Archive for the ‘Jobs and Careers’ Category
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 Dan on June 17th, 2009
When most people think of a career in education, they immediately think “teacher”. There are a variety of career positions for those interested in pursuing a career in education. Superintendent, Principal, Professor, Dean, CEO even can be an obtainable title when you earn a college degree in education. Careers in Demand examines how returning to school via an online college and earning a degree in education is a sure fire way to open new career paths for those in today’s tough job market.
A career in education has been identified by the Wall Street Journal and Yahoo News as one of the fastest growing career fields in the US. The demand for teachers currently is at an all time high. An online education offers the convenience and flexibility that many busy adults need to complete their college degree program. Some adults have selected to pursue an online bachelor’s degree in education despite being currently employed in a non related career field. Employees and job seekers are searching for stability and growth opportunities. Education and Teaching offers both of those to you if you are interested.
Current teachers understand the importance of education and their career demands that they continue to take certificate and seminar programs to help keep their teaching skills fresh and sharp. it should be no surprise then that the rise in online masters degrees in education has outpaced the past two years in the first 6 months of 2009. Working as a teacher demands long work weeks often involving bringing your work home with you after the final school bell has rung. Online Colleges offer current working teachers the flexibility to build their Master’s Degree curriculum around their schedule. There is no hassle of driving to a campus, finding parking, sitting in a class, and then driving home.
While many may find that their career in education starts as a teacher, the ability to continue their education and learning, allows for the potential of a promotion or more senior positions. You may decide that post-secondary education is important to you, so you pursue your online Ph.D and earn a tenured faculty position at a local college. Salary for a college professor often starts at $70,000 according to Payscale.com. As you continue your career, the opportunity to join the Adminstrative Board of a College or be promoted to a Dean position are all available for the motivated individual.
A career in education can be very rewarding. Many who choose to enter this profession have a profound love for knowledge and sharing that knowledge with students. They embody mentor qualities and can often be very creative in their teaching approaches. Those who choose to do so can aspire to high career positions with large six figure salaries. Most educators will enjoy a work year that consists of 200 days or less. Compared to those working in Accounting, Marketing, Communications, Print Media, and other career fields at 337 days a year (4 weeks vacation). Earning an online degree in education offers the potential for a tremendous career filled with great opportunity.
Posted by Dan on June 4th, 2009
Let me start by asking a question. What current entertainment industry is poised to grow to a 65 billion dollar business by 2012? If you said, “movies”, you would be wrong. It is not digital music downloads either. It’s video games. Video games have come a long way since PONG, introduced the world to digital entertainment. Video games are big business all around the world. Led by the ultra successful, Nintendo Wii, video games now serve as the leading source of home entertainment for more than 50 million people worldwide.
In the troubling economic environment, video games have continued to grow in revenue despite some games costing more than $70! As the industry continues to grow, game development companies will look to grow their employee base. Earning your online game design degree from an accredited college today can lead to a very rewarding and lucrative career in the near future for this industry. Named by Yahoo!, as one of the fastest and most secure jobs in America, game design, is becoming one of the hottest college degrees across the US. Cracking into the game industry is often the most difficult step in this career process. Many of today’s top game designers will admit to starting on the bottom as a game tester. We feel this is a tremendous first step into understanding if a career in video games suits you. Working in the game industry demands time and dedication from all of its members. Often work weeks will exceed 60 hours and weekend hours are typically mandatory near the final stages of game development. Due to the demanding schedule, continuing your education at a traditional college setting would be almost impossible. Earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Game Design from Westwood College Online while continuing to work as a game tester or intern, is a fantastic opportunity to achieve the education requirements necessary for landing a position in game design. The flexiblity of an online game design degree allows students to attend classroom lectures, read assignments, and complete college projects at their own pace. An online degree program is a perfect compliment to a working adult’s hectic schedule.
While working in the game industry can be intimidating due to its erratic schedule and demanding nature, the rewards are well worth the sacrifices. Game designers salary often start at $70,000, which is almost $15,000 more than the average bachelor’s degree starting salary nationwide. Talented and motivated game designers can establish a respected name for themselves within a company and the gaming audience. When this occurs, salary’s easily pass into the 6 digit range. Game designers also benefit from the commercial success of their products. Video game companies often provide incentive bonuses to all members of the team based on the number of copies a game sells and how well it is received by the gaming public.
