Saturday, July 31, 2010  
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New grads play to their strengths on job hunt
Fresh from school with diploma in hand, new graduates face a daunting new reality on the job hunt. It's a rough transition to make, especially in a tough job market, so they need to use every advantage to gain a foothold.
 
How online education can help working parents
Whether you're a single parent or married, raising kids who are healthy, happy, educated and disciplined is a full-time job. As a parent, you have to give up doing things you want to do for yourself in order to make sure your kids have your undivided attention whenever they can. Fortunately, parents who want to return to school now have more opportunity to do so, thanks to the flexibility and convenience offered by online education outlets.
 
Little things to get your business recognized on a larger stage
If you're operating a small business, it's unlikely that you have a lot of extra money laying around to spend on a large-scale marketing plan. But there are a number of ways to spread the word about your business without breaking the bank.
 
How to answer job interview questions and be prepared
Job interviews can be filled with anxiety if you are not prepared for the questions and the answers. Preparing for your job interview is a lot more than updating your resume and getting a haircut. Doing your homework is critical to your success. To prepare for a job interview, here are a few questions you should be expecting.
 
How to make a play for a career in video games
The video game industry has exploded in recent years, but it is not growing fast enough to keep up with the number of people seeking employment in it. However fierce the competition may be, it is still possible to find employment in the game design industry. Here are a few tips that can help give you an edge over other applicants.
 
Why online learning could work for you
There is a very good reason that online education has become popular in recent years. The traditional classroom setting just doesn't suit the needs of many of today's students anymore, as they are demanding more flexible options and versatility.
 
Demystifying massage: How to choose what's right for you
Massage is no longer a luxury reserved for the wealthy. Growing public awareness of massage's benefits for alleviating a number of health problems - from stress to arthritis pain - and greater availability of services have made massage therapy accessible and affordable to a much broader spectrum of consumers than ever before.
 
Simple steps that can help to build a small business brand
The excitement of owning your own small business is matched only by the challenge of making sure people know about it. From the day you hang out your shingle - often a digital shingle these days - you're faced with an uphill battle to build recognition. The good news is that it takes just a few simple steps and some dedication to build a brand around your business.
 
Where to find education benefits for military family members
The men and women who serve our country in uniform are eligible for a number of educational benefits in exchange for their service. It's only fair: they offer their blood, sweat and tears to defend the nation, and the nation contributes resources to help them become better soldiers, or re-join the civilian world. However, service members aren't the only people making sacrifices on behalf of the military: their family members do as well.
 
Small businesses get credit boost from new fund
With many traditional credit sources continuing to keep a tight rein on lending, many small business owners simply do not have access to conventional means of credit. The good news is that small business owners are increasingly able to access alternative and innovative sources of financing, including Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs).
 
Considering a job in criminal justice? Know how technology will affect your career
Are you obsessed with television shows like "CSI" and "Law and Order"? You're not alone. If you are inspired by "CSI"-type shows and are considering pursuing a criminal justice degree, it is helpful to understand computers and have a background in information technology.
 
Why learning online is an earth-friendly education option
Are you passionate about preserving the planet? Does it rub you the wrong way when others don't recycle? When offered paper or plastic bags at the grocery store, do you find yourself lecturing the bagboy about the benefits of bringing your own bags? There's nothing wrong with being green. Did you know that you can help the planet simply by earning your degree online?
 
Why business is the most popular undergraduate major
Whether you're thinking of heading to campus or enrolling in an online degree program, this list of most-awarded bachelor's degrees could help you plan your college education. If you're headed off to college soon, now's the time to think about concentration programs within the most popular major, and a look at how college students' choice of majors has changed over the years.
 
Entrepreneurs: Try these new marketing techniques to reach customers
There is a hidden message in all of the headlines about the economic difficulties over the past couple of years: salespeople's jobs have become harder than ever. Many businesses have suffered or shut down completely because customers aren't buying with the same enthusiasm they used to - whether those customers are everyday consumers or part of a business-to-business chain.
 
Women's finances: Embrace the power of the purse
Every woman should have a healthy relationship with money, but the reality is that many women still heavily rely on men to handle their finances. Now is the time for women to break out of the traditional role and take action to gain financial independence.
 
