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25 Required Things Successful Educators Do Differently

Posted by Michael M.K. Tuesday, April 30, 2013 0 comments

25 Required Things Successful Educators Do Differently - If you ask a student what makes him or her
successful in school, you probably won’t hear about some fantastic new book or video lecture series. Most likely you will hear something like, “It was all Mr. Jones. He just never gave up on me.”

What students take away from a successful education usually centers on a personal connection with a teacher who instilled passion and inspiration
for their subject. It’s difficult to measure success, and in the world of academia, educators are continually re-evaluating how to quantify learning. But the first and most important question to ask is: Are teachers reaching their students?

Here are 25 required things successful educators do differently.

1. Successful educators have clear objectives

How do you know if you are driving the right way when you are traveling somewhere new? You use the road signs and a map (although nowadays it might be SIRI or a GPS). In the world of education, your objectives for your students act as road signs to your destination. Your plan is the map. Making a plan does not suggest a lack of creativity in your curriculum but rather, gives creativity a framework in which to flourish.

2. Successful educators have a sense of purpose

We can’t all be blessed with “epic” workdays all the time. Sometimes, life is just mundane and tedious. Teachers who have a sense of purpose and who are able to see the big picture can ride above the hard and boring days because their eye is on something further down the road.

3. Successful educators are able to live without immediate feedback

There is nothing worse than sweating over a lesson plan only to have your students walk out of class without so much as a smile or a, “Great job teach!” It’s hard to give 100% and not see immediate results. Teachers who rely on that instant gratification will get burned out and disillusioned. Learning, relationships, and education are a messy endeavor, much like nurturing a garden. It takes time, and some dirt, to grow.

4. Successful educators know when to listen to students and when to ignore them

Right on the heels of the above tip is the concept of discernment with student feedback. A teacher who never listens to his/her students will ultimately fail. A teacher who always listens to his/her students will ultimately fail. It is no simple endeavor to know when to listen and adapt, and when to say, “No- we’re going this way because I am the teacher and I see the long term picture.”

5. Successful educators have a positive attitude

Negative energy zaps creativity and it makes a nice breeding ground for fear of failure. Good teachers have an upbeat mood, a sense of vitality and energy, and see past momentary setbacks to the end goal. Positivity breeds creativity.

6. Successful educators expect their students to succeed

This concept is similar for parents as well. Students need someone to believe in them. They need a wiser and older person to put stock in their abilities. Set the bar high and then create an environment where it’s okay to fail. This will motivate your students to keep trying until they reach the expectation you’ve set for them.

7. Successful educators have a sense of humor

Humor and wit make a lasting impression. It reduces stress and frustration, and gives people a chance to look at their circumstances from another point of view. If you interviewed 1000 students about their favorite teacher, I’ll bet 95% of them were hysterical.
8. Successful educators use praise smartly
Students need encouragement yes, but real encouragement. It does no good to praise their work when you know it is only 50% of what they are capable of. You don’t want to create an environment where there is no praise or recognition; you want to create one where the praise that you offer is valuable BECAUSE you use it judiciously.

9. Successful educators know how to take risks

There is a wise saying that reads, “Those who go just a little bit too far are the ones who know just how far one can go.” Risk-taking is a part of the successful formula. Your students need to see you try new things in the classroom and they will watch closely how you handle failure in your risk-taking. This is as important as what you are teaching.

10. Successful educators are consistent

Consistency is not to be confused with “stuck”. Consistency means that you do what you say you will do, you don’t change your rules based on your mood, and your students can rely on you when they are in need. Teachers who are stuck in their outdated methods may boast consistency, when in fact it is cleverly masked stubbornness.

11. Successful educators are reflective

In order to avoid becoming the stuck and stubborn teacher, successful educators take time to reflect on their methods, their delivery, and the way they connect with their students. Reflection is necessary to uncover those weaknesses that can be strengthened with a bit of resolve and understanding.

12. Successful educators seek out a mentor for themselves

Reflective teachers can easily get disheartened if they don’t have someone a bit older and wiser offering support. You are never too old or wise for a mentor. Mentors can be that voice that says, “Yes your reflections are correct,” or “No, you are off because….” and provide you with a different perspective.

13. Successful educators communicate with parents

Collaboration between parents and teachers is absolutely crucial to a student’s success. Create an open path of communication so parents can come to you with concerns and you can do the same. When a teacher and parents present a united front, there is a lower chance that your student will fall through the cracks.

14. Successful educators enjoy their work

It is easy to spot a teacher who loves their work. They seem to emanate contagious energy. Even if it on a subject like advanced calculus, the subject comes alive. If you don’t love your work or your subject, it will come through in your teaching. Try to figure out why you feel so unmotivated and uninspired. It might have nothing to do with the subject, but your expectations. Adjust them a bit and you might find your love of teaching come flooding back.

15. Successful educators adapt to student needs

Classrooms are like an ever-evolving dynamic organism. Depending on the day, the attendance roster, and the phase of the moon, you might have to change up your plans or your schedule to accommodate your students. As they grow and change, your methods might have to as well. If your goal is to promote a curriculum or method, it will feel like a personal insult when you have to modify it. Make connecting with your student your goal and you’ll have no trouble changing it up as time moves on.

16. Successful educators welcome change in the classroom

This relates to the above tip, but in a slightly different way. Have you ever been so bored with your house or your bedroom, only to rearrange it and have it feel like a new room? Change ignites the brain with excitement and adventure. Change your classroom to keep your students on their toes. Simple changes like rearranging desks and routines can breathe new life in the middle of a long year.

