College, Career, Life » academic

5 Tips for Long-Distance Learning

collegecareerlife — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 10:38:44 +0000

Education is the most solid investment one can make – the one thing no one can take away from you. Academic education helps keep graduates on par with the social and cultural demands of the world, and, most of all, offers them the opportunity to succeed on their chosen career paths.

Census data shows that in 1980, only 32% of US adults under 25 had earned a degree or completed any college coursework. By 2000, this number had jumped to 52%. Economic growth, outsourcing of manufacturing labor to cheaper countries, and tremendous growth in the services sector has helped lead to these figures. Obviously, without a degree of some kind, it’s become pressingly harder to advance or land a better job. What about people who can’t afford to go to college, due to economic or social reasons? When you’ve got a 9 to 5 job and household responsibilities, it’s easy to become entraped between two worlds.

For individuals in this situation long distance education can be an excellent opportunity, as it offers the perfect balance. The main advantage of distance learning is flexibility – you make your own study hours, you can choose your own customized programs, and it’s generally much cheaper than the campus experience.

There are some downfalls to it, as well. You will probably never meet your teachers or classmates in person. You don’t have a campus full of people studying the same thing. Some of these might be difficult for you, especially if you’re not a very well organized person. Like all things, however, personal management skills and education can be attained. These five simple tips will help you on your way to succeeding in earning a long distance degree.

Set goals. Any GTD (getting things done) program has this at its centerpiece. Goal setting is the first step in managing any kind of endevour. Check your curriculum, read your courses requirements, break them into tiny chumps and set goals.

Plan a schedule. Work out what time of the day is best for studying; some people prefer after lunch, some after breakfast, others late in the night after work. It’s important to keep a fresh and open mind while studying. On par with your earlier set goals, determine how much time you need to allocate for a given subject, put it a timeline and hold to it. PRO TIP: write your schedule on one or multiple sheets of papers and post them somewhere your study room where you can always see it.

Find your pace. Conventional campus universities take years to complete, and there’s a reason for this. Information needs to be absorbed, and as such a long time needs to be allocated on your part. Skimming through all your courses in one long run won’t help you at all. It helps to consider that your program is not only offering you a certificate, but also useful information which is helpful to assimilate, not memorize, and which will aid you in the future.

Ask for help. You’re not in campus, and you don’t have any colleagues. Like I said earlier, it might be stressful and tedious to study all by yourself. With this in mind, those of you who aren’t that good at studying by yourselves might want to consider asking for help. Talk about the long distance program you just enrolled into with your friends or co-workers. They might have the skills or know someone who has them to help you out with your projects, homework or studying.

Join a study-group. Better yet, why not ask the help of like minded people who are already into the field you are studying. If you’re studying finance, you can always join your local finance group and seek advice there.

Obtaining a long distance degree requires discipline, focus, and motivation. Using the tips above, one can achieve academic and career success.

Tibi Puiu is a professional blogger and an advocate of cheap degrees. He believes education should be accessible to anyone willing to grasp it, no matter of his financial status.

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Seek Learning Offers Variety of Online Learning Options

collegecareerlife — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 10:54:11 +0000

The global economy combined with rapidly changing technologies require workers to constantly update their skills in order to remain competitive. Online courses offer convenient and flexible options for professionals looking to obtain additional education and training.

TAFE Courses

Whether you have a degree or not, certification serves as proof of your expertise in a specific area. A certificate or diploma can give you an edge over other candidates in the job search or increase your chances of promotion at your current job. TAFE Courses offer convenient diploma and certification programs for a variety of fields, including:

Accounting - Accountants work in government, healthcare, non-profit, and a variety of other industries. A certificate in Financial Services III (Accounts Clerical) or Financial Services IV (Accounting) will give you the educational foundation necessary to succeed in a high-demand field. Diploma and advanced diploma options are also available.

Design and Digital Media - A certificate or diploma in commercial arts will qualify you for jobs such as illustrator, graphic designer, animator, and art director. Concentrations offered include graphic design and desktop publishing; graphic design and advertising; photoimaging; electronic design and interactive media; and interior decoration

Health and Community Services - An aging population means increased demand for health care workers. If you’d like a secure job that allows you to directly help others, consider a certificate or diploma in health care services. Aged care, mental health, case management and occupational health/safety are some areas of concentration available.

Project Management - The field of information technology is growing rapidly and skilled workers are in high demand. A Diploma of Information Technology (Project Management) will provide you with the skills required for project management positions in information technology.

