Posted by - - Education
When preparing to apply for college, having a diverse resume can help tremendously. However, certain elements of the resume are especially important. When it comes to predicting admissions decisions, one score is particularly important: the SAT score. Here are some of the ways that an SAT score can affect your college future and your future in the job market.
Getting Into College
A college degree is no longer viewed as optional in many fields, and an increasing number of jobs now demand that applicants come armed with a college diploma. An SAT score can make the difference between being accepted into college and being denied admission. While grades, extracurricular activities and volunteer work help, a low SAT score may make the difference between acceptance and denial.
Getting Into a Better College
In many fields, it does not matter where one’s degree was obtained. However, some job markets are highly competitive, and even getting an entry-level job will require an impressive resume. Having a degree from a top-notch school can help lead to a better job. In addition, one of the major advantages of going to a top-tier university lies in the connections made while attending classes. Increasingly, young people are getting their jobs through connections they made in college.
Preparing for Future Tests
In many fields, the SAT test will be the first of many that will be necessary to succeed in academia and in the workplace. Standardized testing is increasingly being utilized to determine who gets into graduate school and who gains certain certifications. By spending time with SAT prep tutoring experts, student can prepare themselves for a future of great test preparation. Much of what is learned in SAT preparation can be applied to future tests, and the skills learned will serve students well in the future.
Some are critical of the importance of SAT scores, but studies have consistently shown that those who do well on the SAT tend to do better after college. By taking the time needed to prepare for the test and getting as high a score as possible, students can prepare themselves for a successful future in the workplace.
Posted by - - Education
Higher Education through Accredited Online Degrees
Technology has made our lives easier. It has made almost anything possible, including getting an education at the comforts of your own home through distance learning and e-education programs.
The internet does not only make earning your college or university diploma convenient, it also lets you save more money compared to attending school in a regular classroom setup.
To ensure that you are getting a legitimate degree and the best online education, make sure you choose a program or degree duly accredited by the government. It should be one recognized by the Department of Education which ensures that courses meet standard requirements.
With a number of fake online degree programs existing, including ‘diploma mills’, you would want to be guaranteed that you are earning a legitimate higher education. Earning your degree from an accredited institution secures you the reputation of a genuine and quality education.
What is Accreditation?
Online accreditation means that the degree has been evaluated and reviewed by a Department of Education-sanctioned agency. In the United States, the government uses private and non-government affiliated accreditation organizations to review online higher education institutions. These organizations ensure the quality and standard of educational programs you’ll receive from an institution.
An accredited online degree gives you a better edge from other job applicants because potential employers give it credit and consideration. You will also be able to transfer credits from your course to another course if you plan to change it. You also have a better chance of getting accepted in graduate school.
How Does It Work?
When an institution has an accredited online degree program, students can trust that the education they are paying for is valuable and worthwhile. Enrolling in an accredited online program gives you a better chance at a successful career.
In some cases where students are not able to demonstrate a high level of performance, an accreditation agency may step in to examine the effectiveness of the institution and evaluate areas that need improvement. An accreditation agency’s goal is to help institutions reach successful learning results and positive learning outcomes from students.
Accredited and Non-accredited Online Colleges
Accredited online colleges are recognized by an approved accrediting agency once they successfully pass the national educational standard requirements for the curriculum and faculty.
Getting an online degree or enrolling in accredited programs gives you better chances of being considered for a job from prospective employers. If you are already employed, it gives you a better chance at promotion and higher wages, including earning the respect of your boss and colleagues.
Non-accredited online colleges, on the other hand, do not have the recognition and approval of an accrediting agency because they failed to meet certain standards.
It is also likely for accredited colleges to have non-accredited programs because the program may be new and the accredited college or university is still seeking or processing its accreditation. It is also possible that there is still no accreditation agency for the degree or program seeking accreditation.
Be aware that an online degree from a non-accredited institution could hurt or lower your chance of better employment, and of being recognized by licensing bodies and professional organizations.
Kaplan Financial is the UK’s leader in financial, accountancy and business training. Find out more about the courses Kaplan has available.
