Author: Michelle Burton (Page 7 of 26)

Non-Profit Management Training

July 15, 2011 / Michelle Burton

There are more than 1.4 million non-profit organizations in the U.S., with more than 12.5 million employees. The non-profit sector expends $120 billion in annual personnel costs and represents $340 billion in total annual budget outlays. This means, if you’re lucky enough to land a job with a religious organization, hospital, university, foundation, or other non-profit organization, you can expect stability, salary growth, employment growth, and a variety of positions to choose from.

Most non-profit management personnel have an MBA in non-profit management. These professionals typically hold positions such as assistant director of fundraising, program analyst, program director, program officer, marketing/research manager, director, community outreach coordinator, finance director, director of information systems or director of public relations.

How to Find Non-Profit Management Training Programs

Non-profit managers usually hold a non-profit management MBA from an accredited college or university. Today’s MBA student has the option of obtaining a degree on-campus, online, or through a blended format. Blended formats allow students to complete half of the degree on-campus and the other half online. Blended and online formats make it easier for students to work full-time in the field while pursuing an advanced degree.

When searching for non-profit management training programs, try Princeton Review first. This is an excellent source for lists of top business colleges. U.S. News and World Report is also a great source. When you find a school you’re interested in, make sure it’s accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized agency. Just a few recognized agencies include:

-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)
-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
-Western Association of Schools and Colleges

Many online programs have also been accredited by:

-Distance Education Training Council (DETC)
-Council on Occupational Education (COE)

If you come across a school that has not been accredited by any of the agencies listed above, check the U.S. Department of Education website at ED.gov for a complete list of accrediting agencies.

Non-Profit Management MBA Program Curriculum

Non-profit management MBA programs prepare students for a career in management by teaching everything from business computing and business finance to principles of marketing and principles of management. Online curriculums should require the same courses as on-campus programs, so be sure to check the course listings for the online program you have chosen before beginning the application process. The following is a list of non-profit management degree courses to look for:

-Business Computing
-Business Finance
-Business Statistics
-Effective Career Management
-Entrepreneurship
-Human Resource Management
-International Business
-Legal Environment Business
-Organizations: Structures & Behavior
-Principles of Management
-Principles of Marketing
-Writing and Speaking for Business

If you would like more information about non-profit management MBA degrees or careers, the following websites might be useful visit the U.S. Department of Labor website at www.bls.gov.

Your Business, Your Career, Your Education, Your Workplace

Benefits of Foreign Language Programs

July 14, 2011 / Michelle Burton

The United States is home to the fifth highest population of Hispanics in the world. As of 2009, 44 million Hispanics lived in the U.S. and this number is expected to increase to over 100 million by 2050. Not surprisingly, Spanish is the second most common language in America. Spanish isn’t the only language that’s growing in America. Chinese is the third most common language in the country, followed by French, then German, Tagalog (spoken in the Philippines), Vietnamese, Italian, Korean, Russian, Polish, and Arabic.

With so many languages and cultures flourishing in the U.S., businesses, colleges, government organizations, and others feel that being bilingual, or even multilingual, is an asset. In many instances, companies will hire a bilingual or multilingual candidate over one that speaks only one language—even if the candidates’ backgrounds are nearly identical.

In addition to being a plus in the working world, there are a number of jobs for individuals with a degree in foreign language. These jobs are available in education, government, aviation, law, the arts, finance, journalism, tourism, social service, customer service, and many others. Just a few job titles for foreign language graduates are foreign service officer, foreign service peacekeeping, air-traffic assistant, paralegal, art dealer, importer/exporter, professor, consultant, international banking officer, cultural attaché, linguist, interpreter or translator, customs/immigration officer, travel writer, foreign exchange trader, UNESCO official, and foreign diplomat.

While a foreign language degree is the minimum requirement for some of the positions listed above, a degree in say finance, along with fluency in or a certificate in a foreign language might be the only requirements. If you already speak a second language such as Spanish, but have never taken a Spanish class, that doesn’t mean you can teach Spanish. In a language program, you’ll learn the technical aspects of the language and the proper way to speak it.

The type of foreign language program you should take will depend on what you plan to do once you’ve learned a second language. If you plan to learn a second language for personal growth, taking a foreign language program at a language center or community college may be sufficient. If you prefer to work independently, you can purchase any number of language learning software packages online or at your local software emporium, bookstore, or electronics store. If you plan to make a career of it, a foreign language program at a two- or four-year college is your best bet.

