Thursday, February 5, 2009

Do you want to be a Teacher?

Teaching is arguably the most important profession in the world. Every person’s life has been affected by great teaching. And with openings in the industry, the fulfilling career of a teacher is becoming a very viable option for many.

Kindergarten through twelfth grade teachers impact students in some of the most impressionable phases of their lives. Teachers need to be patient and flexible—constantly willing to adapt with new technologies and new techniques that will help children succeed in the classroom.

Options in teaching are varied. Teachers are needed to teach a vast spectrum of classes from chemistry to photography. Generally, elementary teachers teach the full spectrum to their students, while middle school and high school teachers tend to specialize. However, there are several opportunities for even elementary school teachers to focus on one particular subject. Music teachers, for instance, teach all age groups music throughout the week.

State requirements for teachers vary dependent on individual standards. Usually, teachers receive a license after getting a bachelor’s degree in either education or in their chosen field of expertise. Added to the classes required to graduate, future teachers also take a certain amount of hours in education classes.

Many people are now crossing the bridge from professional field experience to the teaching realm. Online classes are a great option to make up the education credits needed to be licensed. Students just starting their own higher education can also find helps in finishing their degrees more quickly (or more slowly, depending on which pace works best) with online courses. Online courses are also an excellent option for teachers who are required to continue their training even after they have been hired.

The outlook for teachers is steady. According the U.S. Department of Labor, in the next ten years, administrators will be hiring to replace many teachers entering retirement. Some states have growing classrooms while others have shrinking numbers in students. Outlook for positions varies dependent on states, but society will always need teachers.

• Median annual earnings of K–12 teachers is $43,580¬–$48,690
• The lowest 10% earned less than $33,070
• The top 10% earned more than $67,490.

Monday, February 2, 2009

Thinking about a Career in Criminal Justice?

Criminal Justice is one of the fastest growing career fields in today’s professional world. Some options in the criminal justice field include Homeland Security and Criminal Justice.

Homeland Security

Are you interested in serving your country? Do you want a career in a challenging new field with amazing growth potential? Consider a career in homeland security.

You can help prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage from potential attacks and natural disasters. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security also directs the country’s immigration policies and oversees the Coast Guard.

With homeland security training, you can enter into a fast-paced career in various venues:

• businesses
• airports
• home building associations
• stadiums

Your options are limitless with a career in homeland security:

• security
• FBI
• Secret Service
• law enforcement
• drug enforcement
• U.S. Marshal
• customs investigator
• diplomatic security
• Homeland Security agent

New careers in Homeland Security open every day. You can start helping fellow citizens with the right training in homeland security. Many people enter the field of homeland security through the military or entry-level government positions. Some career colleges now offer programs that give you the edge you need to begin a career in corporate or government security.


Criminal Justice

Like most specialized careers, a career in criminal justice rewards the perseverant as they climb the professional latter. It can be a long road, but extremely fulfilling. After completing criminal justice training, most job experience may come as a

• patrol officer
• probation/parole officer
• correctional officer
• special agent
• detective

The vast majority of criminal justice careers come from local and state agencies. There are new federal agencies expanding that raise the chances of getting hired after completing the right criminal justice training program.

An increasing number of city, county, and state police agencies don’t require that you have an undergraduate degree. Professions like working with juveniles are common career choices that don’t typically require a 4-year college degree. There are also a variety of jobs within the human services field like working with at-risk families. Though compensation varies, all tend to be challenging and rewarding.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Associates v Bachelor Degree?

Associates Degrees

Since job experience is no longer the only criteria to measure your skills, a 2-year Associates degree can help you present to prospective employers, a stronger job profile. Many Associates Degree’s are offered in high-tech fields. An estimate made by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that physical therapist assistants and dental hygienists could be in high demand over the next decade. Both these job positions only require applicants to possess an Associate degree.

While considering the pros and cons of an Associates degree the financial commitment you would need to make needs to be weighed. Whether you are a professional with years of work experience or a student, you could still have the need for financial assistance to complete an Associates Degree. It is suggested that you explore sources such as government grants, scholarships or student loans from state, local, and private financial institutions. The greatest benefit of an Associates degree is that you can get certification in less time and lower cost to find suitable employment in that particular field.

Bachelor degrees

When someone says they have a “college degree” they are commonly referring to a Bachelor’s degree. Typically comprising 120-128 credits, the degree is usually completed within a four-year period.

There are two main types of bachelor degrees: The Bachelor of Arts (BA) and the Bachelor of Science (BS). The Bachelor of Arts degree usually requires the student to take a majority of their courses in the arts (social sciences, humanities, music, or fine arts). Te Bachelor of Science degree usually requires the student to take a majority of their courses in the sciences (life sciences, physical sciences, or mathematical sciences).

Bachelor’s degree programs typically consist of three parts: general education, elective courses, and a particular area of focused study – a “major”. General education classes are typically taken during the freshman and sophomore years and consist of courses in English composition, humanities/fine arts, social sciences, natural sciences, and mathematics designed to give the student a solid and broad academic foundation. Elective courses allow students to broaden their academic horizon and explore subjects of interest. Coursework in the student’s major are designed to make the student knowledgeable in a particular field of study. These courses are typically taken in the junior and senior years.

Which is best for you?

Check out www.degreementor.com to get information from schools that offer Associates and Bachelor’s degrees in your area.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

degreeMentor.com

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