Work on Building Relationships Early. The best rec letter writers are credible and “authoritative” figures who truly know you. That said, it’s important that you make an effort to get close to influential people as early as your freshmen year—even if you don’t need your letter until your junior or senior year. While some of these relationships will naturally develop over time, you can try these tips in order to get things started—

• While in class, try you best to make your presence known. You don’t want to be just another number to your professor. If the class is too big or you’re on the shy side to speak up in class, go to your professor’s office hours and introduce yourself. Attending your professor’s office hours for help on assignments and for advice will give your professor ample opportunity to get to know you on a one-on-one level. *Additional note: Try to establish relationships with professors who you actually like and that you have a decent academic standing with. Good luck trying to get a rec letter from a professor whose class you constantly get c’s in.
• Join a club/ organization and get to know your advisors. Since you will meet on a weekly basis and the group meetings are much smaller than a lecture-sized class, you will have a better chance of establishing a relationship. And if you continue to participate in the club all throughout college, your club advisor will have all that much more good things to write about you.
• Your employer(s) is also another great resource to turn to. It doesn’t matter if you work at the school cafeteria, library or a retail store your employer is an excellent person who can demonstrate your strong work-ethic.
• Others who may be able to give you a good rec letter are coaches, department heads, and guidance counselors. Whatever you do, it’s recommended to stay clear from family members. These types of rec letters are not welcomed by employers or admission officers because their biased.

Give them Adequate Time to Write It.  After choosing the person (or persons) to write your rec letter make sure that you give them notice at least a month in advance. Give them the due date—it may even be wise to give them an earlier due date in case your letter writer needs more time or forgets.  Professors especially are busy people and won’t be able to get to it right away. That said, it’s important that you make the task for them as easy as possible. Give them supplemental materials such as your resume and carefully explain what it is that you need your rec letter for. You can also tell your letter writer what you would like him or her to focus on—academics, people skills, etc.

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This guest post is contributed by Lauren Bailey, who regularly writes for best online colleges. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: blauren99 @gmail.com.

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The following post is contributed by Barbara Jolie, who writes for online classes.  She welcomes your comments at her email Id: barbara.jolie876@gmail.com.

Though it has become somewhat cliche, there is no doubt that today’s economic climate is a turbulent and harsh place to be. With unemployment and job loss a persistent problem throughout the nation, many qualified and talented individuals continue to have difficulty finding and keeping satisfying jobs. Now more than ever, it is essential for job hopefuls to set themselves apart from other candidates applying for the same position. One of the most effective ways to stand out to a potential employer is on paper. Fortunately, there are several resume-building options that will allow job-seekers to become more enticing candidates.

Volunteer

One of the best ways to fill resume gaps is by volunteering with a local organization or for a cause that you are particularly passionate about. Some of the most desirable qualities a job candidate can display are a willingness to work and a drive to succeed. Each of these traits is clearly demonstrated in volunteerism. Moreover, volunteering during times of struggle can help you find a greater sense of worth and purpose that many individuals obtain from their careers.

Try a Portfolio Career

May individuals think that portfolio careers are a simple venture into self employment, easy hours, limited work, and mega money. While portfolio careers can be an excellent option for the right individual, they are certainly not for everyone. One of the best times to try your hand at a portfolio career is during a time of extended unemployment. If you are an individual who has worked for several years in a few or several different environments, a portfolio career may be the right option for you in the time between active work. Assess your hobbies and interests and try to determine what activities give you the most satisfaction.

Because portfolio careers rely so heavily on self-promotion, you must really be interested in the skills and services you are offering. Look at your past work history and determine what attributes of each job you enjoyed the most and what you disliked more. With this knowledge you can better design a career that fits your wants, needs, and interests. A successful career is one that keeps you interested and excited. Portfolio careers give you the flexibility and control to create a career you want. Use this to your advantage.

Commit to a Hobby

If formal volunteering or a portfolio career is not viable options for your specific situation, there are other ways to better sell your times of unemployment. Try choosing a single hobby be it horseback riding, blogging, or cooking and commit to it fully. When you go into an interview and your potential employer inevitably asks about your period of unemployment you can explain why it happened and describe how you used your time. Though it may sound foolish or silly, discussing a hobby or interest during an interview displays a level of dedication and passion about your pursuits. Your potential employer will appreciate your interest in staying active and involved when you don’t necessarily have to.