Other TAFE course areas include Natural Therapies; Education and Childcare; HR & Recruitment; Marketing and Media; Banking and Finance; Psychology and Counseling; Travel and Tourism; Sports and Fitness; Real Estate; Government and Legal; Building and Construction; and Management. With so many options, you can definitely find a course to suit your interest and career goals.

With an online education, you can gain skills and knowledge necessary to remain competitive in the workforce without the inconveniences of a traditional college or university. Before starting an online course, be sure to do your research. Talk to a school representative about your options, inquire about accreditation, and research financial aid availability.

This post was sponsored by Seek Learning of Australia.

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Post tags: education, online, skills

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Grad School or a Job – Which Should You Choose?

collegecareerlife — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:00:56 +0000

This guest post is by Debbie Owen, who writes on the topic of online doctorate degree programs.

Some people go to college because they’re expected to do so; for most others however, it’s their chosen path to the career they’re seeking. They hope to secure a job at the end of four years, one that pays well and allows them to lead a comfortable life. Yet others know that academia is an integral part of their lives and so they stay in school to complete a doctorate. However, there are some people who are torn between entering the job market soon after graduation and choosing to pursue their graduate studies. For them, the decision is not cut and dried because of various factors.

Some put off going to grad school because money is a problem; they already have a student loan hanging over their head and are not keen on borrowing more money in order to finance their master’s degree. If you belong to this category, you would probably have to find a job that allows you to pay off your loan and put off your grad school dream for a few years, unless you’re able to secure a scholarship.

Some choose to go to grad school because they know that their additional qualifications could help them find a job that pays better and is more suited to their temperament and skills. They don’t worry about the expense because they know money will not be a problem once they graduate, or because they work part-time to finance their education.

Some choose to switch majors when they go to grad school because they feel this field holds more opportunities – it’s not unheard of for people to finish college and then want to enter the fields of medicine or law because they’ve suddenly discovered a passion for it. They’re willing to do everything it takes to qualify for admission to the schools that offer these degrees, from studying hard to taking pre-requisite courses and exams.

So if you have the means to pay for tuition and if you’re sure that you want to go to grad school because you feel it will help your career, or because you want to stay on in academia and pursue a career in research, it’s best you find a school that offers the degree of your choice and seek admission. However, if you’re staying in school simply because you want to put off finding a job or because you don’t want to accept the responsibility that comes with no longer being a college student, you’re just hiding from reality and postponing the inevitable.

Also, it’s not too wise to rack up student loan debt just to pursue a graduate degree. You could find a job, save up some money, and then decide to go back to grad school. Alternatively, you could check out online options that allow you to continue to work even as you earn a degree.

Grad school or a job, the decision depends on your financial worth and your goal in life – choose wisely so that you have no regrets.

This guest post is contributed by Debbie Owen, who writes on the topic of online doctorate degree programs. She welcomes your comments at her email id: debbieowen83@gmail.com.

© Andrea for College, Career, Life, 2010. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
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Should Colleges Require Career Planning Classes?

collegecareerlife — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 11:21:13 +0000

With the rising cost of tuition, getting the most out of your college eduction is more important than ever. Despite the increased importance of career planning, many college students graduate without ever visiting the campus career center. One way for colleges to prepare students for the “real world” would be to require a career class as part of the core curriculum.

If colleges require all students to take other courses, why not career planning? My college required a “university studies” course, which covered the history of higher education and of the university. It felt like a complete waste of time and is no longer required. I think a career planning course would have been more useful to me and to the other students.

A career planning course could be offered online or in summer, and could meet once per week (instead of twice or three times like a typical college course). Not only could students learn how to choose a career to suit their personalities, but they could also develop their interview and resume preparation skills.

Most colleges offer career-related courses, but students might not be aware of them or may not think career planning is important. A required class would not only force students to think about their career plans, but it might also expose them to some new career ideas they had never considered.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

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Career Planning: How to Get Where You Want to Be

collegecareerlife — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 01:01:11 +0000

The following post is by Kate Cunningham, who writes about online university rankings.

It’s no secret that the best way to get something done is to plan for it. The same goes for your career. Not as daunting as is sounds, career planning is simply mapping out the necessary steps you need to take to obtain the position you desire. Dream jobs are rarely handed out and are usually only secured through hard work and determination. To get where you want to be and land the job title you most covet, it never hurts to begin planning.

Choose your destination.

You can’t plan for something if you don’t know what it is. Whether you decided what you wanted to be at the age of five or are just starting to figure it out, you should take some time to figure out what your ideal job looks like. Career planning is not something that should be thought about after you have been handed a diploma. If you have chosen a major, you have already begun to plan your career. Earning the right degree can be the minimum requirement that qualifies you for that dream job, and your educational background is the foundation you will begin to build your career on. Explore all the possible career opportunities that are in your reach with a particular degree, and think about the destination you want your career to lead to.

