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The Best Online Colleges for 2010

February 5th, 2010 Andrea

OnlineDegreeReviews.org has named the top online colleges for 2010, based on over 2,000 user reviews.  With 2218 reviews and 1113 online degree programs, OnlineDegreeReviews.org is the site to visit if you’re considering an online education.  The top seven online schools for 2010 are as follows:

Norwich University – Visitors to OnlineDegreeReviews.org gave Norwich University the highest ratings. Seven of Norwich’s programs were rated by users, and all received four and five stars on average.

Seton Hall University – Seton Hall University offers an online RN to BSN program, in addition to several certificate and master’s programs.  It’s master’s degree program in strategic communication and leadership received especially high ratings.

Henley-Putnam University – Henley Putnam University is focused on strategic security and has programs in terrorism and counterterrorism studies, management of personal protection, and intelligence management.

Columbia Southern University – Reviewers gave high ratings to Columbia Southern University, mentioning its free textbooks and open-enrollment course format.

TUI University – TUI received an average of 3.5 out of 5 stars, in addition to remarks about it’s affordability and commitment to members of the military.

Grand Canyon University -  GCU’s graduate programs in education received excellent reviews and many accolades from former students.

American Military University – AMU offers more than 100 online certificate and degree programs for professionals in national security and public service.  Program ratings averaged between four to five stars.

Western Governors University and Capella University are two other interesting online colleges to consider.  Western Governors University offers several online teaching programs, including post-baccalaureate certificates and master’s degrees. Western Governors is also very popular among users.   Capella University has a variety of online Ph.D. programs, including educational psychology, clinical psychology, and post-secondary/adult education.  Although it didn’t make the top college list this year, Capella received very good reviews.  Visit OnlineDegreeReviews.org to learn about online degree programs and to read unbiased reviews from students.

This post was sponsored by OnlineDegreeReviews.org.

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Could You Live Off Groupons for a Year?

February 4th, 2010 Andrea

Groupon.com is offering $100,000 for the person that can live off of Groupons for a year. If chosen to participate in the Groupon.com challenge, you’ll give up your apartment, close your bank account, and put all of your belongings into storage. You’ll be given a cell phone, camera and laptop to document your experiences, in addition to unlimited Groupons.

In order to apply,  you must provide a YouTube link to a 90 second video introducing yourself and write a 400 – 500 word essay on why you should be chosen to live off Groupons for a year. You must also visit a featured Groupon business, write a short essay about your experience and videotape yourself speaking with an employee or customer you don’t know.  Candidates must be “funny, social, and resourceful”  and applicants are asked to indicate their scores in each of those categories on their resumes.

The deadline for submitting applications is February 24.  Visit LiveoffGroupon.com for more information and to apply.  Send questions to liveoffgroupon@groupon.com.

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Free ebook available

February 3rd, 2010 Andrea

Get your free copy of the College, Career, Life ebook.  Included in the ebook:

  • choosing a college
  • career interest areas
  • choosing the right work environment
  • interview tips
  • good job options for career changers
  • explaining a career change
  • identifying transferable skills

To request a copy, sign up on the right or fill out the contact form (be sure to include the email address where you would like the ebook sent).  Copies are in PDF format.

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Careers in Television Broadcasting and Production

February 1st, 2010 Andrea

The world of broadcasting and production may look glamorous, but behind the roles like anchoring or performing, there are many people that make things possible to be seen on the television or heard on the radio. Even if on-camera or on-air positions are the most familiar terms that are used in broadcasting, the majority of employment opportunities are behind the scenes. Although the rewards are very shinning television broadcasting and production is a very competitive industry and working hours can be very demanding. Consequently, it demands a good training and education, which you can have from a good art and design school.