Want to know you can land a job after graduation? Try massage therapy
Students earning a diploma in professional massage therapy have excellent chances of landing a rewarding job in their chosen field upon graduating. In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor's 2009-2010 Occupational Outlook Handbook states that employment for massage therapists is expected to increase 20 percent through 2016, faster than average for all occupations.
 
Six ways to use the Web in your job search
With the unemployment rate in the U.S. hovering around 10.4 percent, many Americans are facing the daunting task of looking for permanent employment. The rise of the Internet has changed the very structure of the job market, making it easier than ever for potential employees to contact managers, companies and each other.
 
For job seekers, online schools are important during a recession
Education is a critical factor in any job hunt. These days, job seekers are also discovering that potential employers have increasingly high expectations when it comes to a candidate's educational level. As employers raise the bar for education requirements for job seekers, an increasing number of applicants are turning to online degrees.
 
See where a medical assistant career can take you
If you've ever thought about pursuing a career in the health care industry, now is the time to make it happen. Health care is expected to gain 3.2 million jobs before 2018 - more than any other industry - according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Health care is one of the most diverse industries and employs people with all different educational levels. One of the most dynamic positions you can pursue is that of a medical assistant.
 
Five must-use sites for a recent grad
The Internet has morphed from a luxury to a utility in the last two decades, and it is now the premiere way to establish oneself as a desirable job candidate. It can be the best tool for college graduates entering the workforce, if you're using the right websites.
 
How an idea becomes a movie
"I'm just a bill, yes I'm only a bill, and I'm sitting here on Capitol Hill." We've all seen the "Schoolhouse Rock" episode that explains how a bill becomes a law. In fact, many of us base our entire understanding of U.S. politics on that three-minute cartoon. In many ways, the making of a movie is just as complicated as the journey a bill takes to become a law.
 
The 5 most popular graduate degrees
In 2006 to 2007, the last year for which statistics are available, institutions of higher learning in the United States awarded nearly 605,000 master's degrees. The vast majority of those awards were concentrated in five subject areas. Here are the most popular fields of study among master's degree recipients.
 
Online degree programs: reality versus virtual reality
There are a lot of myths about online education. It's natural for people to be suspicious about new ideas or new ways of doing things, and the incredible growth and development of online learning over the last 10 years was bound to attract scepticism. Here are some facts about the bigger myths about online education.
 
Emerging careers in science and health care
Growth in technology is contributing to career options at an increasing rate. Ten of the 20 fastest-growing careers are health care-related, with 26 percent of all new jobs created falling into this category, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's "Career Guide to Industries, 2010-11 Edition." New career possibilities are opening for individuals with vocational training, college diplomas and advanced degrees.
 
Five things job-seekers can do to stand out from the crowd
If you're a job-seeker in today's tight employment market, you know what a challenge you're up against. Whether you're a recent graduate or an experienced worker who has been affected by the economic downturn, you know that employers who post job openings are flooded with applications, making it difficult to stand out in the crowd.
 
Dressing for success to get that job? Begin planning
Remember how you would lay out your clothes the night before you went to school? You may want to continue that habit - if you're in the market for a job or want to hold on to your current position. Preparation goes a long way when it comes to making a good impression.
 
Why you need to stand out at trade shows - and how to do it
Trade shows can be a bad news/good news proposition. The bad news? It might cost your business a bit to go. However, the good news is something that you can hardly put a price tag on. What will you get for your investment? Exposure, networking opportunities, new business, the chance to be seen as a major presence, and, depending on what industry you're in, press coverage. You could be seeing the benefits of going to a trade show for a long time to come.
 
Cuts on campus: Will students go online?
New York. Michigan. California. Georgia. All across the country, there's been a steady drumbeat of announcements detailing grim cuts to public higher education budgets at the state level. No institution is completely immune to hard times, but many land-based campuses are struggling to deal with the fallout from the recession while online education outlets continue to grow.
 
What do IT professionals do when viruses attack?
Before computers even started making their way into people's homes, programmers were writing "viruses" that could cripple entire systems. Here is an inside look into what experienced IT professionals do when their networks are attacked by viruses.
 
Riding the social media wave: a user's guide to Web-based communication
People use social media for a variety of reasons. What role does social media play in your life? What role should it play?
 