Get directions.

While there is a set path that leads to some jobs, there may be several different paths that lead to others. One of the best ways to figure out what path leads to your ideal occupation, is simply to ask for directions. Informational interviews are typically the most informative and helpful way to do this. These types of interviews give those who are looking for direction and insight in their careers the chance to obtain occupational information from a professional who has been there. Look up people who hold a job title that you hope to eventually possess, and contact them about setting up a time where you can meet with them. Be sure to come to the meeting prepared to ask questions about their work and educational history and find out what type of experience led them to their current position. While following a particular path is not a guarantee of a particular job, after talking to some people who have been there you may have a better idea of what kind of career goals you need to set to get you where you want to be.

Climb the ladder.

Chances are, your dream job isn’t exactly one at entry-level. If someday you really want to have that particular job title, you are not only going to have to work for it, but also progress towards it. If there is an ideal job you are determined to one day work in, you should never spend more than two years in any related position along the way. Learn all you can in each job you hold, but move on once you have. This doesn’t mean jumping from job to job; after all, no one wants to hire a quitter. Go to jobs that will advance your career. By doing this, you will become more and more qualified and eventually just might move up to your dream job.

By-line:

This guest post is contributed by Kate Cunningham, who writes on the topics of online university rankings. She welcomes your questions and comments at her email Id: cn.kate1 @ gmail.com.

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Five Mental Barriers to Speedreading

collegecareerlife — Mon, 24 May 2010 11:52:09 +0000

This is a guest post by Stefan Knapen from StudySuccessful.com.

I am a speedreader. Having the ability to speedread triggers a lot of people to ask the question: ‘Can you really do that?’ Yes I can. And it is not that hard to learn. But before you are going to learn it, you first have to have a couple of mental barriers out of the way.

It takes a lot of time
No it doesn’t. All it takes to learn speedreading is 2 hours, one week. And than you only have to read a simple book you would’ve read anyway. The speedreading-training takes half an hour and you have to do this a couple of times during the week. And you have to practise with one book. So grab an easy-to-read book and speedread it.

It is really expensive
No it isn’t. First I also thought you had to take a special course to learn how to speedread. But you don’t have to. There is a good (and free) training on Tim Ferriss’ blog and you only need to read a couple of other tips on speedreading at other blogs, all for free!

It doesn’t work
Everybody who is exercising speedreading won’t agree with you. They still know what they are reading, they are only reading a lot faster!

You don’t learn anything when you are speedreading
You might skip something every once in a while (but you do this normally also), but you can always read something twice! Repetition is the mother of wisdom. And with speedreading, you are still saving time.

It looks funny
Alright, I have to give you this one, it definitly does!

Overcome these mental barriers and learn speedreading right now. Worth your little time-investment right now? Definitly.

This post is written by Stefan Knapen from StudySuccessful.com. Stefan has written an ultimate guide on speedreading, explaining every bit of it.

© Andrea for College, Career, Life, 2010. | Permalink | 7 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: guest post, speadreading, success, tips

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How to Make the Most of Your College Education

collegecareerlife — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 13:00:57 +0000

The following is a guest post by Anna Miller, who writes for OnlineDegree.net.

Some people choose colleges with care; others are not so lucky and end up having to go with the college that chooses to accept them. But no matter which of the two categories you belong to, it’s up to you to make the most of your college education, and you can do this by:

Knowing what you want to do after you graduate and working towards it: When you know exactly what you want to do after you graduate, it’s easier to achieve it because you tend to focus all your energies on the task. So if you want to become a doctor, you know that you need to work on your grades and keep them high so that a qualified med school will accept you. If you want to enter the job scene after four years, you need to look for internship opportunities in various organizations so that you can see what kind of job setting you’re interested in and apply for positions accordingly. And if you want to go on to grad school because you’re still not ready to leave the academic scene, you need to work on getting into a good school with an equally good program in the discipline of your choice. When you focus on your goal right from the start, it becomes easy to work towards and achieve it.

Working on your grades from your freshman year: They may not determine who you really are, but your grades do matter one hell of a lot when you’re in college and looking to use your degree to reach the next stage of your life. Whether it’s going on to grad school or looking for a job, your grades are going to come into play in a big way. And the best way to keep your grades high is to work on them right from your first year of college. If you score low grades in your first two years and then look to make them up in the next two so that your GPA improves, it’s going to be an uphill climb. You need to also ensure that you don’t let slip your hold on the good grades you earn each year in the following years, either through complacency or laziness.