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There’s no such thing as bad publicity as any PR person would tell you – if you have it, flaunt it even if it’s not your most positive asset; all you need to do is get tongues wagging for people to remember you. Just look at all the scandals that travel like lightning through the Internet grapevine – they’re the fastest and most definite ways to make the news. However, if you’re looking to make a name for yourself on a positive note, then you have to work on achieving this through a different angle.

It’s not easy to stand out in a crowded place like the Internet unless you’re already a celebrity or well-established with your own domain name. If you’re a late starter, here are a few tips to help you stand out online even though you share your name with a million others:

• Piggyback on controversy: You don’t have to create controversy, but you can learn how to use it to your advantage. For example, if the net is all agog with a scandal, use this news to boost your blog or social network profile. Don’t just say the same things that others are saying; instead, find a new angle to work on and focus on making your copy as interesting and unique as possible.
• Provide information: Everybody loves freebies, so if you can use your online space to promote deals and bargains, provide relevant and timely information, and generally give people something in return (tangible or intangible) for visiting your site, you could make a name for yourself in the online world.
• Keep it fresh: And finally, no one likes stale content, so keep your online space as fresh as possible with regular updates that are both interesting and entertaining. The success of this strategy depends to a large extent on the niche your blog is in and in how knowledgeable you are in the subject.

Admittedly, it’s a pretty uphill task to make a mark for yourself among the millions of people online, especially if you’re burdened (or blessed) with a name that’s as common as a weed in a garden; however, with just a little planning and application, you can ensure that your voice is heard even above the regular online din.

This guest post is contributed by Evelyn Dugan, who writes on the site earn a degree online. Contact Evelyn at her email id: evelyn.dugan83[at]gmail[.]com.

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The following post is contributed by

What is an Entrepreneur?

By definition, an entrepreneur is someone that is willing to take risks while starting a new business venture. As such, there are certain jobs that are most suitable for aspiring entrepreneurs. Following is a list of five of the best jobs for entrepreneurs.

Restaurant Owner

Opening a restaurant is a very risky proposition. There are so many things that can go wrong that many new restaurants fail before they are a year old. Good management is the key to any restaurant’s success. As an entrepreneur, you must be able to handle day to day operations such as hiring quality employees, controlling food costs, marketing and attracting customers. Problems always come up whether you are running a fancy restaurant or a sandwich shop. Because entrepreneurs are usually quite adept at dealing with new situations and problem solving, they often are the best candidates for restaurant owners.

Technology

This is a wide open area that aspiring entrepreneurs can enter and have success. The overwhelming love affair that millions of Americans have with the latest technology gives the entrepreneur ample opportunity to fill a new need or improve on the way things have been done. Whether it is smart phones or computers, there are niches that need to be filled. Older people that have less experience with the newest technology need help setting up and operating equipment. Products break down and need to be repaired. These are just a few areas where an enthusiastic and energetic go-getter can step in and create a nice business.

Lawn Service Business

People always need their lawns cut and their garden tended. There are great opportunities for new businesses that help take care of homeowner’s yards. The major expense of this business is the purchase of lawn and garden maintenance equipment. You can start small with a lawn mower and some basic garden tools and as you acquire more business, you can buy more equipment. Much of the work is just hard, physical labor, but you also need to know the proper techniques for caring for a lawn or garden.

Errand Runner

People are very busy and don’t always have time to do all of the little tasks that need to be done. A budding entrepreneur might set up a service to do grocery shopping, drop off dry cleaning, go to the post office and other common day-to-day chores. You can do some direct advertising and also rely on recommendations from satisfied clients to expand your business.

Home Cleaning Service

Again, this is a service business that requires physical labor. To start out, you might have to do the vacuuming, mopping and other cleaning chores yourself, but as you grow, you can hire help. Eventually, if you get enough clients, you can put down the mop, hire cleaning crews and manage the overall operation.

When she’s not organizing parties, Louise Baker writes about online colleges at Zen College Life. She recently looked at where to get the best criminal justice degree.