These days, most degree programs in television broadcasting and production are offered at technical institutes and some art and design colleges and universities. The major benefit of completing a degree program in Radio and Television Broadcasting is that it helps you in understanding the conventions, technology and practices of the broadcast and production industry. It also helps you in understanding various subjects like video editing, radio studio techniques, digital photography and field production. Once you complete the program, you can hold a degree in Television Broadcasting and Production, that can help you make a career in different fields of television production and broadcasting, such as:

Assistant Producers – The Assistant Producer is one of the decisive job profiles that keep the engine in running mode by attending to many of the functions the Executive Producer does not have time to do. Working as an Assistant Producer, you could be the key professional providing support and background research along with assisting in the preparation of written and visual materials and time productions.

Television Broadcast Technician- As a Television Broadcast Technician your responsibilities may revolve around providing the most favorable television broadcasts to audiences by amending signal strength, and ensuring a better transition between programs and segments.  You may also operate and maintain the equipment used in television studios.

Recording Engineer – Recording Engineer is yet another important job profile. Working as a recording engineer you must be very efficient in setting, operating and maintaining the equipment that is primarily used in recording. You could be the very important person in the studio responsible for producing sound effects and finally dubbing them into tracks. Moreover, you might even be accountable for mixing different elements, like music recordings, into one track.

Television Camera Operator- Television Camera Operators are professionals that use knowledge of television conventions and cameras in order to shoot footage for news segments, documentaries and other television broadcasts.  The Television Camera Operator may also be called the Studio Operator and may work in studios or as part of the news team to capture the live footage of various events. However, it is important to note that if you are working as a Television Camera Operator, you need to have a good knowledge of not just filming but a thorough understanding of different editing techniques, specially news segments that must be aired right away.

Program Director – The Program Director is answerable for on-air programming in radio and television stations. Working as a Program Director, you may be the authorized personnel to make decisions on what type of music or program can be played and may even administer on-air personnel.

Adding to this, Broadcast News Analyst, Producer, News Director are other career possibilities. No matter what role you play, you could be the very important professional working in the production of various television shows and broadcasting, or as an employee working in advertising, sales, promotions, and marketing.

In the last few years, broadcasting has been one of the few industries in the United States that provided about 316,000 wage and salary jobs. Moreover, as per the recent studies made by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for broadcasting and production positions is also anticipated to grow at a gradual pace. Certainly, today a career in Television Broadcasting & Production is well-paid, and actually holds more respect in comparison to many other professions.

This has been a guest post by  Erik Johnson who regularly writes about Art and Design Degrees. For more information on careers in art and design browse http://www.artanddesigndegreesu.com/.


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Great Minors for a Liberal Arts Major

January 27th, 2010 Andrea

I’ve written about good career choices for liberal arts majors.  In this post I’ll write about some minors to complement a liberal arts major and why they make good choices.  Employers like well-rounded applicants, and having  a liberal arts major along with a technical or business minor will make you a more competitive candidate. Some minors to consider if you’re a liberal arts major:

Business Administration

A business minor will give you a foundation in accounting, marketing, and general management.  Whether you’re goal is to start work or to attend professional school, knowledge of the business world will be a great advantage.

Marketing

Many liberal arts majors pursue careers in marketing after college.  Having a minor in marketing can give you an advantage over the competition.

Human Resources Management

Human resources management is another common career choice for liberal arts graduates, particularly psychology majors.   Human resources management courses will teach you the business side of HR, while your psychology courses will help you understand the behavioral and emotional aspects.

Information Systems

Technical skills will be important no matter what career you choose.  Employers expect a certain degree of computer skills and an information systems or computer science minor will demonstrate that you’ve learned the basics.

Education

Although education is a common career path for liberal arts graduates, many are not prepared for the challenges of teaching.  By taking education classes, you’ll have a better idea of what to expect when you begin your teaching career.

Mass Media and Communications

A mass media and communications minor can be a great compliment for English major wishing to pursue a career in media or journalism.  See Adrienne Carlson’s guest post for career options for journalism majors.

To learn about more college majors and what jobs you can get with different majors, read the Book of Majors 2010 (College Board Book of Majors).

