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, interesting 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 most 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 definitely 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 (Radiologic Technologists and Technicians) During the course of my research, I have found out about the training needed for this occupation. First, I’ve realized that the courses you take in high school can help you when applying to colleges where you plan to take a lot of one type of course. One example of this is the career I’m interested in, when training to be an x-ray technologist a lot of science classes are needed, taking as many science and biology in high school can help you during college. For being a x-ray technologist some good courses to take in high school are biology, anatomy, physics, chemistry, math, and writing and speech. A handful of these courses are required but again extra science classes will help you when applying to colleges where you plan to take courses involving a lot of science. The book Exploring Health Careers, suggests those high school courses. All the listed courses are for the most part are related, except math, writing and speech. I couldn’t find out exactly why I needed math in this career but after some thought, I think it probably has to do with setting up x-ray machines and taking measurements of breaks in patients bones. As for writing and speech classes that are suggested, conveying your ideas so that others can understand you is a daily part of this job. Speaking to people about something they do not have a great understanding of is tough enough already, then when patients are in pain and distressed it could probably get a bit more challenging. Writing in this career along with ant medical career is most likely to update files so that other professionals can read and understand them. On to college, being a radiologic technologist doesn’t require a huge amount of college. Knowing computers is an additional thing I found that was important in this line of employment, this is because working the x-ray machine includes working with circuit boards, processors, electronic equipment, computer hardware and computer software. This topic is something I could defiantly learn a lot about. Two years, or an associates degree at a technical school is needed. During these two years my class load would be heavy, some students prefer to space the courses out and go to college for 3 years (Radiologic Technologists and Technicians). Things studied during college are radiation protection, pathology, patient care procedures and medical ethics among other things. After college, you can become certified or licensed by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, certification will help you when applying for a job. To get this certification I would have to pass an exam on everything I learned in college (How To Be an X-Ray…). Anoth