One of the biggest concerns for college students and their parents is how you’re going to pay for your higher education. While some parents pay for their kid’s college, some students are on their own and resort to taking out students loans or trying to find scholarships and grants. The best thing about grants and scholarships is you don’t have to pay them back and there are so many scholarships for college students.
There are many different types of scholarships for all types of students. A common misconception is that you have to be an outstanding athlete or have very good grades. But, there is a scholarship out there for you; you just have to know where to look for financial aid information.
The internet is filled with a many resources to find scholarships for college or technical school. There are scholarships available for athletics, academic achievement, minorities even religious or organization affiliation. You can also find grants for engineers or physical therapy student grants and scholarships.
By researching online or visiting your school’s financial aid office, you open yourself up to many scholarships. Don’t discount a scholarship or grant because it’s small. Many small grants or scholarships add up very quickly. One $100 scholarship will buy you a book this semester.
Information Technology, also known as IT, is one of the most promising technical fields because computers are becoming more prominent in all aspects of life. IT is an industry that is constantly growing and also doesn’t require a specific type of education. You can get a career in information technology with a bachelor’s degree from a traditional university, you can get a master’s degree or phD, or you can get an associate’s degree from a community college or technical school.
You also aren’t limited to any one specific area of information technology because it’s such a broad field. There are many different avenues to pursue for IT training; there are also online and traditional training courses available to you.
The first step to decide if IT is a good career path for you is to learn more about the field and about possible careers. You can work on many different kinds of systems, from Windows to Linux to Mac, to Java programming and VM Ware. There are many websites decided to information technology and you can begin your research there or talk to a career counselor. You can also call and speak to specialists in the field and ask them what their day-to-day operations are like.
Information technology is a very promising field with many different options and career paths.
Most students think inside the box when it comes to careers, but in this economy it pays to take the career path that is least taken, but still holds value. One such career path is tax preparation. Everyone has to pay taxes, even college students and tax prep isn’t going anywhere. You could even say it is a recession-proof career choice because people need your help now more than ever to pay as few taxes as possible.
You don’t have to be a CPA to help people with their taxes, which is a good thing because it’s getting harder to become a certified public accountant. To become a registered tax return preparer, you must first sign up with the IRS online and take a competency exam. You will need continuing education on tax courses during your career, but it is typical for most industries.
One of the best things about choosing this career path is the majority of your work is between January and April every year. You work really hard for a few months and can enjoy a relaxed work environment for the rest of the year. In addition, you can do this as seasonal work to supplement other income, which works especially well if you are contracted with another company or self-employed.
With the current economic downturn, one industry that has not suffered as hard as the others is the healthcare industry. People get sick and injured even when the stock market is down, so there is still a strong need for medical professionals to take care of people. With the relative stability of the field, it’s no wonder that many college students are choosing to pursue health-related majors. Healthcare, however, is a broad term that encompasses everything from CNAs to nurses to medical doctors. With so many choices, it is interesting to take a look at which health careers are most popular among today’s students.
According to the 2011 Princeton Review, the ten most popular majors on college campuses today include three health-related fields of study: psychology at number two, nursing at number three and biology at number four (business administration/management was number one). These three health care majors have appeared in the top ten for several years and do not appear to be going away anytime soon. Many women business leaders have emerged and made a large impact on the healthcare industries within the last ten years or so.
- Psychology is a versatile field that can encompass a number of different titles and positions. To be a clinical psychologist, social psychologist, or developmental psychologist, one usually requires advanced training or even a doctoral degree, but there are many research and teaching jobs that one can take with just an undergraduate psychology degree. One-third of all psychologists enter private practice or have independent research firms. As of 2008, the average starting salary for a psychologist was $46,153 per year.
