Articles are submitted by a variety of bloggers like Brady Norvall of MyUsearch blog, Dawn Papandrea of CollegeSurfing Insider and Mark Montgomery of Great College Advice, to name a few.

Choosing a school, a major, an internship, or finding the right entry level job doesn't have to be overwhelming. Monthly gatherings like the Carnival of College Admissions put all the information any student or job seeker could ever need just one click away.

Recent economic changes have prompted the editors of The Big Book of College Majors and Viable Jobs Matrices1 to issue their twelfth edition. The new book cross references college majors and minors and predicts the resulting job prospects in light of the recent changes on Wall Street and the uncertainty that comes with a new administration in Washington.

This is a "must read" for all college-bound students. Before you decide your college major, I recommend you read the newest edition. Here are a few excerpts to get your mental juices flowing while you prepare for what is really important in getting a decent job after college...Greek Rush Week.

Major: Nursing. Minor: Bioenvironmental Engineering.

Skill: The ability to create health-inducing surroundings especially in hospitals.

Job Outlook: Hospital gift shop clerk. You'll spend your days recommending the prefect flower arrangement based on the patient's diagnosis. Doctors will begin to question your interference when you start making weekly visits to the ICU to reassess the Feng Shui of the ward. Ultimately, you are fired for pilfering hand sanitizer from the gift shop. Continue reading ...

Article by, the Barefoot and courtesy of Associated Content, Inc.

Here's proof: In October 2008, close to 40 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds were enrolled in college, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of newly released data from the Census Bureau. That translates into almost 11.5 million young adults in higher ed.

Of course, a majority of the college enrollment growth has come at community colleges, where enrollment tends to rise as the economy worsens. After all, who can afford a pricey private college education when community college offers a good education for a fraction of the cost?

So why is everyone flocking to college? In a downturned economy, going to college can seem counterintuitive - who can afford tuition when they can't find a decent paying job? But the adage "you have to give something to get something" might put the situation into perspective.

During this recession, the national unemployment rate has been at its highest level in more than 25 years. We're all feeling it, but many young adults are bearing the brunt of the strain. Just 46 percent of 16- to 24-year-olds were employed in September 2009, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That's the lowest percentage since 1948, when the government began collecting this kind of data.

Recession Redemption

The choice for college speaks volumes about the anticipated and proven outcomes of a college education. If young adults can't find work now, and therefore decide to go to college, they must be doing so because they believe education will help them get a job. And not just any job - college education translates into higher positions and salaries than high school diplomas do.

When you think about it, the data paints a picture of hope. Instead of bemoaning the current financial situation, young adults are taking their future into their own hands by pursuing higher education. They've determined that their lives can be better than what they know today, and they're turning that possibility into reality.

So maybe the recession hasn't been a total loss. If it has motivated people to do something good for themselves - something that might have otherwise escaped their list of priorities - the economy might just be redeemable after all.

What about you - have you been able to redeem the recession? It's evident that young people view college as a worthwhile investment. Have you thought about the benefits of pursuing higher education, especially in tough economic times?

The fact is that whether you're out of work, in need of a promotion, or ready for a career change, choosing college is always a smart move. Is the recession what it will take for you to make a change? If so, take advantage of the opportunity to make a better life for yourself. Education can always take you where you want to go.

Article by, Robyn Tellefsen and courtesy of CollegeSurfing Insider.

Data from the Technical College System of Georgia shows a 24 percent increase in 2009 enrollment compared to 2008, with 110,254 students in the state's 28 technical colleges. The previous record: 91,838 students, in 2003.

Officials say the enrollment increase is due to the downturn in the economy. The education provided by technical schools can provide marketable skills that open doors to jobs in high-demand fields such as healthcare, business and office technologies, and computer information systems.

And the interesting thing is that technical colleges have a diversity of ages among the students enrolled. The schools in Georgia are seeing an increase in students under 21, with recent high school graduates joining experienced workers in the classrooms. Having that diversity of ages in programs is beneficial to everyone, preparing you for a multi-generational workplace.

You may be among those who have lost jobs or are just ready for a different career path, and technical colleges are an affordable route worth considering.

Article by, Lori Johnston and courtesy of CollegeSurfing Insider.

Check out our top 20 list of horror novelists, screenwriters, and directors (including two dynamic duos) and the classics with which they found their fame and fortune. Then see where these masters of the macabre matriculated -- maybe you're heading there yourself, if you dare. Continue reading ...

Article by, Barbara Bellesi and courtesy of CollegeSurfing Insider.

The student's rights have excluded the parent from even knowing if their child is attending class let alone flunking out. The law seems to protect the student so you need to consider making a contract with your kiddo. No sharing of information? Then no money. Let them finance their college experience.

