finally, I know that you have to be a people person and you have to have patience if things don’t work out as expected, like the machines breaking. During the process of this I-search paper I would like to discover some things about this occupation. This includes salary, I think that the average salary for this occupation is $60,000, but I am not really sure. Next I would like to learn some terms that are part of a radiologic technologist, I am particularly interested in finding out what the x-ray machine is called. It must have a more formal name. Another important thing one must know is the training and education needed to do this. I am interested in a career with a minimal amount of schooling but one that still pays a decent amount; I am hoping that an x-ray technologist has this balance. While this job may sound fun and seem like it’s for me, I would like to know if I have good traits for this occupation. If this job isn’t for me, it would be interesting to know jobs that are similar to this one. When it comes to salary in this field, as you gain more experience you will earn more money. Also another factor of the pay of this profession is where you live. For example, in New York, which is where I intend to stay, an x-ray technologist in Elmira will make $45,240 compared to someone in Nassau who will make $62,510 (Radiologic technologist, Choices). The average salaries of starting X-ray technologists in the United States make $30,000. If I decided I enjoyed this job and stuck with it for about four years I would make $38,453. After twenty years in this career, I would be making around $51,200 (Median Salary by Years Experience). Each website and book says something different so I picked the one that seemed reasonable. Another thing that can impact your salary is what kind of a place you are working at. Working at a hospital I could earn more them if I worked in a privet practice or a firm (Median Salary by Years Experience). The next thing I wanted to know was terms and every day words that x-ray technologist uses because conveying ideas and important information is big part of this job. Also being able to explain what they mean to people who are getting the x-rays. The most interesting word I found was Bucky; this is what the tray where the x-ray film is loaded. Sadly the x-ray machine does not have an interesting name, it merely an X-ray machine. During the course of my research, I have found out about the training needed for this occupation. First, the courses you take in high school can help. Some good courses to take are biology, anatomy, physics, chemistry, math, and writing and speech. A handful of these courses are required but if you take the extra science classes it will help you out when you are applying to colleges where you plan to take courses involving a lot of science. I think the writing and speech classes suggested for your high school courses are so you can easily convey your ideas to others by speaking clearly.Next I found that X-ray tech schools teach everything I would need to know about radiography. Another thing I learned that in most states you need to get certified, or licensed by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. To get this you have to at the end of your training take a test, when you pass this test you get your license. With this license you can now accept a job as an x-ray technologist and begin your career. An additional way to get training for this job is in hospitals, colleges, universities, vocational-technical institutes and the U.S. Armed Forces.