Student Voices

RSS

Interested in learning more about online education?

Hear what current online students have to say.

Dan

Sharon Cece

Sharon Cece

Florida State University

Jeff Davis

Jeff Davis

University of Phoenix

Jen Zeman

Jen Zeman

University of Maryland University College

Find Your Degree

Posts Tagged ‘education’

Online Classes with Penn Foster

Posted by admin on July 20th, 2009

<!– /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:”"; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-fareast-font-family:”Times New Roman”;} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} –>

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.

  • add to del.icio.us
  • add to technorati
  • add to Digg
  • add to Google
  • add to stumbleupon
  • add to My Yahoo

Careers in Demand: Education and Teaching

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.

  • add to del.icio.us
  • add to technorati
  • add to Digg
  • add to Google
  • add to stumbleupon
  • add to My Yahoo

Six Figure Salary

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

  • add to del.icio.us
  • add to technorati
  • add to Digg
  • add to Google
  • add to stumbleupon
  • add to My Yahoo

More than Just Online Degrees - DeVry Registers Voters this Week

Posted by admin on September 17th, 2008

From September 15th to the 19th, DeVry University will be doing more than helping students earn their online accredited degrees — the school will be striving to register 8,000 new voters for this fall’s upcoming election.

In a way, DeVry’s efforts will be making visible a correlation that has always existed between education and voter participation.  As U.S. Census Bureau data illustrates, eligible voters with a bachelor’s degree or graduate degree are more likely to register than those without a college degree.  In 2004, 78% of those with a bachelor’s degree had registered to vote, while only 62% of eligible voters with a high school diploma had registered to vote.

The disparity between voting engagement and education becomes even more pronounced when one looks at actual voting numbers.  74% of the voting age population with at least a bachelor’s degree voted in 2004, while only 52% of the voting age population with a high school diploma voted that year.

The 2008 presidential election is being touted as one of the most engaging races in recent memory.  Even if you are not earning an online degree from DeVry University, you can still visit one of the 72 participating registration locations this week and register to vote.

You can find info on the candidates and their policies via their respective party websites:

  • add to del.icio.us
  • add to technorati
  • add to Digg
  • add to Google
  • add to stumbleupon
  • add to My Yahoo