There are more than 75.2 million children in the U.S. today and this figure is expected to increase to 81.7 million over the next decade. Unfortunately, there are a number of top health problems affecting children across the U.S. today that could have an impact on these figures. Childhood obesity, smoking, drugs, psychological stress, depression, eating disorders, suicide, autism, childhood cancer, and food contamination are just a few. Fortunately, because treatment options are quite different for children than they are for adults, there is an entire field devoted to caring for children’s health needs. 

Pediatrics is the branch of medicine concerned with the care and development of children and with the prevention and treatment of children’s diseases. The doctors and nurses that work in this field are qualified to work with both adults and children, but they specialize in the prevention and treatment of children’s diseases. While all doctors and nurses are qualified to work with both children and adults, most facilities separate the two.  

Working with sick or injured infants and children calls for a somewhat different set of personal attributes that are common among pediatricians and pediatric nurses. Pediatricians and pediatric nurses must be patient, they must be passionate about working with children, and they must have the ability to communicate with children at all age levels. Because pediatric nurses meet with or talk to dozens of parents on a daily basis, they must also be skilled at communicating with parents about their child’s condition, health, and treatment in a clam and effective manner.

In addition to special personal attributes, pediatric nurses must have a specific educational background and training. Most pediatric nurses complete a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) followed by a master of science in nursing (MSN) with a focus in pediatric care. This means, aspiring pediatric nurses must complete anywhere from 5-6 years of study, which includes supervised clinical experience in pediatrics. Pediatric travel nurses must also obtain the RN (registered nurse) or the LPN (licensed practical nurse) designation. Each state has its own licensing requirements, so you must contact your state nursing board for details. To locate your state nursing board click here for listings or visit the Nursing Center at www.nursingcenter.com.

The path from nursing student to pediatric nurse is a long and arduous one, so many nursing students never make it to graduation. Others may take several additional years to complete the program. As a result, nursing schools have a tough time keeping up with the demand for skilled pediatric nurses. To help with staffing needs, hospitals, clinics, private practices, and other health care facilities routinely call upon pediatric travel nurses to fill the void. So, if you are one of the lucky few that make it to graduation, you can look forward to an unlimited number of travel nurse opportunities.

Pediatric travel nurses must have the same qualifications and skills as home-based nurses, only pediatric travel nurses travel across the U.S. to fill in at facilities that are short staffed. Pediatric travel nurse assignments usually last a minimum of 13 weeks, but it is not uncommon for an assignment to last up to 26 weeks or more. 

Pediatric travel nurses are in high demand all over the U.S., but the demand is highest in the nations 30 largest metropolitan areas. These include: Phoenix, AZ., Los Angeles, CA., Riverside, CA., Sacramento, CA., San Diego, CA., San Francisco, CA., Denver, CO., Washington, DC., Miami, FL., Orlando, FL., Tampa, FL., Atlanta, GA., Chicago, IL., Boston, MA., Detroit, MI., Minneapolis, MN., Kansas City, MO., St. Louis, MO., Las Vegas, NV., New York, NY., Cincinnati, OH., Cleveland, OH., Columbus, OH., Portland, OR., Philadelphia, PA., Pittsburgh, PA., Dallas, TX., Houston, TX., and Seattle, WA. Travel nurse agencies dispatch pediatric travel nurses to these large metropolitan areas and other areas by way of auto or plane, depending on where the travel nurse is located.

Once the pediatric travel nurse has been offered an assignment, the travel nurse agency pays for transportation to and from the assignment, housing, meals, health insurance, and savings. Pediatric travel nurses also receive a number of bonuses such as signing bonuses, completion bonuses, and referral bonuses. In addition, pediatric travel nurses can expect to earn around 15 percent more than home-based pediatric nurses depending on experience, facility, and agency. The average median salary for pediatric nurses is $59,571. It is important to note that pediatric nurses tend to learn less overall than most other nurses.

To become a pediatric travel nurse, you should begin by enrolling in an accredited nursing program. Nursing programs are readily available at 2-year and 4-year colleges, universities, technical schools, and career schools. Once you have located a program of interest, all you have to do is check to make sure the program is accredited by a recognized agency such as the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Check with the U.S. Department of Education for an official list of agencies at www.ed.gov.

