admin's Archive
Posted by admin on September 1st, 2009
Recession-proof careers are those that withstand the ups and downs of the economy and are rarely affected by whether or not people have a ton of disposable income (similar to many families in our current economy). There are few certainties to rely on in the job market, but two markets that always seem to thrive regardless are healthcare and education. Despite income level or the economy’s status people will always need doctors, nurses, therapist, dentists and other healthcare professionals. Education also comes to the forefront during tough economic times. With the current rate of unemployment more and more people are going back to school to either change careers or make them more marketable/valuable in their current position.
In times when people may not be able to afford to pay all (or even some) of their health insurance, making them less likely to be able to take proper health precautions, the healthcare industry is needed more than ever. Nurses are at an unprecedented demand right now, so as long as you have the proper training, finding a position should be no problem. As the number of people looking to secure a career rises, so does the number of teaching positions needed to be filled. Teachers, whether they are focused on elementary school students or graduate-level students, help provide the critical thinking skills necessary for securing the nation’s economic future. Both fields require dedication and persistence, but certainly pay off big in the end.
Has anyone made the jump to one of these two fields? What have your experiences been like? What are some other careers that may also thrive in times of economic hardship?
Posted by admin on August 25th, 2009
Years ago, when I graduated high school, I never thought twice about the debt I would rack up while attending college. I signed away on forms at the beginning of each semester not really grasping what was going to hit me once I took off that cap and gown. Six months into the real world, I started paying off the nearly $18,000 in debt I had accrued since my freshman year and I was one of the lucky ones! My parents helped pay for my tuition otherwise I would have been sitting on over $30,000 worth of debt. It puts a knot in my stomach to think of when my children are ready to go to college.
Are these loans really the best idea for our children? They’re starting their adult life in debt thousands upon thousands of dollars. Especially in these economic times where jobs are scarce, how can they even be assured a job once they graduate?
Is there a better way? There’s something to be said for schools where you cannot use Financial Aid. The costs are upfront and you know what you’re getting into, financially speaking. And, most of them offer payment options to make the cost a little easier to digest. I think even some 4-year colleges and universities have monthly payment options although I’m not sure how "affordable" they really are.
What are your thoughts/feelings? Would you still choose to defer the debt if you had an affordable option?
Posted by admin on August 19th, 2009
Students often begin the process of achieving an education and sometimes find, like myself, that even a single circumstance - whether it be a lack of funds or a personal roadblock or any number of other reasons - regrettably, can preempt their education. Ten years ago, I didn’t think I would return to get my degree (although, a small part of me kept that hope alive, obviously). Going to college is a lot of work, not just mentally but physically. So, I was thrilled to discover the online college option, since it offered another, completely different process which ran parallel with my original goal of graduating from college. Furthermore, it led straight to the Commencement Trail. I didn’t have to find my way back to my original path; I forged a new “online” path.
I’ve thought many times about going back to school to get my Masters degree, and I wouldn’t even consider such an undertaking without online options. My life is full right now, as a wife and mother, as household manager, as a writer and now I’m considering an additional work opportunity. Add to that, like so many other parents, the kids’ school commitments, church and community work, training our puppy ( which I threw in as metaphor for “other” obligations that take a lot more time and energy than I thought they would). Now, I could really push myself and attend school on campus, but why? When online options make it so much easier to go back to school and get a degree. Most people want to save time and energy; I, especially, want to save time and energy and quite frankly, I don’t want to push myself anymore. I want results, not an ulcer.
My online university experience was so fulfilling that I’m not certain that I would change anything in my pursuit of an advanced degree; rather, I would blueprint the process so that I could repeat the sequence, it was that effective. I would be tempted here to write, that in order to save time and money, I might consider a local program to get my Masters degree; however, in truth I would research Masters programs at FSU first and foremost. Out of sheer sentimentality, of course (see previous article “Seminole Pride”). Yet, along with being a sentimental gal, I’m also thorough and yes, entertain a pragmatic vein. So, I will look into other programs and weigh all the options, for research is our best tool for decision-making, and often the gateway to a new path that could lead to the next goal.