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Career Interests: People, Things, Facts, and Ideas

January 22nd, 2010 Andrea

One important factor to consider when deciding on a career is interests. Four main categories of career interests are people, things, facts, and ideas. Interests may be partially determined by one’s personality. For example, a very introverted person might not be interested in working with people while extroverts might prefer working with people. Most of us have at least two interest areas, one primary interest area and one secondary interest area.  Fortunately, most careers combine two or three interest areas.

People

Those with an interest in working with people have a great advantage because people-oriented jobs aren’t as vulnerable to off-shoring. In-demand careers in education and health-care involve working with others most of the day. If you enjoy working with people consider the following careers:

* physical therapist                            
* sales representative
* social worker
* psychologist
* personal financial advisor
* public relations specialist

Working with people may mean providing a service, working with a team, or trying persuade others. Motivations for wanting to work with people vary from person to person, and will affect the type of people-oriented job one chooses.

Things

Those interested in working outdoors or working with plants, animals, tools, and materials have an interest in working with objects. Jobs that involve sitting at a desk all day or working with abstract ideas would not be fulfilling for people with an interest in things. Hands-on work provides the most satisfaction for these individuals. Examples of jobs that primarily involve working with things:

* electrician
* truck driver
* welder
* computer repairer
* mechanic

Skilled trades are particularly good choices for those who prefer realistic work. Electricians, plumbers, and carpenters don’t have to worry about their work being off-shored and they can earn a very good income depending on skill level and location.

Facts

In most careers that involve working with facts, information is analyzed and used to develop new ideas or to make recommendations. These careers may also entail recording facts and checking the accuracy of information. A few careers for those who are interested in working with facts:

* accountant
* paralegal
* statistician
* chemist
* technical writer

Working with facts often requires the development of ideas based on the facts, but a few careers allow for working only with facts while others develop ideas based on the given information.

Ideas

Artistic careers are popular choices among those who are interested in ideas. However, artistic jobs aren’t the only occupations that involve working with ideas. Teachers must develop creative lesson plan ideas to keep students interested, and managers have think of new ideas that will solve problems that develop in the workplace. Some jobs that allow you to try out your ideas:

* photographer
* creative director
* interior designer
* software engineer
* graphic designer

With increased technology and globalization, ideas are becoming more important because ideas can help distinguish an individual from his or her competitors.

Recommended Books:

50 Best Jobs for Your Personality
What Color Is Your Parachute? 2010: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers

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Remington College Online Accounting Degree Program

January 20th, 2010 Andrea

The following is a promotional post for Remington College Online.

Today’s most in-demand, well-paying jobs require a college education.  But if you work full-time or don’t live near a college campus, a college degree may seem out of reach. Fortunately, there are reputable online schools that can provide you with the skills you need to advance in your career.

The online accounting degree program at Remington College will prepare you for a career in banking, international accounting, taxation, and many other business fields.  The accounting program at Remington College includes courses in leadership, business ethics, marketing, entrepreneurship, principles of taxation, managerial accounting, cost accounting, and advanced accounting.  In as little as 36 months, you can complete your degree and be qualified for a career in a variety of business specialties.

Remington College Online offers accessibility, flexibility and support for non-traditional students.  Your courses, including lectures,  will be available 24/7 through the Moodle user platform.  You’ll be able to communicate with your instructors and other students through a discussion forum and user community links.

As an online student at Remington College, you’ll also be able to choose ebooks over paper-based textbooks for some of your courses.  Using the eBrary learning resource, you can create a personal bookshelf and add research tools.  The InfoTrac learning resource will give you access to an article database of over 75 million articles from a variety of publications. You can highlight, bookmark, and download the articles whenever you need them.

If you want to try out online learning before making a full commitment, Remington College Online offers a free orientation session where you can familiarize yourself with the online learning environment.  Your orientation will include a welcome session, policies and procedures, a section on research and writing, strategies for success, and information on getting help.

For more information about the online accounting degree program at Remington College, visit the Remington College website to request more information or to talk to an admissions representative.

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Meet Sara Lopez, New Media Star

January 14th, 2010 Andrea

Do you love social media? If so, Sara Lopez may have your dream job. I asked Sara some questions about her job as 8th Continent Soymilk’s new media spokesperson.