Once you have completed your program(s) and supervised clinical experience, you may sign up with one of more than 300 travel nurse agencies across the U.S. A simple Google search will provide listings for travel nurse agencies in your area. In the meantime, just a few top travel nurse agencies include:

• -Medsource Travelers
• -Quest Group 
• -HRN Services, Inc.
• -Health Specialists
• -Medical Solutions

For more information about pediatric travel nursing, or to keep up with the  latest news and trends in travel nursing visit Travelnursing.com.

Jobs in the healthcare industry are on the rise thanks to increased interest in preventative care, advances in medicine and technology, and the nation’s rapidly growing elderly population. Despite reports that hospitals and clinics have cut budgets, the healthcare industry is still expected to increase its workforce by 22 percent through 2018. This means, individuals searching for healthcare positions will find roughly 4,000-5,000 new job openings each year. Healthcare jobs are expected to be plentiful in the following industries:

• -Utilities
• -Federal, State, and Local Government (this includes hospitals)
• -Management of Companies and Enterprises
• -Chemical Manufacturing
• -Insurance Carriers and Related Activities
• -Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods
• -Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
• -Social Assistance
• -Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers
• -Miscellaneous Manufacturing

Healthcare practitioners have a wide range of specific titles. Each title requires special training and most require a college education. “Healthcare practitioners” is a major healthcare group consisting of more than 14 million professionals. These include chiropractors, dentists, physicians, emergency medical technicians, medical assistants, dental service providers, dietitian/nutritionist, nurses and advanced practice nurses, nurses aides and home health aides, podiatric service provider, psychologist (clinical), eye and vision service provider, pharmacy service provider, physician assistants, physical therapists, physical therapists assistants, social workers, speech, language, and hearing service provider, and technologist.

Depending on the job title, healthcare practitioners will have to enroll in a postsecondary vocational training program, associate degree program, bachelor’s degree, or advanced degree program. The educational attainment for professionals in this field is as follows:

• -Master’s Degree: 23.8 percent
• -Bachelor’s Degree: 33.8 percent
• -Certificate: 15 percent

Although a certificate or a bachelor’s degree are acceptable for entry into many positions in this field, positions such as physician and psychologist require a doctoral or first professional degree. In addition to a variety of education levels, healthcare practitioners and technical workers will find themselves in a number of different salary ranges. Entry level workers with less than a bachelor’s degree will likely start at $21,720 annually, while 25^th percentile workers will average $27,040 annually. Median wages are $37,200 annually, and mean wages are $45,090. Positions that require a master’s degree or higher, experience, and/or more responsibility typically average $56,890-$81,910 per year. If a position as a healthcare practitioner sounds like it’s for you, training always begins with education.

When you’re ready to begin your search for a degree program in a health science or related area, visit the Princeton Review website. Here, you will find listings for the nation’s top schools, enrollment figures, tuition costs, and even reviews.

Tip: The alternative healthcare industry is growing fast. If you prefer to work with non-traditional prevention and treatment methods, there are several growing fields that may appeal to you such as acupuncture, athletic training, homeopathic, naturopath, orthotic/prosthetic fitting, perfusionist, and psychiatric technician. Once you have located a college that interests you, inquire within.

$100K+ staffing agencies are easy to find if you know where to look and what to look for. The first place to check is with friends, family, and co-workers. Referrals are the absolute best way to locate top agencies. If a friend, family member or co-worker has worked with an agency with good results, chances are the agency is reputable and good at what it does. If you have trouble finding a referral, you can always use your favorite search engine to locate $100K+ staffing agencies. The only issue is, once you locate several agencies, you’ll have to do your homework.

The first thing to remember is that $100K+ staffing agencies are not always so obvious. Use the search term “executive staffing agencies,” “executive recruitment firms,” or “executive head hunters.” Agencies that handle senior-level clients (and others) are also a safe bet. After locating several firms check their status with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can find out if they’re BBB accredited, how they rate, and if there are any complaints against them. You can also find out how long the service has been in business, the type of business, licensing information, and other background information,

After researching the company, give them a call or schedule an appointment to meet with them. Ask about success stories, what the process entails, and the time frame. If they don’t offer a definitive answer, then it might be a good idea to move on to next agency on your list. During your first meeting, it’s also important to make sure you’re clear about any fees that you may be charged. Again, if the answer is vague, try the next agency on your list.