Online degrees are exciting and convenient opportunities for you to advance your education and reach your goals so take the time to find the best program for you and to make the most out of your learning experience.
Posted by - - Career Advice
Court Report Salary - According to CT Court Reporters Court reporter’s median wage is about $49,000, and the salary range is about $39,000 to $67,000. The highest 10 percent of court reporters make more than $84,500 a year.
Working As A Court Reporter
The typical day depends on your work as a court reporter. For stenographers, they spend their days in court rooms or meeting rooms documenting any given proceeding. Some reporters choose to record a proceeding and transcribe later, and some use computer speech recognition technology to transcribe any correspondences verbatim.
Those who specialize in Communication Access Real-Time Translation spend time mostly with near-deaf students by translating lessons or lectures in real time. They can also accompany hard-of-hearing clients whenever their assistance is needed.
Skills Required to do Court Reporting
Fast typing skills are a must for court reporters. (Federal government employees are required to type 225 words a minute.) They also must have excellent grammar and punctuation skills and display acute listening skills. They also have to know how to stay focused for several hours at a time.
The opportunity to advance in the court reporting field is more favorable for those who are specialized in Communication Access Real-Time Translation, broadcast captioning or web captioning services.
But there are several ways a court reporter can move through the ranks of his or her career. Several national associations offer certification programs that help reporters become more qualified and marketable, which can lead to management, consulting and teaching positions.
PROS AND CONS
The job market is stable and growing, and the pay is decent. The job can be stressful and monotonous, especially if you spend all day in a court room. Court reporters have to be wary of straining their backs, necks, wrists and necks during work.
Posted by - - Career Advice
Overview of the career field:
Nursing is the largest profession in the healthcare field, and industry leaders don’t expect that to change in the near future. The demand for RNs and LPNs (read about the differences between a RN & LPN) across the country is high, especially with a predicted nursing shortage in 2025. As the Baby Boom generation ages and need for healthcare expands, hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities will be looking for nurses. The shortage spells trouble for the post-World War II babes, but gives those interested in the nursing field numerous opportunities for employment and career advancement.
Nursing also gives you a wide variety of career paths depending on your level of education: You can work in hospitals—where most nurses in the country are employed—nursing homes or with a private practice, to name a few. You can work as a registered nurse, working side by side with a doctor and prepping patients for check ups, or you can become as qualified as a nurse practitioner, where you have your own patients and prescription privileges depending on state laws. The day-to-day of a nurse’s life can get hectic and overwhelming, but the pay and advancement opportunities are good, and the profession is stable.
Nursing Salary Rang
The average salary for registered nurses in the U.S. is about $60,000. Registered nurses generally start out at about $46,000 a year, and nurse assistants start at about $20,000. The more advanced you are as a nurse, the more money you make. For example, a nurse manager can make up to $85,000, a nurse practitioner’s average salary is $92,000 and a certified registered nurse anesthetist averages about $100,000 a year.
Job prospects:
The nursing profession is expected to grow 20 percent or more than all other professions in the next decade.
Another plus for prospective nurses: The industry is continually adding new jobs as other professions lose them. For example, healthcare facilities added 21,000 new jobs in November 2009, while 85,000 other jobs were lost across the country. Since the recession started in September 2008, more than a half million jobs have been added in the healthcare industry. Despite the worst recession since World War II, the nursing field has still proved to be a steady career choice.
Typical work day:
The typical work day for a registered nurse depends on where that nurse works. For a registered nurse in a hospital, nurses check in with patients throughout the day and night, taking blood pressure levels and administering general care, such as IV drips, shots, medicine and hygiene care. They also keep in constant communication with physicians providing primary care for their patients. At hospitals, nurses can work several days in a row with long hours (10-12) followed by a few days off.
A nurse practitioner’s typical day, for example, is closer to one of a physician instead of a hospital nurse. A nurse practitioner will see several patients a day, do case work and give prescriptions (about 96 percent of nurse practitioners have prescription privileges). Most practice in primary facilities, but about a third of the country’s nurse practitioners do their work in non-primary healthcare facilities, such as emergency rooms or surgical centers.
