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Getting the Right Education for a Career

Eager for education

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It is not unheard of for people to go through four to six years of schooling, then wind up working in a field that has nothing to do with their degree. Sometimes this happens because of poor counseling beforehand, others pick up a major because they think that it’s the next “big” field, and others simply change their minds. It should go without saying that college is a major expense and should be planned for accordingly.

Scenarios like the ones mentioned are entirely avoidable. It takes is a good long introspective look on the behalf of the student, and conversations with people working in a chosen field to discover if the choice of schooling is the right one. Spending time researching, asking questions, and doing some thinking helps with the final decision. Some may need a year off before starting higher education, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

For the forseeable future, graduates are going to have a harder time finding jobs out of college. Baby boomers are working into their retirement years, companies are hiring less and getting more productivity out of existing employees, and there are fewer jobs available in general. These facts make focusing education on a chosen path much more important than ever before.

Having a focused education shows a future employer that you are dedicated to the career path and that you intend to stick around for a while. You will benefit by being a better fit in the field, as well as being prepared for what is to come.

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Advantages of Study Abroad Programs

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Technology Provides Instructor Mobility in the Classroom

Smartboard in a classroom 

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Teachers are free to move about the classroom. No longer are instructors tethered to their desks or chained to the blackboard. New technology has made it possible for teachers to freely move around the classroom and deliver their lessons in an interactive way that was never possible before. Interactive whiteboards and electronic communication has given educators new tools to be able to better reach the children of the digital age.

One of the best things happening in classrooms around the country is the installation of interactive whiteboard which are replacing blackboards in a growing number of districts. Teachers can write on these boards like they would on a blackboard, but they can also do so much more. They can be used for showing movies and displaying web sites. When hooked up with the proper projector, these boards can display scanned images or assignments for the whole room to see.

The interactive whiteboards can be equipped with electronic pointers that the teachers can use to highlight material on the board as they carry on a discussion in class. The teachers can also hand the pointer to the students and challenge them to highlight the answer or a problem with an equation. A remote device to operate the board and projector allows the teacher to get out from behind her desk and make a more dynamic presentation of the material.

The best boards are equipped with dual electronic pens which allow the student and teacher to be engaged in exchanging messages at the same time. The interactive whiteboards are an excellent tool to use to improve collaborative learning in the classroom.

 

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Tips for Transition

High School is a time for further education, taking accelerated courses, participating in sports and other extra curricular activities, but most of all; High School prepares students, like you, for college. Making the jump from high school life to a college or university can be a big one. It is important for you to keep in mind some of the following tips which will help you have a smoother transition.

 

First of all, remember that in high school, you were most likely required to take certain classes and go to school for a certain number of hours. In college you have a lot more freedom and flexibility in your schedule. Review your major and the course work required. If you are a “morning person,” consider taking some of your more difficult classes when you are most alert and attentive. If you are working, spread your classes over evenings and weekends. Be smart, and plan your schedule to fit your needs.

 

Secondly, it may seem overwhelming that you are one of hundreds of students in a particular class. Do not be intimidated. Take time to introduce yourself to the teacher and get his or her contact information. Although, he or she may not remember your name among so many students, it is important to make the initial contact and build a student-teacher relationship. This will make it easier for you to approach the teacher later on in the course, if you should have any questions or struggles with the class.

 

Do not be afraid to use the many resources at your college or university to help you succeed. Many teachers have assistants and tutors which can lend extra help. Many departments have counselor’s who can lend support and offer crucial advice. There also are librarian staff who specialize in certain areas. If you are challenged by a particular subject, they can be very helpful in locating resources to help you find needed information.

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Money, Money, Money, Boy Do I Need Money!

The good thing about being in school is you are gaining a skill to help you earn more money in the future. The hard part is you need money right now. You need it to live on and to pay for parts of your education right now.

 

Here are six ways to get money while in school.

 

1)      Get a job. Just because you are in school does not mean that you cannot work. It might not be easy, but you can work. Two excellent jobs for students include being a receptionist and working the booth for a parking garage. Often you have hours of down time where you are allowed to work on your homework. (Make sure the boss is OK with this.)

2)      College work-study programs. These jobs work around your changing schedule and some even give you the opportunity to study while getting paid.

3)      Grants are often given by schools, the government or other organizations. Each of these grants has specific qualifications. Some areas are economic, race, gender, age, current career or future career.

4)      Like grants, Scholarships are based on a criterion that is determined by who is giving the money. Talk to your financial aid office and they should help you in your search.

5)      Often employers will reimburse you for classes you have taken.You usually have to apply before the classes start and then give the final grade with receipts to get your reimbursement, but it is an excellent way to pay for college without incurring much, if any, debt.

6)      There are educational loans from the government and other sources. These can be expensive to pay back.

 

School is expensive. Take the time to earn money as you go, seek for efficient ways to use your time, accept grants, scholarships and reimbursements wherever you can and get loans when you need to. School might be expensive but it is worth it and it is doable!

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The Online College Application Process

Applying to an online college can seem like a very daunting task. When you start looking at the process it seems like there are endless steps. However, most schools make every effort they can to make the task as quick and painless as possible, while still gathering all of the required information. For this example I will walk through the steps of applying at an online technical school. The steps may vary slightly depending on where you apply, however it should give you a good idea of what to expect with the application process.

First, you will need to apply for financial aid. The website of FAFSA on the web (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will guide you step by step at doing this. You will just need some basic information about you, your household’s income, and last year’s tax records. If you wind up with any questions or problems you can contact your chosen school’s financial aid department and they will likely be able to help you with finding the answer.