How did you get your job as a new media spokesperson?

My passion with social media and online marketing started when I was hosting and organizing art/ poetry events around town and I had to utilize the internet to increase attendance. From there, I knew that was what I wanted to do.

In my senior year of college I interned at an amazing marketing firm in Toledo, Ohio. After interning, I was an Account Coordinator and also was a Business Development Associate, but that never really allowed me to fully invest myself in my passion. One day I got a call from the CEO of the marketing firm that I had interned at and he said he had the perfect job for me- a social media job where I would be the brand ambassador for 8th Continent Soymilk. Being a vegetarian and lactose intolerant, I knew 8th Continent Soymilk because it was, and still is, my favorite soymilk. I made a 7-minute video that had everything from me speaking Spanish to dancing on desks, to one of my favorite Rock n’ Roll songs. The tattoos, the red faux-hawk, everything that would normally make a corporation hesitant to commit to me were the same things that made the people at 8th Continent fall in love with me. I was chosen out of about 11 different submissions and from there I used my online skills, my video editing experience and my ridiculously outgoing personality to become successful at my job.

What are your primary responsibilities?

My primary responsibility is to listen to and engage with soy fans.  I also raise awareness about the benefits of soymilk and in particular, 8th Continent soymilk. The social interaction aspect of my job has got to be one of the most important attributes. Marketing and social media is now a two-way communication experience. If one of my readers/ friends online, tell me that they have feedback or that they want to try 8th Continent for the first time, I send them a special link for a coupon.  I also  have the ability to take their feedback and share it directly with the people at 8th Continent so they can get their voice heard.

Which social media outlets do you use?

I try to use the inclusive social media networks as opposed to the exclusive ones. I have a fan page on Facebook, a Twitter account, an account on Brightkite, Youtube, Flickr, Foursquare, Gowalla, Whrrl, Dailybooth. Pretty much if you name it, I am probably on it at least once a day.

What do you enjoy most about the job?

The relationships I have built online.  I have always been the person that loves to meet new people and experience new things. And, through this job I have been able to meet all types of personalities from all over the US. Although it is my job to promote online, I still build a very tight-knit relationship with the other people I interact with. For example, I was on a three-month road trip that was called the 8th Continent Soymilk Taste of Life Tour.  I went around to the coolest events and places in the US – like Burning Man and The House On the Rock. In the middle of my road trip my fiancé and I split up. You can imagine how devastating this can be alone and in the middle of a three-month trip. My online friends really helped me through that time in my life with “You deserve better”s and “His loss”s .  Since I developed these relationships online we have helped each other through heartache and congratulate each other on accomplishments. We have truly become friends.

Are there any downsides to the position?

Sometimes I get calluses from typing so much, which is something lotion can tackle. Besides that, I am hard-pressed to pinpoint any downsides. Of course there are always the average challenges of finding enough time in the day to accomplish all that you would want to get done. But when you love your job, filling your hours with work feels more like fun activities instead of “work”.

What personality traits make a successful social media spokesperson?

The biggest thing I have learned from working as a social media spokesperson is that you just can’t take yourself too seriously. You really do have to have a sense of humor about things because you are not writing for a newspaper nor are you a journalist. You have been hired as a spokesperson to endorse a brand because of your personality and your belief in the product.

Any advice for aspiring new media stars?

You must be true to yourself. Do not present yourself as anyone except for the true you because you are linking your name to a personality the entire world could potentially witness. Also, I cannot stress the importance of networking! A “re-tweet” from the right person could open an entire new world of audiences.

Online Profile Links:

http://twitter.com/8thlopez

http://facebook.com/8clopez

http://brightkite.com/people/Lopez

Blog:

http://8cpassport.com

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The Best Online Career Tests

January 9th, 2010 Andrea

You can find plenty of career tests online, some more accurate than others. The best career tests are written by psychologists and take more than one factor into account. Generally, you’ll have to pay for the better career tests. And although a test may be accurate for some, it may not be for you. Therefore, you should take several career tests and look for a pattern among the results.  Below, I’ve compiled a list of online career tests that I have found to be most accurate.