Besides using your favorite search engine to find $100K+ staffing agencies try directories such as Searchfirm.com or Onlinerecruitersdirectory.com.

What is a Medical Assistant?

A medical assistant is an individual trained to assist medical professionals on an administrative level, clinical level, or both. Medical assistants are not the same as physician assistants. A physician assistant (PA) is trained to provide basic medical services, such as exams, diagnostics, and treatment under the supervision of a physician. Physician Assistants usually already have experience as nurses, paramedics, and medical technicians.

A medical assistants primary role is to keep physicians’ offices running smoothly by performing administrative and/or clinical tasks. Medical assistants do this by updating patient files, maintaining patient records, filling out insurance forms, and coordinating hospital admissions and laboratory services. Administrative duties might also include reception, bookkeeping, purchasing of office supplies and medical equipment, scheduling appointments, greeting patients and visitors, and accounts payable/receivable.

Depending on the type of office and state law, clinical duties include but are not limited to assisting physicians during examinations, collecting specimens, preparing and administering medications, drawing blood, changing dressings, discussing treatment procedures with patients, sterilizing medical equipment and instruments, prepping for examinations, recording vital signs, and taking and recording medical histories.

Medical assistants, whether administrative, clinical or both, can work on a full-time or part-time basis. Because the medical industry is a year around, around the clock industry, medical assistants can work days, evenings, weekends or a combination of the three. This is usually the case for hospital employees.

Medical Assistant Earnings

Medical assistants can work in any number of hospital settings or physicians’ offices including family and general practices, as well as “specialized” practices such as dental chiropractic, podiatry, and ophthalmology. Salaries for medical assistants will vary greatly depending on the type of medical assistant, setting, skill level, and experience.

As of May 2008, the average annual wage for medical assistants was $28,300. The middle 50 percent earned between $23,700 and $33,050. The lowest 10 percent earned $20,600 and the highest 10 percent earned $39,570. It is important to note that wages can be considerably higher based on whether an assistant has an advanced degree, multiple certifications, 10+ years of experience, and number of languages spoke.

Medical Assistant Qualifications

Although an accredited medical assisting program is strongly recommended to become a medical assistant, it is not always a requirement. However, most hospitals and physician offices prefer formal education and training. If you decide to attempt to enter the field without formal training, you will likely be passed over for candidates that have completed an accredited program. In the few cases where formal education and training are not required, you will be trained on the job.

Medical Assistant Programs

Medical assistant programs usually consist of anatomy and physiology courses and others that cover medical terminology. The curriculum will consist of accounting, insurance processing, bookkeeping and record keeping, typing, and transcription. You may also learn about clinical and diagnostic procedures and pharmaceutical principles as well as how to administer medications and first aid. An accredited medical assisting program will also cover ethics, medical law, office practices, and patient relations.

Depending on state law, certain certifications may be required. If not, many hospitals and physicians offices may require it. Most hospitals and physicians offices prefer to hire individuals who are certified, especially for specialized fields. For example, if you plan to become an optometric assistant, you may want to obtain certification through the American Optometric Association.

Anatomy of a Top Shelf Medical Assistant Program

A top shelf medical assistant program will be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Academic and clinical training will consists of specific courses such as:

• -Clinical and diagnostic procedures
• -Coding and insurance processing
• -First aid
• -Human anatomy, physiology, and pathology
• -Keyboarding and computer applications
• -Laboratory techniques
• -Medical law and ethics
• -Medical terminology
• -Medication administration
• -Office practices
• -Patient relations
• -Pharmacology
• -Record keeping and accounting

Top shelf medical assistant programs will offer internships and externships. Externships are short-term training sessions that allow the student to shadow a professional during his normal daily routine. An externship will also include a tour of the facility, informational interviews, and participation in office projects. Externships typically last one-two days and they offer no academic credit or compensation.

Internships are long-term, usually lasting an entire semester or more. Some offer pay and/or academic credit and allow the student to support an office, hospital or other organization’s work function.

Medical Assistants Job Outlook

In 2008, there were approximately 483,600 medical assistants working in offices of physicians, private hospitals, inpatient and outpatient facilities and offices of health care practitioners such as optometrists and chiropractors. Projected employment for the 2008-2018 decade is 34 percent. This is much faster than average, making “medical assistant” one of the fastest growing occupations in the country.

