Wayne Wray is an avid reader and an Educational Consultant having rich experience of more than 10 years. His areas of expertise include Educational Planning, Career Planning & student counseling. In his spare time, he loves to participate in online literature forums and promote reading for youth.
Best Careers with a Two-year Degree
There’s good news for those who want to enter the workforce as soon as possible, but not without a degree and the right qualifications. There are a number of careers you can pursue that do not require a full-time four-year bachelor’s degree, which means…
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Best Careers with a Two-year Degree
There’s good news for those who want to enter the workforce as soon as possible, but not without a degree and the right qualifications. There are a number of careers you can pursue that do not require a full-time four-year bachelor’s degree, which means that students get to start earning two years before those who are pursuing their bachelor’s. Let’s take a look at some such careers that have good growth potential and can be started with a two-year associate’s degree.
Great Career Options with an Associate’s Degree
•Medical Assistant: Medical assistants perform clinical and administrative duties in hospitals, nursing homes, doctor’s offices, and a variety of healthcare settings. Their duties include scheduling appointments, billing and coding, interviewing patients and recording vital stats, administering medications, collecting samples for laboratory testing, and recording patient history for medical and insurance records. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment opportunities for medical assistants are expected to grow by 31% from 2010 to 2020.1 An associate’s degree is sufficient to pursue a job as a medical assistant. CollegeAmerica student reviews indicate that the college offers an AAS in Medical Specialties, which trains students to become medical assistants.
•Registered Nurse: For people who can handle stressful and emotional situations without losing their cool and can work tirelessly in shifts, nursing is a great career option. After completing an ADN program and passing the licensure exam to become an RN, one can pursue entry-level positions in a variety of healthcare settings. The BLS states that the job outlook for RNs is expected to grow by 26% in this decade.
•Web Designer: As the name suggests, a web designer designs websites and creates layouts using graphics, logos, and multimedia applications. Publishing and advertising are some industries where web designers can find suitable jobs. This occupation is just right for people who are very imaginative and creative. A Bachelor’s in Web Design and Development, as suggested by students on a CollegeAmerica student review, is one of the most suitable programs for students aiming to be web designers.
•Administrative Assistant: Every business needs people who can handle administrative duties, and that’s where an administrative assistant comes in. These people maintain employee records, organize files and paperwork, schedule appointments and meetings, and perform routine clerical and secretarial duties. An associate’s degree in business management, business administration, or accounting, is perfect for a job as an administrative assistant. Administrative assistants, as noted by the BLS, should see a 12% rise in job opportunities in the coming decade.
•Tech Support: Technical support specialists, or tech support and help-desk technicians as they are commonly known, monitor and safeguard an organization’s electronic data. Their duties include erecting firewalls to protect data, taking steps to ensure system security, and performing risk assessments to ensure data processing is carried on smoothly. A two-year degree in networking, such as an AS in Computer Technology and Networking offered by CollegeAmerica, would equip you with the right skills needed to be a technical support specialist. The BLS states that this occupation is expected to see an 18% rise in employment opportunities in the coming decade.
So if you’ve finished high school and plan to start earning as soon as possible, choose from any one of the above careers, depending on your tastes and preferences, get your associate’s degree, and be on your way to a great career with a good earning potential!
Sources: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm
Ways to Pay Your College Tuition
Financing college education can be a pricey affair. A few years of college can cost up hundreds and thousands of dollars, and if you’re unaware of the financial options available to you, you can spiral into debt rather easily. Below are some ways you can pay for college tuition, which can help you save money and avoid sliding into debt.
How to Pay for College Tuition Scholarships and grants:
Colleges offer scholarships to students depending on their major, their background, and the high school they come from. Fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and submit it to the college well within the deadline. The sooner you apply, the better your chances of receiving financial aid. Contact the financial aid office of your college and find out all about scholarships and grants that are available for eligible students. Find out the deadline for applying for a scholarship, and apply as early as you can. For instance, a CollegeAmerica review indicates that the college assists eligible students in applying for various financial aid programs.
Student loans: The U.S. Department of Education helps students by offering financial aid in the form of student loans. You should know that, unlike scholarships and grants, loans need to be repaid. Depending upon your income and need, you may qualify for a subsidized loan.
In most cases, loan repayment starts once you graduate. Check with the colleges you have shortlisted aboutthe various options available, and understand all the details about repayment carefully before you apply for a loan. Invest in a 529 plan: Parents should think ahead and invest in a 529 plan for their kids. A 529 investment will give you tax benefits. The money invested in a 529 plan can be used for higher education, and for buying textbooks, supplies, paying tuition, and other qualified costs related to college education.