Some of the best colleges for foreign language majors are:

-Georgetown University
-University of Chicago
-Harvard University
-Princeton University
-Columbia University New York
-Stanford University
-Brown University
-Tufts University
-University of Colorado
-Southern Methodist University
-Dartmouth College
-Brigham Young
-University of California-Berkeley
-University of Pittsburgh
-University of Rochester
-Duke University
-Vanderbilt University
-The University of Texas

A Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Language takes four to five years to complete. Colleges that offer the program online may offer the option to take an accelerated program, which means, you can complete the program in two to three years, with no breaks.

For more information about language in America, visit the U.S. Census Bureau Language Use page at http://www.census.gov/hhes/socdemo/language/.

Your Business, Your Career, Your Education, Your Workplace

Career Spotlight: Pediatric Travel Nurse

July 11, 2011 / Michelle Burton

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:

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

Your Career, Your Compensation, Your Education, Your Workplace

Best Colleges for B Students

June 29, 2011 / Michelle Burton

One of the biggest myths about college is you have to have straight A’s to get into a good one. True, straight A’s can be come in handy when competing for the most competitive academic scholarships, but many college admission boards understand that some of the best students don’t always perform to their full potential in high school. In fact, they feel that less than perfect grades don’t represent who you are as a person or how well you will do in college. This means, if you’re a B student, don’t worry. All you have to do is create a list of colleges you might be interested in—many are probably on our list of best colleges for b students, and create an excellent application package to get your foot in the door. If you follow the advice below, you will be well on your way to being accepted into one of America’s best colleges for B students.

Getting In: Moving Past the Application Form

Once you have filled in all of the basic information on your application form, its time to begin adding test scores, essays, awards, and other credentials to your application packet. While it is important to include copies of your ACT and SAT scores as well as your high school transcripts, it is even more important to highlight your accomplishments and write an excellent essay. Many of the colleges on our list welcome (and encourage) resumes, which is a great place to organize and convey your biggest accomplishments. On your resume you should include:

-Your full name
-Current address
-Telephone number
-Email address
-All awards and honors you have earned
-All forms of community service
-All part or full-time jobs
-References
-Sports and extracurricular involvement, whether inside or outside of school
-Volunteer service

When it comes to writing essays, the most heartfelt and honest essays usually score big points over essays that “whine” and “place blame.” So here are some common dos and don’t’s to keep in mind when writing your essay and/or attending an entrance interview. You should explain any circumstances that could have affected your academic performance and/or test scores. Admissions staff members do understand that frequent moves, learning disabilities, part-time jobs, test anxiety or health issues, and extenuating personal or family circumstances can distract from learning. It’s best not to complain or whine, or blame teachers, parents, and others for your performance. Avoid being too emotional and try not adopt a “poor me” attitude. Admissions boards are much more receptive to those who take responsibility than those that seem to have one too many excuses.

Once you have all of your application materials in order, proofread the materials at least three times. Grammatical errors and careless mistakes won’t help matters at all. Once you feel that your application packet is in order, make a copy for your records and mail the original. That’s it!

Before we move onto the list of best schools for B students, keep in mind that that the colleges on our list are not looking for slackers. The entry requirements a bit more open-minded than some institutions, but they are not as relaxed as you think they are. These colleges still hold students to the highest standards from the time your application is submitted to graduation day.

Best Colleges for B Students

The following list represents just a small number of some of the best colleges for B students. Visit Petersons.com for a full directory of college and university websites.

Adelphi University, Garden City, NY
Ana Maria College, Paxton, MA
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Augusta State University, Augusta, GA
Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH
Bradley University, Peoria, IL
University of California-Riverside, Riverside, CA
Champlain College, Burlington, VT
University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Cornell College, Mount Vernon IA
DePaul University, Chicago, IL
Elmira College, Elmira, NY
Fisk University, Nashville, TN
Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
Fort Lewis College, Durango, CO
Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ
Hampton University, Hampton, VA
High Point University, High Point NC
University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT
University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI
University of Houston, Houston, TX
Howard University, Washington, DC
University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN
University of Louisiana, Lafayette, LA
University of Maine, Orono, ME
University of Memphis, Memphis, TN
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA
College of Notre Dame, Baltimore MD
Ohio University, Athens, OH
University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
University of Portland, Portland OR
University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN
University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA
Washington State University, Pullman WA
West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV

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Career Spotlight: Healthcare Practitioners

June 27, 2011 / Michelle Burton

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.