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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.

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The following post is by Angelita Williams, who writes for OnlineCourses.org.

In a job market that is increasingly competitive, gaining additional experience can be key when it comes time to look for a job. Internships can be a great way to do just that, letting young grads and students see what the working world will be like before they enter it themselves. Unfortunately, some of the internships that offer the best experience don’t come with much, if any, of a paycheck. That doesn’t mean they can’t pay off in the long run, but they will require some sacrifices to make them work in the present. If you’re debating whether or not to apply for an unpaid internship as a student or a grad, don’t be afraid to make the leap– it can be well worth it. Here are some tips to help ensure you’ll get the most out of every unpaid hour you put into your internship.

Look for perks. You may not be getting paid but that doesn’t mean your job shouldn’t come with any perks. Check with HR to see if you can get in on subsidized housing, help with commuting costs, free meals, or the use of company equipment. If your employer can’t help, see if your college offers an assistance programs for unpaid interns. If you don’t ask,  you’ll never know, so don’t be afraid to take the first steps.

Network, network, network. Since you’re going to be working among people who are already in your field, take the opportunity to get to know as many of them as possible. They may be able to write you recommendations serve as references or even help you find a job after your internship. Remember, who you know can count as much as experience and education when it comes to finding work.

Ask questions. If there’s something you don’t know or want to know more about don’t just stay ignorant. Use your internship as a chance to really learn and expand your knowledge about the field. You might not be getting paid in money, but you can take away some valuable educational experiences instead.

Get college credit. A great many unpaid internship programs come with one big benefit: college credit for time spent working. Don’t miss out on the hours of credit you could be gaining– check with you adviser to see if there are programs in place that can help you work towards your degree while working away your summer at the same time.

Put your best foot forward. If you’re complaining, tired or disheveled at your internship position, you’re not making much of a case for your abilities as a future employee. Treat your position as you would a real job and always be highly professional. It could pay off when it comes time to find work.

Ideally, all internships would be paid positions, offering experience along with the financial support students need, but the reality is that more and more internships are unpaid positions. With some hard work and determination, you can turn your internship experience into a springboard to the career you want and an incredibly valuable asset to your resume. In time, you may come to see those unpaid hours as one of the best career investments you ever made.

This guest post is contributed by Angelita Williams, who writes on the topics of online college courses.  She welcomes your comments at her email Id: angelita.williams7 @gmail.com.

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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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Written by Wendy N. Powell, author of “Management Experience Acquired”

In a perfect world, the workplace is like a family, with seasoned baby boomer and Generation X employees guiding and working alongside less-experienced Generation Y workers.

With the Gen Y employees now solidly in the workplace, new challenges in the traditional quasi-work family are common. The “Gen Y’ers” are typically independent thinkers who feel quite comfortable raising issues with the decisions of their leaders. They are generally tech savvy having cut their teeth on their computer keyboards. They know how to make their way around problems relating to process; after all they made their way to the umpteenth level of their sophisticated video games with unusual grace. Yes, we know this new generation called Gen Y’ers.

I refer to this new generation of savvy workers as “Challengers.” This is not to be confused in the negative vernacular. Quite the opposite, this group of Challengers commonly excel in creative thinking and were raised thinking that it is okay to challenge decisions. They regularly asked “why” and got an answer to the proverbial “why not?” The older generation was generally told “Because I said so.” This is just what today’s business environment needs: creative thinking and challenging ways of doing business.

1. See it from the other side

So you, being a talented Gen Y-er, are hired and immediately dig into your work, looking to see what you can do to improve the status quo and move on to the next challenge. You learn the ropes quickly and look at the other generations, questioning why they are still doing the same old thing. “Are they dinosaurs, lazy or just not motivated? Why aren’t they just like me? I’ll learn what I can and move on to the next job that will keep me upwardly mobile, make more money and so on.” You think to yourself, Yes, I think they are out of touch with reality.

The older generations, mostly Baby Boomers and the Gen X-ers look at your generation with some apprehension. They wonder, “Will they take our jobs? We just want to work a few more years.” They are not as inclined to be moving from job to job, looking for the next opportunity. After all, they claim they have paid their dues and should be respected for what they have accomplished. And the Boomer says, “Don’t they get it?”