For more information about medical assistant careers, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics at www.bls.gov.

Rock star isn’t the only career in the music industry. Yes, it’s probably one of the coolest, but there are so many other exciting careers in music, you’ll lose count! Believe it or not, not everyone wants to be in the spotlight. Fortunately there are dozens of behind-the-scenes careers that are not only exciting, but they can be just as lucrative as being in front of the camera. Many of these careers are technical in nature, so they require training. A music degree can give you the skills you need to break into:

• -Sound editing
• -Engineering
• -Instrument design
• -Music software programming
• -Music publishing
• -Recording (technician)

Other behind-the-scenes careers in music are not necessarily technical in nature, but many require a degree in music with a special concentration. Depending on the concentration, a degree in music can lead to a career in:

• -Music therapy
• -Education
• -Tour management
• -Voice Coaching
• -Music journalism
• -Music critic
• -Special events
• -Directing (film music)
• -Concert promoter
• -Band leader
• -Copyright specialist
• -Artist & repertoire (A & R) person

Composer, art director, advertising specialist, music attorney, lobbyist, and copy writer are other career opportunities for music majors. 

Types of Music Degrees

The main types of music degrees are a Bachelor of Arts Degree (B.A.) in music and a Bachelor of Music. Advanced degrees include Master of Music (M.M), Master of Arts (M.A.) and Master of Music Education (M.M.E.). If you’re interested in becoming a music professor, a PhD or Doctoral of Musical Arts (D.M.A) is usually required.

Music Employers

So, now you know the types of majors for aspiring music professionals as well as the types of careers open to graduates. So where are the jobs? Depending on the degree and specialty area, individuals with a degree in music may find employment at recording studios, production companies, and even government agencies such as the Department of Cultural Affairs, the Commission of Fine Arts, and Voice of America. Other types of employers are:

• -Private and nonprofit organizations
• -Media firms
• -Music and film studios
• -Performing art centers
• -Production companies
• -Orchestras and bands
• -Entertainment companies
• -Colleges and universities
• -Booking and talent agencies
• -Media firms
• -Elementary and secondary schools

Colleges that offer Music Degrees

There are literally hundreds of colleges that offer music degrees. Traditional universities, schools of art and technical schools offer music programs of all kinds. Some of the top schools are:

• -University of Rochester (Eastman School of Music) (NY)
• -Juilliard School (NY) 
• -Curtis Institute of Music (PA)
• -New England Conservatory of Music (MA)
• -Oberlin College Conservatory (OH)
• -Manhattan School of Music (NY)
• -Cleveland Institute of Music
• -Mannes College of Music (NY)
• -San Francisco Conservatory of Music
• -Westminster Choir College (NJ)
• -Boston Conservatory
• -University of the Arts (PA) 

The Future of Music Careers

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for musicians, singers, and related workers is expected to grow as fast as average. While this is good news, it’s important to remember that competition for positions in the music industry is intense. The more experience, education, and dedication you have the better. If you land a full-time job in the music industry, you can you expect to earn up to earn anywhere from $40,000 on the low end up to six figures on the high end. Self-employed musicians, singers, and others may earn more based on the number of performances, weeks of contract work, reputation, and recordings.

To learn more about music careers, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics at www.bls.gov.

Whether or not it’s a good idea to go to college has been in the news a lot lately. Many Americans are questioning how valuable a college degree is thanks to a shaky economy and an unemployment rate that’s at an all-time high. Well, the economy will bounce back eventually, and when it does, having a college degree will help you get a better job than having a high school diploma alone. This is especially true for the average American. We say “average American,” because naysayers love nothing more than to throw around the old “Bill Gates is a college dropout and he’s a billionaire!” The problem is, Bill Gates is not your average American. He, and a handful of others like him, are the exception—not the rule.

If you’re the average American, yes, you need a college degree to get a job in any given professional field. Doctors, lawyers, politicians, engineers, computer scientists, educators, ad executives, journalists, and many others would not be where they are today if they did not have a degree. A bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement for many professions, while others require an advanced degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

When it comes to paychecks and prospects, conventional wisdom is right. On average, college graduates earn more money, experience less unemployment, and have a wider variety of career options than other workers do. A college degree also makes it easier to enter many of the fastest growing, highest paying occupations. In some occupations, in fact, having a degree is the only way to get your start.

