It has been a fast summer in 2008, but it is quickly coming to end from a return to college stand point. Meaning if you plan on going back to college or to a trade school and you have not yet applied or inquired about your options, you had better get on it.  Most traditional colleges and schools will be starting the fall semester soon but there is still time to get in.

If you plan on going to a less then traditional college where they have more frequent classes and programs starting throughout the year then you may not be in such a rush and may still want to enjoy your summer vacation just a little longer.  However, you should still take a little bit of time to contact the schools you are interested in so you can be a little ahead of the curve.

Just a few more details as a follow up from our previous post.

Ivy League courses are evolving. Keep checking around and looking at blogs and the school's web site for more information. They may go full swing into the distance learning mode in the near future.

For instance, Yale has announced that beginning in the 2007-08 academic year, they will offer digital video of taped lectures for free online. Again, these are not meant to be used towards a full degree, but you can get the benefit of the class experience.

In keeping with that trend, Harvard has made the same videotaped lectures available online for graduate and undergraduate credit. Not a full degree but a real nice experience nevertheless if you really WANT to try an Ivy League school.

The presidents of both schools have made statements about marrying information technology with education in a distance learning environment.

The long and short of it is that the application requirements will be the same as if you were applying in person, you really will need to have a great portion of your tuition on hand to attend the courses that are there online. Even then, I must emphasize, you will not have the option of taking a full degree online at an Ivy League institution: just the experience of hearing the material.

Source: Blog

Are you tired of your job and see it going nowhere? You have choices such as going back to school or starting a career training program in order to learn a new trade or get a degree.  Make the most of it and just do it. Do not keep waiting and hoping something better will come along, it may never happen. You have to take the first step.

Ask yourself a question. If you could do anything (career wise), what would it be? Ignore the education or degree requirements you may need to have in order to start working in that career field.  You can go back to school anytime you want. But you have to take the first step and learn what it would take to enter that career field, and then make it happen. No excuses, just do it. Even if you work full time and think there is no way, remember there is always a way if you are determined. Nothing can stop someone who is determined to help themselves.  It is when people blame everyone else and then take no action that they do not reach their goals. Yes of course there will be times when it doesn’t work out, but if you are really honest with yourself  and you are doing everything you can and learning all you can, chances are you will reach your career goals.

But you have to take the first step. Get up now and do it. Do not wait until tomorrow, or next week, or next year, do something now.

What can you do now? Find the careers you are interested in and start contacting some schools to see what type of programs they have available. When do the programs start? How much will it cost? You will never know unless you ask. Do it now! Contact some schools today!

If you love to stay in great shape and enjoy working with people one of the careers in health and fitness may be calling your name. The health and fitness industry always seems to be growing as more and more people know they need to stay in shape for good health.  Getting into one of the health and fitness careers is a popular career choice among many of active and outgoing people.

If you are interested in this careers you can find fitness and exerice schools here.

Recreation and Fitness Workers

Organized recreational activities make up a large part of society’s lifestyle. Individuals who are interested in this field may want to consider a career as a recreation or fitness worker. The majority of these positions are seasonal in nature. However, there are many opportunities for full-time, year round work.

Career Opportunities

Recreation and fitness workers take on many duties. They must organize, plan, and direct recreation activities. Community centers, parks and recreation facilities, health clubs, theme parks, or other organizations usually employ these workers. Much of their time is spent outdoors in some form of physical activity.

Recreational leaders work directly with participants and handle daily operations. They create schedules, instruct classes, and ensure proper use of equipment. Activity specialists work with larger groups, teaching dance, aerobics, swimming, art, tennis, or some other activity. Recreation supervisors manage these positions. Recreation supervisors serve as a liaison between the recreational leader and the director. The director of recreation and parks is another position available in this field. Directors are often responsible for a number of parks, determine budgets, and advise state and local commissions. All of these positions are meant to be full-time jobs, requiring year-round work.

Other year round work is available as fitness workers. Fitness workers specialize in the exercise arena. Fitness and personal trainers work in gyms or with clients in their homes. They motivate clients by assessing their fitness level, determining the best exercise routine, and recording their progress. Aerobics instructors teach group classes at gyms. Fitness directors oversee operations at a fitness club or gym.

A large number of seasonal work is available in the recreation field. Many high school and college students work in recreation during summer vacations. A job as a camp counselor is a very popular choice. Counselors work with children and teenagers in an outdoor setting. Activities include swimming, hiking, horseback riding, boating, music, art, computers, gymnastics, and tennis. Camp directors supervise camp counselors and handle all administrative duties.

Necessary Qualifications

Most summer jobs will not require any educational degrees or diplomas. Many high school students will work these jobs. Many other positions will require a high school diploma. Full-time professional positions, such as a director of parks and recreation, will require a college degree in parks and recreation or leisure studies. Many colleges and universities offer programs in this field. Accredited programs offer courses in history, park management, community organization, and outdoor recreation.

Certification is often required for fitness trainers and aerobics instructors. The certificate must be renewed every two years. Many workers are required to have CPR training or Lifeguard training, depending on their field of interest.

An outgoing personality is a must in this field. Recreation and fitness workers should be patient and sensitive. Excellent health and physical condition are vital.

Some of this information was summarized from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook website. To find up to date information you can visit the website at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos058.htm

Some dental assistants are hired without any experience or degree and obtain on-the-job training to learn the routines of a dental office. However, finding a dentist willing to train you on the job may be tough as many want someone with at least the entry level jobs skills that can be learned in various dental assistant programs available throughout the United States. These programs from dental assistant schools usually take no more than a year to complete. It is recommended that candidates attend schools that are accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation.