MyPlan

MyPlan.com has four separate career tests available (personality, interests, values, and skills). The values assessment is free, while the other tests cost 7.95-$9.95 each. You can purchase a complete test package for $19.95. I found the values test to be most accurate and the skills assessment to be the least accurate. You can view the results for each test separately or the composite report.   Unlike many other online career tests, you can take the assessments as many times as you like once you are licensed. The MyPlan website also has career and college profiles, salary information, and many other resources.

MAPP Assessment

When taking the MAPP assessment, you will choose your most and least preferred activities from a group of three. After completing the 71-question assessment, you can match a list of 900 O*NET careers with your results for free. In order to view a list of your top career areas, you’ll need to purchase a package. Packages range from $19.95 for a narrative special to $129.95 for an executive package. I found the results to be quite accurate. The narrative report contained a very accurate interpretation of results that explained my motivations, interests, and temperament.

LiveCareer

Like many other career tests, the LiveCareer test requires you to choose the most and least desirable activities from among a group of three. The test consists of 100 questions and you can view a 15-page report for free. The report includes occupational interest scores and work styles. It also includes your top career areas based on Holland’s theory. You can purchase a premium report for $24.95 or a deluxe report for $39.95.

The Career Key

The Career Key test is written by Dr. Lawrence Jones and is based on John Holland’s theory of career choice. According to Holland’s theory, there are six types of work environments: realistic, artistic, investigative, social, conventional, and enterprising. By choosing the work environment that best suits your personality, you will increase your chances of career satisfaction and success. The Career Key test determines which environment is best for you. The online test costs $9.95 and you must pay before you can take the test.

Using Your Career Test Results

After taking several career tests, you should be able to identify two or three career areas that would be best for you. Conducting informational interviews and researching employment projections may help you narrow your options down.  Don’t feel pressured to find one perfect career. There are probably several careers that would suit your personality, interests, skills and values.

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Healthcare Careers for Introverts

January 4th, 2010 Andrea

Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, you can find a career in healthcare that suits your personality.  Healthcare is a growing field with greater job security than most industries.  A few healthcare careers for introverts to consider:

Clinical Laboratory Technologist

Medical and clinical laboratory technologists perform tests to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. They analyze samples of body fluids, maintain lab equipment, and help conduct medical research. Half of laboratory technologists have a bachelor’s degree or higher, while 37 percent have some college. The median wage for medical and clinical lab technologists in 2008 was $53,500.*

Medical Records and Health Information Technicians

Medical records and health information technicians process, organize, and maintain records of hospital or clinic patients.  They also review records for accuracy, prepare business or government forms, and transcribe medical reports.  Twelve percent of medical records and health information technicians have a bachelor’s degree or higher, 51 percent have some college, and 37 percent have a high school education or less. The median annual wage for medical records technicians in 2008 was $30,610.

Pharmacist
Pharmacists compound and dispense medications.  They also advise customers on medication dosage, drug interactions, and side effects.  Pharmacy is a good field for introverts because most interaction is one-on-one with customers and patients.  Pharmacists in the United States must now have a doctorate of Pharmacy (PharmD).  The median annual wage for pharmacists was $106,410 in 2008.

Nutritionist

Nutritionists and dietitians develop meal plans based on specific nutritional needs of patients or clients.  They often work with patients that have medical conditions requiring special diets.   The median annual wage for nutritionists and dietitians in 2008 was $50,590.  To see the requirements for becoming a registered dietitian, visit the Becoming an RD page at eatright.org.

Introverts shouldn’t feel limited to working alone.  One-on-one interaction fulfills an introvert’s social needs without draining his or her energy.  Introverts can even enjoy working with many different people throughout the day if they have down-time before or after work.   Introversion is only one component of personality, and personality is just one of many factors to consider when choosing a career.

*Salary and education information from O*NET

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