Many blue-collar jobs require some form of education as well. You may have to enroll in a training program at a trade school or other institution in order to earn an certificate, associate degree or other credential to become an electrician, construction worker, fireman, police officer, mechanic, or other blue-collar job. Sure, you may not have to obtain a bachelor’s degree for these positions, but you will still have to enroll in a specific program, pay tuition, and study in order to pass a number of challenging courses.

It is important to note bachelor’s degrees are increasingly becoming the norm for many blue-collar jobs. For example, a degree in fire science is attractive to most large fire departments and most police departments prefer recruits with college training. All Federal police agencies require a college degree.

There really are no short-cuts when it comes to obtaining even a decent job, with decent pay, and decent benefits. So, instead of focusing on the short-term, focus on your future. So far, it doesn’t look bright if you don’t have a college degree. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that individuals with less than a high school diploma have the highest rates of unemployment in the nation (around 14.6%), followed by individuals with a high school diploma (9.7%). Individuals with a professional degree, doctoral degree or a master’s degree have the lowest rates of unemployment at 1.7%, 2.1%, and 2.9%, respectively. The rate of unemployment for bachelor’s degree holder’s is around 3.3%.

A college degree has many more benefits besides better job opportunities and higher earnings than non-degree holders. A college degree builds self confidence, you become more independent, you’ll make new friends, you’ll learn more about multiple subject areas, and you’ll be exposed to different cultures, which is an asset in society and the workplace). You’ll also increase your network, which can be utilized for years and years to come.

For more information and statistics about college degrees in America, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics at www.bls.gov.

A political science degree is a common degree of choice for aspiring attorneys, public administrators, public relations specialists, and journalists. Although political scientists can find work in these fields and many others, many work in education, research, and government. These areas require an advanced degree, but an undergraduate degree in political science is the first step to acquiring one.

Having a variety of careers to choose from is only one benefit of a political science degree. Another is salary growth. The top paying industries for political scientists are:

• -Federal Executive Branch, $114,040 per year
• -Local Government $83,790
• -Social Advocacy Organizations  $77,410
• -Scientific Research and Development Services $77,160
• -State Government $58,040

Salaries vary, but according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for political scientists is $104,090 per year. The lowest paid political scientists average $46,520 per year and the highest earners average $151,360. Salaries for political scientists have increased every year since 1999. Increases are significant, with the largest jump occurring between 2004 and 2009.

• -Year 1999: $74,280 per year
• -Year 2004: $86,460
• -Year 2009: $104,090

Job growth in this field is promising for all degree levels, but an advanced degree can increase your options even more. Job growth for political scientists increased between 1999 and 2004 from 4,280 employees to 4,490. Between 2004 and 2008, the number of employees in the field decreased to 3,970. However, between now and 2018, overall employment of political scientists is expected to grow 21 percent. This is much faster than the average for all occupations. Many other career fields for political scientists will continue to grow as well. For example, job growth for attorneys is 13 percent from 2008 to 2018. For public relations specialists, job growth is 24 percent during the same time period.

If you choose a career as a political scientist, you can expect to perform the following duties:

• -Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems.
• -Research a wide range of subjects, such as relations between the United States and foreign countries, the beliefs and institutions of foreign nations, or the politics of small towns or a major metropolis.
• -Study topics, such as public opinion, political decision-making, and ideology.
• -Analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various political entities.
• -Conduct public opinion surveys, analyze election results, or analyze public documents.

If you’re interested in a career in political science, you can get started by earning your undergraduate degree. Political science degrees are offered at colleges and universities across the U.S., but some of the best programs are offered at: 

• -Columbia University, New York, New York
• -Cornell University 
• -Massachusetts Institute of Technology 
• -New York University 
• -Northwestern University 
• -Ohio State University 
• -Princeton University 
• -Stanford University  
• -University of California
• -University of California – San Diego 
• -University of Chicago
• -University of Michigan
• -University of Minnesota
• -University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 
• -University of Rochester
• -University of Texas at Austin 
• -University of Washington 
• -University of Wisconsin
• -Washington University in Saint Louis 
• -Yale University 

You can find other colleges and universities that offer a political science degree by visiting Princetonreview.com or Petersons.com. For more information about political science careers, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics at bls.gov.