Not doing anything stupid to jeopardize your future: It’s not really fair, but it’s true that while it takes a whole lot of effort to make a success of your college life, it only takes one instance of foolishness to throw it all away. So watch out for drunken binges or other forms of inappropriate behavior that could compromise your entire future and leave you with regrets for the rest of your life.

College is the foundation on which you build the rest of your life; it’s only as strong as the degree you choose, the school you choose to earn it in, and most importantly, the way you go about earning it.

This guest post was contributed by Anna Miller, who writes on the topic of online degrees . She welcomes your comments at her email id: anna.miller009@gmail.com

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Post tags: advice, college, education, guest post, success

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Questions to Ask When Choosing a College

collegecareerlife — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 12:53:14 +0000

College is expensive, and tuition keeps rising each year. In order to get the most for your money, you need to choose a college or graduate program that provides sufficient career preparation and support for students. When considering a college or graduate program, assess both the campus career center and the specific department or school of your intended major (if you have one). Some important questions to ask when visiting college campuses:

Questions to ask at the Career Center:

How many licensed career counselors are on staff?
Do you offer help with interviewing and resume preparation?
What does the career center do to help students find a job after graduation?
Do you keep track of job placement statistics? How many students have a job upon graduation?
What other career planning and job placement services do you offer students?

Questions to ask Specific Schools or Departments:

What do you do to prepare graduates for a career in (your chosen field)?
What is the acceptance rate to professional/graduate school for graduates of this program?
What is the pass rate on the (professional/licensing exam)?
Do you help students find internships? At what companies do students intern?
What research opportunities are available to students?
How many graduate assistantship positions are available? How many students that want assistantships get them?

All of these questions may not apply to you, depending on your intended major and whether you’re a graduate student or undergraduate. College rankings can be very helpful but they might not tell the whole story. Representatives will say all good things because they want your tuition money, so you need to be prepared with specific questions.

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Sites to Help You Choose a College or Grad Program

collegecareerlife — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 11:52:43 +0000

Choosing a college or graduate program involves consideration of many factors, including tuition and program rankings. If you want free information about thousands of colleges and graduate schools, try the following sites.

US News Rankings

Each year, US News ranks colleges and graduate programs. In addition to U.S. schools, the site also ranks the world’s best universities. You can find rankings by location or subject area. Although basic rankings are free, you’ll need to purchase a premium online edition for $14.95 to access detailed admissions and cost information about the graduate programs.

Princeton Review

Explore colleges and majors, prepare for standardized tests, and find scholarships at PrincetonReview.com. The Best Fit School Search suggests the best schools based on your qualifications and preferences. Princeton Review also offers a number of interesting rankings from student surveys.

College Prowler

Register at collegeprowler.com to search for matching scholarships, calculate the real cost of your education, and find schools that match your criteria. The site has thousands of student reviews and editorials, including what students say are the best and worst things about their schools.

Students Review

With around 70,000 reviews, StudentsReview.com is the place to find out what students really think about their colleges. There area also alumni reviewed majors, tips for getting in, and dynamic rankings.

My Plan

My Plan provides college statistics, including most popular majors and graduation rates. Use the query feature to search for colleges by student body, location, resources, cost, campus setting, majors and admissions. Colleges are ranked by overall satisfaction, prestige, school resources, and several other factors.

College Stats

Visit Collegestats.org to find colleges that match your criteria. You can view colleges with the lowest tuition costs, the largest colleges, and much more.

For both objective information and more subjective ratings, these websites can help you narrow down your college or graduate school choices. In an upcoming post, I’ll list specific questions to ask when choosing a college or graduate program.

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Post tags: college, rankings, websites

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10 Sites for Better Studying

collegecareerlife — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 12:35:44 +0000

Good news for Internet addicts: browsing the web can help raise your GPA! Make the most of your time online by frequenting sites that offer lectures, notes, tutorials, and study strategies. Ten of my favorite online study resources:

Study Guides and Strategies

Since 1996, Studygs.net has provided study strategies and resources to help students achieve success. You’ll find guides to time management, problem solving, decision making, memorizing, online learning, test taking, writing, math, science, and many more subjects. Site content is available in a number of different languages.

LectureFox

LectureFox offers free lectures from colleges including Princeton, Yale, and MIT. Topics include politics, biology, physics, history, and music. Lecture materials include audio, video, and/or notes.