2. Communication

Merging the generations in the workplace is not simple, but it can be very successful with careful communication. There has always been a mix of generations in the work family, but the dynamics are now different. Often younger workers are in the power positions managing older workers. This takes some getting used to by the older generations who have normally been in the power seat.

3. Respect

Set the expectation for everyone that respect is an organizational value of the company and help employees to understand what makes each other tick.

4. Find a mentor

Encourage mentoring arrangements; pair up an experienced, senior employee with a new staffer and see what they can learn from each other. Gen Y’ers need to remember that the older generations need to know their experiences are valued; they need appreciation for their accomplishments. The older generations need to understand the younger generations need to be coached instead of managed. Send them an e-mail instead of a meeting request. They want to do their job and move on to the next project.

Realize that in these tough economic times, the employees who can contribute their creativity to the growth of the company are the ones who are most recognized and are likely to be successful in the company and survive staffing reductions. Seniority is a factor but not the only decision making criteria that companies use to decide who stays and who goes.

The Gen Y’ers should recognize and value the experiences of their experienced colleagues and the older generations should tap the energy and creativity of the younger generations. They will all learn some valuable lessons.

Foster the environment of creative thinking for everyone, and involve all levels and generations in the workplace family. Don’t forget, when employees say “Don’t they get it?” it’s all of our jobs to keep peace in the workplace family. We’re all in this together.

WENDY N. POWELL is the author of “Management Experience Acquired: Necessary Skills for Successfully Managing Any Employee” (Synergy Books, May 2010). She spent more than 20 years of her career advising managers at the University of Michigan and is currently on the business faculty at Palm Beach State College and the University of Phoenix. For more information, visit www.managementexperienceacquired.com.

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The beauty of getting into college is that you won’t be tested, judged, and evaluated to that degree throughout most of your undergraduate experience. Sure, you’ll have to study, and you’ll have to take exams, and maybe apply for internships or research positions, but other than that, you basically focus on work, study, and your social life—you basically coast by. That is, until you graduate. Then the dreaded process starts all over again. Here are a few ways we can learn from the past:

1. Stress is Your Enemy

Worrying about the future is common and we pretty much all experienced it during the college admissions process. The thing about worry is that it is often irrational. I, too, worried about the fact that I may be unemployed. But then the worry spiraled. I thought to myself, I’ll never get a job, I’ll never be successful, I’ll never amount to anything. In cognitive behavioral science, this thinking process is a cognitive distortion called overgeneralization. It’s the slippery slope mentality, and it makes absolutely no sense.

2. You aren’t being judged. Only the extent to which you are a “fit” for a certain gig is being gauged.

Interviews are always intimidating, no matter how confident or good at gabbing you are. But the one mindset with which many come into the interview process—whether for school or work– is that their interviewers are somehow “against them” or that they are trying to “trick” them. These, too, are irrationalities. Come into your future work interviews with your interviewer’s perspective in mind. They want to know what tangible things you can do for their company, and how closely you will fit into their workplace culture. If you really want the job, then research the business or organization, and try to communicate and demonstrate these qualities. It’s that simple.

3. Don’t be too picky, but don’t take your first acceptance either.

One thing that many suffer from on a day-to-day basis is decision making. This one’s always tough. During the admissions process, many apply to far too many schools, and then once acceptances roll in, they find themselves having to make very tough choices. On the other hand, perhaps you were so excited by that first acceptance letter that you wanted to go to that school simply because they embraced you first. While the school that you go to really doesn’t make much of a difference in the long run, the first job you have will make a difference. It will dictate your future career trajectory, no matter how entry-level or boring it is. So pick wisely. Don’t take the first thing that is handed to you, but don’t go to the other extreme and reject every offer just because it’s not exactly what you want. Above all, think through your decision carefully, talk about it with friends and family members whose opinions you respect, and trust your instincts.

By-line:

This guest post is contributed by Katheryn Rivas, who writes on the topics of online universities accredited.  She welcomes your comments at her email Id: katherynrivas87@gmail.com .

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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.