Posted by admin on August 17th, 2009
Text messages, chat rooms, online forums, MySpace, Facebook … even WEBKINS. Its information over-load when you begin to think about everything out there on "social networking". Many people think of MySpace, LinkedIn, Facebook and other social communities like them when they hear the terms "social networking" but that barely encompasses this growing movement. But what place does it have in education? Can it help us better connect with our young and adult learners?
According to a study by the NSBA (National School Boards Association) over 50% of students use social networking tools to talk about education topics and schoolwork … that is an astounding number. Should schools begin incorporating social networking into their curriculums? Maybe all schools should develop their own social community, like MySpace, where their students can go and discuss appropriate topics, chat in real-time with instructors or other students about homework problems (monitored for cheating, of course), or simply connect with other students like themselves with the same hobbies and interests. For an online school, in specific, this would give the students a sense of community and belonging … creating a virtual campus they can call their own.
It’s amazing how quickly technology evolves and, in my opinion, education should evolve just as quickly. I would love to see social networking incorporated in small ways into schools’ curriculums. What are your thoughts? Would you like to see it included in your school district, college or university’s curriculum?
Posted by admin on August 3rd, 2009
As new and returning college students gear up for the school year about to get underway, NextStudent Inc., one of the country’s longtime premier sources for college financing, has unveiled a new look to its website, www.nextstudent.com, with easier than ever one-stop access to a wide array of education financing options and information.
Since the spread of the post-subprime credit freeze into the student loan marketplace a year ago, non-government channels of student loan financing have shrunk to few and far between. Credit-based private student loans — which families have often relied upon to supplement their federal financial aid — have become especially difficult to come by, as several lenders of private student loans have gone out of business. The few lenders that remain have restricted their qualifying criteria to borrowers with superior credit or stopped offering private student loans altogether.
Even federal student loans, however, can be hard to find for those students whose schools have not yet transferred over to the Department of Education’s Federal Direct Loan Program but remain in the government-subsidized Federal Family Education Loan Program. Students enrolled at a FFELP school must obtain their federal college loans through a bank, state agency, or other third-party lender rather than directly from the government.
NextStudent, however, offers a simple online solution for those students and their families trying to find available student loans and other viable financial aid options.
The NextStudent website offers one-stop access to a network of multiple student loan providers. With just one click, students and parents can access a portal that allows them to compare dozens of student loans from various lenders and shop for the financing option that best fits the family budget. This portal puts students directly in contact with available lenders and allows students and parents to apply for student loans right then and there via these lenders’ online applications.
Courtesy of Marketwire.com
Posted by admin on August 3rd, 2009
Regardless of the progress we’ve made in online education, there still seems to be a stigma that surrounds it. As if it’s not the same quality or worth the same weight when job-hunting as a traditional diploma or degree.
While attending various college fairs, I’ve noticed many parents bypass the online schools and push their kids towards the more traditional post-secondary institutions. However, are these traditional schools always the best option for the student? Each student has a different learning style and some thrive in the classroom; whereas, some students perform better when they’re able to challenge themselves on a more individualized basis.
Not to mention that, for many college students who have to work full-time while going to school, online classes make it just that much easier to achieve their dream of earning their degree. Perhaps, 15 years from now when my kids are in college everything will be online. Given the choice of online vs. traditional brick-and-mortar schools - which would you choose?
Posted by admin on July 30th, 2009
Work from home job advertisements are everywhere from job boards to magazine ads, radio spots, and even on television and these opportunities sound too good to be true, and most of them are. “Earn $1000- $5,000 a week working part-time in your home” - if it was really that easy, wouldn’t everyone be doing it? Bankrate.com has put together a list of the top 10 actual “real” work from home opportunities, some payign as much as $100k a year.
1. Virtual Assistant
This is a field with much potential, in part because the title description covers many things. “You can fit your offerings to what you know how to do,” says Foster. One can own a virtual assistant business or work from home for a company that makes you available to other employees or clients. Homewiththekids.com, for example, currently features a dozen such companies. Small businesses hire virtual assistants to help when they can’t justify a permanent employee. The International Virtual Assistants Association, which Durst co-founded in the 1990s, began with 28 members and has grown to more than 600, who charge from $15 per hour to more than $100 per hour.