Flash Card Exchange

Create, study, share, and print flashcards at FlashCardExchange.com. You can also study flashcards created by other users, save your favorite sets, and export flashcards.

How To Study

Articles on How-to-Study.com are written by Dr. Charles Mangrum and Dr. Stephen Strichart and cover a variety of topics. You’ll find advice on choosing a college, note taking, giving presentations, and much more .

Cramster

Cramster is an online study community where students can view lecture notes, work practice problems, and take practice tests.

Study Successful

Written by medical student Stefan Knapen, StudySuccessful.com offers innovative tips for note taking, personal development, productivity, and time management.

Koofers

A schedule maker, access to class notes and old exams, flash card creation and professor ratings are some of the features available to members at Koofers.com. The site has over 2000 universities and is free to join. Instructors can also join and share course materials.

Study Hacks

Study Hacks is a blog by Cal Newport, author of two books about academic success. The blog covers time management, stress reduction, organization, test taking, paper writing and many other topics.

HippoCampus

A project of the Monetary Institute of Technology and Education (MITE), Hippocampus provides free multimedia resources for high school and college students. Subjects covered include statistics, calculus, environmental science, and psychology.

CliffsNotes

Although most popular for their literature guides, Cliffs Notes are available for every subject area. In addition to subject study guides, CliffsNotes.com contains test preparation guides and college resources.

Bookmark some (or all) of these websites and stop feeling guilty about your time online.

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Post tags: academic, research, resources, studying, tips

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Top Ten Most Flexible Degree Choices

collegecareerlife — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:42:18 +0000

The following guest post was contributed by Christine Howell who frequently writes about Accredited Online Degrees and college related topics for Online College Guru, an online college directory and comparison website.

Recent economic conditions have reinforced the importance of flexibility in the employment marketplace. Selecting a degree program that allows a wide range of employment opportunities is essential for new and returning students in order to maximize their chances of obtaining employment quickly. Here are the ten best options for students seeking to ensure their employability in the highly-competitive job market of today.

Business administration

This degree opens doors throughout the corporate world. Whether the emphasis is on accounting, finance, marketing, or management, a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business administration is the starting point for a wide range of careers that are always in demand. For those interested in working in the field of business, this is the most versatile degree to achieve that goal.

Engineering

For technically-minded students, engineering degrees offer a wide range of employment options. Architecture, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medicine, environmental science and many other fields of endeavor require the scientific background an engineering degree can afford.

Computer science

Computer science is closely related to the engineering field. Although many feel this degree has lost its luster in recent years, it still provides a large number of career choices to those holding a Bachelor of Science degree. Computer science graduates go on to serve as systems administrators, software engineers, network specialists, and in many other positions and career paths.

Mathematics

Considered the most practical and useful of all general science degrees, a strong mathematics background prepares one for jobs in actuarial science, business, education, and even law enforcement. The analytical skills derived from a four-year program in mathematics can be applied to nearly every field of endeavor.

English and other languages

Often unjustly maligned, a degree in English can provide opportunities for employment in a number of lucrative positions, including editing, journalism, public relations and advertising, and commercial writing. Expertise in foreign languages can allow students to obtain jobs in the government and public service field, as well as a number of educational and administrative opportunities only available to those who speak and write a second language.

Education

This may not seem a versatile selection at first; however, the variety of different disciplines covered under this one degree is immense. For any field of endeavor, there is a degreed professional to teach it; this makes education perhaps the most flexible of all degree programs.

Political science

For those interested in public service, a political science major offers the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue elected, appointed, or agency-level career paths. Political science degrees prepare students for jobs in government, law, budget planning, university administration, and many other fields that require a detailed knowledge of the inner workings of societal structures.

Psychology

Marketing, advertising, public relations, health care, and education careers are among the career options available to psychology majors. While advanced positions require advanced degrees, the knowledge of human nature and behavior allows students to step into a wide range of jobs with a reasonable certainty of success.

Graphic design

Artistically-minded students will find ample career opportunities after graduating with a graphic design degree. Most jobs are found in the advertising and commercial fields, but talented graphic designers can find work as animators, product design specialists, creative directors, and webpage designers.

Economics

An alternative to the business administration degree, economics degrees offer a different range of job opportunities. Many economists are employed by large corporations or government agencies; others work in the area of finance, statistics, or as legislative assistants to elected officials. In any field where financial predictions are useful and necessary, economists find themselves in high demand. An economics degree is also the perfect prerequisite to an advanced business law degree.

These ten degree programs will increase the chances for students to find work quickly in their chosen field after graduation. Opportunities are varied and plentiful in these fields and, while some are more lucrative than others, all offer the chance to excel in one’s chosen field of endeavor.