By enrolling in an online game design program, students prepare themselves for a growing career field that shows no signs of slowing down. If you are creative, motivated, talented, and dedicated, a career in game design may provide a lifetime of career and creative successes.
Posted by admin on April 23rd, 2009
If you’ve recently been laid off, you’ve probably had someone tap you on the shoulder and tell you something like: “Out of crisis comes opportunity,” or “When one door closes, another opens.” It probably feels a little pat, but the truth is that many workers will use the downturn to switch out of a slow-growth career—and into work with a much more promising future.
The financial crisis and economic recession have made quick work of an expected gradual evolution in our economy. In the next few years, it could look very different—a shrunken Wall Street will force bankers to find jobs in other industries, a massive green-energy effort could create jobs that are barely on the map today, and an expanding healthcare sector could offer new opportunities for a broad swath of workers. So whether you’re out of work or you’re gainfully employed, you should keep on eye on the changing nature of our job market.
U.S. News has plowed through hundreds of careers, looking for the jobs with the best outlook in this recessionary economy (and beyond), the highest rates of job satisfaction, the least difficult training necessary, the most prestige, and the highest pay. These careers have staying power: They’re smart moves now, and they’ll be smart moves for years to come.
The aging of the baby boomer generation promises to place major demands on the healthcare system. There will be more need for physical therapists as active seniors work their way back from hip and knee replacements. A couple of national surveys also found that physical therapists rank high in job satisfaction. Registered nurses, biomedical equipment technicians, and physician assistants will also be in hot demand. Equipment technicians install, train, calibrate, and maintain a cadre of fast-evolving medical equipment, such as PET/CT scanners and robotic radiosurgery units. Computer systems know-how is increasingly useful, and you can be an everyday hospital hero after only a two-year associate’s degree. Physician assistants need two or three years of postgraduate education. Then they can do about 80 percent of what physicians do, and their salaries can reach six figures.
It’s also important to consider the effect of an Obama presidency on the labor market. The president-elect has indicated that healthcare reform will be a priority for his administration. Overhauling our existing system to make way for universal healthcare will require the hard work of many health policy specialists, who will be called upon to examine, analyze, or advise on everything from economic approaches to ethical outcomes of policy changes. Schools like Harvard, Penn, and Johns Hopkins offer interdisciplinary health policy programs, but there will be good job opportunities for people with primary expertise in economics, politics, medicine, accounting, management, and ethics, as well.
Some best careers may surprise you. Did you know that hair stylists rank among the most satisfied with their jobs? (No need to fear that your work will be outsourced, either.) Pharmacists are increasingly in demand as medical advisers, thanks to soaring physicians’ costs and appointment delays. Firefighter is among the most prestigious careers, as ranked by the public in a Harris poll. It ranks behind scientist and physician—two careers that require much bigger investments in higher education. The veterinarian career—long a favorite for kids who love pets—is a surprisingly smart adult choice, with plenty of opportunities in the field, a variety of work environments, and, although it can be stressful, great reward for your labor.
Some careers fly well under the radar, so competition is less intense, even if job satisfaction runs high. Have you ever thought of a job as an audiologist? Probably not, but this career lets you work closely with the rapidly improving technology of hearing aids, and you spend lots of time out of the office—working one-on-one with patients in clinics or hospitals.
Workers who crave job security may find their last bastion of hope in the federal government. Government can always raise taxes or print more money—and it still offers full-time, well-paying positions with generous benefits, including ample holidays, sick days, and vacation days. More good news: There will be plenty of jobs to choose from, as a big chunk of federal employees become eligible for retirement over the next decade. Opportunities for a government manager abound—in everything from human resources to finance, research to public relations, and technology to art, with jobs throughout the United States and the world.
Our full list of Best Careers 2009 :
* Audiologist
* Biomedical equipment technician
* Clergy
* Curriculum/training specialist
* Engineer
* Firefighter
* Fundraiser
* Genetic counselor
* Ghostwriter
* Government manager
* Hairstylist/Cosmetologist
* Health policy specialist
* Higher education administrator
* Landscape architect
* Librarian
* Locksmith/Security system technician
* Management consultant
* Mediator
* Occupational therapist
* Optometrist
* Pharmacist
* Physical therapist
* Physician assistant
* Politician/Elected official
* Registered nurse
* School psychologist
* Systems analyst
* Urban planner
* Usability/User experience specialist
* Veterinarian
US NEWS and Reports
Posted by admin on April 16th, 2009
In today’s economy, it can feel as if there are few jobs to be had, much less ones with six-figure salaries attached. However, there are careers to be found in a range of fields that can boost your earning power. What’s more, you can achieve a high income without a doctorate or a law degree.