2. Medical Transcriptionist
As Foster knows, being a medical receptionist is a demanding job, and nearly every company listed on her site seeks applicants with experience and/or training from certain schools. The work involves listening to and typing up dictation from doctors — some of whom have difficult accents, slur words together, and even “eat, drink, chew gum (and) talk to other people in the room” while dictating, she says. But hearing about medical matters can be interesting, and good transcriptionists are in very high demand. Expect initial earnings of less than $10 per hour, but some transcriptionists earn $20 or more per hour.
3. Translator
Those with fluency in more than one language translate audio files or documents, not just word for word but often with cultural differences in mind. “Companies can access home-based translators with hard-to-find language skills without being held back by geographic location,” says Fell.
Foster’s site lists 15 companies that seek home-based translators. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook 2008-09, which groups translators and interpreters, notes a projected employment increase of 24 percent over the 2006-to-2016 decade, much faster than the average for all occupations.
The national mean hourly wage for translators and interpreters was $20.74, with a mean annual wage of $43,130 as of May 2008, according to estimates by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some industries pay significantly higher, with the highest paying jobs generally in the management, scientific and technical consulting services areas, in which the mean hourly wage was $56.50 and the annual mean wage was $117,530.
4. Web Developer/Designer
Information technology is the sector, Durst says, where most of the home-based hiring is being done. Terri Orlowski, a virtual assistant and Web developer based in Ledyard, Conn., offers services such as custom Web site design, template modification and redesigns, code updates, hosting, and usability reviews. She previously held administrative positions in a variety of industries, and makes a higher per-hour rate now. The job is in high demand. Of the more than 15,000 new monthly work-from-home job postings on Odesk.com, Web developers are in the greatest demand, says spokeswoman Elizabeth Gordon. A list of companies that post at-home tech jobs is available at ratracerebellion.com.
5. Call Center Representative
When you phone to order something from a catalog or infomercial, a big office with rows of cubicles may come to mind. But the person on the other end of the line is likely to be sitting in a home office. “It’s a huge and growing industry,” says Durst of companies that hire independent contractors to take calls from home. She says the “home-shore movement” started in response to complaints about the many companies that looked offshore for workers. While some Web sites, such as Alpineaccess.com, actually hire representatives, most use subcontractors. Just be aware that the pay may be by the minute rather than by the hour, so you may not be paid for time you spend waiting by the phone. A list of companies that hire call center reps can be found at Homewiththekids.com.
6. Tech Support Specialist
Call centers also hire technical support specialists to work remotely. Kate Lister, co-author of “Undress for Success: The Naked Truth About Making Money at Home,” names it as one of her top three “best-bet work-at-home jobs.” And according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, jobs for computer support specialists (on-site and remote combined) were expected to increase by 13 percent from 2006 to 2016 — much faster than the average for all occupations — with 71,000 new jobs.
7. Travel Agent
Scams abound in the travel industry — particularly organizations that charge for information on how to break into the field. But operating a home-based travel agency can be an excellent business, says Tom Ogg of the Home Based Travel Agent Information Center. “Real home-based travel agents have experienced robust growth over the last decade, and there are probably around 35,000 of them and growing.” A growing (although small) number of people earn $100,000 or more a year, he says. “A solid business concept and plan focused on profitability will take you a long way to achieving your monetary goals.” There’s also the joy of helping others enjoy their leisure time.
8. Teacher
From postsecondary education to elementary schools, there are opportunities for students to learn virtually. Along with that, come opportunities to teach (and tutor) virtually. While distance learning is not new, advanced technology, collaborative multimedia software designed for schools and high-speed Internet connections have created more opportunities for teachers and students to work together from afar, says Fell. Durst has also noticed more teacher jobs being posted, and she knows of one professor who works mainly online and makes six figures — although income “depends on how many hours you’re applying to it and the type of classes you’re teaching.” A resource center for online teaching jobs is available at GetEducated.com.