© Andrea for College, Career, Life, 2009. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: academic, college, degree, education, employment, majors

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When and How to Choose a Major

collegecareerlife — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:35:43 +0000

Choosing a college major is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make. Although many people don’t work in a field related to their college majors, your major can determine what careers you’ll be qualified for after college.

When to choose a major.

Some colleges force students to choose a major at some point, often sophomore year. If you aren’t sure about what major is best, don’t feel pressured to pick a major the first or even the second semester of college. When I entered college, I didn’t even realize that you could be undeclared. I went from the wrong major first semester to another wrong major second semester. Due to this impatience (and lack of knowledge), I graduated with a degree that wasn’t right for me. To meet the requirements for most degrees, you’ll need to choose a major by your sophomore year if you want to graduate in four years. If you wait until junior year to choose a major, summer or intersession courses can help you catch up.

How to choose a major.

The best way to choose a major is to choose a career. Maximize your time and money by choosing a major that prepares you for a great career. Take career tests, talk to college career counselors, and interview the people in careers you are considering. Be aware that a technical degree will probably allow you to find a job more easily and offers more income potential, but a liberal arts degree isn’t completely useless. There are career options for those with liberal arts degrees. Increase your chances of getting a job with your liberal arts degree by choosing a more practical minor.

Choice of major is not given a lot of thought by many students, which leads to difficulty during and after college. Take your time choosing a major and don’t allow someone else to make the choice for you. This is a decision that will affect you the most and one that only you can make.

Some resources to help you choose a major:

Guide to College Majors, 2010 Edition (College Admissions Guides)

Book of Majors 2010 (College Board Book of Majors)

Choose Your Major – Marquette University

College Major Quiz – About.com

MyMajors.com

© Andrea for College, Career, Life, 2009. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: career choice, career planning, college, majors

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Accelerated Learning a Great Option for Adult Students

collegecareerlife — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 21:09:00 +0000

This is a paid promotional post for Centenary College.

Do you have college credits, but never finished your degree? Are you afraid you won’t have time to attend classes while working full-time? If so, you should consider accelerated learning programs. Accelerated degree programs are especially helpful for those who have finished the core requirements, but haven’t completed their degrees. A few benefits of accelerated degree programs include:

Experiential learning. Courses in accelerated programs focus on real-world skills that adult students need. Discussions and projects emphasize practical problems and solutions. Assignments are designed to show your expertise, not to keep you busy.

Focus on non-traditional students. Because accelerated programs are designed specifically for working adults, your classmates and instructors will understand that you have responsibilities outside of school. Classes typically meet just one night a week and are offered in an ordered sequence.

Small classes. A more intimate class setting allows for better communication between instructors and students. In large classes, students don’t get to know their classmates and may not have the opportunity to ask questions or participate in class discussions.

Convenient locations. Most colleges offering accelerated programs have branch campuses specifically for adult students. Where main campuses offer mostly daytime classes, branch campuses offer night classes for working students. You may also be able to take some courses online.

Centenary College is certified by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) as an accelerated degree provider. Centenary’s accelerated learning program provides students with immediate access to professors and instructors, and has convenient locations throughout New Jersey. It offers the following accelerated degree programs: an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts with a Business Emphasis, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA), and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

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Advantages of an Online Degree

collegecareerlife — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:12:54 +0000

This is a paid promotional post for Bryan College Online.

Online degrees are increasing in popularity because they offer many benefits, particularly for non-traditional students. I’ve taken several online courses and learned as much, if not more so, than in my traditional classes. What are some major advantages to an online education?

Flexibility is the probably greatest advantage to online degree programs. Online classes are particularly beneficial for students who need to work full-time while obtaining a degree. You can work anywhere at any time and you can learn at your own pace. Motivation is key, and those who are self-disciplined usually excel in online classes.

Another advantage of an online education is relevance. With an online degree, you learn what you need to know for your chosen career, not irrelevant information. In addition, many online colleges are focused on providing technical skills rather than just a liberal arts education because they recognize that most students are seeking degrees for the purpose of better career prospects.

Efficiency is also a benefit to learning online. If you’re well-organized and a fast learner, an online degree program can save you a lot of time. Professors often get off-topic during lectures, which can be especially frustrating if you have responsibilities outside of school. You also don’t have to spend time commuting to and from campus when you attend classes online.

If you are considering getting a degree online, there are some things you should look for when evaluating a college. The school’s website should have information about accreditation, which is usually found on the About Us page. You should also talk to a representative about financial aid that will be available should you choose to attend. Read the degree requirements carefully, because some practicum will be required for certain degree programs. Finally, be sure that any credits from courses taken at other institutions will transfer.

