Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Should I Continue My Education After College?

You finished one milestone - an undergraduate degree, so what's next?

You may be questioning yourself: Should I continue my education after college? Will the benefits outweigh the costs? And so forth.

These questions riddling your mind, can be answered through other queries:

Does your career demand a higher education?

An advanced education will likely boost the career you are working in. If you work in law or medicine, just as an example, the higher skill sets you earn through education, the more qualified you'll become to perform your duties, which leads to better job security - discussed below.

Do you want better job security?

A competitive workforce means only the cream of the crop will thrive. According to the Census Bureau, those with a master's degree earn roughly 15% more than their bachelor holding counterparts. Also, the statistics provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, titled "Education Pays", showed that those holding a higher education fell into lower unemployment categories, along with more median weekly salaries.

Do you want to advance your knowledge and skills?

One of things that will give you an improved advantage in life is knowledge. You've heard this time and again - that books open windows to the world, and an education, better education - is a ticket to your dreams.

Are you passionate about your field of study?

This is the main question you should ask yourself when deciding to pursue a graduate degree. This is because advanced degrees tend to focus on one specific subject area. If you plan to make a lifelong career out of nursing for instance, then taking master's courses in this area is one way of promoting yourself into management roles. The same is true for other careers like teaching, medicine, physiology, psychology and much more.

If you've answered yes to most of these questions, it's perhaps in your best interest to pursue a graduate, or even a post graduate degree.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Getting the Nails Done in Cosmetology Schools

An outfit is not complete without a wonderful hairdo and a set of great looking nails. From the moment a well-dressed woman walks into the room, all eyes go from the head to the toes and all points in between. As she takes a seat at the table and reaches for her glass, her well-manicured fingers shine with delight. Compliments flow, and her confidence elevates to an all-time high.

If you enjoy beautifying your nails and desire to share the love with others, maybe taking a nail care course is something you should pursue. Not only would you learn the craft of beautifying the nails, but also you would be performing a valuable public service to those who despises unkempt nails.

Becoming a Licensed Nail Technician allows you to make money doing the thing that you love. Instructors introduce you to the science behind nail care. You learn the steps necessary to help others experience the benefits of proper nail care. Your instruction includes identifying nail diseases and properly protecting yourself while handling your client's nails.

From the bare nail to polished perfection, you learn the proper application of acrylic nails. In addition, if you have an artistic flair, you can refine your skills into beautiful nail masterpieces. You would become the talk of girls' night out and your expertise broadcasted to all available ears. Would you like that type of gossip circulating through the masses? I am sure your pocketbook would.

Successfully completing a nail course could chart a new path in your life. This nail knowledge can skyrocket your earnings potential. Suddenly, you become the boss of your future. Automatically, many different choices become available to you in your new journey. And the great part is that you are not restricted when beginning your new career path. Even the idea of becoming a business owner, gets a little closer and become an achievable goal and not a myth.

So then, what do you have to lose? If you are not happy with your current employment situation, get out there and do something about it. Do not let the hours and days turn into months and years of unhappiness. If you desire the allure of a career in nails and beauty, do not waste time thinking about it. Contact some of the top Cosmetology Schools in your area and get more information on how you can make a career in nails your reality.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

How Balancing Work and Nursing School?

Balancing nursing school and work can be a big challenge but it is not insurmountable. There are many things that you could do with creative scheduling, finding a program that works for you, and enlisting your support network.

Degree programs for nursing currently abound. Choose a school that is accredited and will allow you to get a job upon graduation. Before you apply or pay any money to a program, do your research and know what you are getting. Once you have a list of reputable and accredited schools that have a good track record of graduate placement upon graduation, it is worthwhile to determine which program is the best fit for you. Some questions to ask of the nursing school you are considering include:

1. What is the travel time involved

2. Will I be able to keep my current job and attend this school

3. How can I afford this degree

4. Do I need to stay with my cohort or can I be flexible when taking classes and do things on my own timeline?

Keep in mind that there are weekend and night programs that exist and allow professionals to continue working in their current field while attending nursing school.

Consider what your priorities are above all else. Is your current job and income the most important to you? Do you have family members or dependents that are extremely important considerations? What are the needs of your significant other? At the end of nursing school, you will want to know that you succeeded with the backing of all of those people who mean the most to you. It can be an empty feeling to sacrifice everything for a dream, especially when there are online programs, weekend and night programs, and other options to help you achieve your dreams without shirking responsibilities to those who you love. There will be sacrifices of time in any program, but knowing what your priorities are can help you to study more efficiently in order to meet all of your obligations.

Finally, engage a support network. If yours is a little weak at the moment, consider who you would like to be in that close group of friends and family to help you through this big transition. We all need help sometimes. Nursing school is demanding and rigorous and there will be times it is a real challenge to get everything done in a day.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Four Things You Should Know Before Pursuing A Master's Degree

Are you considering taking the next step for an educational or career advancement? Here's what you need to know before getting started with a master's degree:

1. A Master's Program Entails Heavy Workload- Don't expect to be cruising through grad school due to possessing a solid foundation with a bachelor's degree. A master's degree entails more technical studies, critical and analytical thinking skills, with more challenging coursework compared to an undergraduate degree. The workload in a master's degree can be compared to the heightened responsibilities felt by recent high school grads who are just entering college. It takes some time to adjust to the added responsibility.

2. Consider the Time Investment- The average master's degree program, according to the Education Portal, takes approximately two years to complete. This is important to keep in mind, to determine if this dedication can be followed through, so as not to start without finishing.

3. Better Opportunities- Despite the heavy workload and investment in time, a master's or graduate degree can open numerous doors for students, in terms of career advancement, salary increase, and elevated credibility. This isn't just a statement, it's a fact: According to the Department of Labor and Statistics, graduate degree holders will earn at least a million dollars more than undergraduate degree holders throughout their lifetime. In addition, employment rates are much higher in this group of educational achievers.

4. The Cost of Graduate School- According to the U.S. Department of Education, the average tuition for graduate school runs from as low as $5,000 to as much as $40,000 annually, depending on the school of choice. Research will need to be done, and the type of field being pursued also affects the cost. An online school eliminates the cost of boarding and transportation. In addition, some distance learning schools will offer payment plans for tuition, but this will need to be researched as well.