Nursing Skills required:
Nurses need to have a comprehensive knowledge of medicine, the human body and general diagnostic exams and tests. They also have to have competent writing and communication skills, as they are responsible for filing casework and communicating patient information with physicians. Other skills that make a good nurse are the intangible ones: Nurses have to know how to multitask, focus for long hours, work quickly, make fast decisions and provide a calming presence for patients.
Career growth prospects:
The ability to move up in the nursing ranks depends on your education level and practice experience. Much like a physician, there are numerous levels and fields a nurse can choose to work in. Some nurses advance to specialty careers, such as nurse practitioners, anesthetists or midwives, who focus in prenatal and postpartum care. Nurses also can be promoted to managerial positions, such as nursing director or supervisor.
Here is a quick overview of some of the most-advanced levels of nursing:
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). CRNAs are the highest paid nurses in the country with an average salary of $100,000 or more. They work in surgical centers as an extension of anesthesiologists and deliver anesthesia during surgery.
- Nurse Practitioner (NP). An NP provides patient care under the supervision of a licensed physician and can do exams and patient tests. What a nurse practitioner can do depends where they work. Some states require physicians to sign off on all NP work, while others allow the NP to work independently and prescribe.
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). Clinical Nurse Specialists are trained in a specific specialty of healthcare and assist with research, education and advocacy of that specialty. For example, a CNS can specialize in oncology and work with other specialists in that field for clinical tests or develop protocol for oncology care.
Pros and cons:
The pros of a nursing career are clear: stability, high demand for jobs, good pay and opportunities for career advancement. But the demands of the job are high. Nurses often work long, stressful hours mostly on their feet. If you get queasy easily, or if you don’t like multitasking, making quick decisions or performing under pressure, than nursing may not be the job for you.
Education required:
Your education requirements depend on what level of nursing you want to get into. The most common path to becoming a registered nurse is receiving a Bachelor’s of Science degree in nursing. Some also can become a nurse through an associate’s degree in nursing. However, all prospective nurses must pass state exams before becoming a registered nurse.
The more advanced you want to become as a nurse, the more advanced degree you need. Clinical nurses specialists, nurse anesthetists, nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners all need master’s degrees or specialty degrees. For example, to be a certified nurse-midwife, you have to graduate from a nurse-midwifery program accredited by the American College of Nurse-Midwives. Most nurse management or supervisor roles also require a graduate degree in nursing or health services administration.
Posted by - - Career Advice
When companies or groups want to promote, communicate or move a product or message, they call on graphic designers. Graphic designers create images and concepts that combine words, visuals and pictures to communicate and promote a product. They can take on big projects, such as creating the overall layout and design of newspapers, magazines and websites. They can also take on smaller projects—designing logos, tickets or pamphlets.
The number of products affected by graphic design is limitless.
JOB PROSPECTS
The industry is expected to grow 13 percent, which is about average, from 2008 to 2018. Those with skills in web design and animation are expected to have the best chance at landing graphic design jobs in the future, because the demand for work with interactive media will increase. Work in the print publishing world, however, is expected to decrease.
SALARY
The median salary for graphic designers is $42,400 and can range from about $29,000 to $46,000.
TYPICAL WORK DAY
If you’re employed by a large company or design firm, expect to work at cubicles with top-of-the-line computers in a likely well-lit room. The duties of the day likely depend on your client’s deadlines and needs. You often work in teams of designers for larger projects, too. Expect to also be included in meetings that develop and plan new ideas and products for clients.
When working for a client, graphic designers usually have sketches to provide before moving forward with finishing a project. They have to communicate what the final design will look like while also making sure to meet the client’s needs.
If you’re on your own, you set your schedule as it fits you and your client.
SKILLS REQUIRED
Graphic designers have to have the obvious skills: graphic and web design savvy. They also have to be creative and able to stay on top of the latest design software and methods. Designers also must perform under pressure and tight deadlines and be able to juggle multiple projects at once.