9. Writer/Editor
Yes, the print publishing industry has been suffering, but Durst is seeing frequent listings these days for writing, editing and proofreading, particularly for the Web. Even those without writing experience can join the blogosphere. Not only can blogging be lots of fun, Foster says, but also there’s money to be earned blogging for someone else’s site, getting paid to post on your own blog or through revenue-sharing arrangements. A list of blogging opportunities, for which the pay range is less than $5 per post to more than $20 per post, can be found at Homewiththekids.com.
10. Franchise Owner
It’s a no-brainer: Owning a business can be the road to at-home work. For an initial investment, franchises may offer a ready-made business with brand awareness, a system and a territory, says Leslie Truex, founder of the Web site Work-At-Home Success. She advises considering businesses that target the over-50 crowd or the self-employed, involve health and wellness, relate to the “green” movement, or involve electronic or online devices (i.e., accessories, applications).
Scam Alert:
When considering any at-home job, put up the scam-detection radar.
Durst suggests watching for these positive indicators of “real” employment:
* The hirer is an established company.
* The ad includes the company name and does not have applicants reply to a blind e-mail address.
* Human resources personnel are available for questions.
* There is mention of information commonly associated with “real” employment (benefits, vacations, policies, etc.).
* There is an application and interview process, not simply an e-mailed offer.
* The employer can detail the job duties and expectations.
* References/work samples are requested.
Bankrate.com
Posted by admin on July 28th, 2009
Many distance learners agree that the most difficult part of studying online is staying motivated. Because students must take the initiative to complete their courses completely on their own, without the physical presence of teachers and other peers, many students find it easy to become distracted and discouraged in their work. Don’t let this happen to you – plan ways for yourself to stay motivated before you’re tempted to stray from your books. Use these five motivational tips to stay on task:
1. Connect with your classmates. Visit online groups and start conversations with your fellow classmates. Talk about your day, your studies, whatever will keep you connected, motivated and give you that sense of “classroom” in a virtual environment. Once you begin talking to fellow students, you may even find a few in your area that will be willing to start a physical study group! Having the support of your peers during your studies is extremely rewarding and important.
2. Discuss what you learn. Find a friend or relative who has similar interests or who would enjoy hearing about your studies and let them know what’s going on in your classes. You’ll understand the material better when you have a chance to explain it out loud and will be motivated to stay on task in order to keep up with the conversation.
3. Chart your progress. Design your own map of completed classes and post it somewhere that is visible daily. There’s a certain satisfaction that comes with watching your goals be accomplished. When times get hard, you can always turn to your chart and see how far you’ve come.
4. Reward yourself. You get rewarded for good credit and safe driving, why shouldn’t you reward yourself for doing well in your course work. Whether it is a night on the town, a new dress, or even a new car, setting up a reward system just may be the extra push you need to succeed.
5. Take time for fun. If you’re spending all your time working, studying, and watching after the kids, you’ll likely suffer in all areas. Everyone needs some down time to re-group. So, set aside a little time every week for a favorite activity. You’ll be more productive when you return to your work.
What helps you stay motivated? Do you have any tips or suggestions to add to our list?
Posted by admin on July 27th, 2009
Thanks to distance-learning technology, amplified federal assistance and a network of military-friendly programs, the opportunities for GI Joes and Janes to further their education during active duty, post-discharge or through retirement continue to grow.
Locally, active duty personnel can take advantage of on-base programs like the ones offered at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth (or NAS JRB). Though open in some instances to veterans, military dependants and retirees, the programs are primarily geared for working service members who face potential deployment or transfer while pursuing their studies.
Schooling for soldiers
“All members of the military are encouraged to continue their education,” said Don Ray, a public information officer at the naval air station. “The military gives them the opportunity to attend classes, whether it be at lunchtime or in the evening.
“Not only does it help them later in life when they leave the military, internally, it helps them with promotions,” he said. “It makes them more well-rounded in their job profession here.
“Nowadays a high school education doesn’t get you very far in the military,” he said. “The military has become very technical.
“Plus, while they are on active duty, the military gives tuition assistance, so they don’t have to use their VA [Veterans Affairs] benefits if they don’t want to,” he said. “They can save the benefit for when they get out of the service.”