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The following is a guest post by Sarah of

If you find yourself among the millions of college students looking into an uncertain future and trying to choose a career path, you may be at your wit’s end.  Well, you can toss the crystal ball.  Despite economic hardships and the state of our economy, there is one profession that is holding steady and even seems set to gain momentum in the near future.  If you’re seeking a field that will show stability and growth in the years to come, you really should look into a career in nursing.

This noble calling offers a long list of disciplines for people of varying backgrounds.  Whether your strengths lie in realm of the technical or creative (or ideally, both), if your goal is aiding others or education, if you want to travel or stick close to home, or whether you’re interested in helping the public or just one person, nursing can offer career options that suit your talents and desires.  Nurses are needed everywhere.  In public hospitals, private practices, on the road or in a home, from schools to war zones to third world countries, nurses are in demand for help, healing, and education.   With a 2-year (RN) or 4-year (BSN) program and the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) under your belt, you can begin looking for work (although some states or areas of specialization may require further certifications for employment).  And the range of options can include the following: staff nurse at a hospital or private practice, school nurse, travel nurse, private care-giver, or even joining the armed services or the Peace Corps.  And specialization in any number of areas is also a possibility.  In terms of pay, you can expect to make an average salary upwards of about $45,000 (that is the average for a school nurse, one of the lower paying jobs in the nursing profession) unless you plan to do some sort of volunteer service.

And although the health care industry, like every other field, has suffered under the strain of an economic recession, nurses continue to be in high demand, a situation that stands to increase in the near future as baby boomers hit retirement age and millions of uninsured Americans receive coverage under new health care reform legislation.  But even beyond the prospect of an open job market and decent pay, there are certain immeasurable benefits to be gained from a career in nursing.  You will achieve a strong sense of accomplishment from helping others in need, not to mention the bond you’ll form with your patients as you aid in their healing and teach them to better care for themselves.  And devoting your life to helping those in need, as well as the investing in the spirit of giving, can have a profound effect on your personal development and sense of self.  Most nurses agree, the thing that makes it all worthwhile is knowing they made a difference.  And you can, too.

Guest Post by: Sarah of Nursing Programs

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The great thing about being in college is that any good university career center organizes a job fair once every semester—or at least once a year. These job fairs can be an absolute goldmine—after all, how often do employers gather in one place and reach out to you, instead of the other way around? It is important to take advantage of these job fairs any chance you get. To help you toward that end, I will discuss a game plan that will help you get the most out of your college’s next job fair.

First of all, as soon as you get wind that a job fair is headed your way, go online and find out about it. Register for the fair if necessary, and if the fair lasts more than one day, make plans to attend both days. Some employers can only send a recruiter out for one day. If you only attend one day, you may miss out on an opportunity. Print out any lists of employers that plan on attending. Circle any that catch your eye so you can do a little research on the company ahead of time and make plans to visit their booth. If you go into a job fair ignorant of who will be there, you may end up wasting a lot of valuable time.

Next, update your resume, print off several copies, and prepare a portfolio of work you’ve done in college or in previous jobs that might be relevant to the jobs you are seeking. You may even want to copy your resume and samples of your work to a portable flash drive so you can easily transfer it to a computer. After all, many career representatives bring laptops so students can apply for jobs online.

The day before, prepare a brief statement about yourself that lets career representatives know your skills and strengths in a nutshell. Keep in mind that these recruiters will be speaking with hundreds of students, and you will need to find ways to stand out from the crowd. Most recruiters will be ready and waiting to sell you on how great their company is, but don’t let them do all the talking. Be prepared to ask questions, like “What type of degree is needed for this position?” or “What positions are available?”

Some recruiters are pushy and attempt to draw students in with candy bowls, spinning wheels and other gimmicks, but don’t feel pressured to waste time with those who represent jobs you won’t realistically pursue. You can politely decline to start a conversation with them. If you’re not sure if you’re interested in a job, wait until the recruiter is speaking with another student, then stealthily swipe a brochure, stepping away to consider the job in peace before approaching the recruiter.

Dress professionally and take the job fair seriously. In fact, treat it like an interview—complete with business casual attire, a welcoming smile and a solid handshake. There’s no better way to make an excellent first impression on potential employers.

