College Review Talk

A Google search for ‘accredited online schools’ serves up more than 2.74 million results. Confusing? Yes. And the process of choosing an accredited distance learning program can be, as well. But here are a few guidelines to keep in mind to ensure that your efforts, and your money, don’t go to waste.

Sifting Through the Acronyms

According to The Council for Higher Education Accreditation, accreditation is the primary means of assuring and improving the quality of higher education institutions and programs in the United States’. This goal is accomplished through an intense process of review by one or more of the 19 national and regional accrediting organizations. CHEA. SACS. HLC. As you look at the college or university that you plan to attend, it’s a good idea to find the acronyms that represent the accrediting bodies, usually listed on the school’s home page. These acronyms are a good indicator of the legitimacy of the program you intend to complete.

Take It a Step Further

Don’t be fooled by fancy seals. Online diploma mills can easily post an official-looking emblem on their site in an attempt to satisfy your accrediting curiosities. Do your homework and contact the office of enrollment. Ask them what national or regional accreditations they have earned and what they’re doing to maintain or improve their standards. Still not satisfied? Contact the accrediting agencies directly to verify the information you receive. Also, you can check with your industry to find out which agencies they recognize. Just a little legwork before you begin your program will save you tens of thousands of dollars, as well as a great deal of heartache.

Sources:
CHEA
Community Foundation

In the United States, non-governmental organizations evaluate colleges and universities and grant accreditation to those that meet nationwide standards. The accreditation process is therefore not conducted directly by the government, although the accreditation agencies are themselves evaluated by the US Secretary of Education. The process is intended to assist students in deciding on where to continue their education, to promote the general elevation of educational standards around the country and to determine which institutions are worthy of private or public funds.

Accreditation begins with the establishment of educational standards, which is continuously performed by the accreditation agencies in cooperation with colleges. Colleges seeking accreditation conduct an intensive internal evaluation of their own practices and educational environment to determine whether it is up to par with those of other schools in addition to the agreed-upon standards. This evaluation includes close scrutiny of the curricula of specific courses at the college, judgment of the caliber of the professors leading the institution and the quality of the work of the students themselves.

Following this self-evaluation, the accreditation agency visits the school and conducts its own assessment of those same aspects with guidance from the school’s report. The agency then determines whether or not to grant accreditation, and in the case of a successful application, the college is listed in the agency’s publication of accredited schools.

After the initial process, the agency makes periodic reevaluations of the college to ensure compliance with its standards. The process is an important step in the establishment of a new educational institution, and most are not successful without winning accreditation.

Source:
US Department of Education – Overview of Post-Secondary Accreditation

Registered Nurses

The number of registered nurses in the United States is expected to increase by more than half a million over the next decade, making it the fastest-growing occupation in the country. Responsibilities include performing routine tests, educating patients about their ailments and providing them with treatment and medication.

Post-secondary education is a necessity for a position as a registered nurse. Most nursing programs are either two or four years and lead to an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, respectively, although some hospitals offer diploma programs that usually take three years to complete. Entrance into nursing specialty fields often requires a master’s degree.

Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts

Network analyst positions are expected to grow by 37% in the coming years, which is the largest percent increase among of all types of jobs studied. Network analysts design, implement and test communications equipment for computers, from small office networks to the internet.

The degree requirements vary with each specific network analyst position. Most employers are looking for those with a bachelor’s in computer science or a related field, while some positions require only an associate’s and some require an MBA.

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

Positions as veterinary technicians are expected to increase at a much faster than average rate as well. Veterinary technicians work alongside veterinarians, performing diagnostic tests and providing treatment to all types of animals.

Most veterinary technologists have an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree in the field, and both involve extensive laboratory training with live animals. The associate’s programs are nationally accredited and usually take two years to complete, while the bachelor’s programs are offered at only a handful of colleges.

Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics–Registered Nurses
Bureau of Labor Statistics–Computer Scientists
Bureau of Labor Statistics–Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
Bureau of Labor Statistics–Charts from the ‘Tomorrow’s Jobs’ Section

Getting Started

Applying to college can be nerve wracking! If you are still in high school, there is all of the pressure of the SATs and the competition amongst your classmates. If you are a non-traditional applicant, meaning you have waited some time to begin your college career, there are all of the doubts associated with trying something new and changing your life. Put your fears aside. You can do it.

Applying to Four Year Institutions

The College Board, who administers the SAT exam, recommends applying to at least 15 schools. This is a great tip if you would like to pursue a four-year degree. The key is to cast a wide net. Apply to schools with programs you admire, or that employ professors that you would like to work with. Get online and check out each school’s website.

