Archive for the ‘Online Education’ Category
Posted by admin on May 29th, 2009
No. 1: Huntsville, Ala.
Population: 378,057
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 39.7
Cost-of-Living Index: 91 (100 being the national average)
Median Household Income: $51,275
Salary Growth (2004-2008): 9.7%
Huntsville isn’t called Rocket City for nothing. This northern Alabama city represents critical mass for the nation’s missile-defense and aerospace industries.
No. 2: Albuquerque, N.M.
Population: 819,570
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 30
Cost-of-Living Index: 98 (100 being the national average)
Median Household Income: $45,634
Salary Growth (2004-2008): 7.8%
The city and state crave high tech jobs, especially in the renewable-energy industry. Albuquerque is developing its film industry with the same zeal. Albuquerque also bills itself as a green city and, figuratively speaking, it is. The city requires everything from homes to commercial buildings to be energy-efficient.
No. 3: Washington, D.C.
Population: 5,263,322
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 43.7
Cost-of-Living Index: 138 (100 being the national average)
Median Household Income: $81,163
Salary Growth (2004-2008): 8.7%
For better or worse, the federal government is big and getting bigger. Uncle Sam fuels nearby companies in almost every sector, especially law firms, lobbyists, and aerospace and defense companies.
No. 4: Charlottesville, Va.
Population:190,560
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 38.2
Cost-of-Living Index: 106 (100 being the national average)
Median Household Income: $53,076
Salary Growth (2004-2008):4.8%
The home of Thomas Jefferson’s university is an unexpected blend of Southern charm and liberal edge, with a strong business base. UVA provides Charlottesville with more than employment. The city is a two-hour drive from Washington, D.C., and three hours from Norfolk Naval Base. This proximity helped it draw the U.S. Army National Ground Intelligence Center, which employs 750 people in a variety of fields, including engineering and foreign affairs.
No. 5: Athens, Ga.
Population: 183,351
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 32.2
Cost-of-Living Index: 100 (100 being the national average)
Median Household Income: $40,115
Salary Growth (2004-2008): 9.3%
Nicknamed the Classic City for both its name and neoclassical architecture, Athens is anything but old-fashioned. The University of Georgia is in large part responsible for the city’s energy. Athens also boasts a hub of regional medical services and has an unexpected manufacturing base. Hospitality is another driver of the economy and the only sector to have shown employment growth in 2009.
No. 6: Olympia, Wash.
Population: 233,113
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 36.1
Cost-of-Living Index: 105 (100 being the national average)
Median Household Income: $55,129
Salary Growth (2004-2008): 22%
Olympia is a cultural diamond in the rough of the Pacific Northwest. Mischaracterized sometimes as a sleepy government town, Washington’s state capital enjoys a thriving visual and performing-arts scene. But its state government continues to be the keystone of the city’s economy; it employs about half of the city’s workforce. Education is another big driver of the city’s growth and character.
No. 7: Madison, Wis.
Population: 548,154
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 35.1
Cost-of-Living Index: 100 (100 being the national average)
Median Household Income: $58,090
Salary Growth (2004-2008): 8.2%
You can’t argue with Madison’s numbers. It has a long track record of low unemployment, and its jobless rate is currently three percentage points below the national average. The city also wins for its low crime rate, first-rate public schools and a ready-made economy that feeds off its two largest assets: The University of Wisconsin and the state capital, comprising 20% of Madison’s jobs. The other 80% come from its strong mix of tech and biotech firms.
No. 8: Austin, Tex.
Population: 1,533,263
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 36.8
Cost-of-Living Index: 94(100 being the national average)
Median Household Income: $54,827
Salary Growth (2004-2008): 7%
While most cities around the country posted job layoffs in the past year, Austin added 3,300 jobs, the biggest bump in the country. The increase covered a broad swath, from professional services, education and hospitality to health care and government. Gains in those sectors more than offset losses in manufacturing and IT — though the unemployment rate in the area has crept up.
No. 9: Flagstaff, Ariz.