17. Successful educators take time to explore new tools

With the advance of technology, there are fresh new resources and tools that can add great functionality to your classroom and curriculum. There is no doubt that the students you are teaching (far younger than you) probably already have a pulse on technologies you haven’t tapped into yet. Don’t be afraid to push for technology in the classroom. It is often an underfunded area but in this current world and climate, your students will be growing up in a world where technology is everywhere. Give them a headstart and use technology in your classroom.

18. Successful educators give their students emotional support

There are days when your students will need your emotional support more than a piece of information. Connecting to your students on an emotional level makes it more likely that they will listen to your counsel and take your advice to heart. Students need mentors as much as they need teachers.

19. Successful educators are comfortable with the unknown

It’s difficult to teach in an environment where you don’t know the future of your classroom budget, the involvement of your student’s parents, or the outcome of all your hard work. On a more philosophical level, educators who teach the higher grades are tasked with teaching students principles that have a lot of unknowns (i.e. physics). How comfortable are you with not having all the answers? Good teachers are able to function without everything tied up neatly in a bow.

20. Successful educators are not threatened by parent advocacy

Unfortunately, parents and teachers are sometimes threatened by one another. A teacher who is insecure will see parent advocacy as a threat. While there are plenty of over-involved helicopter parents waiting to point out a teacher’s mistakes, most parents just want what’s best for their child. Successful educators are confident in their abilities and not threatened when parents want to get into the classroom and make their opinions known. Good teachers also know they don’t have to follow what the parent recommends!

21. Successful educators bring fun into the classroom

Don’t be too serious. Some days, “fun” should be the goal. When students feel and see your humanness, it builds a foundation of trust and respect. Fun and educational aren’t mutually exclusive either. Using humor can make even the most mundane topic more interesting.

22. Successful educators teach holistically

Learning does not happen in a vacuum. Depression, anxiety, and mental stress have a severe impact on the educational process. It’s crucial that educators (and the educational model) take the whole person into account. You can have the funniest and most innovative lesson on algebra, but if your student has just been told his parents are getting a divorce, you will not reach him.

23. Successful educators never stop learning

Good teachers find time in their schedule to learn themselves. Not only does it help bolster your knowledge in a certain subject matter, it also puts you in the position of student. This gives you a perspective about the learning process that you can easily forget when you’re always in teaching mode.

24. Successful educators break out of the box

It may be a self-made box. “Oh I could never do that,” you say to yourself. Perhaps you promised you’d never become the teacher who would let the students grade each other (maybe you had a bad experience as a kid). Sometimes the biggest obstacle to growth is us. Have you built a box around your teaching methods? Good teachers know when it’s time to break out of it.

25. Successful educators are masters of their subject

Good teachers need to know their craft. In addition to the methodology of “teaching”, you need to master your subject area. Learn, learn, and never stop learning. Successful educators stay curious.

Internship Hunt, Students choose Boston for Jobs

Posted by Michael M.K. Thursday, April 25, 2013 1 comment

Internship Hunt, Students choose Boston for Jobs - Due to the various types and sheer number of
internship opportunities in Boston, students come to the city to get a taste of their desired careers.

“There’s a great number of schools in the Boston area [and] there are many fine employers looking for the best talent,” saidJames French, assistant dean for career services at the Boston University School of Management. “We have an excellent relationship with the companies in the area, but also across the country and across the world, and employers know the quality of our students and are very much attracted to them.”

French said in the BU Feld Career Center, he helps connect students with business internships in the city. (see HERE)

“In the past 12 months, 230 employers have visited us to meet our students,” he said. “They’ve posted over 1,600 jobs and some of those are internships and others become permanent jobs.”

Cesare Grieci, manager of staffing and employee relations at American Students Assistance, said ASA started seeking younger interns who could provide more insight on how students are dealing with educational loans and debt.

“In the beginning we started hiring the upperclassmen who were toward the end of their college years,” he said. “But we found that we weren’t giving ourselves enough exposure to the people entering into school.”

French said students who get the best internships have high academic standing but also know how to interact in social situations.

“Being very prepared for interviews, knowing how to interact with a potential employer, knowing how to behave and how to be productive all show that you can add value [to the company,]” he said.

Some students said they came to BU specifically for its internship programs and opportunities.

Morgan Perry, a College of Communication junior, said she transferred to BU because there were several internships in the city for her major. (see HERE)

“I was attending school at the University of Pittsburgh and realized that there were not as many opportunities for internships in my field there,” she said. “Not to mention that [BU has] one of the best communication schools in the country.”

Perry said she completed two internships and plans to intern for Digita in Boston this summer.

“My internship at Digita was really competitive to get, but my two other internships were less competitive because they are smaller companies,” she said. “Getting an internship in Boston has been relatively easy, [so] long as you are persistent and not too picky.”

Chloe Conceicao, a College of Fine Arts sophomore, said her previous internship at Mazda helped her gain valuable experience in the workforce.

“It makes you take responsibility because you have to be there on time every day,” she said, “and you don’t leave until you get your work done.”

Source : dailyfreepress.com

How to Get a Proper Education in US 2013

Posted by Michael M.K. Sunday, March 24, 2013 0 comments

How to Get a Proper Education in US 2013 - Being in college is hard in many ways: financially, academically, personally, socially, intellectually, physically. And most students question why they are trying to get a college degree at some point during their college experience. Simple reminders of the reasons why you want to get a college degree can help keep you on track when you feel like getting off.

Tangible Reasons Why!