Work-study programs: This is an option chosen by a number of students. It’s not a bad idea to have a part-time job while you’re at college. Many private companies offer flexible work schedules to employees who are otherwise full-time college students. It can be a bit demanding initially and even eat into your social life, but it’ll definitely pay off in the long run, when you realize learning and earning at the same time is very advantageous.
Community college: Consider this option carefully. Community college tuition is much lower than a university or a college. Complete your two years at a community college, and then transfer your credits to the college/university of your choice. As community colleges cater to the surrounding towns, you need not move into a dorm, but instead can stay at home. Saving on room/dorm charges and tuition in a university for two years can add up. Apart from that, you have the option of joining the workforce after completing your two years of community college, getting a feel of the job market and gaining real-world experience, and then going back to school to get your bachelor’s degree. Now not only do you have work experience, but this puts you in a financially better position to pay for your bachelor’s program.
Military assistance: If you serve in the military, you get financial incentive to pursue a college education. Take the example of CollegeAmerica again. CollegeAmerica reviews indicate that the college offers financial assistance to defense personnel. You can look for more information regarding this on the Internet. Look for the right ways to finance your education—statistics show that people who have degrees earn much higher wages than those with just a high school diploma. Even though a college degree can be very expensive, it still remains an important investment tomake for a better future.
How Important Is It to Get a College Degree?
Is a college degree really important? Is it worth the effort to spend five to six years of your life to get a college education? The answer, not surprisingly, is a resounding yes. Jobs today are getting more and more specialized, and candidates are expected to already possess the requisite training and skills in order to get hired. All that knowledge and expertise can be acquired through college education. Even though many people learn through on-the-job training, employers prefer hiring candidates who are already well-equipped with the relevant skills.
Critics of college education might argue that it’s not worth paying the hefty tuition, when you can start earning fresh out of high school. But the fact is that the time and money invested in college pays off even better in the long run. It’s been proven time and again that college education increases your earning potential with each degree level. An associate’s degree holder will earn more than a student with just a high school diploma, and a bachelor’s or a master’s degree will give a further boost to one’s earning potential. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that graduates will earn much higher wages in the coming decade as compared to those who’ve just got a high school diploma. Companies even have incentives for students who wish to continue their education to assist them with their job functions, like reimbursing the college tuition.
When an employer looks at your college degree, it shows a lot more than just trade training. It shows that you, the student, have been through a structured environment. The fact that you have appeared for exams and sat through classes shows a clear sense of willingness and determination to learn something new and prove yourself. These are characteristics employers look for in employees. When a candidate applies for a job but has a degree that doesn’t match the job requirement, they might even get preference over other candidates who have experience, but lack a college degree.
A college education has numerous other benefits too. In the process of getting a degree, students meet like-minded people, make tons of new friends, and come into contact with professors and other people who are experts in a particular field. Such varied interaction can have an enriching effect on your personality and social development, as well as help you develop professional contacts. College reviews, online forums, and blogs are scattered across the Internet with students’ viewpoints on a college degree and its worth. You will no doubt come across some who feel a college degree is a waste of time and money, but an overwhelming majority of young students understand the significance of a degree and want to go to college. A quick look at a CollegeAmerica review is definitely worth a read, to help you learn more about what students think about the importance of education and its social relevance in a cutthroat job market. CollegeAmerica reviews state that most students are of the opinion that a college degree has proven to be an important asset for them in their professional and personal lives.
Take every opportunity that comes your way in order to get a college degree. It’s the best gift you can give yourself!
How to Choose a College that’s Right for You
Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as an adolescent. Everyone wishes to get into a reputed college to pursue a fancy major. But how do you select the right college, when there are hundreds of options to choose from? Here are some guidelines you can keep in mind while choosing a college.
Tips to Choose the Right College
Thanks to the information age, the Internet is the best resource you have at your fingertips to aid you in your search. Make a list of colleges that offer the majors you like. Visit each college’s website and explore it thoroughly. It’s possible that you’re yet undecided about what you want to major in, and that’s all right. You can talk to a career counselor who may be able to guide you, plus take some online career assessment tests, which can help you decide what your interests are. If you know what you would like to major in, it makes looking for a suitable college a lot easier.
Here are some important aspects every aspiring student must evaluate before he or she applies to a college:
•Accreditation: Accreditation is the most important aspect. The reason you are going to college is to get a degree, which will help you get a job. Degrees from non-accredited colleges are not recognized and accepted by employers, so make sure you aren’t applying to a diploma mill.