Population: 126,087
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 28.8
Cost-of-Living Index: 116 (100 being national average)
Median Household Income: $48,171
Salary Growth (2004-2008): 9.8%
Unlike the trains that regularly come through town, singing out reminders of Flagstaff’s heritage, this city is far from predictable. You can feel its Old West charm through and through, but Flagstaff is infused with new energy — both from its residents and college students and Northern Arizona University. The university adds jobs to the city’s economy, plus arts and entertainment to its cultural scene.
No. 10: Raleigh, N.C.
Population: 1,001,313
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 35.6
Cost-of-Living Index: 100 (100 being national average)
Median Household Income: $57,974
Salary Growth (2004-2008): 5.7%
Raleigh has an enviable economic base, built on three universities — UNC, Duke, and North Carolina State — and Research Triangle Park, where employers in everything from biotech to computers still thrive. Although the local unemployment rate has doubled in the past year, to 8.6%, it’s still lower than the 10.8% rate for the state as a whole.
Find an online degree to meet your career needs
Yahoo Realestate
Posted by admin on May 18th, 2009
Before crunching numbers and working out a fine tuned college payment plan, first consider why you want to go in the first place. Generation X and Y were born in a unique era - most of us went or plan to go to college because “that’s what you do after high school”. We didn’t enroll with an end goal. Ask any professional student what they actually plan on doing with their diploma and nearly 90 percent have no clue (and think that’s just fine). What we see is an entire workforce convinced that degree equals job.
My peers fresh out of college have no applicable skills, little real world experience, and an “I deserve it attitude”. So this is why a decade later those same sixth year seniors are finding new ways to enroll in post-grad work to wander through the wasteland of higher education, delaying even more life. This speed off to more class mentality leads to idleness or, even worse, disillusionment.
1. Get an apprenticeship
If you don’t have feel for your vocation, take time off or work during high school to learn from a professional who specializes in something you like. Offer to sweep floors, answer phone calls, shine shoes, anything to get a feel for the occupation. Owners love to employ free slaves. Devote a good amount of time to experimenting in different fields so you have a better picture of what your skills are and what you actually enjoy. This will save you thousands in tuition from switching majors three and four times, like I did.
2. Take advanced placement classes and tests in high school
I have mixed feelings about this one. Being a former secondary teacher I have seen both the beneficial and nasty sides of AP tests. The College Board sets such outrageously high standards that many colleges don’t even meet. And check with the universities you plan to attend to see if the have a limit on the number hours accepted for credit or if they accept AP scores at all. Inquire about taking CLEP tests instead - they are college specific and have, historically, been easier to pass. That being said, the class work involved to prepare students for the test sets a good pace for college level learning.
3. Take basic courses at a community college and then transfer
Only take courses that are commonly required by larger universities. If you plan on transferring to a specific college, thoroughly research the courses required for freshmen and sophomores - you don’t want to take unnecessary classes. A friend of mine was offered a scholarship to a community college where she took her basic courses and then transferred for a fraction of the cost of a four-year program.
4. Search for scholarships and grants
If you value any cent of your dollar, apply for every give-away program you can. Many scholarships aren’t even awarded because they don’t have sufficient applicants. Talk to the counselor at your high school or a prospective college to get more details and do your own searching online. Yes, it is a pain to write twelve essays on a difficult life experience and how you grew because of it, but it will pay out in the end.
5. Seek employment after college that offers tuition reimbursement
Many employers offer additional stipends for student loans or reimbursements in exchange for a time commitment. The military has and education program as do most police departments. Even more will pay for employees to attend graduate school. Do some investigation before accepting a position if you’re looking to continue with school.
6. Find a work-study program
Many schools offer campus work in exchange for tuition reimbursement. Most of these gigs are a cakewalk. I got a job as a language lab “supervisor” which meant I checked out copies of Destinos to two students a night while I caught up on homework. They offered a reduction in tuition in exchange for “work.”
7. Avoid private schools if you can help it
If the fantastic liberal arts school in Farawayville seems too enticing to pass up, take the rose-colored glasses off for a moment. Do some serious research. Is the price tag worth it? What do you plan on doing with your degree? Are you choosing an undergraduate program that requires a master’s degree as well to put it to use? College rankings don’t always indicate the strength of your chosen program. For example, when Wakefield eliminated mandatory SAT scores with admission the pool of students applying shot through the roof. Since they didn’t accept a larger number of applicants their acceptance percentage shrank, thus sending them up the ranking. Neat trick, but it doesn’t make the education any better.