You'll make more money: figures range from several hundred thousand to a million dollars or more over your lifetime. Regardless of the details, however, you'll have more income.
You'll have a lifetime of increased opportunities. More job openings, more chances at promotions, and more flexibility with which jobs you take (and keep) are just a few of the doors that will be opened when you have your degree in hand.
You'll be more empowered as an agent in your own life. You'll be better educated about the things that have an impact on your day-to-day existence: knowing how to read a lease, having an understanding of how the markets will influence your retirement accounts, and handling the finances of your family. A college education can empower you in all kinds of ways to be more in control of your life's logistics.
You'll be better able to weather adversity. From having more money available in a savings account to having marketable skills and an education during an economic downturn, having a degree can come in handy when life throws you a curve.
You'll always be marketable. Having a college degree is becoming increasingly important in the job market (see HERE). Consequently, having a degree now will open doors for the future, which will in turn open more doors and make you more marketable later ... and the cycle continues.

And the Intangible Reasons Why!

You'll lead a more examined life. The critical thinking and reasoning skills you learn in college will stay with you for a lifetime.
You can be an agent of change for others. Many social service positions, from doctor and lawyer to teacher and scientist, require a college degree (if not a graduate degree). Being able to help others means you have to educate yourself to do so through your time in school.
You'll have more access to resources. In addition to the financial resources you'll have access to through your higher income, you'll also have resources in all kinds of unexpected and intangible ways. Your roommate from freshman year who is now an attorney, your friend from chemistry class who is now a doctor, and the person you met at the alumni mixer who may offer you a job next week are the kinds of benefits and resources that are hard to plan for -- but that can make all the difference in the world.
You'll have future opportunities in ways you may not be considering now. When you graduate from college, you may have never even given a second thought to graduate school. But as you get older, you may unexpectedly develop a strong interest in medicine, law, or education. Having that undergraduate degree already under your belt will allow you to pursue your dreams once you realize where they are going (see HERE).
You'll have a strong sense of pride and self. You may be the first person in your family to graduate from college or you may come from a long line of graduates. Either way, knowing you earned your degree will undoubtedly give a lifetime of pride to yourself, your family, and your friends.

USA Making Little Progress On Jobs Jor Disabled Americans

Posted by Michael M.K. 0 comments

USA Making Little Progress On Jobs Jor Disabled Americans - Whether it means opening school track meets to a deaf child or developing a new lunch menu with safe alternatives for students with food allergies, recent Obama administration decisions could significantly affect Americans with disabilities. But there's been little progress in one of the most stubborn challenges: employing the disabled.

According to government labor data, of the 29 million working-age Americans with a disability - those who are 16 years and older - 5.2 million are employed. That's 18 percent of the disabled population and is down from 20 percent four years ago. The employment rate for people without a disability was 63 percent in February.

The job numbers for the disabled haven't budged much since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which gave millions of disabled people civil rights protections and guaranteed equal opportunity in employment, public accommodations, transportation, government services and more.

The National Council on Disability's Jeff Rosen said long-standing prejudicial attitudes need to be addressed to boost jobs.

"Employers are still catching on to the fact that the needs of most workers with disabilities aren't special, but employees with disabilities often bring specialized skills to the workplace," Rosen said. "Perhaps no one knows how to adapt, think critically or find solutions better than someone who has to do so daily in order to navigate a world that wasn't built with them in mind."

Rosen, who is deaf, was named in January as chairman of the council, an independent federal agency that advises the president, Congress and other federal agencies on disability policy.

The Obama administration recently has acted to expand the rights of Americans with disabilities in other areas.

The Education Department's civil rights division released new guidelines that direct schools to provide students with disabilities equal access to extracurricular sports teams. If schools can't, they should create similar athletic programs for disabled children, the department said.

Also, the Justice Department said in a settlement with a Massachusetts college, Lesley University, that severe food allergies can be considered a disability under the law. That potentially could lead to new menus and accommodations at schools, restaurants and other places to address the needs of people with food allergies.

One silver lining in the lagging employment for the disabled has been federal hiring.

The latest data from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management shows nearly 15 percent of new federal hires between 2010 and 2011 were people with disabilities - almost 19,000 people. That's up from the previous year when about 10 percent of new hires were people with disabilities.

President Barack Obama signed an executive order in 2010 aimed at improving the federal ranks of people with disabilities. The goal was to add 100,000 disabled people to federal payrolls in five years; that would be within reach if the 2010-2011 hiring numbers were to stick or improve (see HERE).

Federal agencies are trying to achieve the numbers through better recruitment, especially at colleges and universities. And last month, OPM issued rules to limit the paperwork that potential hires with disabilities would need to provide. They essentially "self identify" as disabled by qualifying for a special hiring category known as "Schedule A" that allows disabled people to apply for a job through a noncompetitive hiring process, meaning they could be hired without competing with the general public.

The administration also is considering new rules that would leverage the power of federal spending to encourage companies to hire more disabled workers. The Labor Department is weighing a rule that would require companies with federal contracts to set a goal of having at least 7 percent of their workforce be disabled. Federal contractors employ nearly one-quarter of the nation's workforce.

Since the rule was proposed more than a year ago, business groups have complained that it would be too burdensome and lead to conflicts with federal laws that discourage companies from asking job applicants to identify themselves as disabled.

"We have had a long history of supporting the disabled community," said Randel Johnson, vice president at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for labor issues. "But this proposal goes too far, woefully underestimates cost of compliance, and is completely unworkable as structured in the proposal."

Jennifer Lortie, 29, of Griswold, Conn., considers herself one of the lucky employed Americans with a disability.

Lortie was born with cerebral palsy and has limited use of her arms and legs. She graduated college during the recession and it was no easy task finding a job.

She spent more than a year scouring newspapers, job search websites and sending out dozens of resumes. She worried her wheelchair might be a strike against her until she landed a position in 2009 as an assistive technology specialist with the Connecticut Tech Act Project. The federally-funded program aims to increase independence for people with disabilities by educating them on new and best-fit technologies for work, school and community living.