Whether you’re an insurance sales agent or underwriter, you’ll likely work with all types of insurance from auto to life. Insurance sales agents are in the business of selling insurance. Also called “producers,” insurance sales agents sell life, property and casualty, disability, health, and long-term care. They work with businesses, families, and individuals to find the best policies to protect their property, lives, and health. Some insurance agents work with all types of insurance, while others specialize in one area.

 Life insurance agents sell policies that pay beneficiaries when the policyholder dies. Health insurance agents sell health insurance policies that help cover the cost of medical care in the event of an accident, illness, or injury. Health insurance agents may also sell disability policies and dental insurance. Property and casualty insurance agents auto insurance to businesses and individuals, as well as property insurance policies that protect against loss due to theft, storms, fire, and vandalism.

Insurance sales agents have other tasks outside of selling. They provide financial planning services and advice on minimizing risk. They maintain records, prepare reports, generate new business, and settle insurance claims. Insurance sales agents work for one company. Independent insurance agents are brokers who work for several companies. Around 21 percent of insurance agents work for insurance carriers and 51 percent work for insurance agencies and brokerages. Twenty-two percent are self-employed.

Insurance underwriters calculate risk. They make the decision about who insurance companies should grant policies to and under what terms. Underwriters use advanced technology to analyze information provided by insurance applicants. This technology helps determine which types of risks are acceptable and won’t result in a loss. Once risk is established, underwriters prepare policies that cover the risks. Some companies are conservative in their underwriting activities while others are liberal. An insurance underwriter is expected to work under these guidelines, whether he agrees or not.

Qualifications for Insurance Jobs

To become an insurance sales agent, a college degree is preferred. Companies also prefer graduates that majored in economics, business, or finance. Some colleges offer insurance courses and others, such as Indiana State University and Ball State University, offer a bachelor’s degree in the field. Although a degree isn’t mandatory to become an insurance sales agent, a State-issued license is. Licensure requirements are determined on a state-by-state basis, but they require successful completion of insurance courses and a passing score on several exams. 

Insurance sales agents average $45,430 per year (median). The middle 50 percent earn $33,070 to $68,730 per year. High earners average $113,930 per year. In addition to earning a good living as an insurance agent, job growth looks great. The industry expects to add 51,600 jobs over the next seven years, which is a 12 percent increase in job growth.

Becoming an Underwriter

Most companies prefer to hire college graduates for underwriting jobs. A degree in business administration or finance is preferred, but a bachelor’s degree in any field in addition to accounting and business law courses might get your foot in the door as well. Insurance underwriters average around $56,790 per year. The highest paid underwriters average around $99,940 per year. Although you can make a good living as an underwriter, job growth is down. The industry expects to lose 4,300 jobs over the next seven years.

For more information about insurance jobs, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics at www.bls.gov.

Sociology is one of the most misunderstood fields of study. Tell a group of people that you’re majoring in sociology and the first question they’ll ask is “uh, what are you going to do with that?” Fortunately, the answer is “plenty.”

Sociology is the study of the interaction, structure, collective behavior, and development of organized groups of people. Sociologists can find work in just about any area of business, and in health care, environment & society, government, demography, criminal justice, human services, education, community relations, and social science research. The list of specific job titles is extensive, but just a few are:

• -Advocate
• -College Administrator
• -Community Relations Specialist
• -Consultant
• -Consumer Researcher
• -Director of Advertising
• -Law Enforcement Officer
• -Marketing Manager
• -Mental Health Counselor
• -Personnel Training
• -Public Assistance Agent
• -Social Science Analyst
• -Teacher
• -Waste Manager

Salaries for these positions vary greatly by level of education, experience, company, and location, but you can expect to make anywhere from $27,000 per year on the low end up to $95,000+ on the high end. Management, director and postsecondary education positions typically fall on the higher end of the pay scale.  

If you are interested in a sociology career, you should enroll in an accredited bachelor’s degree program with a major or focus in sociology. Although a bachelor’s degree is a great start, many professionals in this field hold a masters degree or higher. An undergraduate program can prepare you for an entry to mid-level career and/or for a master’s program. All program’s have specific course requirements, but you can always take additional courses that will help prepare you for multiple positions.