Whatever your chosen path, avoid the poachers giving away free t-shirts to unaware freshmen who sign up for a Capital One card. If you can’t pass up free stuff, call me; I have plenty of tacky apparel to spare. Avoid racking up tens of thousands in the name of a smarter self. It won’t always deliver and the excessive cost will greatly limit you in your 20s.
NewsTribune.com
Posted by admin on May 15th, 2009
A new four-year college scholarship is available to a student with a disability. The scholarship is for Aspen University, a leading, nationally accredited on-line university providing undergraduate and graduate degrees. Aspen University is one of a handful of on-line universities that enjoys a sterling reputation for its academic rigor and commitment to its students.
The scholarship was created by Twin Cities businessman Scott Thompson. A volunteer coach for Courage Center’s successful power soccer teams, Thompson saw a need for more college opportunities for young people with disabilities. Thompson received his MBA from Aspen University and serves on its foundation Board of Directors.
The Aspen Collegiate Foundation scholarship is based on an applicants’ academic merit, financial need and a commitment to complete all four years at Aspen University leading to a Bachelor’s Degree.
Aspen University
Posted by admin on April 28th, 2009
Change may be coming to the student loan system. President Obama proposed cutting federal subsidies to private student lenders, the Federal Family Education Loan program, in his February budget proposal. The money from the cuts would be used to increase the number of Pell Grants, money given to financially eligible students. This program would not affect federal student loans.
Proponents of the plan to cut subsidies to private lenders expect this to increase the efficiency of student loans. They argue that subsidized private lenders make huge profits off loans while the federal government is left paying for loan defaults. President Obama describes the new plan as “putting students ahead of lenders by eliminating wasteful student loan subsidies that cost taxpayers billions each year.”
Opponents have responded that private lenders are needed to give students options. During an NPR interview, Jack Remondi, the Chief Financial Officer for lender Sallie Mae, said “choice is an important component of this program.” By eliminating choices, the opposition fears that competition would also be eliminated between lenders, causing an increase in rates and a less efficient system overall.
In spite of the poor economic environment, loan providers have explained that the cuts would not cause significant job loss throughout the loan industry. Earlier this year Sallie Mae recently brought 2,000 overseas jobs back to America. The official justification was support for the American worker but some have drawn a connection to the return of jobs with threats of federal cuts.
Sallie Mae has begun promoting for a mix between federal and private loans. This plan would have private loan providers originally providing loans to students. The federal government would then buy control of these loans from the private companies. A campaign of lobbying has begun to promote this alternative proposal.
Democratic lawmakers have generally supported President Obama’s proposal to cut subsidies to private loan providers. Republicans, however, have been wary of the programs, citing the increased burden placed on the federal government as loans shift to it from private loan services.
Student loans are also being affected by the current economic environment. On Tuesday, April 21, Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner spoke to a Congressional panel saying that despite government intervention, banks are very strict about to whom they give loans. He continued by saying that results of the program have been “mixed” since some types of loans are challenging to come by.
Student loans are one of the areas being affected by the restricted flow of credit. Lending agencies are also wary of lending due to the increasing rate of students defaulting on loans. The current rate of 6.9 percent, as reported by the U.S. Department of Education, is the highest it has been in the last 10 years.
With two out of three college students graduating with debt and tuition continuing to rise, this is an issue that will greatly affect America’s next generation. If change does come, will students be shedding a tear for private loan providers? Justin Eisenstadt, a sophomore at UMBC, will not, since he considers student loans to be the “biggest scam in the nation’s history.” The outcome of private loan providers is undetermined while Congress hashes out a final budget.
Posted by Jeff Davis on April 9th, 2009
I think we all would agree that a college education is one of the most valuable tools that anyone can ever have. In fact, I would say that it is actually invaluable. With a college education, you are only helping to make your future that much more desirable by increasing job opportunities, making more money, gaining important skills and knowledge, and having an overall healthier life.