Parents are often ratcheting down their expenses so they can pay for their child's college, not knowing that their student is not even attending class. Maybe in someone's eyes, this is a violation of the students rights, but when the parents are putting their retirement in jeopardy, then I think, it is time for the parents to assert their rights to say "No".

So, what to do? Make an agreement with your student that there will be open sharing of grades. You might even request an accounting of how they are spending their (your) money. These kiddos really need your parenting, even if they don't know it. Not helicoptering, parenting.

Article by, College Parenting Expert, Dr. Debi Yohn, whose advice on successfully getting college students through college with an emphasis on graduation and rewarding employment is sought by parents from around the world. Now for the first time, she reveals 27 Winning Strategies for Success - a guidebook geared to parents of new college students. Get her free e-Book now at http://www.collegeparentsadvice.com/ and improve your child's chances of a successful college experience.

History

Founded in Denver, Colorado the school was originally known as the Denver Institute of Technology, offering degrees in a variety of technical fields. Once these programs began expanding the name was changed to Westwood College. Today, campuses extend into California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Texas, Virginia and even online with approximately 15,000 students enrolled.

Curriculum and Accreditation

Westwood College operates on a term schedule with degree programs starting five times a year and courses being offered year-round with day, evening, and online class options. Students are able to earn an associate degree in as little as 20 months or a bachelor's degree in three years. The curriculum focuses on both degree-specific and general education class work, but approximately two-thirds of the schedule is spent in classes specific to a student's chosen degree.

The various campus locations as well as the online campus are nationally accredited by either the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and the Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT) or the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), both of which are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

Seven schools offer degree programs: School of Technology, School of Design, School of Business, School of Justice, School of Healthcare, School of Professional Studies and the School of Industrial Services.

School of Technology

The Westwood College of Technology offers degrees that range from information technology to game software development. Degrees are available at locations in Texas, Virginia, Illinois, Georgia, Colorado, and California as well as online. An associate degree is available in Information Technology while bachelor degree programs are available in Game Software Development and Information Technology with Majors in Cisco® Network Systems, Computer Forensics, Network Management or System Security.

School of Design

The Westwood College School of Design offers degrees in programs that range from animation and graphic design to computer-aided design and game art. Classes are available in California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Texas and Virginia, as well as online.

Associate degree programs are offered in Computer-Aided Design/Architectural Drafting (CAD) and Graphic Design and Multimedia. Bachelor degree programs are available in Animation, Game Art, Interior Design, Visual Communications and Web Design & Multimedia.

School of Business

The Westwood College School of Business offers various degrees in programs that range from marketing and accounting to construction management and fashion merchandising. Programs are available in California, Illinois, Georgia, Colorado, Texas and Virginia as well as online.

Bachelor degree programs include Business Administration with a Major in Accounting and Financial Management, Fashion Merchandising, Healthcare Management, Management, Marketing Management or Retail Management, as well as Construction Management. There is also an associate degree option available for Construction Management. A Masters of Business Administration is also offered.

School of Justice

The Westwood College School of Justice educates students on varying aspects of the judicial system. Course topics range from law enforcement and private security to the correctional system and advocacy. Bachelor degree programs in Criminal Justice are available at most campuses and online. A paralegal associate degree is offered online, in California and Texas.

School of Healthcare

The Westwood College School of Healthcare offers both diploma and associate degree programs for students interested in the medical field. Healthcare programs are available in Texas, Illinois, Georgia and Colorado. Both a diploma and associate degree are available for Medical Assisting and a diploma is available in Medical Insurance Coding & Billing.

School of Professional Studies

The Westwood College School of Professional Studies is the perfect solution for busy lifestyles. It offers working adults the opportunity to finish a bachelor's degree or to earn an MBA. The Professional Studies program is tailored to potential students that have already demonstrated commitment to success by working toward a degree, and students that need a truly flexible program accommodating demanding schedules and satisfying unique lifestyle needs. Bachelor programs in the School of Professional Studies include Business Administration with a Major in Accounting and Financial Management, Fashion Merchandising, Healthcare Management, Management or Marketing Management. A Masters of Business Administration is offered as well.

School of Industrial Services

The Westwood College School of Industrial Services is available at the Denver, Colorado location and trains students in aspects of mechanical training, construction management and planning. Associate degree programs include Automotive Technology and Surveying.

Article courtesy of OnlineDegreePrograms.org

Not surprisingly, all of the majors they list have something to do with making ourselves and/or the environment a little healthier, and finding new ways to solve problems. In fact, each field can be classified as "higher" education in some way, since they each have a higher purpose than just simply memorizing facts, performing calculations, or appreciating some type of art.

Sustainability -- A few weeks ago, I actually had to look this up -- no joke! That's how new an idea this is when it comes to education and business. If you're wondering what it is (which is nothing to be ashamed of), I'll tell you. It's the concept of making something more "green" or ecofriendly. Many businesses today are sustainable businesses. So college students, be sure to at least take a class on this because it's the hottest buzzword in the workplace today!