Of course, achieving a six-figure salary will always require hard work and motivation. There are no free rides or successful get-rich-quick schemes. Sometimes continuing your education is the best way to prepare for a new career.
Below are some steps that may help you take your current salary to new heights.
Consider the benefits of online education.
Online training programs offer an alternative to traditional in-classroom education that can be very appealing for working students. Pursuing an online degree, whether it’s a bachelor’s, associate’s, or higher, allows you to study from home, at your own pace, so you can keep your current job while training for a better one.
Scenario 1: Earn a two-year associate’s degree.
Believe it or not, there are some high-paying careers out there that you can prepare for with about two years of study. For example, court reporters are known to pull in six-figure salaries, and often train for their careers with just one year to 33 months of study. If you’re surprised to see this career on the list, consider that court reporters often take on freelance work in addition to their regular hours to significantly boost their incomes. While the average salary for a court reporter technically weighs in at about $48,000, many use freelance opportunities to top the $100,000 mark.
Scenario 2: See where a bachelor’s degree can take you.
Train for a career in fine arts, finance, or technology, and find high-paying careers in each area. Art directors average about $83,000 annually, with the top 25 percent earning over $100,000 per year. Many art directors hold a bachelor’s degree in fine arts. Some begin their careers as graphic artists in advertising, publishing, design, or film, and work their way up to the position of art director while proving themselves through experience and hard work.
In the financial sector, actuaries pull in hefty salaries assessing risks and their financial impacts while often working for insurance companies. The mean annual salary for an actuary is $95,420. A bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, actuarial science, or business should offer solid footing for you to embark upon this career path.
If your interests lie in technology and IT, consider becoming a Web systems manager. The mean annual salary for this career is $113,880, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The top 25 percent can earn over $136,000 per year. A bachelor’s degree is a common requirement for IT managers, along with a strong knowledge of computers and management practices. A degree in management information systems may be especially helpful.
Scenario 3: Looking beyond a bachelor’s — let education take you higher.
If you already hold a bachelor’s degree and are looking to advance within your current field, consider the options that might be possible with a master’s degree.
Becoming an educational administrator can be a great option for teachers looking to advance their careers with a two-year master’s degree. In most cases, a master’s in educational administration or educational leadership is required, as well as related experience in teaching or school administration.
A high school principal might expect to earn around $92,000 annually, according to the BLS, while a chief academic officer can earn over $140,000 per year.
Look into further career training.
Research your potential new career, what further experience you might need, and how to get it. In today’s fast-paced job market, current job skills are essential, especially if your career involves using computers or technology in any way. Many professionals remain at the top of their careers with short educational stints or extra certifications in their fields.
Do what makes you happy — the money will follow.
You’ve heard it from everyone from your mom to Oprah: Do what makes you truly happy, and the financial side of things will fall into place. While it may be difficult to swallow this notion when you’re about to leap into a career change, you will likely be happy you did, especially if you follow these guidelines.
Yahoo Hotjobs
Online assignments in my classes were very similar to the assignments given in on site classes. There was a great deal of reading and a great deal of discussion. The major difference is online discussions are in written form, and the on site discussions of course are verbal. There is a tendency for students in onsite classes to not say anything at all, and let the more verbal students dominate the discussion. My impression is these people did not read the assignment, and simply were unable to contribute to the discussion. This doesn’t happen in online discussions, as there is a requirement for all to contribute to discussions; as well as a record of the participation. However, I still get the impression that some students don’t read the assignments in depth. Their written response is more of an opinion rather than a response to the reading. They are not able to point out the “big ideas” in the readings.
The assignments beyond the readings were usually tasks to implement with my own students. I would teach or assess something my students did and write a short paper or response about the effectiveness of my teaching. Most of my graduate on line classes were project-based and did not require examinations. This is typical of education classes at the graduate level. College professors want to improve the skill of teachers and use more authentic assessment, instead of the rote memory of facts through examinations.
The classes I took online have basically just digitized reading and writing. I am hoping to find online classes, using the new real time communication tools offered on the Internet. Google Talk or Skype can used for video conferencing or an online lecture. The lectures can be viewed at the online participant’s convenience. Elluminate and Dim Dim provide a method for verbal discussions and could digitize small group work in on line classes. The possibilities for online education assignments are endless.