"I think helping people kind of makes me think maybe there's a reason that I am in a wheelchair," Lortie said in an interview. "There has to be some reason to all this, so it gives me a sense of purpose as far as 'OK, I'm in a wheelchair but I can help other people' instead of just sitting home feeling sorry for myself."

Lortie spends four hours each day commuting to work and then back to the home she shares with her parents. They drive her to the bus stop and then she takes two buses to get to work - two hours each morning and two hours at the end of the day to get home. And she doesn't mind a bit. "I like to help people," she said.

Jill Houghton works with companies to expand employment for people with disabilities. Among the big barriers, she said, are concerns about cost. Companies worry about whether they'll have to make special accommodations or additional training and they want to know how much it's going to cost.

"The reality is that businesses have found that when they create inclusive workplaces, where people with disabilities are working side by side with people without disabilities ... the bottom line is that it doesn't increase costs," said Houghton, who heads the US Business Leadership Network, a trade association that represents about 5,000 businesses.

She said she has noticed a significant increase in calls and requests recently to the group from the business community about hiring people with disabilities.

Companies want to be inclusive of people with disabilities, Houghton said. "Businesses are learning that it just makes good business sense."

Tips Boost Degrees For Former Students

Posted by Michael M.K. Monday, March 18, 2013 2 comments

Tips Boost Degrees For Former Students - Carmen Ricotta knows being a college graduate could mean higher pay and better job opportunities, and it's not like St. Louis Community College hasn't been practically begging her to wrap up her two-year degree.

The school has been calling and emailing the 28-year-old electrician's apprentice to get her to return and complete her final assignment: an exit exam. But life has gotten in the way and Ricotta has been too busy to make the 30-minute trip from her suburban home near Fenton to the downtown St. Louis campus.

St. Louis Community College (see HERE) is among 60-plus schools in six states taking what seems like an obvious but little-used step to boost college graduation rates: scouring campus databases to track down former students who unknowingly qualify for degrees.

That effort, known as Project Win-Win, has helped community colleges and four-year schools in Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia and Wisconsin find hundreds of ex-students who have either earned enough credits to receive associate degrees or are just a few classes shy of getting them.

Backed by financial support from the Indianapolis-based Lumina Foundation for Education, the pilot project began several years ago with 35 colleges in six states. As it winds down, some participating schools plan to continue the effort on their own.

Ricotta said at this point, she's not sure if getting her two-year degree is all that necessary.

"It's a pain," she said. "I don't feel like going down to the college to take a test I don't need. Yeah, I don't have the degree, but I still took all the classes."

Her seeming indifference to retroactively obtaining her degree points to just one of the challenges facing two-year schools in particular as they strive to fulfill President Barack Obama's challenge of raising college completion rates to 60 percent by 2020: convincing not just the public, but even some of their students, of the value of an associate's degree (see HERE).

At central Missouri's Columbia College, the hunt for students on the verge of graduating worked so well that the school plans to broaden its efforts to find bachelor's degree candidates who are just one class shy of donning the cap and gown. The private liberal arts college has already awarded nearly 300 retroactive degrees, including one given posthumously to the mother of a deceased former student. Another two dozen students returned to campus to finish up after hearing from the school.

"If this was being done nationwide, it could make a difference," said Tery Donelson, Columbia College's assistant vice president for enrollment management.

Like his counterparts in St. Louis, Donelson and his team of transcript detectives also encountered skepticism, if not outright disbelief, from some of the prospective degree awardees.

"If you received a letter saying, 'Congratulations, you've earned a degree,' what would you be thinking?" he said. "That this is a scam. We had to get beyond them.

"We told them they earned a degree, and all they had to do was acknowledge it," Donelson continued. "We didn't want to send a degree to anybody who didn't want it."

Participating schools pared down their initial lists by eliminating students who received degrees elsewhere or were currently enrolled. Expired addresses or disconnected phone numbers eliminated many more.

The Institute for Higher Education Policy (see HERE), which oversaw the project, initially estimated a potential increase of 25,000 new degrees if its efforts took hold nationwide. But most schools found the exercise more difficult than expected, said Cliff Adelman, a senior associate with the Washington-based policy group.

"It ain't as easy as you think," he said. "You can't use a magic wand and have this kind of thing happen."

In Oregon, a review of more than 6,000 students' academic records at the state's 17 community colleges found 109 degree-eligible students and another 905 who might qualify. Virginia's Tidewater Community College awarded 34 degrees and convinced 15 more students to return to campus from its initial pool of 651 prospects.

Four-year schools could follow the lead of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, which used the program to connect with dropouts who might still be interested in a two-year diploma. Or they could link up with neighboring community colleges in what are known as "reverse transfer" agreements.

Those agreements allow students to receive their associate's degrees if they earned enough credits toward them but didn't actually obtain them before heading to a four-year school. The two-year schools, in turn, can boost their completion rates — a critical measure for accrediting agencies and lawmakers looking for results.

One student happy to hear about what amounts to a free degree is Corey Manuel, 34, an Air Force veteran who expects to receive a bachelor's degree in management information systems from Columbia College. He took his classes at a Denver-area branch campus.

Manuel said his educational journey includes nearly 200 credits from five different schools, including a one-year stint straight out of high school playing basketball at Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Mo., and a pair of stops at Louisiana State University's community college in Eunice.

Now an information technology manager at defense contractor Raytheon, Manuel nonetheless still craves the credential he was too busy to pick up along the way.

"I wanted to make sure I had that box checked," he said.

Great Tips To Help Parents Save for College Education

Posted by Michael M.K. Friday, March 15, 2013 0 comments

Great Tips To Help Parents Save for College Education - The high cost of college tuition in Louisiana universities (see here) is making it harder and harder for Louisianians of average means to afford a higher education. This isn’t good for our state. But there are some tax breaks parents and students can look to for some relief from the tuition price spiral.

