Category: Your Compensation (Page 8 of 10)

What can I do with a Communications Studies Degree?

February 23, 2011 / Michelle Burton

Journalist

Communications is a broad field that includes public relations, advertising, journalism, marketing, corporate training, and business management. A bachelor’s degree in communications can lead to a career as a broadcaster, journalist, publicist, editor, advertising manager, technical writer, marketing analyst, producer, or communications director. A master’s in communications can prepare you for a career in management and for director positions.

To obtain a communications studies degree, you should enroll in a bachelor’s degree program at an accredited college. Accredited colleges have the most comprehensive communications programs and most employers prefer to hire applicants with a degree from an accredited college. Keep in mind that the accrediting agency must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

The following are just a few of the nations top accrediting agencies:

-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)
-National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
-Accrediting Commission for Community and Pre-collegiate Arts Schools

The following accrediting agencies offer regional accreditation:

-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

The Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) accredits a large number of online colleges and online degree programs, so if you are planning to earn your communications degree online, make sure it is accredited by the DETC or other Department of Education recognized agency. Click here to search the U.S. Department of Education database of accredited postsecondary institutions and programs.

After earning your communications studies degree, you can expect to earn anywhere from $25,434 per year on the low end, up to $105,960 per year on the high end, depending on the position. Yearly salaries for communications jobs are as follows:

-Broadcaster – $37,710 (median)
-Journalist – $25,434-36,419 (entry level)
-Publicist – $27,917-$39,992 (entry level)
-Editor – $49,990 (median)
-Advertising Manager – $105,960 (median)
-Technical Writer – $60,140-$71,640 (median)
-Marketing Analyst – $55,570-$77,170 (median)
-Producer – $40,037-$71,109 (median)

To find top communications programs, try Princetonreview.com, Petersons.com, or U.S. News & World Report College Rankings.

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Highest Paying Associate Degree Careers

February 8, 2011 / Michelle Burton

Associate Degree

Employers consider many factors when assessing a candidate for employment, but two of the most important factors are experience and education. These two factors may determine whether or not the company will hire you and how much they will pay. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, bachelor’s degree holders earn nearly twice as much as workers with a high school diploma. Bachelor’s degree holders typically earn 15-30 percent more than associate’s degree holders during their working lifetime.

While associate degree holders may earn less than bachelor degree holders (overall), unemployment rates for all college degree levels are significantly less than rates for individuals with no college experience at all. The unemployment rate for individual’s with less than a high school diploma was 14.5 percent for 2010. For individuals with a high school diploma (but no college), the unemployment rate was 10.8 percent for 2010. For associate degree holders the unemployment rate was 8.2 percent and for bachelors, masters, professional, and doctoral degree holders, the unemployment rate was 4.9 percent.

Fortunately, there are a number of rewarding careers for individuals with an associate degree. An associate degree can also help you get your foot in the door at top companies. Many associate degree holders work in entry-level positions at top companies while gaining valuable experience in their respective fields. Some associate degree holder’s work in these positions while earning a bachelors degree.

Associate degree holders can find careers in all fields, but many of the top careers for these degree holders are in the medical and technical fields. Because the positions listed below are in the medical and technical fields, the average salaries are higher than most other industries. Just a few high-paying associate degree careers include:

1. Computer Specialist-Support Position ($46,370 per year)
2. Dental Hygienist ($66,570 per year)
3. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer ($61,980 year)
4. Engineering Technician ($42,960-$56,080 per year)
5. Nuclear Technician ($66,660 per year)
6. Radiation Therapist ($72,910 per year)
7. Immigration and Customs Inspectors ($59,930 per year)
8. Loan Officer ($53,000 per year)
9. Paralegal and Legal Assistant ($46,120 per year)
10. Radiologic Technologist/Technician ($52,261 per year)

If you are interested in earning an associate degree, many programs are available both on-campus and online through colleges and universities, community colleges, technical schools, career schools, and specialty schools. Before enrolling in an online associate degree program, check with the U.S. Department of Education to make sure the school is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency. Just a few of the top accrediting agencies include:

-The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
-The Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
-Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
-Distance Education Training Council (DETC)
-Council on Occupational Education (COE)
-Accrediting Commission for Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT)
-Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
-National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
-Council for Interior Design

Recognized Regional Accrediting Agencies

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Jobs That Pay $80,000?

February 7, 2011 / Michelle Burton

Dog at Clinic

Yes—they’re out there. You can find a job that pays $80,000 or more if you have the right education and experience. If you are unsure about what you want to do with your life or you are confused about a career switch, money just might motivate you make a decision. So, which careers pay $80K or more? Everything from art directors to veterinarians are on the list, so you just might find something you could be good at or better yet, something you can actually grow to love.