Service Science -- This is another buzzword that may not be what you think it is. The article describes it as cultivating "'deep problem solvers' who understand the economic, human, and technical dimensions of complex systems." Yikes! That's a mouthful, isn't it? The idea is to improve productivity and encourage innovation in various service industries. In other words, these grads will help find more efficient ways of doing things. That sure is a good skill set to have.

Health informatics -- The idea is to take each person's tons of health data and digitalize it. The Feds are totally behind this initiative, and so a new field has emerged that will demand lots of technological know-how with a health care twist.

Computational science -- Math meet science. Science meet math. Together, you'll solve problems. At least that's the gist of what computational science is all about. I'm not a techie or a number cruncher so it's a bit beyond me, honestly, but the article says this: "Companies have used computational analysis to increase the absorbency of disposable diapers and to tweak the shape of potato chips so they drop into packages rather than fly off the conveyor belt." OK then, moving on...

Public health - If the swine flu epidemic has taught us anything, it's that public health is an expansive field. Students who merge the biology stuff with the public policy stuff will be huge commodities in our society.

Intrigued by any of these up-and-coming fields? They are definitely worth paying attention to for anyone interested in entering a viable industry. One day, they may even be as commonplace as English literature or psychology, so get studying!

Article by Dawn Papandrea and courtesy of CollegeSurfing Insider.

The goodies of this new card includes no overdraft fees and having a debit card that's not tied to a particular bank account. This means the balance can come from a variety of sources.

For Paypal an ecosystem is being created for PayPal users who will become comfortable handling their finances with Paypal. Money transfers happen through out life so getting use to PayPal while being a student or a parent with a student, gets both parties used to dealing with its system.

Check it out. Go to paypal.com

Article by, College Parenting Expert, Dr. Debi Yohn, whose advice on successfully getting college students through college with an emphasis on graduation and rewarding employment is sought by parents from around the world. Now for the first time, she reveals 27 Winning Strategies for Success - a guidebook geared to parents of new college students. Get her free e-Book now at http://www.collegeparentsadvice.com/ and improve your child's chances of a successful college experience.

This leaves us the other choice which is a product like Lojack for Laptops. JAMES DERK, Scripps Howard News Service recommends a CompuTrace product that will "phone home" when your stolen laptop is ever plugged into the Internet. This product, which costs about $35 a year depending on where you get it, even works if the computer's hard drive has been formatted in many cases. (CompuTrace is also available direct from many computer manufacturers upon purchase of the laptop, too.)

Article by, College Parenting Expert, Dr. Debi Yohn, whose advice on successfully getting college students through college with an emphasis on graduation and rewarding employment is sought by parents from around the world. Now for the first time, she reveals 27 Winning Strategies for Success - a guidebook geared to parents of new college students. Get her free e-Book now at http://www.collegeparentsadvice.com/ and improve your child's chances of a successful college experience.

Also, tell your child to seek out a computer geek immediately. I recommend this even to my adults that move around the world. First thing you do is get wired in. For students I recommend buying the computer with the extended warranty from a store like Best Buy which is usually found in most college towns. They also have the Geek Squad that makes home visits. My son bought a lemon of a lap top but after 3 trips to the repair shop, Best Buy made good on giving him a new computer of equal value of what I paid for the original one.

If your student is a geek, tell them they have a business opportunity. Encourage their entrepreneurial spirit to form a little business for pocket money. They need to post their skill on the community bulletin board, Craigs List etc... with their hourly rate. Then it is established before everyone expects it for free.

Vice President Joe Biden is an alumnus of the College of Law, among many other famous alumni such as William Safire, Dick Clark, Donovan McNabb, and Robert Jarvik. The architecture and industrial design programs consistently rank among the best in the country, and in journalism, the nationally known S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications stands among the top three schools of its kind. The main library, the Bird Library, contains a core collection of 2.3 million books.

The competition to get into SU is stiff: for the incoming freshman class of about 3000, Syracuse University screened 23,000 applicants. Tuition averages about $33,000 per year, and 80% of undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid. As to student life, the SU population is diverse. About 50% of incoming freshmen are from New York State, and another 10% come from around the world to attend. All 50 states and more than 110 countries are represented by the student population. An active Greek life on campus, supporting one of SU's 20 Big East Conference sports teams (one of which took home the 2003 NCAA Championship), and many cultural opportunities in and around campus also keep students busy in their off hours.

The vision of Syracuse University is "Scholarship in Action," a phrase that's not taken lightly. The vision means forging long-term collaborations with business, local and global communities, allowing SU to reach outside its old limits, and take the intelligence and energy of its people where they can make a true difference.

Article written by a freelance writer