Other Options

If you are a non-traditional student, you might not be able to just pick up and live wherever you get the best offer. You might have work and/or family to consider, in which case it is a good idea to begin to look at local options. Why not start at a community college? This is a great way to get your general education requirements completed, and often at a lower price than at a major university.

Online Options

A great option for all students, no matter how old you are or where you live, is online education. Courses in every subject are available through a number of schools. These courses can help you begin your education, and even complete it.

Better Late Than Never, Right?

There are few true things in life, but one of them is that it is never too late to get an education. In fact, if you are what is called a non-traditional student, or someone who has waited some time before entering college, it is important that you understand that going back to school is a positive and constructive next step, no matter your age.

Where Do I Begin?

You might be asking yourself this question. In order to get the answer, you should ask yourself a few more questions.

• • Am I willing to move for school, or do I want to attend locally?

• • What kind of degree do I want?

• • What area of study will I pursue?

Choosing a Campus

This decision is based on your answers to the questions listed above. If you are willing to move for school, you can cast a wide net, especially if you would like to pursue a four year degree. If you want to stay in your local area, a good place to start your education might be at a community college. You can get all of your general requirements there, and graduate with an associate’s degree. With this, you can re-join the workforce with your new skills, or keep going at a four-year institution.

How Do I Pay For School?

If you ever served in the military, you probably qualify for education benefits. You might also ask if your current job has a tuition reimbursement program. Otherwise, apply for guaranteed student loans and grants in order to finance your education.

If you need financial aid to attend college, you should make sure to choose a school that participates in federal student aid programs. These programs offer a wide variety of grants, scholarships and low-interests loans.

The first step in finding financial aid to help fund your college education is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA, http://www.fafsa.ed.gov). This application gathers information on the income of you and your parents, and based on those numbers, an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is calculated and provided to you in a Student Aid Report (SAR). The EFC is how much you and your family will be expected to contribute to your education for the coming year. You must then give the SAR to the colleges you are interested in attending, and their financial aid department will create a payment plan for you based on your EFC.

The financial aid packages from your schools will most likely be combinations of grants and loans. Grants may come directly from the school, or you may be awarded a federal grant based on academic achievement. Loans are frequently from the Stafford, PLUS or Perkins federal programs. Some schools will offer more grant money than others depending on your academic achievement, and these are often the better financial choice.

What happens if you and your family will not actually be able to meet the EFC, as is often the case? You will have to turn to other sources, like private scholarships or loans with higher interest rates. Some state governments have educational loan programs for residents. Consult your high school guidance counselor and web sites like: FAFSA (Federal Student Aid)

Sources:
FAFSA
Federal Student Aid

With the job market being what it is, you might have serious doubts about your career prospects. Failing banks, closing plants, and dwindling budgets have a lot of people worried. But you can potentially increase your chances of finding that perfect job by relying on a number of useful resources and tips:

Career Services Can Be a Goldmine for Grads

Most schools have an office of career services. The people in this department can help you with resume crafting, letter writing, and job research. Although not used nearly as much as it should be, the office of career services is a veritable goldmine of information.

Stay in Touch with Classmates, Professors, and other Grads

In addition to career services, you should also connect with alums, students, and professors. They can help you with recommendations, networking opportunities, career advice, and even job placement. Your program probably publishes a directory of graduates, and this directory is sometimes broken up by year, location, and industry. Business connections are all about knowing the right people. Even if you never took any classes with a particular alum, he or she might be able to point you in the right direction.

Broaden Your Search Globally

Don’t limit your search to your home city, state, or even country. There exists global demand for a wide range of disciplines and careers. What’s more, international experience can be pretty impressive on a resume. After 2-3 years in Brazil or China, you might find that many more doors open up to you when you return to the US.

Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Career Journal

With the current financial crisis, you might need to reassess where you send future resumes and cover letters. Analyst firms on Wall Street and manufacturing plants in Michigan might not be the best options. There might be other places (industries and locations) where your current training might enjoy higher demand.

Industries to Launch a New Career in 2008

When it comes to the hottest industries of today and tomorrow, most of them seem to be in high-tech or health-related fields. Computer science, alternative medicine, nursing, programming, dentistry, and Web design are just some examples. They’re all service-oriented, and most of them are expected to enjoy faster-than-average growth over the next 8 years. Almost all of these areas, however, require specific training. So you usually need to become certified before you can begin practicing professionally. The flipside is that rising demand can potentially offer you greater job security and earning potential in the long run.

Locations to Launch a New Career in 2008

Despite our recent financial troubles, the US is still one of the leading forces in job creation and innovation. However, there are other countries that are doing as well, if not better. China, India, and Brazil are popular destinations for many globally oriented employees. But there are many other nations that desperately need to fill various sectors. For example, Australia actively recruits people form abroad due to its labor shortage. By sending your resume and cover letter out of the country, you can potentially tap into a much larger pool of opportunities.

Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics
International Herald Tribune
Career Journal

Higher pay, better hours, boredom, office politics, and more flexibility are some of the main reasons why you might want to change careers. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a relative novice; if your current job or industry doesn’t meet your needs, there’s no reason why you should stick around. However, making the transition takes some careful planning. Below are some tips that can guide in the process:

Look for Tangential Areas to Your Current Career

The easiest career changes are often to industries that are related to your current job. So social workers might become teachers. Restaurant managers might become caterers. Sometimes this transition can be smooth, while other times you might need additional training.

Become Certified for your Career Change

Additional education is one of the smartest ways to change careers. An associates degree or certificate is sometimes enough if you have sufficient professional experience. Other times you might need to go back for a full bachelors or master’s degree. If you can somehow relate this training to your current job, there is an outside chance that your employer might cover some or all of the cost. Although you might be expected to stick around at your current job for a few more years.

Expand Your Career Change Search Globally

Career requirements in the United States don’t always match those of other countries. To become an English teacher in the US, for example, you often need a specialized degree. To become an English teacher abroad, however, sometimes you only need to be a native speaker. This is just one example of course. The rigorous training and certification that might be required for a career change in the States can sometimes be bypassed if you go abroad.

Lastly, be prepared to take a small salary cut or demotion during your first year or two. Without extensive work experience and without specialized training, you might have to make some momentary sacrifices. But if it’s a job you enjoy, the money should eventually come.

Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Career Journal

The Best Careers for a Tough Economy

In these times of cutbacks and layoffs, you’ve likely put any possible career-changing plans on hold, for fear of not finding work. But if your current work isn’t satisfying, or if you’ve already found yourself downsized in your current field, you should know that some industries are not only surviving in this economy, they’re thriving.

When it comes to caring for our health and that of our loved ones, expanding our minds, or protecting our money and our information, professionals with the right career training will always be needed, regardless of the economy.

Health Care

A renewed government commitment to reforming the system; medical advances keeping people alive longer; baby boomers who are retiring, leaving their positions in the industry and increasingly facing the physical tolls of age – it all makes the health care industry particularly healthy right now. It’s expected to generate 3 million jobs from now through 2016 – more than any other industry. In particular, pharmacists, physical therapists, and nurses will be in especially high demand – many even project labor shortages in these fields, which may result in dramatic wage growth.

Pet Care

Many experts are calling the pet care industry recession-proof. Americans spent more than $43 billion on their pets in 2008; that’s 26 percent higher than 2004 figures. Market research suggests continued growth in pet care product sales of more than 13 percent by 2013. Employment of veterinary technicians – a career generally requiring at least two years of formal career training – is projected to grow by a whopping 41 percent through 2016.

Education

You’re reading this article for the same reason that education is particularly important now – the need to improve upon your skills only grows in a recession. Demand is high across the board for teachers and administrators – particularly in higher education, where many working professionals are turning. Postsecondary teaching jobs are expected to grow by 23 percent through 2016. Most full-time, tenured positions require Ph.D.s, but there is a growing trend among employers who are hiring those with master’s degrees or a combination of a bachelor’s degree and career experience, in order to fill the growing demand.

Accounting

If there’s one thing people need more of when the economy’s bad, it’s help managing their money. Individuals and businesses alike are turning more than ever to accountants for help navigating the increasingly complex tax and reporting laws. CFO.com reported earlier this year that accounting will not only experience tremendous employment growth, but salary growth as well; average salaries are projected to grow by more than 7 percent. Companies are increasingly finding a scarcity among professional accountants with CPA career training, making this one of today’s hottest jobs; employment growth of 18 percent or more expected is by 2016.

Information Technology and Computer Systems

As industries – particularly fast-growing ones like health care or education – increasingly make technology a priority, those who understand how to operate it and monitor its security will be in demand. Unemployment is at a record low among college-educated IT professionals, whose average starting salaries rose approximately 5 percent in 2008. Career training for such positions vary from on-the-job experience to two- or four-year college degrees. In particular, network and systems administrators – those who design, install, and manage computer systems – who will experience staggering employment growth of 27 percent through 2016.

Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Accountants and Auditors”
Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Computer Support Specialists and Systems Administrators”
Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Health Care”
Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Teachers – Postsecondary”
Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Veterinary Technologists and Technicians”
CFO.com, “Hot Jobs in ’08″
Datamation.com, “Hot Jobs in IT for 2008″ by Katherine Spencer Lee
The Earth Times, “2008 Hot Job List – The Top 10″ by IBISWorld, Inc.
The Seattle Times, “Pet-products industry growing despite bad economy” by Ashley M. Heher