- Nursing is the biggest field in healthcare, and nurses still continue to be in high demand across the country. There are several different levels of nursing, including licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, and nurse practitioner. The LPN and RN levels, while important and relatively high-paying positions require only an associate’s degree and the successful completion of professional exams to be certified. The specific areas of practice available to nurses are virtually limitless. Some of the more popular areas of specialty include medical/surgical nursing, geriatric nursing, hospice nursing, home health nursing and emergency room nursing. There has been a well-documented shortage of nurses in the United States for over a decade and it will become more pronounced as women in leadership emerge from the crowd and help in hospitals and nursing homes around the nation. Retirement and assisted living establishments are common places for nurses to work, as are hospitals, but there are also many nurses who work in schools or corporations or travel to take care of people in their homes. The average starting salary for a newly-graduated nurse in 2008 was $41,173 a year.
- Biology is another broad field that includes several disciplines, such as genetics, medical research and biotechnology, to name a few. Biology is a popular pre-med degree for those who wish to go on and study to become a medical doctor. To qualify for a job in microbiology, biotechnology or research and development, it is helpful to have a graduate degree in biology. In 2008, the starting salary for a general biologist was $38,896 annually, while a biochemist received a higher compensation of $43,961 per year.
Beyond the “big three,” there are a number of other popular majors to help students become masters of public health. Radiology is very popular, as are some of the new and growing fields of study, including holistic health, environmental health, sports medicine and medical administration. The study of radiology provides graduates with the potential to get jobs performing x-rays or, with special certification, working as a CRT or MRI technician. Holistic health focuses on the psychological, spiritual, social and environmental health of a patient as well as the physical. Environmental health study is a path that leads to a career in the occupational health sector or in epidemiology. A degree in sports medicine can lead to a job with a professional or school sports team or a position in a specialty sports medicine clinic. Those who study medical administration are well prepared for a management job in a variety of healthcare arenas. They could also work in medical law or consulting.
Healthcare is a wonderful and rewarding field, perfect for those who wish to help people. The career choices are abundant, and many of them are in high demand. One of the greatest things about the field of healthcare is the wide variety of majors available for students. Whether they choose the more popular majors of psychology, nursing or biology or one of the new and developing fields like holistic health or environmental health, there are plenty of opportunities for students in the medical field.
This guest post article was written and provided by Marissa Krause who finished her Business degree this last fall and has begun working for a soon coming fortune 500 company.
As the U.S.’s largest independent city and home to some of the world’s biggest and most successful companies, Baltimore is a city of great opportunity. However, it’s also a city with some serious competition, and if you want to make more money, business school is an invaluable step on the way to financial success.
Here are just five of the ways that business school can help you excel in your career:
1. Enhanced resume – It almost goes without saying, but any candidate with a reputable business school on his or her resume is going to stand out against someone who doesn’t. Not only can it help you get the job when vying against other candidates, but this credential and the experience you gain by participating in the program can help you qualify for higher level jobs, many of which start at a higher pay rate.
2. Connections – Perhaps one of the best parts of business school is the connections and relationships you build while you’re there. The friends and acquaintances you meet while in school can often result in opportunities both when you graduate and years down the road.
3. Practice – Even if you’ve already been in the business world, school can give you invaluable training in dealing with situations you may not have encountered in your previous experience. You’ll learn how to solve problems faster and more efficiently, and you’ll be prepared for anything that could come your way. It can also give you a deeper understanding of other departments and fields in business so you can work more effectively with coworkers and other associates.
4. Higher pay – As one would imagine, more highly qualified candidates start jobs with larger salaries. But, did you know that many businesses will give current employees a raise too if they complete an educational course? Even if your company doesn’t volunteer this perk, going to business school gives you leverage in your next evaluation so you can bargain for a bigger salary increase.
5. Ability to move up – Many companies hold certain positions only for candidates with certain degrees. If you’re just starting at a company, graduating business school shows that you will be able to move up in the company so you can be put on that track. If you’re already working, business school can give you the boost you need to get that big promotion.
From international corporations like Under Armour to national sports teams like the Orioles to the hundreds of bustling local Baltimore businesses, the opportunity is there. The question you have to ask yourself is simply, “How are you going to take advantage of it?” For many people, the answer is business school in Baltimore.