There is a program available for families who invest in the START savings program for college, in which they can deduct up to $4,800 on their Louisiana State tax returns, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.

“Every little bit helps in this economy, and it’s important that families are aware of every tax break that’s available to them,” said Kennedy. “Thousands of Louisiana families agree that START is a great deal for taxpayers (more here). But it’s much more than another tax break. It’s also a smart investment.”

Individual investors who made deposits into the START program by December 31, 2012, can exempt up to $2,400 per beneficiary per year from income reported on their state returns. For married couples filing jointly, the exemption can be up to $4,800.

If a START investor cannot claim the full exemption this year, he or she can carry the remainder forward to next year. For example, if a married couple deposited $4,000 into a START account this past year, they can deduct $4,000 on their joint return. Because they could not claim the full $4,800 tax exemption, the remaining $800 would be deductible next tax year. The couple could deposit $5,600 into their START account next tax year, and claim the entire amount on their joint return.

Families see additional tax benefits of START when the time comes to take out funds to pay for college. START withdrawals for college expenses are not subject to state or federal taxes. Likewise, any interest earned on START deposits is not taxed.

There are currently more than 44,000 START accounts with deposits totaling $405 million. Deposits have consistently increased since the program’s inception and START took in nearly $63 million in new deposits in 2012.

The rate of return on START investments ranged from 2.5 percent to 18.3 percent this past year depending on the investment option chosen. Additionally, all START accounts earn a state-paid match on deposits from 2 percent to 14 percent, depending on an account’s classification and owner’s adjusted gross income.

For more information on Louisiana’s START savings program, visit www.LATreasury.com or contact the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance at 1-800-259-5626.

Don’t let high college tuition costs beat your dreams of a college education for you or your children. Plan ahead, save ahead and take advantage of such programs as START.

Source : www.americanpress.com

What Next After Earning Master's Degree In Psychology?

Posted by Michael M.K. Tuesday, March 12, 2013 0 comments

What Next After Earning Master's Degree In Psychology? - One day : I am a recent graduate from the University of Phoenix. I have recently started looking for work as of March 2013. My degree title is Master of Science in Psychology.
The question is: What can I do with a master's degree in psychology?
I am utterly perplexed on where to start looking for employment. I am considering going back to school to earn my doctorate, but I would like to find employment at least partly to pay for college. Can you understand my dilemma in this economic downturn?"

Answer:

The job opportunities available to you after earning your master's degree in psychology can depend on a number of factors. In addition to the overall job outlook in your geographic area, the focus of your master's degree can play an important role in determining your employment prospects.

What Next After Earning Master's Degree In Psychology?

While it may seem that all master's degree are fairly equivalent, there is actually a surprising amount of variability in degree options.

Common Master's Degree Options

>> Master's in Clinical Psychology : This is a terminal degree, meaning that further graduate study is not necessary. In some states, graduates of these practice-based programs are allowed to provide psychotherapy and psychological assessment under the supervision of a licensed clinical psychologist.

>> Master's in Experimental Psychology : This degree option can serve as a terminal degree or preparation for further graduate study. These research-based degrees are focused on preparing students for careers in research. Students often focus on a specialty area such as cognitive psychology, human factors, developmental psychology or social psychology. This type of degree would prepare students for job as research assistants, lab managers and market researchers.

>> Master's in an Applied Psychology Area : The U.S. Department of Labor suggests that job opportunities are strongest for students with a graduate degree in an applied psychology area such as industrial-organizational psychology or forensic psychology. A degree in an applied field prepares students to work directly in their specialty area, but some graduate may also find teaching positions at the college or university level.

Job Options With a Master's Degree in Psychology

What if your degree isn't in one of the above areas, or what if you are interested in switching gears to focus on a different area of psychology? While your career path may not be as obvious, there are still plenty of different job opportunities to consider.

As you begin your career search, think about the skills and knowledge you acquired during your education and consider different ways you could apply those abilities in the workforce. The following are just a few of the major areas you might want to focus on in your job search.

Jobs at Colleges and Universities

While the competition for teaching positions can be fierce, some graduates with a master's degree in psychology do finding teaching positions at junior colleges and universities. Academic advising, career counseling and academic recruiting are alternative careers in higher education that graduates from a master's psychology program may want to consider.

Jobs in Local, State and Federal Government

Another option is to look for job with the local, state or federal government. Various government offices often hire individuals with a master's degree in psychology to perform a range of duties such as performing research or providing psychological services. One way to look for such jobs is to go you your states Department of Labor website and search through the available job listings.

Some different government positions that you might qualify for include:

    Vocational rehabilitation provider
    Self-reliance specialist
    Developmental specialist
    Drug and alcohol specialist
    Employment counselor
    Human resources analyst
    Parole officers
    Psychology program manager
    Rehabilitation counselor
    Social service manager

Jobs in Health Care and Mental Health Services

Even if your degree was not practice-focused, you may still be able to find employment in the mental health field. Many of these positions are entry-level, but they can be a great way to gain experience and determine if you might be interested in pursuing a doctorate degree in clinical or counseling psychology.

Some possible job titles in this area include:

    Behavioral counselor
    Health project coordinator
    Psychiatric technician
    Rehabilitation specialist
    Group home coordinator
    Family services worker
    Child protection worker
    Child care supervisor

Jobs in Business, Sales, Marketing and Advertising

A master's degree in psychology also serves as excellent preparation for careers outside of psychology. Psychology graduates are often sought after by employers because they have strong interpersonal and written communication skills. A solid background in research and statistics also qualifies graduates to work in areas such as market research.