Finally, follow up on any good leads or connections you make, reminding employers of your interest in the company. Send a thank you note if they took the time to interview you at the fair. Little details go a long way toward landing a great job.

By-line:

This guest post is contributed by Alvina Lopez, who writes on the topics of accredited online colleges.  She welcomes your comments at her email Id: alvina.lopez@gmail.com.

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• Frustrations of Today's Job Search

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Recent graduates face the most dismal job market since the depression, but thankfully, the internet now makes job searching more convenient and easier than ever. Faced with endless possibilities, those straight out of college need guidance on which sites will help them find employment – and which are just a waste of time. The following list highlights ten of the most useful job-searching sites for recent grads and the unemployed alike.

1. Monster.com – This site, the “granddaddy” of job search sites, features constantly updated job listings, separated by area or field. Job seekers can search by keyword, location, or even pay. Message board are updated daily as are useful articles that provide tips to job hunters.

2. CareerBuilder.com – Similar to Monster, Career Builder is a job listing service that offers endless openings for jobs and careers in a specified area. Both part time and full time gigs are available here, though seekers may find themselves spending a lot of time sorting through which jobs are the most applicable.

3. Craigslist – Not for the traditional job seeker, craigslist acts as a provider of classified ads for any local area. Employers post available jobs on the site with a short description and are then able to interact directly with those seeking to apply. This site is great for niche or hard-market jobs.

3. LinkedIn – This site is the most useful social media tool available for job seekers. Users create a profile, much like on Facebook or MySpace, then use that profile to build meaningful connections with others in their field. Used primarily as a networking tool, LinkedIn is growing in popularity as well as importance in the job sphere.

4. Indeed – A rather unknown site compared to the larger job search engines, indeed.com is a great resource for creative job seekers. Writers, artists, and even musicians can find work here, easily searchable and sortable through the site’s impressive interface.

5. Net Temps - Recent grads may want to consider temporary work as a way to build up funds while looking for a full-time position while gaining valuable experience in a specific area. This site is a database for temp job in the area and field of interest or expertise.

6. College Recruiter – This site, aimed specifically at recent grads, not only offers job postings but expansive resources for job seekers as well. Resume advice, interview tips, and common job hunting mistakes are all topics which find light here.

7. Hound.com- Set up much like traditional search sites, this website allows users to use one central search bar to dig through employer’s corporate websites for job posts, saving time and energy for recent grads and recruiters alike.

8. Beyond.com – This site compiles data from niche sites across the country, such as charlottejobs.com and rodeojobs.net, in an easy to use, scanable form. Beyond saves users time and hassle as they no longer have to visit hundreds of different sites to find what they’re looking for.

9. USA.gov – Students who have just graduated should consider a military or government job. These positions typically pay well, are widely available, and offer unparalleled experience to those who qualify.

10. HotJobs- Capitalizing on the success of Career Builder and Monster, this site compiles all the best jobs Yahoo! has to offer and makes them easy to apply for directly online. Visitors to this site will find information on specific fields as well as data and trends in their marketplace of choice.

Job searching can be a daunting task, but sites such as those listed above make it much more manageable and convenient. Being able to apply online is an instant innovation that has landed thousands, if not millions, of people the position of their dreams, and is only set to continue in the future.

This post was contributed by Melissa Tamura, who recently ranked the top nursing schools for Zen College Life, a directory of online degrees.