Posted by admin on February 4th, 2009
As the global economy continues to falter, job prospects for 2009 are expected to slow. But if you’re lucky enough to be in one of these top fields, your job future is still quite bright. Take a look at this list below and either thank your lucky stars that your job is already on it, or consider seeking the education and experience for the career that most interests you.
Auditor. With all of the economic upheaval, businesses are being watched more carefully than ever. “There is a lot of money flowing into companies right now due to the stimulus package,” says Ron Mitchell, CEO and co-founder of GottaMentor, a career coaching service located in New York City. “And, we’ve all seen some issues with, ‘Where is this money going to?’” He adds that auditors are mostly working for the big four [accounting firms] and also as internal auditors. Average Yearly Salary - $64,914
Career Counselor. More folks than usual are starting off the new year without a job in sight. How can the out-of-work find gainful employment? From outplacement agencies to government programs, career counselors and coaches will be very busy in 2009 helping make things easier. Mitchell encourages those seeking work to get professional help, saying, “Many individuals will need to completely re-engineer their careers. In order to do that, people need personalized guidance and feedback from an expert counselor.” Average Yearly Salary - $54,426
Counselor. Besides their bank accounts, people’s self-esteem and confidence are getting hit hard these days. “People’s self worth is tied up in their job, so you have a huge identity crisis happening. Counseling and mental health services will be in high demand,” says Mitchell. Guidance and some soul-searching can result in new and better careers for those in transition. Average Yearly Salary - $40,275
Public Relations Specialist. Rather than promoting a line of sparkly, new products or an exciting initiative, many public relations professionals will spend the upcoming year smoothing over unfortunate events. Mitchell predicts: “Being able to tell a story about major layoffs, reduced sales, and failed mergers, without causing a panic in the market, will become even more important.” Average Yearly Salary - $44,334
Factor. A what? Didn’t you study those in algebra? While this career is fairly foreign to most folks, now that bank loans are hard to come by, factoring allows small business to get funding based on their current accounts receivable — the money they expect to have coming in. Factoring works well for retailers and other businesses that have big receivables. Mitchell explains that factoring is a legitimate source of funds in hard times. He says, “It’s a huge business and, at a time when people can’t get other types of lending, factors are skilled experts at lending against accounts receivables.” Average Yearly Salary - $79,846
Health-Care Technician. You may know that nurses are in demand, but what about the folks they work with? “There’s never enough of them, like radiology technicians, lab assistants, and home health aides. Health-care is the largest industry in the country, and in the more technical aspects of those careers we have a huge shortage of personnel,” says Mitchell. Average Yearly Salary (Pharmacy Technician) - $32,531
Mechanical Engineer (and all engineering fields). With every passing year, more skilled-labor jobs are replaced by complex automation or robotics systems. For example, some hospitals have turned to “robotic pharmacies” to help dispense medication. It’s the engineers who help build these automated systems, says Jim Turnquist, director of career services at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Mich. “In the U.S. we only graduate 70,000 engineers per year, but we’re going to need 100,000 per year. The demand is going to go way up.” Average Yearly Salary - $71,490
Networking/System Administrator. Since almost all business transactions these days are done with the assistance of a vast computer network, the people who understand how to keep computer networks running smoothly are critically important — and consequently, in high demand. “Network and system administrators maintain the company’s infrastructure. People need people to fix and monitor their infrastructure, keep them updated,” Mitchell says. Average Yearly Salary - $54,193
Nurse. The health-care field has been booming for a long time, and all signs indicate it will continue to do so, says Turnquist. He also says college students and people looking for a new job field would be wise to consider physical therapy and similar “exercise science” fields, since aging Baby Boomers will be looking for ways to remain active long into their later years. Average Yearly Salary (Registered Nurse) - $53,840
Software Designer/Developer. Companies from all sectors of the economy are looking for software engineers and programmers, says Turnquist. This is because society in general is becoming more tech-dependent — just think of how rapidly cell phones change with each passing year — requiring software developers that can stay abreast of all the changes. Average Yearly Salary - $72,070
Find your a college degree to achieve the career you want!