Accountants are needed to keep businesses afloat
As the economy continues to recover, an increased emphasis will fall on the accountability, transparency and responsible financial management of businesses large and small - putting accountants and auditors more in-demand than ever before.
 
Women are going back to school, but not in the classroom
While many parents already take an active role in their children's education, today more and more moms are going back to school themselves, particularly in the tight economy. The U.S. Census Bureau recently reported that women were on track to surpass men in earning advanced degrees. And they are increasingly doing so online, at a significantly lesser cost than the average brick-and-mortar institution.
 
Job opportunities for college graduates in financial services are growing
Job opportunities are increasing for students graduating with a degree in financial services, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Job growth for auditors and accountants is expected to increase faster than average, and according to a March 19 Wall Street Journal article, opportunities for financial services' most venerable occupation - the life insurance agent - are also on the rise.
 
Can the Internet help define, close the generation gap?
The Internet is a great equalizer, giving all who use it virtually the same access to a vast vault of information, from the relevant and vital to silly minutia. Yet how we use the Web and behave in the digital world varies greatly, depending on our age, familiarity with digital media and other demographic factors, a new survey reveals.
 
Could you be a creative director at an ad agency?
Are you trying to find a career where you can combine your creativity with your passion for being a leader? While there are plenty of jobs out there where you could use those skills, being a creative director will allow you to thrive on them.
 
College students: Take 5 steps to jump-start your career
Each year a new crop of students graduates from colleges and universities, and joins the millions of unemployed across the nation in seeking work. To prepare for life after graduation, there are steps college students can take to bolster their appeal in the job market.
 
First impressions matter most: the importance of a memorable logo
You wouldn't go into a job interview wearing shorts and a T-shirt. You know better than to show up an hour late to meet the parents of your future spouse for the first time. That's because you realize the importance of first impressions. For businesses, logos are often the first thing people notice. Therefore, it's important your logo makes a memorable first impression.
 
Maximize rental profits by balancing corporate and vacation tenants
Landlords don't have to choose between marketing their property as a vacation or corporate rental. Rather, landlords of furnished properties can service both markets and capitalize on seasonal and economic trends.
 
Five tips for a safer business trip
It's easy to forget about safety when you're away from home, tied up with client meetings and power dinners. Unsuspecting travelers - especially those who are out of town on business -- make easy prey for criminals. With these simple business travel safety tips, you won't have to worry about leaving your home behind, or whether or not you'll be safe when you reach your destination.
 
What you need in your new business start-up kit
Few times are more exciting than when you're just about ready to launch your new business. The potential and possibilities seem almost endless, but it can be nerve-wracking too. You may have been planning your foray into business ownership for years, but in the weeks before you take the big leap, you need to make sure that you're truly ready to handle the business that will be coming your way.
 
The work starts when the job search begins
A record number of people are looking for work these days. If you're not one of them, chances are you know someone who is. These frustrating economic conditions make it easy to get discouraged. For anyone feeling stalled in their job search, a few simple steps could put the wind back in their sails.
 
What you need to know to become a veterinary technician
The American Veterinary Medical Association's 2007 U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook states that nearly 40 percent of all U.S. households include at least one dog and 32.8 percent own two cats. That's a lot of patients receiving care from the veterinary community. If you have ever thought of working with animals as a career, you can follow a well-defined professional path.
 
Job opportunities booming in health care
Many Americans are evaluating career directions and considering other options in today's competitive job market. One industry consistently reported as growing is health care. Even if patient care does not appeal to you, you should not disregard looking into health care opportunities because not all health care workers are directly involved in patient care.
 
Preparing the work force America's economy requires
America does not have the work force necessary for the economy it has and needs. That was the conclusion of the Commission on the Future of Higher Education in 2006. In order to reach the competitive level called for, greater attention must be given to the 54 million adults who have some college, but no degree.
 
What you need to think about when considering a career change
In this time of economic uncertainty, people of all ages are considering career changes. People are forced to explore other career options because of layoffs. Others seek a new direction as they experience declining satisfaction with a job they once found exciting. Professionals who have made successful switches to different careers offer advice to help others do the same.
 