GROWTH PROSPECTS
Graphic designers have a variety of ways to advance in their field. They can move up to art director or supervisor positions and lead creative teams at their work. Some choose to leave the corporate sector and teach graphic design at colleges or universities. Others use their own advancement and years of experience as a designer to start their own companies and services.
PROS AND CONS
The field is growing and changing due to the shift from print to interactive web design. Graphic design is also very much rooted in creativity. Working in any type of art can be much more appealing than pushing papers in cubicles for some. The career also gives graphic designers the chance to move on to working independently full time if they gain enough experience and reputation on their own. You also have a vast selection of areas of graphic design to choose from.
However, graphic designers don’t make loads of money and can start at low wages at the beginning of their careers. Jobs are being lost in the printing industry, and the job market for graphic designers isn’t growing at an exceptionally rapid pace.
EDUCATION REQUIRED
Most companies require graphic designers have to have a bachelor’s degree in graphic design or at least an associates degree. Designers who only have associate’s degrees generally start off as assistant to graphic designers. If you’ve already earned a bachelor’s degree in another field, you can complete a two- or three-year program in graphic design to gain the technical skills needed for the job.
Posted by - - Career Advice
Accountants are sometimes the most important people in a business. They make sure finances are in order, people are paid on time, budgets balanced, taxes paid in full and businesses run within the black. Accountants work for private firms and governments, and about a quarter of the about 1.3 million accountants worked for bookkeeping, payroll and tax preparation services.
Industry experts expect the field to boom within the next decade. A growing economy means more businesses will open, and those businesses will need accountants to balance budgets, manage payrolls and prepare their taxes. Private businesses are also expected to need accountants more than ever as financial regulations tighten and the need for more transparency in financial reporting increases.
JOB PROSPECTS
The accountant job market is accepted to grow 22 percent from 2008 to 2018, which is much faster than most other occupations. Certified Public Accountants, others with advanced professional licenses and those with master’s degrees are more likely to scoop up jobs than others.
SALARY
Median salary for accountants is about $59,500. The salary range is $48,700 to $74,800. The top 10 percent of accountants earned more than $100,000 a year.
TYPICAL WORKDAY
Accountants typically work in usual office settings, communicating with clients, working with teams on projects and crunching numbers. Depending on the job, they can travel to audit businesses or governmental units, or travel to meet with clients throughout the day.
The type of accountant you are also controls your day-to-day schedule. There are four major types of accountants: public, government, management and audit accountants.
- Public accountants would spend most of their time working with governments or nonprofit organization to check expenditures and help develop pricing for health care distribution among employees.
- Government accountants examine the records of government agencies and audit private agencies subject to government oversight.
- A management account would develop the budget for the company he or she works for.
- Internal auditors fact check a company’s financial habits for waste, mismanagement or fraud.
SKILLS REQUIRED
You must be proficient in understanding financial data and translating that to a client’s need, whether that is for taxes, balancing budgets or developing a pay role scale. Accountants must as have knowledge in current legislation and standards that affect finance reporting. You also have to be efficient at communicating with others and working in teams.
PROS AND CONS
The job market for accounting is clearly stable, and the money is good. You get to work for a variety of clients. An accounting degree or background also gives you a variety of financial sectors to work in (government, private, tax preparation, etc.)
Accounting can be overwhelming, however. Tax season is brutal for accountants. Plan to spend some weekends working, and don’t be surprised if you work long weekdays, either.
CAREER GROWTH PROSPECTS
Accountants who gain professional certifications throughout their careers gain an edge on those who don’t in the job market, and there are several avenues for those certifications. Most accountants move onto positions with added responsibility in one or two years and advance to a senior level a few years after that.
Accountants who rise through the ranks can become executives or partners of companies, budget directors, account managers or chief financial officers, to name a few.
EDUCATION REQUIRED
If you want to become an accountant, you’ll have to at least have a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field. Along with a bachelor’s degree, it’s very common for accounts to seek further training and certifications. Many seek to be Certified Public Accountants. Some employers seek those who have master’s degrees in accounting or business administration with a concentration in accounting.
If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree but attended a specialty or business school, you can start as a junior accountant and move up to accountant through performance and experience.