One of the values of an online education versus a more traditional college is that you can gain significant technical knowledge which can increase your individual value in any workplace. It has been my experience through attending the University of Phoenix that I was able to obtain the critical skills and knowledge necessary to make me a valuable asset to my employer. During my online program, I was able to quickly apply any new skills almost instantly into my job and because of this it opened up a lot of doors for advancing in my career. Another valuable benefit of an online education is that you get to work with such a diverse group of students and instructors who are located all over the world. This is not only a great networking opportunity, but can also increase your employment opportunities after graduating with your degree.
Overall, I believe that degrees earned online are just as valuable as degrees earned from traditional programs and especially now as technology continues to advance and is utilized in almost every company in the world today. It is just a matter of choosing the right online program from a well respected and accredited school and one that meets your personal and professional goals.
Posted by admin on April 8th, 2009
When most of us hear the term “part-time job,” we think of teenagers working at fast-food chains for minimum wage. However, perceptions like this are quickly changing as more Americans seek out part-time work and find real benefits, financially and otherwise.
Part-time is defined as anywhere between one and thirty-four hours per week. The average is twenty-one hours per week, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While many people work at the following careers full-time, it is not uncommon for part-time employees to enter these fields, too.
Your part-time job can offer full-time rewards. Continuing education can be helpful for employment in some sectors, especially if you don’t have previous experience. Online education can make it even easier to earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, certificate, or extra training needed to jump into one of these careers.
Dental hygienist
This is one of the fastest-growing occupations today, according to the BLS, with thirty percent growth expected between now and 2016. Part-time work is very common for dental hygienists, and flexible hours are another attractive feature of the job.
Career Training: An associate’s degree in dental hygiene plus state licensure is often enough to seek employment in a private dental practice.
Mean Hourly Wage: $31.12
Paralegal
Paralegal employment is on the rise as companies and law firms try to curb spending by delegating legal tasks to paralegals. While they aren’t permitted to set legal fees, give legal advice, or present cases in court, paralegals are able to perform most other legal tasks.
Career Training: An associate’s degree in paralegal studies is the most common route to becoming a paralegal. If you already have a college degree, you may be able to join an intensive program to get your degree and certification more quickly. Some programs take just a few months to complete.
Mean Hourly Wage: $22.88
Computer Support Specialist
Use your tech savvy to earn some extra income. Computer support specialists, including help-desk technicians and technical support, help people troubleshoot their technology foibles by phone, e-mail, or in person.
Career Training: While there are many different ways to train for a job as a computer support specialist, most employers prefer some computer-related training or a bachelor’s or associate’s degree in a computer-related field such as information technology.
Mean Hourly Wage: $21.78
Pharmacy Technician
This can be an ideal part-time job for those who have an interest in medicine and enjoy working with people. Many pharmacy technicians work nights and weekends, which is a good arrangement for those who need hours outside of the nine to five work day.
Career Training: Pharmacy technician certification offers an added advantage, especially for those without prior experience.
Mean Hourly Wage: $13.25
Bank Teller
One out of four tellers work part-time, reports the BLS. Because many tellers use the job as temporary employment, there are frequent job openings. This is a great choice for detail-oriented job seekers looking for more traditional daytime hours.
Career Training: Although there are no formal requirements for becoming a bank teller, it may be helpful to have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree or coursework in accounting, business, or finance.
Mean Hourly Wage: $11.36
Massage Therapist
The BLS cites massage therapist as a particularly good job for those seeking part-time work. As more people learn about the advantages of massage therapy, employment opportunities are on the rise, with 20 percent growth anticipated between now and 2016.
Career Training: Most states require massage therapy certification in addition to a formal training program. You can earn certification in massage therapy in anywhere from several weeks to two years, and can even do part of your studies through online education.
Mean Hourly Wage: $19.39
Tax Preparer
Tax preparers must have a detailed and up-to-date knowledge of tax codes and regulations, but they don’t have the same educational requirements as a certified public accountant or an auditor. This is a great part-time career, especially around tax season.
Career Training: Tax preparers can often pursue an associate’s in accounting in order to train for this career.