    Human resources manager
    Advertising agent
    Market researcher
    Employee trainer
    Public relations representative
    Project manager
    Sales representative
    Store manager

The Job Outlook Like With a Master's Degree in Psychology

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of psychologists is expected to grow at an average rate through the year 2018. However, the handbook notes that "master's degree holders in fields other than industrial-organizational psychology will face keen competition." The need for trained professionals to help boost worker productivity and retention is expected to help drive the increase demand for industrial-organizational psychologists.

Apply To Teach Yoruba and Hausa In USA

Posted by Michael M.K. Thursday, March 7, 2013 0 comments

Apply to teach Yoruba and Hausa in USA - Fulbright FLTAP rogram The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy Abuja invites applications from qualified Nigerians wishing to teach Hausa or Yoruba languages and cultures to American students in U.S. universities and colleges.

The Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) program is a nine month non-degree course funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and administered by the Institute of International Education. The objective of the program is to strengthen foreign language instruction at U.S. colleges, universities, and some high schools, while providing

future teachers from abroad the opportunity to refine their skills, increase their English language proficiency, and expand their knowledge of U.S. society and culture. FLTA fellows must return to their home countries upon completion of their programs to teach English at the secondary or university level.

All applications must meet the following criteria:

Applications must be completed and submitted online.
Applicants should request that the academic office of their institution send a stamped copy of their transcripts in a sealed envelope to: The Public
Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy, Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central Area, Abuja, Attention: Cultural Affairs Officer.
Other documents to be submitted include academic credentials, signed and stamped letters of reference, and the photo page of a valid Nigerian passport.
The application can be accessed at http://apply.embark.com/student/fulbright/flta
Applicants must be teachers of English or in training to become teachers of English.
Applicants must possess a university degree in English, Language Arts, or combined honors.
Applicants must be fluent in English, demonstrated by a TOEFL score of 79-80 (Internet based testing) or 6.0 (overall score International English Language Testing System-IELTS).
Applicants must be between 21 and 29 years old at the time of application.
Applicants must demonstrate maturity, dependability, integrity and professionalism.
Applicants must be physically present in their home country throughout the nomination and selection process.

Application opens: January 1, 2013

Application Closes: April 30, 2013

For further inquiries, please contact Cultural Affairs Assistant, U.S. Embassy, Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central Area, Abuja.
Email:CulturalAbuja@state.gov or U.S. Consulate General, #2 Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos;

Great Tips Study In USA 2013

Posted by Michael M.K. Monday, March 4, 2013 0 comments

Great Tips Study In USA 2013 - If you are planning to study in USA be prepared to have an experience of a lifetime. USA is the land of opportunities, because of its cutting-edge technology, mega bucks and for life, as you want it to be.

A US education is like a coal mine investment which at the end yields you a high rate of profit for many many years. USA, an ideal destination for acquiring higher education offers a mind boggling range of universities with highly sophisticated and enlightening educational environments. Access to internationally renowned faculties makes them world leaders. An American education offers phenomenally
higher returns over one’s investment, not only economically but also socially and culturally.

Dr Mary Anne Saunders -Executive Director from Kent State University says

“USA offers a wide range of degrees which are globally recognized. Under "liberal arts philosophy" undergraduate degrees are quite flexible and vast number of academic options to choose from. For postgraduate and masters programs -Top University in US provide outstanding research infrastructure and facilities. The students get theoretical, practical and applied aspects of an area of study. The campuses are multicultural that prepare the students to be global citizens”.

Karan Barabde who pursued his Masters in Mechanical Engineering passed out from University of Southern California says “Professional guidance from my counselor helped me make my American Dreams come true”

According to 2012 Open Door’s Report - The number of international students at colleges and universities in the United States increased by 6.5% to 764,495 during the 2011/12 academic year.

Financing a post-secondary education abroad is no easy task but fear not,as there are a number of resources to assist you . Over 20% of non-US students receive most of their academic funding from a US college or university through variety of programs. Many of them offer partial scholarships or full scholarships, fee waivers, graduate/research/teaching/student assistant scholarships etc.
International students also have the option of taking up well-paying campus jobs, working 20 hours a week on regular term and full-time during summer vacation. On completion of the course, students have the authorization to work for 12 months to 29 months known as OPT (Optional Practical Training) depending on their field of study. Good job opportunities will be available to students particularly with degrees in healthcare, teaching, business, finance, hotel management, accounting, technology, engineering, mathematics etc. as these are fields with great demand in a recovering economy.

Even after this if, your vote is not cast for a US education, here is the clincher, some Top University in US have started accepting 15 years of education over 16 years. These universities accept 15 years for study in the field of Business, Hotel Management, Psychology, Computer Science, etc. This not only benefits the student by saving time but also helps them start earning early.

If you are apprehensive that you have missed the bus, do not fret, for many American universities are still open for admissions to their fall sessions beginning August/September 2013. All you have to do is to prepare your documents well. It’s a good time for starting applications for fall 2013 (September) intake. An early application will help students to bag most of the scholarships available, which universities offer to lure talent and brains. It is a good time to visit your counselor to initiate this process.

Head to USA and harvest the best crop of the ongoing economic upswing. We are committed to earnestly and correctly guide you at each and every step to help you reach the destination.

Sushil Sukhwani
Director, Edwise

Some of The Most Common Myths of Online Education

Posted by Michael M.K. Sunday, March 3, 2013 0 comments

Some of The Most Common Myths of Education - Despite profound popularity, the concept of online education has not been able to gain complete acceptance. This is because of the myths regarding the concept education.