Bryan College is a great example of an accredited online college. It has been offering career-focused training since 1982. Bryan College Online offers an Associate of Applied Science in Business degree with an emphasis in Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing, or Travel Agency Operations. A diploma in Medical Office Coding and Billing is also offered. Visit http://bryancollegeonline.edu/ to find out if an online education is right for you and to take a free online class.

© Andrea for College, Career, Life, 2009. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: academic, college, degree, education

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Helpful Links for College Students

collegecareerlife — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 22:26:57 +0000

OnlineClasses.com has a list of 100 tips and tools to help you choose a major and a list of the 100 best blogs for career-minded students.

Lifehack.org offers advice for college freshman.

CollegeRuled is an online organizer and planner for college students only (.edu email address required).

LectureFox has free university lectures on a variety of topics.

The Student Loan Advisor from FinAid.org calculates the maximum amount you should borrow based on the degree you’re seeking.

The Career Project contains detailed occupation profiles with information about salary, work environment, and job satisfaction.

© Andrea for College, Career, Life, 2009. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: academic, career, links, majors

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Spying 101: Will Colleges Start Offering Intelligence Officer Training Programs?

collegecareerlife — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:20:56 +0000

According to The Washington Post, as part of the 2010 intelligence authorization bill, the Obama administration has proposed that colleges and universities begin intelligence officer training programs that would prepare “first- and second-generation Americans, who already have critical language and cultural knowledge” for government careers.

The proposal sent to Congress by Director of National Intelligence Dennis C. Blair calls for colleges and universities to apply for federal funding that would be used to create or enhance courses in foreign languages, science, analysis, and other fields that would be helpful in intelligence careers.

The government has an ever-increasing need for personnel to infiltrate areas of the Middle East and South Asia, but qualified agents are difficult to find. The Obama administration hopes that training career intelligence officers of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds from their sophomore or junior years of college can help fill that gap.

The program would be modeled largely after the the military’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC); students would be eligible for financial assistance which could include “a monthly stipend, tuition assistance, book allowances and travel expenses” as well as paid summer internships at intelligence agencies. In turn, upon graduation, students would be obligated to work for an intelligence agency for the same amount of time they had received government assistance.

And as the students would be training for highly sensitive security positions, their identities would likely be kept secret–in true spy form.

Would you be interested in a college spy training program?

Guest post by Michelle Fabio, the About.com Guide to Law School, who also writes about online degrees in psychology at OnlineDegreesinPsychology.org.

© Andrea for College, Career, Life, 2009. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: academic, degree, education, government, guest post

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Take Advantage of Electives: Classes Every Student Should Take

collegecareerlife — Sat, 16 May 2009 12:48:07 +0000

At some point in college you’ll have to choose elective courses to complete the hours required for your degree. Don’t just choose the easiest courses you can find. Take advantage of your electives by choosing some practical courses that will help you in your career and your personal life. Some courses to take if you haven’t already:

Computer Science – Learning to use Excel, Word, and PowerPoint will give you the basic computer skills that most employers expect.

Personal Finance – So many college students graduate with too much debt because they aren’t educated about credit cards and other financial matters. Learn to build and keep healthy credit now so you can enjoy life without bad financial decisions following you.

First Aid/CPR – Even if you don’t plan to work in healthcare, you should know basic first aid and CPR.

Foreign Language – No matter what field you plan to enter after graduation, familiarity with a foreign language will be useful. In education and healthcare, employees that know Spanish are in demand while a variety languages can be useful for business depending on where you work.

Career Planning – Most universities offer classes on interviewing skills, resume writing, and general career planning. Taking a formal class will help you feel more confident about your career choices.

Business Communications – In most business communications courses, you’ll learn to write business letters, prepare reports and give presentations. Good for anyone wanting to build speaking and presentation skills.

© Andrea for College, Career, Life, 2009. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: college, courses, education, electives

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Insider Interview: Sociology

collegecareerlife — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:38:14 +0000

In a new series of posts I’ll be conducting interviews with people in different fields. These interviews are intended to help students and career changers with career-planning decisions by providing insight into different occupations.

Derrick Shapley is a graduate student who is working on his Ph.D. in sociology while teaching and doing research. I asked Derrick some questions about the field of sociology.

What drew you to the field of sociology?