According to Top Online Colleges, major requirements may include, but are not limited to:

• -Advanced Social Theory
• -Directed Readings in Sociology
• -Feminist Theories of Social Order
• -Introduction of Social Theory
• -Introduction to Society
• -Medical Sociology
• -Population Analysis
• -Practicum in Applied Social Research
• -Race and Ethnic Group Relations
• -Religion in Society
• -Research Methodology
• -Rural Sociology
• -Social Deviance
• -Social Inequality
• -Social Movements
• -Social Problems
• -Society and the Future
• -Sociological Research
• -Sociology of Childhood
• -Sociology of Education
• -Sociology of Gender Roles
• -Sociology of Law
• -Sociology of Sport                                                
• -Statistics for Social Research
• -The Family
• -The Individual in Society 
• -Urban Sociology
• -Work, Industry, and Society
• -Internship Program

To find the best sociology program, browse through college ranking sites such as Princetonreview.com and Petersons.com. You can also try U.S. News & World Report College Rankings. If you decide to search on your own through Bing or Google, always check the schools website for accreditation, especially if you have never heard of the school or the school operates exclusively online. This does not mean that unfamiliar schools and online schools do not offer high quality programs—most do, but you have to be careful today thanks to the proliferation of diploma mills and schools that have recently lost accreditation.

The following accrediting agencies are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. It is important to note that, the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) is one of the top accrediting agencies for online colleges and programs.

• -The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• -The Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• -The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
• -The Distance Education and Training Council (DETC)
• -Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
• -New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• -North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
• -Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
• -Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

To review the full list of recognized agencies, visit the U.S. Department of Education.

MBA degrees have become the gold standard of the business world. More than 62 percent of all CEOs hold a MBA or higher from an accredited program. Why? An MBA opens up more doors in the business world than any other type of degree. Not only this, but an MBA fetches higher salaries, excellent advancement opportunities, and a chance to become an entrepreneur. Its no wonder an MBA is one of the most attractive degrees in the world.

An MBA (Master of Business Administration) can prepare you for a lucrative career in upper management, portfolio management, or consulting. You can also establish a career as a marketing director, human resources manager or CEO. In an average market, an MBA holder has the potential to earn $100,000+ per year working in just about any industry. At the highest levels, a Fortune 500 CEO earns an average of $800,000 per year, plus bonuses and other perks.

Top executives are everywhere. In fact, there are more than 2,133,500 million in the business and management field today. This includes 400,400 chief executives and 1,733,100 general and operations managers.

To become a member of the top executive club, it takes dedication and hard work. It takes a minimum of six years to earn an MBA, beginning as an undergraduate. A traditional MBA degree program requires successful completion of:

• -Accounting
• -Business Strategy
• -Economics
• -Finance
• -Human Resources
• -Marketing Management
• -Manufacturing and Production
• -Operations Management
• -Statistics
• -Technology and Information Systems

The core curriculum accounts for 40 percent of the degree requirement. Specific course may include leadership development, global economic environment, social networks and social capital, managerial statistics, operations strategy, financial planning and analysis, strategy structure and incentives, financial accounting, marketing strategy, and managerial economics. 

Most undergraduates interested in pursuing an MBA typically earn a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), a Bachelor of Science in Business (BSBA), or a Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS).

An MBA program should include the classes listed above, along with an internship. Most MBA programs follow the traditional curriculum, while some programs, such as online programs, may differ slightly. The best thing to do when searching for a quality MBA program is to make sure the program is accredited by a recognized agency such as the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). You should also compare the curriculum to a top ten MBA program such as:

1. 1. Harvard Business School 
2. 2. INSEAD (France)
3. 3. IMD (Switzerland.)
4. 4. MIT: Sloan School of Management 
5. 5. Stanford University Graduate School of Business  
6. 6. University of Pennsylvania: Wharton Business School
7. 7. University of Chicago Graduate School of Business  
8. 8. Columbia University Graduate School of Business
9. 9. London Business School   (UK)  
10. 10. Northwestern University: Kellogg Business School   

There are hundreds of quality MBA programs in the U.S. and abroad, so just because you didn’t graduate from a top ten program doesn’t mean your chances of making it are any less. Most MBA programs are challenging, competitive and rewarding, so give it your all and you’ll go far.

To review a list of recognized accrediting agencies visit the U.S. Department of Education website at www.ed.gov for details.