Source: All salary data is from PayScale.com. The salaries listed are median, annual salaries for full-time workers with 5-8 years of experience and include any bonuses, commissions or profit sharing.
by Joy Victory, Payscale.com
Posted by Jen Zeman on November 3rd, 2008
It’s general knowledge that a MBA or a bachelor of science in nursing are admirable and trustworthy degrees that have stood the test of time, but what if are interested in something outside of mainstream? There are many colleges and institutions that offer creative degree programs, but I found these degree programs to be most unique (http://www.bspcn.com/2007/10/19/top-10-most-unusual-college-degrees/):
- Master Ranching offered at Texas A&M-Kingsville
- Astrobiology offered at the University of Glamorgan in the UK
- Retail Floristry offered at Mississippi State University
- Professional Nanny offered at Sullivan University
- Sports Ministry offered at Campbellsville University
- Adventure Recreation offered at Green Mountain College
- Golf & Sports Turf Management offered at Mississippi State University
- Comedy: Writing and Performance offered at Humber College in Canada
- Organic Agriculture offered at Washington State University
- Fishing Sciences and Management offered at Colorado State University
So if you are looking for an educational experience beyond mainstream, take the time to do some research online. As you can see from the list above, if you have an interest in it, there is a good chance someone offers a degree in it. Just be certain that it is a career field you are passionate about before plunking down $25,000 - $50,000 for a degree that may not help you anywhere else!
Posted by Jen Zeman on October 11th, 2008
Unless you have been living under a rock or in the remote regions of the Appalachians, you realize the United States is in a serious credit crisis. This crisis is affecting all markets, including higher education. If you are contemplating going back to school, you may be worried with the economy in its current state it doesn’t make much fiscal sense to attempt financing college. While it’s true that because of the credit crisis the cost of student loans, especially private loans (i.e. loans by such companies as Sally Mae or your local bank), are more expensive because of an increase in interest charged, college still remains a sound investment in your future. Federal loans are still reasonable and are always an option. According to www.education.yahoo.net, those who obtain a bachelor’s degree earn an average of 88 percent more a year than high school graduates! It is true that there are infinitely more opportunities for individuals with a college degree than just a high school diploma, so invest in yourself. If you are still uncertain if you can afford to back to school, I strongly encourage you to make an appointment with a financial aid counselor at your school of choice. They will be more than willing to explain the financial aid process and how educational loans can fit into your budget.
Posted by Dan on October 8th, 2008
As the nation continues to keep a strong eye on the Wall Street Market and its affect on the American Job Market, we will spotlight the top 2009 Hot Careers and Jobs that will continue to grow as we enter into the new year and beyond. Today we focus on a career and industry that despite economic hard times keeps increasing its overall profits and revenue year over year; the video game industry and a coveted position as a video game designer.
Job Description:
There are two main elements to the development of video games. One key division involves the development of the actual game from concept art, game design, and artificial intellegence programming. The other division involves marketing and publishing the title to the main stream audience. The role of Video game Designer is a key position in the overall development and success of a video game title. The game designer must work with all aspects of the development team to help realize the overall concept of the game. Game Designers work at effectively balancing all elements of the design from artwork to online programming. It is regarded as a leadership role which depends on strategic thinking and strong creative skills to create a successful product.
Job Salary:
A career in Video Game Design can be very rewarding from both a creative and monetary aspect. According to Indeed.com’s salary report, the average salary for a Video Game Designer in California is $84,000. This is almost double most salary averages in the gaming industry. Some of the top game designers continue to earn salaries in the six figure range and receive significant bonuses for the overall retail success of the game.
Education Requirements
Ok, so you beat Halo on Legendary, and you think, “I can make a game like this!” The road to becoming a leading video game designer is not for the weak minded. Almost 99% of any video game design jobs available require the individual to earn their Bachelors Degree. Over the past few years several higher education institutions have begun offering degree completion programs in targeted studies such as Game Development and Game Art and Design. In addition to earning a degree, several developers will seek individuals who have worked within the game industry for a period of time before elevating them to a Game Designer status. So how can one afford to work and earn a degree? Just as Xbox Live let gamers go online and play against anyone in the world, an online education now allows several working adults to continue their pursuit of a degree and keep working full time. Schools such as Westwood College Online and the The Art Institute of Pittsburgh are well known for their demanding online programs dedicated to learning the necessary skills to become a game designer.
With expected sales of over 10 billion dollars in the US alone for 2008, the video game industry continues to grow with rapid rate and despite economic hard times. As the success of video games continues, more projects and developers will look to expand their teams. The future is bright for those individuals who decide that video game design is their career of choice.