I originally went back to school about 3 years ago after working on campaigns to get a PH.D in political science. I waited too late for the filing deadline for most universities I wanted to go to. So I decided to get another undergraduate degree in sociology. While I was in sociology I felt that I could have a greater impact on society than within political science. I also felt that sociology was a broader field and I could study more things than the restrictions of studying within one field.

What can one do with a bachelor’s degree in sociology?

With a bachelors degree in sociology a lot of people actually go to work with the government, usually within a research capacity. A few people work with non-profits and NGO’s. If you have criminology or criminal justice certification you can also get jobs with FBI, CIA or state and local criminal justice agencies. Also there a fair number of people who get a job in marketing and consumer research.

What kind of jobs are available for those with a doctorate in sociology?

Most people go to work at universities as professors with doctorates. However, there are a few people who go to work as private consultants. also people with PH.D’s can lead research departments at nonprofits or government agencies. Many businesses also hire sociology PH.D’s to lead marketing departments. Economic development also hires sociologists to do research.

Are university research positions extremely competitive?

It really depends on the year and the economic positions. the last few years there have been a large amount of sociology openings. However, recently with the downturn in the economy a lot of schools are cutting off searches and states are imposing hiring freezes. There are supposed to be a lot of openings in the future with the baby boomers who went into sociology in the 1960′s and 1970′s retiring. However, it remains to be seen how many retire.

Would you recommend work experience before entering a graduate program?

Yes, I think one can gain valuable experience from work and it can enrich their graduate school experience. Also since sociology is the study of society actually going out and actually experiencing society will probably add some experience to go along with the knowledge you will gain by entering a sociology program

How long does it typically take to get a Ph.D. in sociology? What are the typical responsibilities of a graduate student?

If you work hard and have some good luck to go along with it you can possibly finish your PH.D 4 years after getting your bachelors. However the process normally takes 5 to 6 years, with a few people lasting as long as 8 or nine years. There are many different responsibilities you have as a graduate student. If you are on an assistantship remember your primary responsibility is to perform in the classroom. You will be required to read roughly between 500 to 1000 pages per week for class. Also you may be required to teach a class or work for a professor as a research assistant, which usually consumes 20 hours a week.

What are some of the different concentrations within the field of sociology?

There are many different fields in sociology. Probably the most popular are

1. Crime/deviance

2. social inequality/stratification

3. race/ethnicity

4. gender

5. Demography

6. Urban sociology

7. political sociology

8. medical sociology

9. Theories

10. Research Methods

11. sociology of Religion

12. Marriage and Family

13. Community development

14. Culture

15. Socialization/children

16. aging/gerontology/Death and Dying

There are many other fields such as sociology of sports, rural sociology, and also many of these fields listed above have subfields.

What is the best part about working in the field of sociology? What is the worst aspect of your occupation?

The best part of entering the field is you are going to gain a lot of knowledge about society and even about your own life in general. You will also learn that many of the common assumptions we make about life are not true. What you learn in sociology can not only be used on the job but also in your personal life. You will find that through studying sociology that life is not simple and their are many different facets of our environment and others in our life and institutions within our life have a profound impact on who we are and where we are going in life.

The worst part of the occupation is that you will have to explain to people what the heck is sociology. I suggest having a prepared speech ready for these encounters.

What other advice would you give to those considering entering the sociology field?

Sociology is an interesting field that provides views from a wide variety of point of views. The one thing for those considering graduate school is that you have to come in with a willingness to learn. Also you cannot be afraid of criticism. Finally, one needs to keep in mind that getting your PH.D is priority one.

For more information about careers in sociology, see the Jobs for Liberal Arts Majors page.

© Andrea for College, Career, Life, 2009. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: insider interview, sociology

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AlumnIdea at UC SanDiego

collegecareerlife — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 13:55:00 +0000

I recently received an email about a new social media site for alumni of UC San Diego:

“The University of California San Diego recognizes the importance of leveraging social networks and hearing each individual voice amongst UCSD alumni. Introducing AlumnIDea! This social media site encourages alumni to submit their event ideas which can be voted ‘up’ or ‘down’ by other alumni. The most popular ideas are aggregated into a top-10 section which are then selected for implementation by UCSD alumni officers.

Currently the site is beta so we’d appreciate thoughts and ideas from your readers. The site supports all browsers and is a way for both new and old UCSD graduates to participate in a fully interactive environment. Please visit http://ucsd.alumnidea.com to check it out! UCSD is the first university to use this kind of platform for an alumni association so we’d appreciate you helping us spread the word! The site is a great way for recent grads to suggest their own ideas for a stronger Alumni network. “

What do you think about AlumnIdea? What ideas would you suggest for your college’s alumni association?

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