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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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• Reporter: This involves a fair bit of traveling as you’re required to visit places where news happens and gather information and facts. You have to be willing to follow leads, talk to people and most important of all, report the news as it is without embellishment or exaggeration. Most reporters work certain areas or go to places where they are asked to report from.
• Photojournalist: This is probably the more glamorous version of being a reporter in that you get to have your own byline and travel to places where the news is happening. There may be an element of danger involved if you’re reporting from war-torn locations or places where natural disasters have occurred. Even so, many journalism majors are interested in photojournalism. It’s a hard field to break into, but once you’ve earned a fair bit of acclaim, it’s easy to keep going.
• News analyst: You will be working behind the scenes, analyzing and dissecting the news so that editors are able to grasp how the news media should be presented to the public. Analysts decide the responsibility of the paper or television channel in that they set the policies that determine how much of sensationalism is allowed to creep into the news. They go by public and social trends in making their analysis.
• Editor: Editors are responsible for the overall appearance of the news; they decide the daily headlines and they oversee the quality of the news and the veracity of the content. They are also responsible for coordinating with all other departments like advertising and management and ensuring that reporters and sub editors do their work. Editors and analysts are senior members of any journalistic organization.
• Sub editor: This is an entry-level job that you can get if you have good language skills and are capable of writing and editing news copy. Most journalists begin their career as either a reporter or a sub editor who is responsible for shaping the reporter’s copy and editing grammatical and spelling errors.
• Newscaster (television): This is the visible part of journalism, one that most people want to get into but which only those who have the looks and the pizzazz to carry it off succeed at. You may have to work in the industry for a while and prove yourself before you can become a newscaster who is responsible for reporting news on the television, either live or recorded.
• Program director (television): This is similar to an editor’s job in the newspaper industry. A program director decides which news segments go into each newscast, which visuals should be used, how much air time each news item should get, and so on. It involves working behind the scenes in television.

There are various other jobs in the journalism industry besides these common ones listed above, so if you have a degree under your belt, all you need to do is find your passion and work at getting a job in the industry of your choice.

By-line:

This guest article was written by Adrienne Carlson, who regularly writes on the topic of accelerated online degree . Adrienne welcomes your comments and questions at her email address: adrienne.carlson1@gmail.com .

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• Jobs You Can Get With Any Degree

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Post tags: careers, editor, journalism, journalist, majors, news, reporter, tv

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Many college students out there have the assumption that an Internship is very easy to land.  What a lot of students soon find out is that it’s no different than finding a job.  Since major companies and corporations want quality talent, they are going to weed through Interns, just like they do their salaried employees.

So, the question is today, “How can I network effectively for an Internship?”

Be friendly with your professors

In college, what you’re going to find out is that a lot of your professors have worked a different career, or job sometime in their life.  It doesn’t hurt to mingle with them every once in a while, and ask questions.  Everyone on this planet has some sort of connection.  Ask them about their previous works, and also ask if they know of anyone that can help you land an internship.

You can never have enough friends

Colleges are jammed packed with kids, and the more social able you are, the more you’ll get to know other people.  If you ask a lot of people about their jobs today, you will find that they either found it through someone they knew, or they worked their way up from the bottom, whether it be an internship, or entry level position.  It’s essential that you get out there, and chat with others.  It sounds very cliché, but the more people you know, the more you’ll be able to connect in life.

Join groups online

I love the Internet, and with websites such as MeetUp.com, you can meet other people that share the same interests as you.  Find a local meeting in your area, and join it.  Every time they hold a meeting, show up, introduce yourself, and chat.  Again, you’ll be surprised at how many people can help you with whatever you need.

Join chat rooms and forums

Just like joining groups in person, you can have virtual meetings online as well.  Connect with other people in chat rooms, and message boards.  Become a regular contributor, and you will soon find out that you can connect with people in both the virtual world, as well as the real world.

Surf the web

Again, with the Internet, it’s filled with endless information, and if you don’t feel you can connect with the right people, you can check internship related websites online.  What you’ll want to do is search out “internship only” classifieds, and see if there’s anything made for you.  Remember, a lot of the times, an unpaid internship leads to a job offer if you can prove to the employer that you know what you’re doing, and you know how to do it right.

The lesson learned here today is that if you want to network effectively, you’re going to want to be social able.  The more outgoing you are, the more you’re going to increase your chances at landing a gig in the working world.  Try some of these tips above, and see if you can land your dream internship.

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S = Survey your surroundings.

T = Take the time required to understand your new job and department’s strategy, structure, processes, role  and responsibilities, projects, and progress.

U = Understand who you’re working with; review personnel files, speak with each individual.

D = Do NOT make hasty decisions or state your opinions too soon. Take the time needed to understand  people,      processes, and results first.

Y = Yes. Remember you can do what you set your mind to by prioritizing and setting attainable goals.  Focus on the most important priorities first.