Some of the most common myths of education are:

courses are identical: It is generally assumed that the content and the results of all online courses is the same but this is not true. While some courses deliver only the crest of a particular concept, others provide an in-depth knowledge about the course. Some recognized courses offer a lot of dynamism and versatility.
It doesn't require faculty: It is sometimes believed that online education will reduce the need for faculty and qualified instructors. But, this is not the truth. It has been observed that the greatest reason for a student's success is a motivating instructor. In an online class, the size of the class might be small or large, but there always faculty members to support all the students. Qualified faculty is also required for writing and creating new courses.
Online courses are less worthy: Many a times it is believed that courses don't hold the same worth in the eyes of the employers as a regular course. But this is not so. The correct blend of online and offline education and appropriate professional experience can do wonders to your career.
You have to be tech savvy: Many people think that an e-learning class requires one to be highly tech-savvy and requires you to possess high level of technical know-how. But in reality, online courses are designed in a very user friendly manner. They are especially designed to cater to the needs of the common man.

It takes lesser efforts: People believe that online learning takes less time and is an easy way to take a degree. If you are taking up an online course just because you want to take a short cut in your career, then online education isn't certainly the right option.

These are the most common myths that are associated with online learning. Students are sometimes skeptical about adopting online education because of these myths. There is a need to realize that online education is much more than what it is thought to be. It isn't a shortcut route but a catalytic factor which will help you to enhance your career.
One such measure to promote online mode of education has been taken by EduKart. EduKart provides certificate courses in Digital Marketing certified courses, Retail Management (certified by RAI), Financial Management (Wealth Management certified by AIWMI), Programming Language (certified by CSI), Project management and in Skill Development. It also provides some UGC-DEC-AICTE UG and PG degree courses like BBA, B.Sc.IT, MBA and M.Sc. IT.

Best Degrees By Subject 2013

Posted by Michael M.K. Wednesday, February 20, 2013 0 comments

Best Degrees By Subject 2013 - Here some of the best degrees by subject for this year, check this out!

Art and Design Degrees

Art & design programs are aimed at those talented individuals who would like to enhance their skills in drawing, shading and implementing design projects in different mediums. The emphasis in art & design programs is in being able to develop a concept and implement it. There is a growing need in industry for
individuals who can design products that are not only practical but also attractive. Art & design programs have thus been developed to train people for such roles.

What will I study in art & design programs ?
Art & design programs have enough flexibility to satisfy those with different career interests. But all those in art & design programs are required to take some core courses to build their foundations.
Core courses in art & design programs involve an introduction to visual thinking. You are encouraged to develop quick and effective sketches of new concepts and product ideas to begin the process of converting ideas into something practical.

You will also be exposed to the processes of rendering and painting. Art & design programs will teach you how to design for perspective while taking into account lighting and shadows.

Since you will often be a part of design projects working in teams on a fixed schedule, art & design programs will expose you to the fundamentals of project management. This course will teach you how to plan and distribute work between a team and identify risks in advance of completion.

Elective courses in art & design programs allow you to delve deeper into different mediums. You may learn how to use pastel, water colors or charcoal. You may also be exposed to different mediums of expression like murals, collages and still life.

Art & design programs are increasingly taking advantage of technology. They thus teach you to use basic software like Photoshop and Illustrator that allow you to develop animation and attractive brochures. These skills are among the highest in demand in industry.

Can I complete art & design programs online?
Indeed online art & design programs are very popular. These online programs allow you to stream video lectures and watch them at your leisure. Videos tend to be instructional in nature and guide you through the best practices of art & design.

While online programs may only be able to provide limited practical experience, some of them collaborate with physical campuses to provide you additional opportunities to complete project work in teams.

If you are seriously interested in breaking into the art & design industry you may be best served by completing an online bachelor’s program. An online master’s program will provide you additional depth and prepare you for management.

Those who are just interested in dabbling in the field as a hobby may find that certificate programs are best able to satisfy them.

What are my job prospects after art & design programs?
After completing art & design programs, you will find that you are in demand to design everything from consumer products to children’s toys to website interfaces. Employers are particularly interested in applicants who have a record of delivering quality projects on a tight timeline.

Business Degrees

A business degree remains a popular choice for those looking to pursue practical job skills through higher education. By some estimates over a fifth of all undergraduate degrees awarded in the United States are business degrees. Business degrees encompass a diverse set of technical and soft skills and many employers are keen to see an aptitude for business and management in their employees.

What does a business degree involve?
Business degrees do not follow a rigid curriculum. Most universities will offer a set of core courses to train you in the rudiments of finance, accounting, controls, marketing, budgeting and human resource management. Business degrees also include electives in many diverse fields such as operations management, sales, business development and ethics. The most extensive business curriculums will include several courses on soft skills such as negotiation, leadership and teamwork. Schools will also focus on offering language classes and courses in psychology, sociology and computers to ensure that business students are equipped with a diverse set of skills. Associate degrees in business tend to focus on the fundamentals without offering too many electives. Business skills can also be learned through pursuing certificates in specific areas of study like consumer marketing and financial trading. Business degrees also emphasize work experience and practical skills and try to promote network by providing many resources for students to interact with each other and potential employers.

Why pursue an online business degree?
Many of you may already have a full time job that requires a fair amount of business acumen. You may still be interested in honing your skills and signaling to your employers that you are ready to take the next step in your career. An online business degree is an economical and convenient way to expand your repertoire of skills without having to leave your present job. In fact, the combination of classroom studies and practical experience will allow you to really appreciate the business degree.

Career prospects with business degrees Business degrees are among the most versatile options for those looking for new career opportunities. Business skills are required in all major industries, financial institutions and the government sector. People in all walks of life can benefit from additional exposure on managing people and resources. A business degree will thus allow you to keep your options open and prepare you for roles requiring responsibility and leadership. The best thing about business degrees is that they are designed to be practical and tailored to the current requirements of the market. Schools that offer business degrees often collaborate with local employers to design the curriculum. This ensures that curriculum does not grow obsolete and graduates are well prepared for the nuances of the job market. In fact the linkage between employers and business schools is so strong that it is extremely common for these same employers to recruit the business graduates. Business degrees are thus a safe and lucrative investment of your time and resources.