•Tuition: Money is a very important factor when it comes to choosing a college. Remember that tuition is not just what you pay for the programs offered; factor in the cost of textbooks, laboratory supplies, commuting/gas expenses, and room/dorm charges. It’s true that some colleges have exorbitant tuition, but don’t forget to look into what kind of monetary assistance is available. Find out all you can about student loans and federal aid programs when you consider tuition as a factor.
•Background and Credentials: Evaluate the college’s background and credentials. Read up on student reviews and testimonials, and visit social networking sites, which can provide a good insight into what type of institution it is. Take CollegeAmerica for instance. If you Google CollegeAmerica complaints you will see that the college has resolved all complaints registered against it, which shows that it’s concerned about the welfare of its students. It also has an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau, which is an unbiased, third-party review.
Apart from the above factors, evaluate student life, campus facilities, campus size, class size, faculty and staff, safety, geographical location, graduation rate, placement assistance, college resources (labs/libraries), and extracurricular activities. Also remember to check with the college about any entrance requirements they might have.
Choosing the right college can seem to be a momentous task. Give serious thought to your goals, requirements, and preferences. Once you’ve narrowed down your choice of colleges to two or three, if possible, visit the college and get thefeel of things. Chat with students and talk to the admissions staff. If you feel good about it, it probably is a good fit. But if you don’t feel right about the college, think twice before applying to it. Trust your instincts. Starting college is a big turning point in a teenager’s life, so put a lot of thought in making your decision. Don’t rush into it; don’t hesitate to ask for guidance from elders, and once you know what you want and what to expect from a college, it’ll make your search for the right college easier!
The Importance of Accreditation
One of the most important things you should look for in a college, apart from programs and tuition, is accreditation. Why is accreditation so important? Accreditation signifies that the institution is imparting quality education of a high standard and is following certain standard procedures as laid down by the accrediting body.
There are organizations which evaluate colleges and universities through peer review and regulatory procedures. Accreditation is a standard which is accepted by other colleges, universities, and institutes of higher learning. Accreditation also implies that the coursework and degrees of the college are recognized by other colleges and universities. Apart from judging the quality of education a student will receive, accreditation also affects future employment prospects. Accreditation is a benchmark by which employers judge the quality of education a student has earned through a college. Degrees from non-accredited colleges, which are commonly referred to as diploma mills, are not recognized by employers.
Accreditation is a voluntary process. There are agencies which develop and lay down the criteria and carry out the evaluation procedures to determine whether or not colleges meet the established criteria. How do you know that the agency that is conferring the accreditation is not a sham? The accrediting body must be reputed and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The CHEA (Council for Higher Education Accreditation) and the U.S. Department of Education maintain a database of colleges and universities that are accredited by approved bodies.
There are two types of accreditation, regional and national. Both types of accreditation are legally accepted and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Credits can be transferred from regionally accredited colleges to national accredited colleges, but regionally accredited colleges do not accept credits from nationally accredited colleges. Some specialized programs are also accredited by special accrediting agencies, and these are independent of the institutional accreditation of the parent college that offers the accredited program.
To know if a college is accredited by a recognized agency, you can visit its website or check the accreditation information on the website of the Department of Education. Take CollegeAmerica for instance. The college offers quality postsecondary education in the fields of healthcare, business, graphic arts, and IT. The programs are designed keeping in mind the current job market. You can verify CollegeAmerica accreditation by visiting their website. The college has received institutional accreditation from the ACCSC (Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges), an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
It’s important to enroll with a college that is accredited. Accreditation is not a guarantee for placement once you graduate, but a degree from an accredited institution is the only kind of education an employer will accept as legitimate. Plus students must be aware that they are not eligible for federal aid and cannot receive financial assistance if the college they have enrolled with isn’t accredited.
In summary: Do not apply to a college without evaluating its accreditation, and do not enroll if you’re not satisfied with the accreditation.
Best Careers with a Two-year Degree
There’s good news for those who want to enter the workforce as soon as possible, but not without a degree and the right qualifications. There are a number of careers you can pursue that do not require a full-time four-year bachelor’s degree, which means that students get to start earning two years before those who are pursuing their bachelor’s. Let’s take a look at some such careers that have good growth potential and can be started with a two-year associate’s degree.