Some states require certification in certain areas of dental assistance. A passing score on the written and practical exam are required for licensure. Continuing education is required to maintain the license.

Dental assistants should be reliable and work well with people. They are often the first person a patient meets when entering the office. The first impression should be a positive and welcoming one. They should also demonstrate good manual dexterity in order to assist the dentist.

If your career plans include becoming a cosmetologist or beauty specialist in the great state of Texas with the desire to provide hair, skin, and/or nails treatments to customers there are several locations of cosmetology schools in Texas to choose from.

Two schools with cosmetology training programs we have featured are Remington College (locations include Dallas, Fort Worth, and North Houston) and Milan Institute of Cosmetology with locations in Amarillo and San Antonio, Texas.

Remington college offers several different Career specific programs and their instructors are professional in the careers they teach.

Milan Institute of Cosmetology offers career programs in Cosmetology, Manicurist, and Esthetician. As of this writing there are a few campuses in Texas as follows:

Milan Institute of Cosmetology Amarillo
2400 SE 27th
Amarillo TX 79104

Milan Institute of Cosmetology San Antonio South
South San Antonio - 605 SW Military Dr.
San Antonio TX 78222

Milan Institute of Cosmetology San Antonio Windcrest
Wind Crest - 5403 A Walzem Road
San Antonio TX 78219

Whether you decide on one of these or one of other cosmetology trade schools it is important for you to take the time to about your options. Enter the beauty career field is exciting and has a lot of opportunity.

A career in Dental Assisting is a great way to go if you are looking for a rewarding and professional area to go into. You can either get a 2 year degree from a college or a certificate from a trade school. Many of the trade schools can even help place you into an office when you have finished the course.

You will work right along side of the Dentist and help to do many procedures. Most of your training will be on the job. An assistant’s education teaches them the basics in routine dental health care. You will learn proper dental terminology and how to take dental x-rays. You will sterilize instruments and possibly be in charge of ordering supplies. You will also learn how to teach patients proper oral hygiene and the importance of it. If you have experience in expanded duties the Dentist will expect you to perform many steps on your own prior to him coming into the operatory. Some such duties may include placing a rubber dam in the patients mouth (which is a device that isolates the tooth or teeth the dentist will be working on), making temporary crowns and trying in permanent crowns so all that the Dentist needs to do is come into the op and make sure the crown does in fact fit properly and permanently cement it into place.

As a dental assistant you will see the patients more than the Dentist so you will want to make a good impression because you are representing the Dentist and his or her practice. You will be able to make a good salary and have medical benefits and often times you will get your own dentistry for free, which is a huge plus.

If you are people oriented, this could be a very rewarding career for you. You will meet many new people and often times make good friends within the office.

If you are interested in becoming a dental assistant the first step is to contact a few different dental assistant schools to learn more about the programs they offer.

The old story used to be you graduate from high school, go to college to earn a degree and then you find a great job with a lot of potential. Over the years your salary would keep increasing and you would be living this comfortable life with a lot of security. Well things are different know and there are no guarantees of any kind whatsoever. So you need to ask yourself if it is even worth pursing a college education after high school.

You could spend four years or more of your life and thousands of dollars to get a piece of paper that may not have been worth it. The Wall Street Journal just had an article about how the value of a college degree is declining and it really makes you wonder.

Of course if you do not go to college what are you going to do after you graduate from high school? You could enjoy your summer, but then what? Should you go get a low paying job and that is all you will do for the rest of your life? Should you go find employment where someone will teach you some skills? Should you join all of the other brave men and women in the military? You have many options to consider and maybe going to college is not one of them. You can always go back to school later in your life if getting a college degree becomes worth while again, right? A lot of people do that.

Ok without getting to crazy for many people it is still worth it to get a four year college degree. If there is a career field you are really interested in and entering that career requires a four year degree then you really have no choice but to go to college.

Some say that a college degree now a days is like a high school diploma used to be years ago. Well if that is true then you might need one just to earn a decent wage. But it does appear that the guaranteed high earnings lifestyle just by going to college is over.

One thing to keep in mind is that not everyone has to go to a traditional college and earn a four year degree. There are many career training programs and trade schools that may give you what you need and do it in less time, maybe even less money.

Before you give up on going to college or if you are not sure what you need to do remember this. Learn all you can about your options. That means talk with different schools and colleges to find out what they can offer you. Talk to people who are working in the career fields you are interested in and see what they have to say. Is a degree required for an entry level job. Can you enter it by going to a trade or career school? Can you learn the needed skills from on the job training or by joining the military? Learn your options to help you make a better decision.

You have many options such as computer technician schools and medical assisting schools to name a few.

Using a trade schools directory is one of the best ways for finding trade schools. Many schools have a lot of different programs so your best bet is to either browse a big site listing several schools and programs or to save time contact independent advisors who work with all schools and colleges.

If you are deciding whether to go career or college the choice may not be as hard as you think. First off do you know what type of a career or job you are interested in? If you do that is half your battle. The reason is not all jobs and careers require a traditional college degree. Many careers such as dental assisting do not require for years of college but instead completing a program from one of many dental assistant schools across the nation may be all that is needed for an entry level position.

So if you are asking yourself how do i decide what career is for me first take note of all your interests. Then you may want to sit down with a college counselor to get some ideas. Plus most counselors will help deciding on career choice however they may try to steer you toward their particular college or school. Therefore an independent counselor may be a better option to ask them can you help decide the perfect career for me and they may be able to guide you some. They should not make the decision for you so do not let them get pushy.