After your initial assessment of your workplace and workload, try these helpers:

• Create a 90-day game plan and break it down by month, detailing initiatives, projects and tasks.
• Include a list of the key contacts/resources you should meet, work with and get to know during your first 90 days.
• Meet with your manager to review your plans for starting, learning and working in your new role.
• Ask (and listen to) your manager about what they believe are the most pressing priorities and why.
• Proactively schedule a follow-up appointment in one or two weeks to share your initial learnings with your manager.
• Meet regularly with your manager to inform them of your progress on executing your plan.

Stay positive as you transition into your new position.  Often times, the work load can be overwhelming and everything you’ll be learning might make you feel a bit like you’re trying to drink water from a fire hose. Don’t worry – that feeling will pass once you get through those first 90 days, which are always the most difficult.

~ Lisa Quast

Lisa Quast is CEO and President of Career Woman, Inc. (www.careerwomaninc.com)

Lisa Quast’s passion in life is making a difference in the lives of women by helping them achieve their   dreams.  Lisa is a career coach, author, business consultant, and the founder and president of Career    Woman Inc., a Seattle-based international career development consulting company dedicated to helping women achieve career success. She’s an accomplished speaker and coach, inspiring audiences with her charismatic approach, actionable recommendations, and proven methodology.

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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.

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If you’ve never heard the word before, benthic refers to all organisms and activities that are associated with the bottom of the ocean floor. So you can guess that a benthic ecologist is concerned with the ecology of the depths of the ocean. If you want to become one, you must take various courses in science, one of which must be a doctorate or at least a master’s degree in either biology or ecology. You will be able to find a position with companies that conduct marine ecological surveys, research ships that are interested in the deep ocean and in mapping its floor, or with marine science institutes.

As a benthic ecologist, you will be involved in cutting edge research in the laboratory and in the exploration of the ocean floor in state-of-the-art submersibles. You will have to know something about technology as well because most deep sea missions involve handling sophisticated gadgets and equipment in submersibles. With space at a premium, the ecologist must also be capable of planning and coordinating dive operations and the deployment and operation of benthic camera systems, current meter moorings and plankton pumps.

Your job is bound to be exciting and stable at the same time, depending on how often you are in the field and how much time you spend in the laboratory. There is a certain amount of danger as well because you are going to be working at the bottom of the ocean floor, but with technology being what it is today and the right safety measures in place, benthic ecology is one career that is both exciting and rewarding.

This guest article was written by Adrienne Carlson, who regularly writes on the topic of forensic scientist schools . Adrienne welcomes your comments and questions at her email address: adrienne.carlson83@yahoo.com

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In order to work in the GIS industry, you need to study certain subjects like:

• Geography: It’s natural that you must be interested in and have an aptitude for geography when you’re considering a career in GIS. You must know how the location of land and sea and their relationship to each other affect the way we travel and use information in order to understand our world better.
• Mathematics: You are going to be involved in developing technological systems, so you must be aware of mathematical theories that are used to develop the logic that these systems use. You must have an aptitude for mathematics and be able to understand even complex principles and theories with ease.
• Computer Science: Since all systems are computerized, you must know how to use these systems to understand, develop and operate GIS systems. Besides, when you are well versed in logic and computer science, it’s easy to understand GIS systems and their complexities.

Besides a general and in-depth knowledge of these subjects, you also need to have good analytical skills, the ability to solve problems and good communication skills to deal with people from all walks of life and different cultures. You should also be adept at gathering information and sorting and managing it according to the needs of the system you’re working on. Also, a general understanding of how GIS systems work and the knowledge of how to evaluate their performance and assess their accuracy do add to your advantage when you’re seeking a career in this field.

A career in GIS is similar to one in computer science and its related fields – you are most likely to be employed as a systems administrator, programmer, database manager, research analysts and other similar jobs. In addition to this, you may also be given roles that deal with managerial and administrative responsibilities. There are a few specialized jobs that deal specifically with cartographic knowledge and skills, so if you are interested in them, you must be a talented cartographer.

Job prospects for those in this line of work are expected to increase and earnings are typically in the range of $60,000 to $70,000.

This guest article was written by Adrienne Carlson, who regularly writes on the topic of accredited online universities. Adrienne welcomes your comments and questions at her email address: adriennecarlson83@yahoo.com.

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