E-mail marketing: reaching the masses through one mouse click
Buying advertising can be expensive and creating the ads can also be a time-consuming and difficult process. While there's no doubt that advertising and other traditional marketing efforts can be helpful in growing your client base, knowing what options are available and which are the most effective can often be the biggest challenge to a small business owner. One of the best options, and one of the most underutilized, is e-mail marketing.
 
Social media: The best advertising money can't buy for your small business
Used to be, a diligent small business owner with a great idea and plenty of gumption could grow a business through word of mouth alone. In many ways, that's still true. Yet today, much of the "word of mouth" conversations and recommendations, which can make or break a business, are happening online, not face to face.
 
In the service and wondering what's next? A degree can help get you there
Are you in the service right now, considering your options following your military career? Serving our country is a noble cause, and one that creates not only a sense of loyalty, but also an abundance of opportunities in the form of leadership development and educational paths that can lead to fulfilling civilian and military careers.
 
Personal branding: A new focus in job searching
Career development professionals are creating new strategies to help clients increase the chances of getting noticed among the throngs of job applicants vying for positions.
 
The scent of success: How aromatherapy can help your professional edge
Why does a distinct aroma become so inspiring? How can something so fleeting as the scent of spring lilacs make such a lasting impression? It's because our physical sense of smell is powerfully and inextricably tied with memory, more so than sight, sound and touch.
 
Expert advice for starting a small business - even in this economy
Is it easier to climb Mount Everest than to start a small business in America today? More than 65 percent of Americans think so, according to a recent survey. Yet 70 percent also believe small businesses are more likely to turn around the economy than the federal government, reveals the survey by Wakefield Research conducted on behalf of e-commerce platform Alibaba.com.
 
Nonprofits leaning on individuals and corporations in tough times
A new study released by the Corporation for National and Community Services reported that the number of volunteers in America rose 1.6 million in the past year. The dramatic increase ultimately demonstrates that people are contributing to their communities at an increasing rate, even during financially challenging times.
 
Going back to college? Chase your passion, not a paycheck
Given current economic conditions, it's no surprise that many people are considering going back to college either to pursue a more advanced degree in their field or to change fields altogether. There is a process you can follow to be smart about returning to college.
 
Refresh your resume for optimum performance
Is your resume working for you? There's never been a better time to take a close look and make sure it is. With today's high rate of unemployment, many Americans are competing in a tight job market. Will your resume grab the attention of a prospective employer?
 
The rise of camera phones, Internet photography and civilian photojournalism
It's safe to say that the Internet and electronic technology have completely revolutionized the way our society uses photography. Taking a picture has always been the way to freeze time and capture important memories, but never before has it been so unbelievably easy to record those moments and share them with people in every corner of the world.
 
Attention authors: 4 reasons to go with an indie publisher
Due to advancements in technology like digital cinematography cameras and internet distribution, artists in both the movie and music industries have been producing their work independently for decades now. Now, in that same independent spirit, writers also have the freedom to bypass the traditional conventions of publishing to achieve their goal of becoming a published author.
 
What it takes to become a professional game designer
In order to become a qualified game designer, you must be creative, easily motivated and have a natural talent for design. Pursuing a career as a professional game designer also takes the right education, and that requires you to attend the right game design school.
 
Five things small businesses can do to make marketing pay off
In shaky economies, companies that invest in their marketing often come out on top. But for small business, making these investments often feels risky. Not only are time and resources tight, many small business owners feel they lack the knowledge to make the marketing choices that provide a return. In fact, figuring out "what works" is the top marketing concern for nearly 80 percent of small business owners.
 
Discover the many career opportunities in audio production
If you want to be right in the middle of the media world, a career in audio production may be for you. Within the audio field, you can take a variety of career paths. You may have the opportunity to mix sounds for your favorite video game series, produce hit music, record the dialogue of famous actors and much more.
 
Ten great ways to create a more productive workspace
The average person's day can be inundated with a laundry list of workplace and personal to-dos. Combine that with the fact many workloads have expanded due to more than two thirds of workforces cutting resources in 2009, and things can really get stressful. Overall, many workers don't feel they are truly productive day in, day out.
 
Quick Poll
An elderly Duplin County woman was raped recently. Does the heinous nature of that crime justify to you bringing back public lynchings?

 
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