College, Career, Life

Education and career planning resources for college students, recent graduates, and career-changers.

Healthcare Careers for Introverts

January 4th, 2010

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

Clinical Laboratory Technologist

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

Medical Records and Health Information Technicians

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

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

Nutritionist

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

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

*Salary and education information from O*NET

Creative Careers for Introverts

January 3rd, 2010

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Many introverts are creative and value creativity expression in a career. Despite the competitive nature of many creative occupations, there are growing careers that make good choices for creative types. Some careers for creative introverts to consider:

Graphic Designer

Graphic designers create distinctive logos and packaging for promotional purposes. They may also plan the layout and design of publications such as marketing brochures, magazines, or company reports. Graphic design is a highly competitive field, and designers with web design and animation skills can expect the best opportunities. Thirteen percent growth is projected for graphic designers over the next decade. Visit the American Institute of Graphic Artists website for more information.

Web Developer

Web developers design and create web content, including applications and websites. They must have knowledge of programming languages, browsers, operating systems, communication protocols, and information systems. A developer is responsible for creating a website that is both aesthetically pleasing and usable. In addition to designing websites, they may offer website maintenance services. Many web developers work on a freelance basis.

Copy Writer

Copy writers write advertising copy and create promotional materials for publication or broadcast. Copy writers conduct research, review market research data and consult with sales or marketing representatives. They may also write slogans or create new product names. Overall growth for writers and editors is expected to be eight percent over the next decade.

Landscape Architect

Landscape architects design gardens, parks, and other outdoor spaces. They plan the location of trees, flowers, walkways, and buildings. Through the design phase, they consult with engineers and building architects. After plans are complete, landscape architects monitor the implementation of their designs. Landscape architects are required to be licensed in most states. Employment for landscape architects is expected to grow by twenty percent through 2018. Visit the American Society of Landscape Architects website for more information.

Industrial Designer

Industrial and commercial designers design manufactured products such as home appliances, apparel and cars. Their goal is to create a product design that is functional, safe, and attractive. Nine percent job growth is projected through 2018. Visit the Industrial Designers Society of America site for more information.

Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook

Book Recommendations:
The Career Guide for Creative and Unconventional People (Career Guide For…)

For more career planning books visit the College Career Life store.

Career Options for Journalism Majors

December 30th, 2009

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It’s an exciting career option if you have the drive and energy to obtain, analyze and deliver the news as it is to the world, even in these times when newspapers are closing and the media is becoming more active on the Internet. Journalism graduates are still in demand, especially with television media still holding sway and more and more people looking for a career in web journalism. If you have a degree in journalism or a related subject, you could choose to work in newspaper offices, as part of an Internet news gathering and reporting operation, or with the television media. In all three options, you could seek work as a:

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 .

Networking for an Internship

December 29th, 2009

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This is a guest post written by Elizabeth Cutten, a writer for FindCollegeCards, a college blog with over 750 articles all focusing on anything college.

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.

Information Technology Careers for Introverts

December 28th, 2009

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Information technology is a great field for introverts. Although IT jobs may require teamwork, most positions don’t require constant interaction with other people. A few growing careers in the IT field that introverts should consider:

Computer Systems Analyst

Computer systems analysts test and maintain computer programs, modify processes to increase efficiency, develop test procedures, and design computer systems. They may also be responsible for training staff to work with computer programs. Employment for computer systems analysts is expected to grow by 20% over the next decade. The median annual salary for computer systems analysts in 2008 was $75,500.*

Software Engineer

Computer software engineers design, test and develop software. Computer applications software engineers use programming languages to develop general computer applications software or specialized utility programs. Computer systems software engineers construct and maintain an organization’s computer systems. Employment for software engineers is expected to grow by 21% over the next ten years. Annual median wage for software engineers (applications) in 2008 was $85,430.*

Computer Security Specialist

Computer security specialists install security software, monitor networks for security breaches, and respond to attacks. Due to increases in the frequency and complexity of cyber crime, demand for qualified security specialists has increased. The average salary for computer security specialists in 2008 was $69,570.**

Database Administrator

Database administrators use database management software to store, analyze, and present data. They also integrate old systems into new systems, add new users to the system and troubleshoot problems. Employment of database administrators is expected to grow by 30% in the next ten years. Median annual wages of database administrators was $69,740 in 2008.*

Network Systems/ Data Communication Analyst

Network systems and data communication analysts design, test, and evaluate network systems. Some data communications systems a network systems analyst might work with include local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranet, and Internet. Employment for network systems analysts is predicted to grow by 53% over the next ten years. Median annual salary for network systems analysts was $71,100 in 2008. *

A degree in computer science or management information systems will prepare you for a career in information technology. IT is a growing field with many options for introverts.

References:

* Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. http://www.bls.gov/oco/

** MyPlan.com