Rebecca Ary, director of the Navy College Office at NAS JRB, said that four colleges provide on-base programs that lead to bachelor’s degrees or certifications: Columbia College, which offers liberal arts courses in subjects like criminal justice and psychology; Northwood University, offering marketing and management degrees; Embry-Riddle, an aviation program; and ECPI College of Technology, offering computer training.
The schools are members of the Service Members Opportunity Colleges Consortium, a network of educational programs designed to help service members and their families further their education. SOC programs feature reduced in-residency requirements, military-friendly credit transfer policies and credit awarded for military experience.
“It helps the member if the military moves them to another location,” said Ary.
Distance-learning programs and online classes also make it possible for students to complete coursework after being moved, said Ary.
Terry Silva, career services director at Northwood University’s Texas campus, located in Cedar Hill, said that the university takes extra measures to work with service members’ special needs.
“We do work-life evaluations where they can get [college] credit for a particular kind of military experience, like computer training, or leadership or supervisory training,” he said.
“If someone enrolls in a class, then they get assigned to go somewhere, Northwood will refund 100 percent of their tuition,” he said. “If they are transferring out, we tell them if there is a way to get [at least] an associate’s degree with us. There are online and independent study opportunities in case they transfer out when they are close to graduating.
“It’s something for us to give back to them,” he said.
The new Post-9/11 Bill
A population of veterans will soon have better access to higher education through the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which goes into effect Aug. 1.
The new legislation provides education aid for veterans with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, at a level representing a significant increase above the amount covered in the current GI Bill.
Under the Post-9/11 Bill, funding is available for housing, books, and tuition associated with the completion of graduate and undergraduate degrees and vocational or technical training.
Dallas Baptist University recently created the “Patriot Veterans Opportunity Program,” which features scholarships and support services for students receiving benefits under the new bill.
“We’ve been a military-friendly campus for years,” said Dr. Donovan Fredricksen, dean of the university’s college of adult education. “Our mascot is the Patriot, and we are located next to the national cemetery.”
Anticipating more veteran enrollment
Fredricksen said that DBU has staff designated for the purpose of veteran education as well as a military education task force made up of diverse faculty and staff members.
Additionally, the university will soon launch a new Web site, “Patriot2Patriot”, in anticipation of an increased veteran student population.
“The college I’m over cares a lot about adult students coming back to school,” he said. “We understand about the different responsibilities they have of family and work.
“It’s even more so with our returning veterans,” he said, “It’s truly an honor for us to help them continue their education. ”
Another opportunity for veterans to leverage the new bill’s benefits is through the University of Phoenix, a private university with campuses across the nation, including Texas.
According to a recent press release, University of Phoenix will cover up to 50 percent of on-campus or online tuition and fees that surpass the GI Bill’s benefit rate.
The school also offers programs designed for active duty personnel.
Star-Telegram.com
Posted by admin on July 20th, 2009
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For some people the classroom is not the ideal place to learn. Between students trying to prove themselves as subject-matter experts and those who ask questions for the sake of asking questions, between the busy work and lack of work handed out by teachers, between the clocks that are five minutes fast and five minutes slow; there is very little room for a proper education. How a student is able retain any information presented in a classroom crammed with annoyances and the tiniest discrepancy is beyond me. However, the tiniest of irritations can be avoided by removing the classroom from education. By creating his or her own learning environment a student can make sure all unpleasant quirks are nonexistent.
The best thing about an “at-home” education is that it does not have to be taken literally. Home is where a student is comfortable, safe and able to be productive in a positive environment. “Home” does not always mean “house”. Home can be your favorite café or your own corner section of the library. Home can be any number of places that allow you to take away the best education possible and this is something of which Penn Foster is well aware. In a world where complete downtown areas are wi-fi accessible and where you can take your laptop almost anywhere there is no need for the annoyances of brick-and-mortar classrooms. There is also no need to be paying more money for these annoyances when you can receive a college education that won’t put you thousands of dollars in debt. Nowadays, online education is the only thing that seems to make sense.