Mean Hourly Wage: $16.78
Provided by Yahoo.com
Posted by Sharon Cece on April 8th, 2009
I believe that the by-product of every experience has value. This is especially true in regard to academics–an education is an experience of increasing knowledge that often leads to a degree. Naturally, my degree has instrumental value from an economic standpoint, since I can earn more money and further my career, but also has intrinsic value from a personal sense of pride and accomplishment.
There are aspects of a traditional college education that are equally, if not as recognizably, valuable–such as living on your own as a student for the first time and the glorious feeling of total independence, participating and creating impact as a member of the college milieu, and interacting with others who have a wide spectrum of opinions and ideas to share. Even mundane endeavors add to a student’s experiential resume: standing in line at the registrar’s office, attending meetings with advisors, or handing out pamphlets at a student union booth; these all add up to equal the total university “experience”.
The internet has added a innovative dimension to almost every aspect of living and in particular, to education. Like traditional students, most students matriculating online do so to garner enough credits to obtain a degree and also to increase the mind’s intellectual capability in order to add impressively to one’s repertoire of knowledge. Next to education and intellect, then, a student might simply value the online learning “experience”; that is, learning how to navigate through electronic hallways, studying with and writing to other students from all over the world, even participating in the unique configuration of something brand new from a familiar environment such as your home or office. If you read the posts in this Student Voices feature, you will get some idea of what they have gleaned from their individual online experiences, both from an educational and a personal viewpoint. It’s this sum of the experience they value, and what they in turn offer back to the online world through their words. You can appreciate their enthusiasm as they engage in a facet of education that is distinct and atypical from traditional academics. It’s different, it’s fun, it’s technical, it’s flexible–it’s what life today is all about.
There is one aspect of online learning I consider to be an unexpected, yet no less significant, benefit. While studying and taking courses online I often engaged my children in my studies and links and felt they became part of the learning “experience“. Had I attended a traditional university as a parent I likely would not have involved them as much as while learning and studying from home. My children watched me pour over lessons directly from my e-classes, watched me participating and communicating, watched me getting frustrated and overwhelmed (but that’s all part of the experience and hence, has value). Most importantly, they watched me graduate; somehow I believe they understood a bit better, through all their watching, how much work and sacrifice–and gratification–went into that moment. For weeks afterward, my youngest son said excitedly, “Mom, I took pictures of you graduating!”, as though recording my moment, and walking that educational road with me, had intrinsic value to him as well.
Posted by Dan on April 7th, 2009
AchieveYourCareer.com, a leading website featuring news and information on accredited online schools responds to the recent BusinessWeek article For-Profit Colleges: Scooping Up the Stimulus.
AchieveYourCareer.com is dedicated to combating the stigmatism that an online education is less than adequate. In a recent article published by Business Week, the magazine criticizes “For-Profit” online colleges such as the University of Phoenix and DeVry University for questionable recruiting tactics and below standard graduation rates. AchieveYourCareer.com feels the article attacks not only the colleges themselves but the actual online college students working towards their degree. “Our web presence reaches one million users a month interested in pursuing a college degree. Our audience includes working parents struggling to juggle careers and family, recently laid off employees looking to add credentials to their resumes and potential students unable to incur the large debt that traditional college degrees currently carry. Is it wrong for them to want to earn an online college degree that fits their lifestyle? From online schools accredited by state boards across the county?” stated AchieveYourCareer.com President, Michael Speicher. “Furthermore, the BusinessWeek article completely failed to directly compare graduation rates of online schools versus other colleges and universities, or career institutes, and segment those findings by the same demographic or life stage segments across the institutes.”
Across the nation, millions of Americans share a common goal; a college education. For so many, a college education represents the key to a better life, a better career and unlimited potential. While traditional colleges and universities continue to raise admission costs that are out of reach for so many, online schools have created an affordable opportunity for those who wish to earn a college degree. “No one should be denied the opportunity to go to college and pursue an education.” Speicher added. “Whether you are learning in a classroom, or at home on your personal computer, you are earning your college degree. You’re bettering yourself with an education. That’s what matters.”