After you do this you will have around a week’s wait to get approval for financial aid. Depending on what you are awarded you may need to provide your own additional funding or get a loan, something your financial aid office will assist you with. Then you will simply fill out the school’s application form and take it, your transcripts of high school grades or previous college work, and an application fee to your school’s registration office.

You may be approved that day, or if it is a school with higher requirements you may find out another day. Once you are approved to attend the school, you can start registering for classes. Decide which program you want to enter. For example, if you want to study photography, your counselor will suggest the right online photography degree program for you. You will then choose your classes for the first semester. Then, you are all set for your first year of college, and another step toward a successful career!

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Benefits and Drawbacks of a Specialized School

One option that many people don’t immediately consider when deciding where to go for college or higher education, is a specialty school. There are schools devoted to learning many different skills or trades that may be good choices for many people. There are benefits as well as drawbacks to these types of schools, many of which will be discussed in the following paragraphs.

The main benefit to a specialty school is that the training and classes will be tailored to what you need in the workforce. Many of these programs award certificates or diplomas instead of degrees which do not require as many of the core classes that would be required when getting a degree. If you are just wanting to advance in your career you may not need to take advanced math classes, chemistry, history or literature. Another related benefit is that you can normally obtain a certificate or diploma in much less time than it would take you to go to a full university. This is an excellent option for those with already established careers who are hoping to advance, as they will not have to take time away from their careers to attend school and may even be able to do much of their class work online at home.

However, there are certain drawbacks to specialized schools. A diploma or certificate may not have the same positive impact on your resume as a traditional degree would. Also, most specialized schools are not publicly funded, which makes them more expensive to attend and often times harder to get scholarships and grants. The best specialized schools will have financial aid counselors who can help you work through the paperwork and perhaps apply for what grants or loans are available. The drawbacks are often worth it in the end when you finally achieve your educational goals.

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Business Administartion Programs

One of the programs commonly available at technical schools and community colleges is the business administration program. This is typically offered in either a diploma or associates degree program. Someone who is looking to find employment as an office manager or assistant would find a degree in business administration very useful. Many technical and online schools will allow you to earn your degree while still working a full time job.

The difference between a degree and diploma is generally based around how many additional core courses are offered along with the required area-specific courses. Someone seeking a diploma may only have to take classes that deal with information they may need in the workforce, while someone who obtains a degree will likely have to take classes in general English, college level algebra, and the social sciences.

The types of area-specific classes that will be encountered while someone is earning a degree or diploma in business administration are quite varied. There will generally be a few classes in computer basics, word processing, spreadsheets, accounting, management and supervisory development and possibly marketing.

People who have strong communication skills and a good grasp on technology will generally do well in a business administration program. Many job seekers find that even a diploma or certificate in this area is a great help in finding employment in an office setting. Over the past few years with the job market being very tight and with little growth, those who have higher education consistently report an easier time finding employment and higher satisfaction with their jobs.

After receiving a degree in business administration, some students may find that they wish to work on more specific job skills. A degree in business administration is a great jumping off point for education in the realms of accounting, finance, business management, and computer science.

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The Technical School Experience for Adults

Many adults would like to go back to college but feel very overwhelmed by the college experience. They imagine that college is like it is shown in the movies, a giant campus with thousands of students all around 20 years old. This may be true in some cases, but there are many other options that may be more comfortable for the adult learner.

One of these options is a technical school. No matter where you live in the country, there is likely a technical school within fifty miles from your home. And now through internet technology, many classes are available online too.

A technical school will generally offer associates degrees, diplomas, and certificates. One misconception many people have about technical schools is that they are only for learning about computers or other technological fields. This is far from the truth. Many schools offer classes in computers, business, medicine, drafting, art, childcare, hair care and a host of other fields. Visit the website of your local technical school and you will be certain to find a program that sparks your interest.

These technical schools often have students of all ages and backgrounds. There will be students fresh out of high school, working adults, and senior citizens who are expanding their knowledge after retirement. The teachers at technical schools are used to helping a diverse range of students and there are often special programs available to help adults who are just now re-entering the educational world after spending time in the workforce.

Don’t let your fear of college get in the way of chasing your dreams. The college experience can and will be different for everyone who attends. Research your options, talk to current students and spend time on the campus of anywhere you are considering attending to make sure it is an environment that will help you reach your goals.

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Four-Year Universities – Who Are They For?

With all of the options currently available to potential students, why would anyone want to go to a traditional four year university? That is a valid question, and one with many answers. For many people, a complete well-rounded college experience can only be obtained at a four year college.

There are many fields of study that simply require someone to get a full four-year bachelors degree from a traditional school. Online education has grown in leaps and bounds, but they will never replace traditional colleges for fields such as medicine, science and other lab related fields. No book or computer program can compare with the hands on experience a student can get while attending university.

Technical schools and community colleges have filled a need for educational programs that only require a couple of years of schooling, but they cannot handle the wide range of classes that someone who is seeking a bachelors degree needs. Additionally, many students wish to go further than their bachelors degree and a traditional university is more likely to have connections to help them reach their goals.

Another important benefit that four-year colleges offer is the overall college experience. These schools have on campus housing, sports teams, clubs and a Greek system that can offer students long lasting friendships and future business connections. A student who wishes to pursue college or professional sports will likely need to attend a four year university to gain the notice of sports scouts or agents.

Students who choose to live on campus can also become more immersed in their studies and (depending on their own study habits) may have fewer distractions than students who try to attend a school part time and work while living away from the school. For young students especially, going to college at a four-year university will give them the chance to move from being a child who relies on their parents for everything to being a self-sufficient adult.

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