1. Administrative law judges, adjudicators and hearing officers
Do this: Conduct hearings to rule on government-related claims; determine penalties and liability; and help to craft settlements.
Get paid: $80,870
2. Biomedical engineers
Do this: Design and develop devices and procedures to help solve health-related problems. Projects might include information systems, artificial organs or artificial limbs.
Get paid: $81,120
3. Chiropractors
Do this: Diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions of the spinal column to prevent disease and alleviate imbalance, pain and pressure believed to be caused by interference with nervous system.
Get paid: $81,340
4. Atmospheric, earth, marine and space sciences teachers, post-secondary
Do this: Teach courses and research topics in the physical sciences, except chemistry and physics.
Get paid: $81,470
5. Agents and business managers of artists, performers and athletes
Do this: Represent and promote their client’s business while handling business matters and contract negotiations.
Get paid: $81,550
6. Materials scientists
Do this: Study the chemical composition of various materials and figure out ways to develop new materials and improve existing ones; also determine ways to use materials in products.
Get paid: $81,600
7. Physician assistants
Do this: Perform health-care services and provide treatment plans under a physician’s supervision.
Get paid: $81,610
8. Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
Do this: Research and investigate human diseases and how to improve human health.
Get paid: $81,870
9. Physics teachers, post-secondary
Do this: Teach courses and research topics pertaining to the laws of matter and energy.
Get paid: $81,880
10. Atmospheric and space scientists
Do this: Study the effects the atmosphere has on the environment, most commonly through weather forecasting.
Get paid: $82,080
11. Management analysts
Do this: Figure out best practices of management by conducting studies and procedures to help companies figure out how to operate more effectively.
Get paid: $82,920
12. Producers and directors
Do this: Produce or direct, and make all creative decisions for stage, television, radio, video or motion picture productions.
Get paid: $83,030
13. Biological science teachers, post-secondary
Do this: Teach courses and research topics in biological sciences.
Get paid: $83,270
14. Materials engineers
Do this: Develop new uses for recognized materials, and develop new machinery and processes to make materials for use in specialized products.
Get paid: $84,200
15. Transportation, storage and distribution managers
Do this: Oversee transportation, storage or distribution activities in accordance with governmental policies and regulations.
Get paid: $84,520

Click here to take a look at more $80k jobs on CareerBuilder.com’s roundup of “30 jobs that pay $80,000.”

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Unemployment Lowest Since April 2009

February 4, 2011 / Michelle Burton

Jobs Ahead

Although economists predicted that the unemployment rate would increase to 9.5 percent, the unemployment rate went in the other direction, dropping 9 percent last month from 9.4 percent in December. Many would consider this good news, but a number of skeptical analysts don’t see it this way. The government reported that 36,000 new jobs were created last month—the fewest in four months. And analysts say this might not be a sign that that economic recovery is picking up pace.

Jim O’Sullivan, chief economist at MF Global, said that the market is discounting the big drop in the unemployment rate. “The information value of this report is limited because it was obviously affected by the weather,” he said.
The unemployment rate fell despite the small number of new jobs because some people who are out of work gave up looking for a new job, Mr. O’Sullivan said.
Andrew Wilkinson, senior market analyst at Interactive Brokers, said: “It’s extremely difficult to see beyond the snow to understand today’s data.”

Fortunately, during a recent speech the National Press Club, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the Fed expects the economy to improve this year and inflation to remain low.

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Physician Assistant Jobs on the Rise

January 26, 2011 / Michelle Burton

Physician_Assistant_Usethisone

Physician assistants are in high demand and the trend is expected to continue through 2018. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for physician assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations—to the tune of 39 percent from 2008-2018. The healthcare industry is experiencing tremendous growth overall, accounting for 26 percent of all new jobs created in the U.S. today. But like many other occupations in the healthcare industry, such as registered nurses and occupational therapists, physician assistants are right at the top of the list for job growth.

Physician assistant jobs are also ranked high on the pay scale—even for first-year graduates. Although income varies by specialty, location, years of experience, and geographical location, according to the American Academy of Physician Assistants’ 2008 Census Report, median income for first-year graduates was an impressive $74,470. A recent Forbes article discussing the ‘best master’s degrees for jobs’ told the story of one graduate who switched careers in 2006, graduated from a two-year physician assistant master’s program at Duke University in 2008, and found a job as a physician assistant that paid more than triple his old salary as a teacher.

Shane Tysinger graduated in 2008, in the middle of a recession, but says there were jobs everywhere for students in his graduating class. Today he works in an Eden, N.C. clinic that focuses on family medicine. His salary has more than tripled from his days as a teacher. “I found the career I was meant to do,” says Tysinger.

In May 2008, the median annual wage for physician assistants was $81,320. The middle 50 percent earned between $68,210 and $97,070 and the lowest 10 percent earned less than $51,360. The top ten percent earned $110,240 per year.

To become a physician assistant, you must complete a training program at an accredited school of allied health, academic health center, medical school, or four-year college. A few accredited training programs are available at community colleges, through the military, and at hospitals. As of 2008, there were 142 education programs for physician assistants accredited or provisionally accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant. Eighty percent of these programs offered a master’s degree, 21 offered a bachelor’s degree, three awarded associate degrees, and five awarded a certificate.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

All States and the District of Columbia have legislation governing the practice of physician assistants. All jurisdictions require physician assistants to pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination, administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and open only to graduates of accredited PA education programs.

100 hours of continuing medical education every two years is mandatory in order to order to remain certified, plus successful completion of a re-certification examination every six years.

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