Traditional colleges such as Harvard and Boston University currently offer online classes and the trend is set to continue. As more and more online programs become available it will create a fantastic opportunity to reach new students, reduce costs, and help educate more Americans to foster our country’s growth. In addition, with the new White House Administration’s focus on improving our education system, AchieveYourCareer.com believes that online schools will become a major element of the American higher education system and will finally be viewed as a viable and respected option for a college education – as it should be.
Posted by admin on February 26th, 2009
Western Governors University has increased its focus on improving math and science education in the U.S. by offering 30 additional Scholarships for Urban Math and Science Teachers. The scholarships, which are valued up to $3,000, are available to individuals living in urban communities who wish to attend college online and earn a license to teach math or science in their school districts. Licensed teachers currently living and teaching in urban areas who would like to earn a master’s degree are also eligible for the scholarships.
WGU offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as post-baccalaureate degrees, in Mathematics and Science Education. The WGU Teachers College is one of the largest providers of online teaching degrees, with graduates who have become licensed in nearly all 50 states. It is the only exclusively online university to be accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
“WGU continues to lead the way in transforming teacher education to meet the needs of K-12 schools,” said WGU Vice President of Marketing and Enrollment Patrick Partridge. “Improving math and science education is critical to our success in today’s global economy, and WGU is supporting that improvement by offering affordable, accessible teacher education.”
WGU’s Teachers College is designed to meet the needs of adult learners by providing flexible, technology-based instruction. The unique competency-based academic approach makes it possible for students to complete the requirements for their degrees more quickly and accelerate their programs based on their prior experience, academic backgrounds, and time available to study. WGU is affordable — tuition is roughly equivalent to that of a state college or university.
The Urban Math and Science Teachers Scholarship Program is a competitive program. Scholarships will be awarded based on the candidate’s academic record, readiness for online study at WGU, and current competency, in addition to other considerations.
For more information or eligibility requirements on the WGU Scholarship for Urban Mathematics and Science Educators, please visit www.wgu.edu/urbaneducator.
Posted by admin on February 25th, 2009
President Obama has promised the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act — commonly known as the stimulus plan — will boost to the flagging economy by creating jobs in a variety of sectors.
Though it will take a while before federal, state, and local governments determine how exactly to allocate the funds, economists agree that six sectors are poised to see a boost as a direct or indirect result of the stimulus. These include:
Construction. The biggest thrust of the stimulus plan is a national two-fer: creating jobs while shoring up the nation’s infrastructure, including roads, bridges, rail lines, and wastewater and drinking water facilities. The Associated General Contractors of America estimates that stimulus spending would create or save 1.85 million jobs, including 640,000 in construction and 300,000 among suppliers and equipment manufacturers. Job opportunities will be even broader than traditional hard-hat jobs; there will also be openings for transit coordinators, waste disposal engineers, and accountants and managers with experience in large construction projects.
The Green Sector -This is a broad category of jobs, and there is some overlap with construction and energy. But generally these jobs are in some way aimed at reducing greenhouse gasses, reducing dependence on oil, or reducing consumption of other non-renewable sources. Examples can range from architects, to manufacturers and installers of solar panels, to energy rating auditors.
Medical Information Technology - The stimulus bill includes $19 billion for updating health information technology. This is intended to increase the number of physicians who use computers in their practice and will likely create opportunities for training health personnel and running health systems. It could also lead to job openings in hardware and software companies, from computer assemblers to systems analysts to project managers.
Education - Many states have made cuts in their education budgets, but the stimulus plan calls for a $53.6 billion state-stabilization to help states avoid further cuts and layoffs. Funding could also lead to new jobs for teachers and administrators in areas such as Head Start and other early-education programs. The stimulus also sets aside funds for modernization of schools (which overlaps with infrastructure and construction).
Energy and Utilities - A key part of the stimulus plan, and a campaign pledge by Obama, is the modernization of the nation’s electrical grid. “Smart grid” jobs will include regulators hired by public utility commissions, in addition to load management engineers, meter manufacturers and systems control center operators.
Federal Government - A $787 billion package doesn’t just administer itself. There will be openings for more lawyers, regulators, accountants, and administrators to ensure all of the dollars go where they’re intended.
From Yahoo.com