Online Business Management Degree Programs

Posted by Michael M.K. Monday, February 4, 2013 0 comments

Online Business Management Degree Programs - Why an online business management degree? If you're interested in pursuing a management position where you get to set the goals for the organization, including the best way to accomplish those goals, consider earning an online business management degree.

Business management involves the act of directing members of an organization to work together, while monitoring progress, toward accomplishing organizational goals and objectives.

Today's business managers require competitive skills to direct the financial, physical and informational resources of corporations.

Fortunately, online degree programs in business management offer the convenience and flexibility to help students grasp those critical skills and concepts while learning at their own pace, without ever having to attend a traditional college campus. You can earn a bachelors degree in business management, a masters in business management or a doctorate or PhD in business management entirely online.

Accredited Online Colleges Offering Business Management Degree Programs
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI) and offers the following online business management degrees:

Bachelor degree in Business - Human Resource Management
Bachelor degree in Business - Management and Leadership
Bachelor degree in Business - Project Management
Bachelor degree in Technology - Project Management
Bachelor degree in Business - Retail Management
MBA - General
MBA - Health Care Management
MBA - Human Resource Management
MBA - Information Technology Management
MBA - Project Management
MS - Management of Nonprofit Agencies

49 million American students still denied school choice

Posted by Michael M.K. Saturday, February 2, 2013 0 comments

49 million American students still denied school choice - Heidi and Frank Green used to worry about their daughters while they were at school. The Clarksville, Indiana couple was concerned about bullying, cursing, large class sizes, a revolving teaching staff, and a general lack of attention for students.

Thankfully, the Greens say their lives have changed for the better as daughters Gillian and Emma are now eager to attend school. Today they are getting quality instruction at their new Catholic school thanks to a voucher program adopted in Indiana two years ago.

“School choice should be everywhere,” said Mrs. Green. “Parents should be able to decide what’s best for their kids.

Gillian and Emma are among the 255,000 students nationwide who attend a private school of their family’s choice using vouchers or tax-credit scholarships. Another 2.3 million students utilize public charter schools as their preferred option.

But there are still almost 49 million public school students throughout the country who do not have such freedom. They must attend their neighborhood public school regardless of its safety, quality, class sizes, teaching staff, or other issues outside their parents’ control. But such restriction doesn’t have to be the case.

Sunday kicked off the third annual National School Choice Week, which runs through Saturday. There will be 3,000 events across 50 states including rallies and forums where parents will ask lawmakers for more choices for their kids.

National School Choice Week highlights the private, charter, online and home school education options available to families and those stuck with a school assigned to them by their address. Parents can choose public or private colleges for their children using many federal and state aid programs. They should be able to do the same with K-12 schools.

After major school choice victories last fall in which Washington voters agreed to allow charter schools to open in the state and Georgia voters agreed to an easier path to create more charters, a host of other states will consider additional school choice measures in 2013. Among the highlights:

* Tennessee’s governor will include a school voucher program in his legislative package.

* The Texas legislature will consider a program in which taxpayers would receive tax credits for donations they make to nonprofits that provide private school scholarships for low-income students.

* Mississippi’s governor proposed a private school choice program for students in underperforming public schools.

* North Carolina’s lawmakers will review proposals for opportunity scholarships and quite possibly education savings accounts, a new type of private school choice available only in Arizona.

* Alaska lawmakers will vote on a school voucher plan for all students statewide regardless of their family income.

* Indiana’s new governor has proposed expanding its voucher program to increase scholarship amounts and student eligibility.

* Maine lawmakers will hear a proposal from their governor to give children school vouchers.

Nobel laureate economist Milton Friedman, the father of the school choice concept, believed that offering parents education options other than their neighborhood school would not only be good for children but would improve education. Studies show school choice is helping children in their new schools and those who don’t participate – something vitally important when so many children don’t get a quality education.

The Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University found that high school dropouts are more dependent on government assistance such as food stamps, housing assistance, and Medicaid. They are also more likely to be in jail or prison, another cost to federal, state, and local taxpayers. And unemployment rates are highest among dropouts, according to the study.

If our society is to address its burgeoning debt problem and give young people a chance to become successful, offering parents an opportunity to access high-quality schools is a path to prosperity for themselves, their children, and society.

In several states, policymakers are ensuring more students have access to the schools, public or private, that work best for them. National School Choice Week is the time to shine a spotlight on those leaders and anyone else working to make sure every family is free to choose in education.

Source : http://www.foxnews.com/

Tips build the career of your child with the elementary education programs

Posted by Michael M.K. Friday, February 1, 2013 0 comments

Tips build the career of your child with the elementary education programs - As we all know that education plays a vital role in the life of everyone, it helps in changing a person’s thinking about other people in the world. Children when are growing need a helping hand who can teach them the basics of life and other things which could change the way they see the world. It helps the children in building a bright future for them as with education a child can learn a lot and can also build a strong foundation for them.

There are many elementary schools which have started to improve the life of a child and provide them with the basic idea about life and how to go about it further. There are many courses which gives great benefits to children so that they can build a strong future.

There are elementary education programs which have been started to build the career of the children so that they can become great in terms of future as children require guidance and understanding when it comes to building a future for them. There are many online elementary schools also which provides the best education to people so that they can build a great foundation in terms of future. There are courses which usually includes different domains of studies. These elementary schools help in providing people with the best education which would be helpful in building the future and also in making the child realize the importance of education in their lives.