12.2% Hiring Increase Projected for 2013 Grads

The job market for college graduates continues to improve according to preliminary results from the NACE’s Job Outlook 2013 survey.

The 12.2 percent projected increase in hiring of recent college graduates comes on top of the 9.5 increase seen in 2012. Part of the strength in the 2013 numbers is due to only eight percent of employers planning to hire fewer graduates, the lowest number seen since 2007.

The degrees most in demand are: Continue Reading

Do You Have What it takes to complete an Online Healthcare Management Degree?

There’s no denying that healthcare management is a hot career option, which is due largely in part to the profession’s projected growth, opportunities for advancement and potential to earn a competitive salary. These reasons, and a variety of others, may be the motivation behind your decision to enter into an online university environment, but realize that this degree program and profession isn’t for everyone. It takes a special type of person to succeed in the competitive and stressful world of healthcare management. Before making any final decisions, learn about the skills and attributes most successful healthcare managers possess, and what it takes to succeed at your online studies. Continue Reading

Defining the Masters in Project Management

When considering a master’s degree in the field of project management, it can be difficult to decide which path is truly right for you. Without doing the proper research, a master’s degree in project management can easily be confused with a master’s degree in human resources or a master’s in business administration. What is the difference between these programs? Which one is better? Let’s find out the truth behind these degree’s and their titles, as well as how they can help you reach your professional goals. Continue Reading

Three-Year Degrees Pros and Cons

“I could have learned all this in one semester.” That’s the groan of graduating college students as they look back on their four-year bachelor programs. Colleges load curricula with general requirement classes that don’t support students’ majors – all for the sake of “culturing” students.

And that “culture” comes at an expensive price. That’s why a lot of colleges are beginning to offer three-year degrees. They’re cheaper, quicker, and they get students into the workforce or graduate programs sooner.

In most of these programs, students take more but shorter classes in the fall and spring and some take classes over the summer. Continue Reading

The Coolest Course Requirements of an IT Security Degree

Every company and organization has a need for IT security:  unless they are somehow still in the Jurassic Age and not using computerized systems. This field deals with securing networks and protecting data from intrusive attacks. Those who pursue an Information Security Master’s Degree will be prepared to head a security team of technologists who create systems to ensure the security of all things IT-related. This field goes beyond a standard Information Technology degree and specifically focuses on security. The course load for this degree has some unique and interesting classes. Continue Reading

Highest paying Master’s Programs of 2012

If you are considering an advanced master of business administration degree, or an MPH (master in public health) degree, it is a safe guess that topmost in your mind, alongside choosing your field of study, is figuring out if your starting salary will enable you to pay back your student loans in full and on time. This is a growing concern amongst a graduating body of highly trained and prepared advanced degree candidates. Entities both public and private that are charged with evaluating the “best” and “worst” advanced degrees have delivered clear proof that earning potential is not equal amongst differently degreed professionals who hold a master’s degree or higher. The truth is, if you are investing money into your advanced degree program, you most likely want to know you will earn that money back and then some. Learn what the highest master’s programs are—in terms of income earning potential and advancement in the field—as you decide what your own next steps for an advanced degree may be. Continue Reading

Partnership Between FindTheBest and CollegeRecruiter.com Puts College and Scholarship Data into Context

FindTheBest and CollegeRecruiter.com have partnered to help students find not only the best colleges and graduate schools for their educational needs, but also the right scholarships to help pay for that education.

FindTheBest, a data-driven comparison engine, has created six customized comparisons for CollegeRecruiter.com—the leading job board for college students searching for internships and recent graduates hunting for entry-level jobs and other career opportunities.

Comparing Options

The comparisons are divided into three categories: colleges, graduate schools and scholarships. Each of the comparisons provide students with key filters and sorting functionality needed to narrow options, as well as a comparison feature that allows students to view their options side-by-side.

The Colleges comparison allows students to find and compare colleges and universities based on key factors like location, tuition, programs, school size, ranking and more. Continue Reading

Why You Will Fail to Have a Great Career

In this funny and blunt talk from TEDxUW, Professor Larry Smith pulls no punches when he calls out the absurd excuses people invent when they fail to pursue their passions. A professor of Economics at the University of Waterloo in Canada, Larry Smith coaches his students to find the careers that they will truly love.

Throughout his three-decade career here at the University of Waterloo, Larry Smith has inspired legions of students to take up the mantle of economics with his passionate and homespun tales of economic wizardry. A renowned story-teller, teacher and youth leadership champion, Larry has also coached and mentored countless numbers of students on start-up business management and career development strategies. Continue Reading

CAFS: What Does It Mean?

CAFS stands for Certified Air Filter Specialist, a title given to the graduates of the Certified Air Filter Specialist Program administered by the National Air Filtration Association. This program is designed to ensure that all of the graduates of the program who pass the certification exam possess a sound knowledge of the principles, methods, and applications of air filtration and air filters.

The CAFS program curriculum focuses on the knowledge of different types of air filters and the proper use for each variety. Because air filters are an important part of an indoor air quality system, it is important that the specialist knows the correct information for each type of air filter and can give business owners and homeowners information about their air filtration system that is knowledge-based and reliable. Continue Reading

36% of College Grads Wish They Had Picked a Different Major

A tight job market may have some workers pondering their educational paths and heading back to the classroom. According to a new survey, 36 percent of workers with college degrees said they wish they had chosen a different major in college. More than one-in-four (26 percent) said the market for jobs in their chosen field worsened from the time they entered college and when they graduated. This survey was conducted among more than 2,000 workers with college degrees between August 17 and September 2, 2010.

While more than half (56 percent) of all workers with college degrees reported they found a job in their desired career path within one year of graduation, others’ pursuits still haven’t come to fruition. Nearly one-in-five (19 percent) of all workers with a college degree still have not found a job in their desired field.

More than one-in-four workers (27 percent) who graduated from college ten years ago or longer reported they still haven’t found a job related to their college major. Twenty-one percent said it took them three years or longer to find an opportunity in their desired career path while one-in-ten (12 percent) said it took five years or longer.

“The job market has been challenging for all workers, regardless of degree level, and has prompted many to think about learning skills for high demand and emerging jobs,” said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder. “Many employers, particular in areas such as healthcare, engineering, IT and communications have open positions and can’t find skilled candidates to fill them. College students and workers considering going back to school should take note of areas with growth opportunities and more abundant hiring.”

Building new skill sets is a priority for more than one-in-ten (13 percent) workers who said they have plans to go back to school this year to make themselves more marketable.

Haefner offers the following tips for workers who want to pursue more education:

• Talk to HR – If you’re currently employed, many organizations offer some type of learning program. Whether it’s classes taught on-site at your company, courses and seminars across the country or reimbursement for graduate school programs, your HR department can help you decide what is the best fit for your goals.
• Leverage the Web – Sometimes, you don’t even have to leave your home to hone your skills. Many sites offer a wide variety of learning opportunities, such as CBInstitute.com, or consider applying to an online university.
• Take advantage of local resources – Many local libraries and community centers offer classes in everything from basic Internet skills to foreign languages. Ask around your community to see what opportunities exist.