Great Career Options with an Associate’s Degree
•Medical Assistant: Medical assistants perform clinical and administrative duties in hospitals, nursing homes, doctor’s offices, and a variety of healthcare settings. Their duties include scheduling appointments, billing and coding, interviewing patients and recording vital stats, administering medications, collecting samples for laboratory testing, and recording patient history for medical and insurance records. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment opportunities for medical assistants are expected to grow by 31% from 2010 to 2020.1 An associate’s degree is sufficient to pursue a job as a medical assistant. CollegeAmerica student reviews indicate that the college offers an AAS in Medical Specialties, which trains students to become medical assistants.
•Registered Nurse: For people who can handle stressful and emotional situations without losing their cool and can work tirelessly in shifts, nursing is a great career option. After completing an ADN program and passing the licensure exam to become an RN, one can pursue entry-level positions in a variety of healthcare settings. The BLS states that the job outlook for RNs is expected to grow by 26% in this decade.
•Web Designer: As the name suggests, a web designer designs websites and creates layouts using graphics, logos, and multimedia applications. Publishing and advertising are some industries where web designers can find suitable jobs. This occupation is just right for people who are very imaginative and creative. A Bachelor’s in Web Design and Development, as suggested by students on a CollegeAmerica student review, is one of the most suitable programs for students aiming to be web designers.
•Administrative Assistant: Every business needs people who can handle administrative duties, and that’s where an administrative assistant comes in. These people maintain employee records, organize files and paperwork, schedule appointments and meetings, and perform routine clerical and secretarial duties. An associate’s degree in business management, business administration, or accounting, is perfect for a job as an administrative assistant. Administrative assistants, as noted by the BLS, should see a 12% rise in job opportunities in the coming decade.
•Tech Support: Technical support specialists, or tech support and help-desk technicians as they are commonly known, monitor and safeguard an organization’s electronic data. Their duties include erecting firewalls to protect data, taking steps to ensure system security, and performing risk assessments to ensure data processing is carried on smoothly. A two-year degree in networking, such as an AS in Computer Technology and Networking offered by CollegeAmerica, would equip you with the right skills needed to be a technical support specialist. The BLS states that this occupation is expected to see an 18% rise in employment opportunities in the coming decade.
So if you’ve finished high school and plan to start earning as soon as possible, choose from any one of the above careers, depending on your tastes and preferences, get your associate’s degree, and be on your way to a great career with a good earning potential!
Sources: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm
Is Nursing a Good Career Option for Men?
Think of a nurse, and what comes to mind? A woman in scrubs, dealing with a patient, taking notes in a hospital setting or something similar, right? Society perceives nursing as a female-dominated profession. There is still a sizeable male population that shies away from nursing, because of the image they have of nurses: standing beside a doctor and taking orders from him—a role that doesn’t appeal to a lot of men. But that’s not the reality, and that perception is gradually changing, as more men turn toward nursing, breaking the stereotype that nursing is a “gendered” profession.
This typecasting also affects men who choose to be nurses. Just like women face discrimination in a male-dominated industry, men too face a challenge when it comes to nursing. The most common misconception about a male nurse is that just because he is male, he would be less caring toward his patients, an idea that is totally baseless. It’s also tougher for men to find work as a nurse in obstetrics or a maternity unit.
Men who are serious about a nursing career are trying to break free of such mistaken beliefs, and trying their best to overcome these challenges. They state that it’ll take time for the society to change its outlook toward male nurses, and though it won’t happen overnight, the scenario is slowly improving. As more and more male students are working as RNs, patients are getting used to being looked after by a male nurse. But it’s also up to the nurse in question, depending how he interacts with his patients and makes them feel at ease.
There are also support groups specifically for male nurses, which meet periodically to discuss and sort out issues, striving to change the notion that men are outsiders in this profession, and to recruit more men into nursing and help those who are already a part of it. A CollegeAmerica student review indicates that male students are becoming more eager to apply for nursing programs, thanks to society slowly coming to view nursing as a profession suitable for both men and women.
If you’re a high school student of either gender, or someone who wants to make a career switch and get into nursing, look for colleges that are accredited and well-established. For instance, CollegeAmerica student reviews indicate that the college offers a BS in nursing for applicants who have passed their licensure exam and are registered nurses. Men who are part of this profession claim that most patients do not complain about a male nurse tending to them, as long as they are well-cared for. So if you are a man who is academically proficient, has the mental and physical capability to work long shifts, loves to care for people, and wants a secure future (the Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the employment opportunities for RNs are expected to grow by 26% through 2020), nursing could be a great career option for you.
Online education 07/04/2012
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